More than 20 FREE and cheap things to do in Vancouver this June
Start your summer in Vancouver on a budget!
For more great events happening around town, be sure to check out our Listed section.
One-time-only events and activities
5X Festival Blockparty
What: Canada’s largest South Asian youth event will kick off this year’s festivities with a free outdoor celebration in June.
Taking place at Surrey Civic Plaza on June 14, 5X Festival Blockparty features a concert lineup of some of the finest South Asian musical and artistic talents. The all-ages, outdoor event also includes art installations, a vendor village, and food and drink vendors.
When: June 14, 2025
Time: 4 p.m. start
Where: Surrey Civic Plaza – 13450 104th Ave., Surrey
Cost: Free, RSVP online
Vancouver Francophone Summer Festival 2025
What: Vancouver Francophone Summer Festival is hosting a huge lineup of concerts, and you don’t have to be a Francophone enthusiast to attend, either.
Some of the acclaimed performers in this year’s lineup include Missy D, Vallée Des Loups and Soleil Launière, and free outdoor concerts with Waahli and guests.
When: June 11 to 21, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Tickets: Ticketed and free events, purchase online
Italian Day 2025
Italian Day
What: Let your tastebuds start tingling! Vancouver’s annual celebration of Italian culture, heritage, and community returns this spring.
Thousands of Vancouverites will take over Commercial Drive as it transforms into a 14-block car-free zone. There will be plenty of merchants, food vendors, and entertainment to discover throughout the day-long event.
When: June 8, 2025
Time: Noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Commercial Drive (Venables Street to Grandview Highway), Vancouver
Cost: Free
Richmond Night Market 2025
When: The Richmond Night Market is officially open for its 2025 season. This highly anticipated event is the largest night market in North America.
This year is extra special because it marks the 25th anniversary of the market, and there will be some special offers for visitors to celebrate. One of these special offers is the return of its popular Summer Happy Hour with special food and drink deals that are all under $10.
When: Now through Oct. 13, 2025; The night market will be open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays
Where: 8351 River Rd., Richmond
Public Disco Granville Island Block Party
What: Dance your way into that summer feeling with Public Disco. The free all-ages dance party features live music, DJs, and dance performances on Granville Island. There will also be a food market and a kids’ zone at the Block Party.
When: June 7 and 8, 2025
Time: 2 to 10 p.m. (Saturday), 2 to 9 p.m. (Sunday)
Where: Lot 55 (Behind Granville Island Brewing) — 1494 Old Bridge St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Hats Off Day
What: The long-running free festival, which is called Hats Off Day because it’s a day for local businesses to “take their hats off” to their community, features live performances, kid-friendly activities, a show and shine, and, of course, plenty of delicious food.
Organized by the Burnaby Heights Merchants Association, as well as the Hats Off committee and the Burnaby Heights community, the 12-block event is expected to draw up to 50,000 visitors to the area.
When: June 7, 2025
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Hastings Street, between Gamma Avenue and Boundary Road, Burnaby
Cost: Free
Car Free Day Surrey 2025
Car Free Day Surrey
What: The fourth-annual Car Free Day Surrey, hosted by the Newton Business Improvement Association, is happening on Saturday, June 7, along 137th Street. The day-long event will feature live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and more.
Of course, a street party wouldn’t be complete without delicious food, and guests can look forward to treats like burgers, mini donuts, kettle corn, and spiral potatoes from a variety of local vendors.
When: June 7, 2025
Time: Noon to 8 p.m.
Where: 137th Street, Surrey (Between 72A Avenue and 74th Avenue)
Cost: Free
The Vegan Night Market
What: From plant-based cheese to handmade ceramics, delicious spreads, and upcycled clothing, the Vegan Summer Night Markets are packed with unique items for all shopping needs. Admission is free, and there will also be a variety of food trucks on-site to keep your tastebuds satisfied.
When: Every other Thursday until Sept. 11, 2025
Time: 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Locarno Beach
Admission: Free
40th Annual Vancouver Jazz Festival
What: The Vancouver International Jazz Festival‘s extensive lineup for its 40th anniversary event runs from Friday, June 20, to Tuesday, July 1. Over 12 days, there will be more than 150 performances and events, including dozens of free shows with diverse programming on stages throughout the city.
New this year is the Bentall Centre Happy Hour Series on the Dunsmuir Patio at Bentall Centre. Every afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. from June 23 to July 27, the festival is hosting free concerts from musical acts like Parlour Panther, Colin Sankey Band, and Kristin Fung.
The 2025 Vancouver International Jazz Festival wraps up on July 1 with a free concert series at Ocean Artworks on Granville Island.
When: June 20 to July 1, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various venues across Vancouver
Tickets: Free and ticketed events
Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival
What: Over 100,000 visitors and racers are expected to attend the city’s biggest Dragon Boat celebration. The two-day event will include the international dragon boat races and an expanded range of programming, and free concerts throughout the day.
