50 things to do in Vancouver this June

Summer is nearly upon us, and Vancouver is buzzing with things to do to start off the season. Here are 50 ways to make the most of our beautiful city this June.

Enjoy the great outdoors

Do the Grouse Grind

Get your hiking legs ready, it’s time to tackle Mother Nature’s Stairmaster for another year. The Grouse Grind trail at Grouse Mountain is now open for hiking from 6:15 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Do a 5K, 10K, half or full marathon

Vancouver has a plethora of different runs to offer. Whether you’re looking for a 5km, a 10km, a half or full marathon, there’s something out there for everyone from beginners to seasoned runners. Check out our rundown here.

Take a hike

Hiking season is in full swing, so strap on some runners (or even better, actual hiking boots) and get out there. From easy hikes for lazy people, to harder hikes for the less lazy, jaw-dropping scenic hikes around Vancouver or even some epic hikes around B.C. – there’s something out there for everyone!

Bike to Work Week

• What: Get on your bike and register online for a chance to win tons of prizes, including new bikes each day and a trip for two to Amsterdam.
  
• Where: Everywhere!
• When: Monday, May 30 – Friday, June 5
• More: bikehub.ca

RunForH20

• What: Help bring clean water to families in Guatemala through Gwatermala’s fourth annual RunForH2O fundraising event here in Vancouver. The event is family-friendly, with musical performances and lots of fun activities to take part in after the run along the Fraser River. Eat some snacks, and enter to win some cool prizes.
• Where: Riverfront Park – 2750 East Kent Street South, Vancouver
• When: Saturday, June 4 at 9 a.m.

Yoga in the Garden

• What: Taking a stroll through VanDusen Gardens is a serene experience, but now you can say “namaste” amongst the flowers as you stretch your way to relaxation.
• When: Every Thursday from June 2 to July 21 at 7 p.m.
• Where: VanDusen Gardens – 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver

Join a sports league

If a little friendly competition is your bag, join a sports team this summer. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of six fun leagues of all kinds that you can join – click here to take a gander.

Axe Throwing

• What: This is a little far flung – literally – but if you’re a wannabe lumberjack or lumberjill and you’re free Thursday afternoons you could try axe throwing on Bowen Island. No experience necessary, all equipment provided.
  
• Where: Doc Morgan’s Pub & Restaurant – 437 Bowen Island Trunk Road, Bowen Island
• When: Every Thursday at 3 p.m. until July 14
• Register: Drop in fee for casual Have-A Throws is $15 for 10 throws
• More information: axethrown.com/contact

Make for the markets

Farmers’ Markets

Popular among chefs, home cooks, and local gastronomes, farmers’ markets have become an integral part of Vancouver’s food landscape. Not only do these community events grant local farmers, growers, and bakers the opportunity to connect with urban folk but they also provide them with a space to show off their seasonal favourites. Here’s a quick list of those opening in May – for full details check our guide to Vancouver farmers’ markets.

• Granville Island Public Market
• Trout Lake Farmers’ Market
• West End Farmers’ Market
• Kitsilano Farmers’ Market
• Yaletown Farmers’ Market
• River District Farmers’ Market

Night Markets

In addition to a variety of farmers’ markets, the city and surrounding areas boast a collection of night markets that showcase the city’s best food trucks, bakers, and artisans. These night markets bring together communities for entertainment, shopping, and wonderful food. Here’s a shortlist of those opening in May – for full details check our guide to night markets in Vancouver.

• North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market
• Richmond Night Market
• Panda Market (International Summer Night Market)

Catch a flick

Good Burger

• What: The 90s classic film Good Burger is hitting The Rio Theatre. Watch Keenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell struggle to save Good Burger from competition.
• Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: Friday, June 3; 11:30 p.m.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

• What: The cult-classic Rocky Horror Picture Show is playing at The Rio Theatre in June. Don your favourite costumes from the film and sing along to the famous tracks.
• Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: Saturday, June 11; 10:45 p.m.

Purple Rain

• What: Prince’s iconic movie is hitting the big screen once again to honour the late great singer.
• Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, June 30; 7 p.m.

