June comes to a close with the FIFA World Cup excitement continuing to build, while more summer spectacles fill the picks
History: Today’s Canada v Switzerland at noon at BC Place, has the potential to trigger a party the city hasn’t seen in years. If Canada pulls off a win to advance to the next round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, prepare for a red wave to flood the city streets.
Fan: The FIFA FAN FEST continues to be the place to be for fans to watch every match of the World Cup on big screens with 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, this week’s live entertainment includes; Our Lady Peace, Metric, Alan Doyle, Bedouin Soundclash, Shakey Graves and more
Pedestrian: The 2026 Granville Street Pedestrian Zone closes down Granville Street (between Davie & W Georgia St) until 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 with the Thompson Community Association being the centre of soccer today.
House: Canada Soccer House at The Shipyards in North Vancouver is sure to be electric for today’s home town match but there’s plenty more activities throughout the World Cup.
Bard: The tents at Senakw – Vanier Park, are a symbol of summer – Bard On The Beach 2026 is underway with the musically merry and soccer-centric The Merry Wives of Windsor, until September 19 and the classic tragic Scottish Play; Macbeth, until September 18
Cornley: It’s opening night at The Arts Club as The Play That Goes Wrong finds the Cornley Drama Society presenting its opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor! the play within the play that leaves audiences rolling in the aisles at the Lindsay Family Stage at Granville Island until August 16
Away: Continuing until August 16, at the Stanley BFL CANADA Stage, 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
Jazz: The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is underway with the Opening Night party at Ocean Art Works on Granville Island on Friday, followed by a weekend of great music at 
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
Play: Feel the adrenaline pumping through you as the thrills and fun of Playland 2026, now open 11am – 6pm Saturdays & Sundays
Circus: Until June 28 at the York Theatre, The Cultch 25/26 season closes 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.
Rap: Thursday June 25, American Rapper Don Tolliver : Octane Tour comes to Rogers Arena with support from SahBabii, SoFaygo & Chase B
Party: June 26, Friday night is party night at The Commodore Ballroom, as re-formed Canadian rock act The Tea Party take the stage
Country: In between World Cup Match Day Live watch celebrations at The Vogue, Elliot C. Way’s Hot Country Night Out brings Way, along with rising band Runner and veteran songwriter Steve Brockley to the stage on Saturday June 27
Machine Gun: Monday June 29, US Rapper, Singer Songwriter MGK Lost Americana Tour with Wiz Khalifa makes a stop at Rogers Arena
Greek: Sunday, the 52nd Greek Days on Broadway is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the city’s Greek Culture with food, music, dancing and more
Martini: The Orpheum welcomes Pink Martini All Stars featuring three of the band’s favourite singers and long-time collaborators,
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.
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.
Mad: The Connection Salon Artists Collective presents Mad Pride Festival at the Gathering Place Community Centre from June 25 to July 25.
Decade: Experience The 90s – Olivier Salvas’ latest exhibition celebrates the spirit of the decade, on display at Bean Hastings Gallery, the contemporary art gallery located within Bean Around the World Café
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 online until August 31. Spirit of Spring, Ink and watercolours by Min Joyce Abraham on show until August 12 and online until August 31.
Market: Until September 7, Vancouver’s unique downtown shopping and entertainment destination, Junction Public Market, returns to Granville Square – 200 Granville Street
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
Robes: The Museum of Anthropology at UBC’s I Use My Haida Eyes: The History Robes of Jut-ke-Nay–Hazel Wilson, continues 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.
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