When: June 20 to 22, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Concord Pacific Place, Creekside Park, and False Creek, Vancouver
Admission: Free
North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market
Shipyards Night Market/Submitted
What: North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market (SYNM) is celebrating its 12th anniversary in Lower Lonsdale in 2025. The popular free event takes place every Friday and features a beer garden, live music, market vendors and food trucks.
When: Every Friday until Sept. 12, 2025
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards — 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free
Queer Arts Festival
What: Queer Arts Festival is an annual artist-run transdisciplinary celebration in Vancouver. This year’s event is themed Portals and includes a community art show, drag, a queer clothing swap, live concerts, and more throughout the month of June.
When: June 6 to 28, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various venues
Admission: Free and ticketed events. Purchase online
Velopalooza
What: The annual Velopalooza Festival of Bike Fun promotes bicycle events and community rides in and around Vancouver. This year’s lineup of activities includes a scenic ride around the seawall while rocking out to Pink Floyd, Critical Mass, and the popular Bike Rave.
When: Various dates from June 1 to 30, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Cost: Most of the rides and events are free. See the full calendar of events online
Recurring events and activities
Bill Reid Gallery — Free Admission Day
Bill Reid Gallery
What: The Bill Reid Gallery is named after the renowned Haida artist and is the only public gallery dedicated to the contemporary Indigenous Art of the Northwest Coast. The gallery is home to the Simon Fraser University Bill Reid Collection and also hosts a variety of special exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions, and more.
Guests can visit the Bill Reid Gallery for free from 2 to 5 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.
When: The first Friday of every month
Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: 639 Hornby St., Vancouver
Cost: By donation
Vancouver Public Library Movie Screenings
What: Vancouver Public Library hosts a variety of movie screenings for the public at its branches throughout the month, and the best part is that they are free to check out. Expect to see the latest Hollywood Blockbusters, timeless classics, and more.
When: Various dates
Time: Various times
Where: Various VPL Branches
Cost: Free
Vancouver Art Gallery – Free First Friday Nights
Vancouver Art Gallery/Facebook
What: The Vancouver Art Gallery was founded in 1931 and is renowned as one of North America’s leading visual arts institutions. The largest public art museum in Western Canada currently has a variety of exhibitions on display, and you can check them out for free during the Free First Friday Nights events.
When: The first Friday of every month
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: 750 Hornby St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Community Jam at The Improv Centre
What: The Improv Centre welcomes performers of all levels to get up onstage with professionally trained improvisers at its free monthly community jam. The 18+ event features theatre exercises, improv games, and more during the fun, interactive jam.
When: The last Saturday of every month
Time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Where: The Improv Centre — 1502 Duranleau St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Burnaby Central Railway
Burnaby Central Railway. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)
What: Burnaby Central Railway is welcoming passengers to climb aboard its 3-km track near Confederation Park every weekend until this fall. Your ride will take you across tunnels, bridges and viaducts. And while you’re there, stop by the ever-growing Garden Railway.
British Columbia Society of Model Engineers (BCSME) built and operates the mini railway, with three different types of locomotives pulling the rideable trains.
When: Weekends and stat holidays through Thanksgiving weekend
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 120 N Willingdon Ave., Burnaby
Cost: $4.50 for a single ride for all passengers three years old and up. $40 for a 10-ride pass
Farmers markets in Metro Vancouver
Trout Lake Farmers Market
Trout Lake Farmers’ Market/eatlocal.org
This farmers market began back in 1995 and became the cornerstone of the Vancouver Farmers Market collective of markets. One of the most popular markets, Trout Lake has food trucks on-site and a variety of vendors selling fresh local produce, locally made goods, and all things food.
When: Every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Lakewood Drive and East 13th Ave., Vancouver
UBC Farm Farmers Markets
What: The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems operates the UBC Farm, providing students, faculty, and staff with the chance to engage with the community and support local farming. Shop for farm-fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbs, seeds and more at there three weekly markets:
- Tuesday Evening Market at the UBC Farm
- Wednesday Bookstore Market, outside the UBC Bookstore
- Saturday Multi-vendor UBC Farm Farmers’ Market at the UBC Farm
Saturday’s market also features coffee and food trucks, baked goods, and more.
When: Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from the first week of June until Fall 2025
Time: 4 to 6 p.m. (Tuesday), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Wednesday), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Saturday)
Where: UBC Farm – 3461 Ross Dr., Vancouver (Tuesday and Saturday), UBC Bookstore – 6200 University Blvd., Vancouver (Wednesday)
Southlands Tsawwassen Farmers Market
What: This Delta farmers market features local produce, sweet treats, blooms, beverages, artisans, live music, food trucks, and more. There will also be themed celebrations on select dates throughout the season.
When: Every other Saturday until Nov. 8, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Market Square, Southlands – 6313 Market Ave., Delta
Downtown Farmers Market
What: The pedestrian-friendly setting of the šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza) welcomes visitors to check out more than 25 vendors and farmers every Wednesday afternoon. Shop for produce, artisan goods, and more.
When: Every Wednesday from June 4 until Dec. 17, 2025
Time: 2 to 6 p.m.
Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza) — 750 Hornby St., Vancouver (Last four dates will move to South Plaza off Robson Street.)