Grab a bite or have a drink

Dim Sum / Shutterstock

Cooking Class & Dinner: Oriental Inspiration

• What: Learn how to cook Lebanese Tabbouleh, Chicken Lemon Tagine and Coconut Mousse & Mango Coulis. You’ll get a snack on arrival, then get to eat everything you make during the class, while enjoying wine, chosen to pair with the food.
• Where: The Uncommon Cafe – 477 Powell Street, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, June 1, from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Register: On Eventbrite, priced at $75

4th Annual Oregon Brewers Night

• What: Try 16 unique Oregon beers and meet the brewers that brew the beer at Portland Craft pub. Tickets include food, beer taxes and tip.
• Where: Portland Craft – 3835 Main Street, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, June 2, at 5 p.m.
• Tickets: Available on Eventbrite, priced $65

Food Truck Competition

• What: Le Tigre, Super Thai Food, and Meet2Eat food trucks will be going head-to-head in a recipe challenge to get the word out about a new line of Uncle Ben’s Rice and Grains products, which feature ancient grains like bulgur and quinoa.
• When: Tuesday, June 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, 650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
• Price: Free!

Eat Rich Food Truck Festival

Facebook / Eat Rich Food Truck Festival

• What: Richmond gets its very own food truck festival this summer. Rolling into town on June 11, the Eat Rich Food Truck Festival will bring with it a smorgasbord of delicious eats.
• When: June 11, July 30, August 27 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Where: South Arm United Church, 11051 No.3 Road, Richmond
• Price: $2.50 admission or free admission with a non-perishable food item for the Richmond Food Bank (one item per person), free for kids under 10

This Sandwich, That Beer Throwdown!

• What: This Sandwich, That Beer Throwdown! returns to The Portside Pub in Gastown on June 26, where places like Calabash Bistro, Cascade Room, 33 Acres, and Powell Street Brewing will churn out delicious provisions to benefit Backpack Buddies — a foundation that provides food for hungry inner-city children.
• When: Sunday, June 26; 1 to 5 p.m.
• Where: The Portside Pub – 7 Alexander Street, Vancouver

Negroni Week 2016

• What: More than 30 Vancouver restaurants are taking part in Negroni Week this year! Choose your favourite venue, and sip on the famous Campari, gin, and vermouth-based libation.
• When: June 6 to 12
• Where: Participating venues

Exclusive Sushi Making Class

• What: “Sushi and the City” invites you to attend an exclusive two-hour sushi and sashimi making class with Charlie Lee, a master sushi chef who was trained by two-Michelin-starred sushi chef Matsumoto Mizuho. In this unique class, attendees will learn the how to make restaurant quality sushi and sashimi using the latest techniques in Japanese gastronomy.
• When: Various dates and times throughout June (please check here)
• Where: Address provided after booking
• Price: Tickets range from $119 to $137.35 and can be purchased online here

Horseshoe Bay Annual Craft Beer Festival

• What: Featuring a range of craft beers, the Horseshoe Bay Annual Craft Beer Festival returns to West Vancouver for its third year. In attendance this year: Townsite Brewing, Parallel 49, Moodyales, Howesound Brewing, Postmark Bewing, Bridge Brewing, Central City, Hopping Mad Cider, Persephone Brewing, Bowen Island Brewing, Russel Brewing, Strange Fellows Brewing, Hoyne Brewing, Dirftwood Brewing, and Deep Cove Brewery.
• When: Saturday, June 11 from 3 to 7 p.m.
• Where: Sewell’s Floating Breakwater – 6695 Nelson Avenue, West Vancouver,
• Price: Tickets are priced at $40 per person and can be purchased online here

Joy of Feeding

• What: This unique international food festival and annual fundraiser for UBC Farm celebrates home-cooked dishes from around the world. Vij’s, Terra Breads, the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, and UBC Food Services will bring together fifteen cooks of various ethnicities, traditions, and professions to share samples of their favourite family meals.
• When: Saturday, June 25 from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Where: UBC Farm, 3461 Ross Drive
• Price: Tickets are available at $55 and can be purchased online here

