Happy FIFA season to all who celebrate, and to all who are hoping to find something less busy to enjoy over the weekend, we’ve got you. Here are 10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this weekend (June 12-14).
Italian Day on the Drive is Vancouver’s largest cultural street festival, transforming all 14 blocks of Commercial Drive into a lively celebration with fresh gelato and cannolis, patio sips, and plenty of pizza and pasta to go around.
Note that the deadline for vendors to apply is Jan. 31, 2026.
When: Sunday, June 14, 2026
Time: Noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Commercial Drive
Cost: Free admission
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, 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: Opens Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Time: Showtimes at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1695 Whyte St.
Cost: $30 to $103 per person, depending on seating
Always wanted to learn how to salsa? The community is vibrant and welcoming in Vancouver, and dancers take over Sun Hop Park in Mount Pleasant every Friday this month. Learn some new moves, no matter your skill level, and make a couple of friends in the process!
When: Friday, June 12, 2026
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: 3333 Main St.
Cost: Free
Fans can dive into how both early adjustments and more recent innovations have changed the way we experience professional soccer. This Science World exhibition also highlights the host nations of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with objects connected to Canada’s recent international football history on display.
When: Friday, May 15, 2026, to Sept. 7, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 1455 Quebec St.
Cost: $37.50 per adult
The Cultch is hosting a Global Soundscapes Festival, put on by the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra. The event brings four days of adventurous classical and world music to the historic theatre, with string instruments showcased from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Canada. It’ll be a feast for the ears!
When: Thursday, June 11 to June 14, 2026
Time: Showtimes at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1895 Venables St.
Cost: $25 to $40 per person
SUM Gallery and locations across the city will transform for the Queer Arts Fest starting this Friday, June 5, which holds space for the queer and trans communities at a time when rights are being stripped away, and futures are uncertain. This year’s festival, On the Edge, embraces both danger and possibility, with immersive exhibits, art workshops, a clothing swap, and the opening ArtParty on June 5.
When: Friday, June 5 to June 30, 2026
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Where: 268 Keefer St.
Cost: Free admission
This weekend, the Canadians are back at the Nat Bailey Stadium adjacent to Queen Elizabeth Park, and they’re up against the Everett Aquasox.
When: Games from Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14
Time: 1:05 and 7:05 p.m.
Where: 4601 Ontario St.
Cost: $20+
If you’re already downtown for a match, why not check out Junction Public Market? The iconic shipping container pop-up market has over 30 new vendors this year, and it’s completely free to check out.
When: April 30 to Sept. 7
Time: Open Tuesday through Sunday at varying times
Where: 200 Granville St.
Cost: Free admission
The zipline is back, the less-than-$10 happy hour items are back, and tons of exciting new attractions await at this year’s Richmond Night Market, which kicks off at the end of the week. Soon, millions of visitors from across the globe will gather to share in the city’s excitement for the FIFA season and beyond.
When: Opens Friday, April 24, 2026, operates Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Time: 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 11 p.m. on Sundays
Where: 8351 River Rd., Richmond
Cost: $7 for GA
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. Not only can attendees look forward to more food trucks, participating breweries, and live performances this May, but the launch of an all-new block party series is set to bring even more fun to the area around Shipbuilders Square.
When: Every Friday from May 15 to Sept. 11, 2026
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
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