10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this weekend (July 3-5)

Sunny days are making a comeback in a big way starting this weekend, so now is the time to make your plans, Vancouver. From kayak lessons to Theatre Under the Stars, here are 10 of the best things to do in Vancouver this weekend (July 3-5).

This summer, two beloved musicals known for their feel-good music and inspiring storylines take the stage at Vancouver’s Malkin Bowl. Theatre Under the Stars is officially back for its 86th year of live theatre, showcasing Sister Act and Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

When: Friday, July 3 to Aug. 22, 2026
Time: Various showtimes
Where: 610 Pipeline Rd.
Cost: $35 to $69 for GA

The prestigious Vancouver International Jazz Fest is now in full swing, and there are dozens of free and pay-what-you-can shows coming to venues across the city and the North Shore. If you’re on Granville Island perusing the public market or catching a FIFA match this week, you’ll find a whole host of talented performers on the Ocean Artworks stage.

When: Until Sunday, July 5, 2026
Time: Varies per concert
Where: 1531 and 1601 Johnston St., and venues across Vancouver
Cost: Free and ticketed concerts

No experience is necessary for this intro to kayak session along False Creek, and it’ll let you see Vancouver from a whole new perspective. It’s equal parts kayak lesson and guided tour, taking place from the accessible docks in Olympic Village via Dragon Boat BC.

When: Available until Aug. 30, 2026
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: 1 Athletes Way
Cost: $28+

The Mackenzie Room has launched a special World Cup-inspired tasting menu that celebrates global flavours during the world’s largest sporting event. If you’re a foodie or a World Cup fanatic looking to take the city’s excitement to your plate, this is a great opportunity to dine in style. The six-course tasting menu is $65 per person, which is a steal as far as multi-course dining options go.

When: Available until July 12, 2026
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: 415 Powell St. 
Cost: $65 tasting menu

Always wanted to learn how to salsa? Anomaly Studios in Mount Pleasant hosts free salsa and bachata classes every Sunday that start with beginner-friendly sessions at 5 p.m. and end with a social between 7 and 9 p.m. Learn some new moves, no matter your skill level, and make a couple of friends in the process.

When: Sunday, July 5, 2026
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: 76 West 6th Ave.
Cost: Free beginner classes, $10 to $15 for Sunday Social

All weekend long, the Vancouver Canadians are up against the Eugene Emeralds at the Nat. So if you’re in need of a soccer break, why not root for our home team?

When: Games daily until Sunday, July 5, 2026
Time: 1:05 and 5:05 p.m.
Where: 4601 Ontario St. 
Cost: $28+

The iconic Shakespeare comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor, is kicking off this year’s Bard on the Beach program, and you won’t want to miss it. The music-filled adaptation is set in the community athletic centre of a (fictional) Vancouver suburb that happens to be obsessed with soccer. In it, the main character, John Falstaff, attempts to woo two married women so he can steal their husbands’ fortunes, but the two women instead come together to turn the tables on him.

When: Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5, 2026
Time: Showtimes at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1695 Whyte St.
Cost: $30 to $103 per person, depending on seating

This year is a big one for the iconic Shipyards Night Market, a.k.a. North Van’s free-to-enjoy weekly spring and summer event. Grab a beer from the brewery district, a bite from a rotating roster of local food trucks, and take it all in.

When: Every Friday from May 15 to Sept. 11, 2026
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission

Ice cream crawl, anyone? The Vancouver Ice Cream Fest is the perfect way to try a wide range of scoops from as many ice cream shops as your heart desires. It’s Metro Vancouver’s largest self-guided ice cream and frozen dessert festival for a reason.

Where: Participating ice cream shops across Vancouver

If you’d rather be on a patio than at a sports bar, consider checking out one (or a handful) of these patios and outdoor watch parties for the FIFA World Cup this weekend. You’ll get to sip delicious craft beverages in the sun, enjoy live entertainment between matches, and soak up all this amazing sunshine.

Where: Locations across Vancouver and the North Shore

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