Watch a show or a play

Facebook / The Lumineers

Lamb of God

• What: Perhaps the biggest, most influential heavy metal band of the new millennium, Lamb of God are back from hiatus after a troublesome few years, touring the aptly titled VII: Sturm und Drang (Storm and Stress) album.
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m.
• Tickets: Available on Ticketmaster, priced from $46.50 to $96.50 plus fees

The Lumineers

• What: This multi-Grammy-nominated alt rock band are coming to Burnaby, touring their new album Cleopatra, sure to be a great followup to their platinum-plus self-titled debut album, which featured huge hits “Ho Hey” and “Stubborn Love.”
• Where: Deer Lake Park – 6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby
• When: Wednesday, June 1, doors 5:30 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.
• Tickets: Available on Ticketmaster, $49.50 plus fees

City and Colour

• What: The alias of Canadian singer songwriter Dallas Green, City and Colour’s melodic acoustic and folk music is full of soft lilting vocals and delicate guitar. In Vancouver, he’s playing with Shakey Graves, who brings his own mix of blues, folk and rock and roll.
• Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
• When: Friday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m.
• Tickets: Available at Ticketmaster, priced $35 to $65 plus fees

Plane Without a Pilot

• What: The Roxy Cabaret Presents Plane Without A Pilot.
• Where: The Roxy – 938 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, June 8; 8 p.m.

Plants and Animals with Guests at the Imperial

• What: Plants and Animals are a Montreal-based trio that began playing together as kids, emerged on the international scene in 2008 and have developed a varied cult following ever since, built this on the shoulders of their self-produced records, their intense live show, or both-depending on who you ask.
• Where: The Imperial – 319 Main Street, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, June 16; 8 to 11 p.m.

Toots & The Maytals

• What: Jamaican ska band Toots and The Maytals hits the Commodore Ballroom for some reggae-style fun.
• Where: Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, June 23; 9:15 p.m.

Tiger Army

• What: Psychobilly band Tiger Army is coming to Vancouver with their punk/rock/rockabilly sound.
• Where: Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: Friday, June 24; 7 p.m.

Miscellaneous

Blood Alley Square redesign open house

• What: Have your say on the future of your city at the kickoff event for the redesign of Blood Alley Square and Trounce Alley in Gastown. Learn about the project and tell the city what you want to see in the Square.
• Where: Blood Alley Square, Vancouver (nearby Salt Tasting Room and Tacofino Taco Bar)
• When: Wednesday, June 1, from 4 to 7 p.m., drop by anytime during the event
• More information: vancouver.ca

RUSH: Race & Urban Scavenger Hunt 

• What: Solve clues, complete challenges, and conquer your city – you’re guaranteed to try something totally new in this one-day amazing race. Plus, it’s for teams of two, so you get to experience it all with a friend.
• When: Saturday, June 11
• Website: bcla.convio.net

Vancouver Name Tag Day

• What: Name Tag Day aims to make the process of meeting new people easier by encouraging everyone in the city to wear – well – a name tag.
• When: Saturday, June 4; 11 a.m.
• Where: Denman and Davie Streets, Vancouver

Battle of the Barbers 2016

• What: Battle of the Barbers is throwing down the gloves for the fourth year running, inviting Vancouver’s best barbers to a showdown at the Fortune Sound Club on June 5.
• Where: Fortune Sound Club – 147 E Pender Street, Vancouver
• When: Sunday, June 5, doors open at 2:30 p.m. and first competition begins at 3 p.m.
• Register: Available only in person at the London School, on the door, or over the phone at 604-685-4122. Competitor entry is $25 per category. Spectator tickets are $18 each. 19+

Pants Off Vancouver

• What: Pants Off Vancouver is an edgy new event hoping to shift our focus to the below-the-belt nature of prostate cancer and support the Vancouver Prostate Centre.
• Where: The Imperial – 319 Main Street, Vancouver, BC
• When: Thursday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m.

