After years of build up, the big event kicks off this week as the World Cup Finals come to BC Place and 15 other cities around the continent. While it draws much of the attention, there is still plenty of other entertainment to pick from this week.
Kick-Off: Vancouver gets its first taste of World Cup fever when Group D Teams: Australia and Turkive square off at BC Place on Saturday June 13 at 9pm
Fan: The FIFA FAN FEST opens Thursday, June 11 running until July 19, fans can watch every match of the World Cup Finals on big screens with live entertainment, sponsor activations, food and drink for 20,000 fans, with free entry to the PNE grounds with select ticketed seats at the newly opened amphitheatre.
Pedestrian: The 2026 Granville Street Pedestrian Zone closes down Granville Street (between Davie & W Georgia St) June 11 to July 19 for a car-free zone of entertainment, activations and 28 establishments with expanded street-side patios to gather your gang and watch a match and take in the action
Celebrate: Friday at Richmond Oval, kicking off on World Soccer Day, Richmond Celebrates Soccer presented by the City of Richmond brings a wide range of community events will take place the city over the six-week period, including a picnic, live performances, children’s activities, and World Cup watch parties including Hamilton’s Soccer Slam a watch party for Netherlands vs. Japan at the Hamilton Community Park with soccer-themed craft stations, and inflatable attractions for children.
Away: At the Stanley BFL CANADA Stage until July 26, The Arts Club delivers a brilliant production of the Tony award-winning homegrown musical, Come From Away – based on the true story of a different time when Canada welcomed the world as 38 grounded flights, 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town of Gander NL that takes them in with open hearts and homes
Improv: Laughter is the best medicine to wrap up your week. Find plenty of guffaws with The Improv Centre’s show Exploration Blank – a rotating, rag-tag crew of space explorers blasts off on an adventure through audience suggestions and a series of improv mini games, exploring a brand-new, dazzling galaxy of comedy every show, running Fridays & Saturday until June 27th
Empire: June 12-13 Aussie band Cat Empire, celebrating their 20th show over 20 years at the Commodore Ballroom with Saturday’s show starting off with a watch party for Australia vs Turkive followed by the concert.
Hype: Singer-songwriter, former TikTok Hype House member, Alex Warren’s Finding Family on the Road tours stops at Rogers Arena Sunday June 14
Diamond: The Vancouver Canadians at in the midst of a homestand hosting Everett for 5 more games at Nat Bally Stadium until Sunday
Dancing: Continuing until June 13, The 38th Annual Dancing on the Edge Festival brings a dynamic lineup of more than 30 trailblazing performances from established and emerging dancemakers to various Vancouver venues, including the Firehall Arts Centre, SFU Woodward’s, and The Dance Centre.
Tomato: Western Gold Theatre presents Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life, based on a true story the play doubles as a fundraiser for Western Gold Theatre and the West End Seniors’ Network, at the PAL Studio Theatre June 11-14
Naughty: June 12th, the Youth Musical Theatre Program at Motion & Music presents Matilda JR the high-energy musical performed by a cast of 9-12 year olds who are anything but ‘revolting children‘
Comedy: Jim Jefferies – Son of a Carpenter finds the Australian comedian/actor/writer entertaining audiences with his provocative, belief-challenging, and thought-provoking comedy for two shows June 12 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Circus: June 10–28 at the York Theatre, The Cultch closes out its 25/26 season with an unforgettable party, Sophie’s Surprise 29th is circus, comedy and chaos featuring lead performers from world-renowned companies like Cirque du Soleil, La Clique, and The 7 Fingers.
Bard: A true sign of summer, Bard On The Beach 2026 gets underway with The Merry Wives of Windsor, from June 9 and Macbeth, from June 11 coming to the tents at Senakw – Vanier Park
Play: Capture all of the thrills and fun at Playland 2026, now open 11am – 6pm Saturdays & Sundays until June 30
Puppet: Award-winning experiential theatre Boca del Lupo, in collaboration with Korea’s ArtstageSAN, present Me & The Forest, an ingenious all-ages adventure into the natural world featuring a people-powered 5-meter-tall tree puppet called Mitig, voiced by award-winning actor Hiro Kanagawa, until June 14 at the Ron Basford Amphitheatre on Granville Island.
Chicago: Closing June 24, Believe Chicago – Flyover’s first-ever film set entirely in an urban city, is a multi-sensory journey takes guests 13,000 feet into the sky for a thrilling flight through the heart of Chicago passing skyscrapers, cinematic car chases, fireworks, and more. Also at Flyover, Awaken Canada continues to run in repertoire.
Duo: Richmond Art Gallery presents a pair of exhibitions until July 5, 2026. Curated by Shaun Dacey, SIDE CORE: under city marks the North American debut of Tokyo-based SIDE CORE, melding together contemporary art with skate culture and urban infrastructure. Curated by Zoë Chan, I digress is a group exhibition featuring six Canadian artists who represent a wide range of perspectives and engage in both lived experiences and collective histories in their work.
Campione: One of East Vancouver’s most celebrated annual events, Sunday is Italian Day on the Drive bringing thousands out to turn Commercial Drive into a lively 14-block piazza alive with music, flavour, fashion, and community spirit. This year’s Italian Day honours Campione-the champion spirit that unites passion, perseverance, and pride
Trio: Place des Arts’ summer season finds three exhibitions on view, Place des Arts’ Community Exhibition, in the Atrium and Images and Ideas: Student Exhibition, by Students of Don Portelance in the Leonore Peyton Salon until June 25, in person and online until August 31. Spirit of Spring, Ink and watercolours by Min Joyce Abraham on show until August 12 and online until August 31.
Dream: The Chinese Canadian Museum’s award-winning feature exhibition; Dream Factory: Cantopop Mandopop 1980s–2000’s has been extended by two months to allow more visitors to experience the acclaimed installation, held over until July 19, 2026.
Market: Until September 7, Vancouver’s unique downtown shopping and entertainment destination, Junction Public Market, returns to Granville Square – 200 Granville Street
Robes: The Museum of Anthropology at UBC’s world premiere of I Use My Haida Eyes: The History Robes of Jut-ke-Nay–Hazel Wilson, on display in the Audain Gallery until October 12.
Sculpture: At The Polygon Gallery, until October 18, 2026, James Harry: Eye Of The Ancestor is a
new sculpture by James Harry marking The Polygon Gallery’s seventh collaboration and co-commission with Burrard Arts Foundation. Eye of the Ancestor is a striking yellow cedar wooden sphere, carved with Coast Salish designs on the surface and holding a mirror-polished steel sphere inside.
Night: Until September 20th, the Richmond Night Market 2026 “Little World Wonder” invites the world to the party at the Night Market, packed with entertainment, food, deals, and the world’s only night market Zip Line
River: Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art prepares to present the world premiere of Every River Has a Mouth: the visual languages that connect us, guest curated by Snuneymuxw artist Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun, on display until February 14, 2027