Get ready, Vancouver, because this weekend will see the return of iconic festivals, including the annual Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Fest, Greek Day, and the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Don your comfiest walking shoes so you can hit them all and avoid the weekend scramble for parking. Here are 11 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this weekend (June 20-22).
The end of the week marks the first day of the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Fest — the largest of its kind in North America. In addition to the boat races, there will be a local marketplace and food vendors, a new Concord Community Zone, live entertainment, and cultural pavilions.
When: Friday, June 20 to Sunday, June 22, 2025
Time: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: 1455 Quebec St.
Cost: Free
Sunwave hosts pop-up EDM parties at venues across the city, and this weekend, they’re coming to East Van. Strange Fellows Brewing will transform from 4 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, with music, drinks, and good vibes, with the following artists behind the turntable: Abasi, K.A.S.H, Kozue, Briser Gonzalex, and Lalo Campo.
When: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Time: 4 to 11 p.m.
Where: 1345 Clark Dr.
Cost: $27.96
Hosted by the Hellenic Canadian Congress of BC (HCCBC), the 51st Annual Greek Day on Broadway will span multiple blocks throughout Kitsilano in the heart of Greektown.
Taking place between MacDonald Street, Blenheim Street, and West Broadway from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the celebration promises to be bigger and better than ever, with authentic Greek food, live music, and traditional performances lined up.
When: Sunday, June 22, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: West Broadway between MacDonald Street. and Blenheim Street
Cost: Free admission
Take to the skies with Harbour Air’s award-winning seaplane tours—named Viator’s #1 Experience in Canada for 2025! Starting at just $159, these scenic flights offer breathtaking aerial views of Vancouver’s skyline, Stanley Park, and the North Shore Mountains. With tours ranging from the 30-minute Classic Panorama to extended adventures, you’ll experience the city’s natural beauty like never before. It’s a must-do West Coast experience — especially if you’re looking for something unforgettable this weekend.
When: Year-round
Time: Varies per flight
Where: Unit #1, Burrard Landing – 1055 Canada Pl.
Cost: $159+
The Vancouver International Jazz Fest kicks off this weekend with a mix of free, pay-what-you-can, and ticketed concerts taking place from Friday, June 20 to Sunday, June 29, 2025. The 40th annual celebration will showcase jazz in all of its forms, with local and internationally renowned artists.
When: Friday, June 20 to Sunday, June 29, 2025
Time: Varies per show
Where: Locations across Vancouver
Cost: Free and ticketed events
Vancouver’s summer Queer Arts Festival (QAF), an annual artist-run celebration of queer and trans experiences, and the creativity to come out of them. Portals is this year’s curated visual exhibition, which explores the themes of queerness, migration, and belonging at a time of rising anti-trans rhetoric. There are tons of events taking place across the city until the end of June, primarily at the SUM gallery at the Sun Wah Centre.
When: Now until Saturday, June 28, 2025
Time: Varies per event
Where: 268 Keefer St., Unit 205
Cost: Varies per event
The 2025 Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival is kicking off with Much Ado About Nothing and The Two Gentlemen of Verona at Vanier Park. So get ready for an outdoor theatre production like no other.
When: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 to Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1695 Whyte Ave.
Cost: $35 to $88 per person
If you’d rather slow down and reset your nervous system for the week ahead, there’s a south bath experience hosted by The Space and The Mindful Modern in North Vancouver with your name on it. The evening will feature soothing frequencies of crystal bowls to support your body’s natural restorative abilities.
When: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Time: 7 to 8:15 p.m.
Where: 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Cost: $45+
Vancouver’s self-guided Ice Cream Fest is back this summer with over 30 participating ice cream spots across Metro Vancouver, from BETA5 to Bella Gelateria. So if you’re looking to beat the heat and want to try a new spot, this is a great opportunity to do both.
When: June 20 to Aug. 4, 2025
Time: During operating hours
Where: Over 30 participating locations in Metro Vancouver performance venues
Cost: Free admission
Get ready for some classic summertime fun at Playland, which has over 30 rides and attractions to check out every weekend until June 27, 2025.
When: Open weekends until June 27, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 2901 East Hastings St.
Cost: $36.70 to $42 per person
Inspired by global pedestrian-first movements like Paris Respire, Gastown Sunday Set is a new car-free series set to transform the cobblestone streets of Gastown. For 12 consecutive Sundays this summer, starting in June, there will be a variety of open-air parties, concerts, and live events.
When: Sundays from June 15 to Aug. 31, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Water Street in Gastown
Cost: Free admission
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