Transporting Expo 86: Bikes, Beers and Bali

• What: Have a beer as panelists remember Expo 86, the prototype SkyTrain and the Highway 86 installation and enjoy music by Gamelan Bike Bike, a group of Vancouver cycle enthusiasts who turn old bike parts into instruments.
• Where: Museum of Vancouver – 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
• When: Thursday, June 2, bar opens at 6 p.m., music, presentations and discussion at 7 p.m., until 9:30 p.m.
• Tickets: From MOV, priced $15 for adults, $11 for concessions, or free for MOV Members

Hearts of Gold Gala

• What: Has someone you know been affected by heart disease or stroke? This year’s Hearts of Gold Gala hopes to prevent these often tragic outcomes, by raising funds for crucial research.
• Where: Hyatt Regency Vancouver – 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver,
• When: June 3, 6 p.m. till late

BeLive Fitness Vancouver

• What: Vancouver’s only fitness rave, featuring high intensity body-weight workouts with powerful beats, all brought together in a nightclub atmosphere!
• Where: Caprice Nightclub – 967 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: Wednesday, June 8; 7 p.m.

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Code-Free Hackathon for Innovation in Breast Cancer Awareness.

• What: ProtoHack’s Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Code-Free Hackathon for Innovation in Breast Cancer Awareness allows designers, developers, entrepreneurs and other industry leaders to come together to connect, collaborate, and create innovative solutions through prototyping and pitching.
• Where: Launch Academy – 128 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
• When: Saturday, June 11; 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Italian Day Vancouver 2016

• What: Italian Day is Vancouver’s largest cultural street festival, with more than 300,000 people expected to fill 13 blocks along the Drive, to celebrate Italian food, drink, music and more.
• Where: 13 blocks of Commercial Drive from Venables to Grandview Highway
• When: Sunday, June 12; noon to 8 p.m.

UN International Day of Yoga 2016

• What: It’s not quite Om The Bridge, but this year B.C. Premier Christy Clark is inviting you to celebrate the UN’s International Day of Yoga with a free yoga session at Holland Park. The mass yoga session on Sunday, June 19, will be lead by renowned Yogi Swamiji Dr Satya Prakash.
• Where: Holland Park – 13428 Old Yale Rd, Surrey
• When: Sunday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to midday

Raise Awareness for Mental Health at the Second Annual Ryan Donaldson Memorial Tournament

• What: Hockey fan? Pack up your skates and register for the Second Annual Ryan Donaldson Memorial Tournament that aims to raise awareness on mental health issues and break down the stigma associated with mental health within the hockey community.
• Where: Langley Sportsplex – 20165 91a Avenue, Langley
• When: Saturday, June 18; all day.

The Force Is Shakin’: A Sci-Fi Burlesque Adventure!

• What: Geekenders brings you the fourth instalment of their epic burlesque adventure saga, as seen on Chris Hardwick’s @midnight, with a Vegas-style spectacular that combines striptease, comedy, dance, showgirls, vaudeville, nostalgia, and space.
• Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: Friday, June 3; 8 p.m.

Life Drawing Session

• What: These twice-weekly sessions are perfect for people looking for life drawing with a professional instructor. Everyone is welcome, from beginner to expert artists.
• Where: Canadian Arts & Sciences Academy – #590-1199 West Pender Street, Vancouver
• When: Mondays and Thursdays, from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Register: On the Canadian Arts & Sciences Academy website, $30 per single session, $90 for five sessions, $162 for 10 sessions

Go to Playland

• What: Playland has officially opened for the season, so connect with your inner child and hop aboard the famous wooden roller coaster for a little throwback fun.
• Where: 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver

FVDED Fridays at M.I.A.

• What: Every Friday M.I.A. gets #FVDED with International DJ’s & Producers supported by local residents. Join Dunham, Dr.Seiz, Krusha, Barlee, Kempeh, Baffoon, T!G3R WOOD$ & Vibe Selektaz as they push the boundaries of open format bass music.
• Where: M.I.A. – 350 Water Street, Vancouver
• When: Every Friday