Welcome to the June events calendar for Metro Vancouver! This month Miss604 is proud to sponsor the Courage To Come Back Awards (June 9th) and the summer season at Burnaby Village Museum.

June Events in Metro Vancouver 2023

Multi-Day Events & Activities

Attractions & Tours:

• Sponsored by Miss604: Summer at Burnaby Village Museum
• Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE at VanDusen Garden (until Jun 18)
• Steveston Spot Prawn & Seafood Celebration (until Jun 18)
• Vancouver Ice Cream Festival (Jun 21-Jul 31)
• Talaysay Tours: Spoken Treasures
• FlyOver Canada
• Miniature Burnaby Central Railway
• Forbidden Vancouver’s New Monumental Scandals Tour
• Nature’s Ninjas at the Vancouver Aquarium 
• Capilano Suspension Bridge
• Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
• Science World

Exhibits:

• Grad Showcase from 5 West Van Secondary Schools (May 19- Jun 4)
• Paneficio Gallery: Yuri Arajs – Black Moon Rising (until Jun 11)
• ECU Class of 2023 Exhibition (May 11 – Jun 25)
• Rebecca Belmore – Hacer Memoria at the Polygon
• ParkerArtSalon Exhibition at the Pendulum Gallery (May 15-Jun 16)
• Firehall Arts Centre Happy Valley (May 25-Jun 4)
• A Small but Comfy House and Maybe a Dog (until Jun 11)
• Matriarchs Seen and Unseen (until Jun 25)
• Outsiders & Others: L. Robertson: All of the Suddens (until Jun 24)
• The Bricktacular West Coast Modern Show (until Jul 31)
• All We Want is More: The Tobias Wong Project. (until Jul)
• The Children Have to Hear Another Story, Alanis Obomsawin (until Aug)
• Raeanne Schachter: Dames Women in the City (until Aug)
• Per Diem Part II: The Gerd Metzdorff Collection (May 27-Aug 27)
• Polygon Gallery: Jeremy Shaw’s Phase Shifting Index (Jun 23-Sept 24)
• Van Art Gallery: Marie Khouri – I Love (until Nov)
• Spirit Journeys: Walking with Resilience, Wellbeing & Respect
• Why Costume Collections Matter Exhibit at MOV (until Nov)
• Bright Futures at Bill Reid Gallery (until Jan)

Theatre, Movies, Music:

• Talking Stick Festival (until Jun 30)
• Sizzlin Summer with Vancouver Men’s Chorus (Jun 9-17)
• The Cultch and Zee Zee Theatre Present Dirty Laundry (Jun 9-25)
• Presentation House Theatre: The Window Outside (Jun 9-25)
• Bring Back the 90s at the Improv Centre
• First Métis Man of Odesa (until Jun 4)
• Bard on the Beach Summer 2023 Program
• rEvolver Festival 2023 (until Jun 4)
• Tom Crean – Antarctic Explorer on Stage in Vancouver (until Jun 25)
• Little Dipper Theatre Co: Wild Light (until Jun 17)

This list is updated daily.
If you have any events to add, please send them in for a free listing.

Thursday, June 1, 2023

• Vancouver International Children’s Festival
• Big Sisters’ Spring Social
• New West Farmers Market
• Weave a Cedar Bark Bookmark
• Scrapbooking with Jordan Dawson
• Go by Bike Week Celebration Stations
• Vancouver Greek Film Festival

Friday, June 2, 2023

• Black Music Month Festival in Vancouver
• The Power of Inclusive Mindsets (Zoom)
• Burnaby Hospital Foundation – Dragon Gala
• Place des Arts’ 50th Anniversary Exhibition
• Vancouver Blues Around Town: Crystal Shawanda
• Vancouver Art Gallery Free First Friday Nights
• West Vancouver Community Cultural Festival
• Vancouver International Children’s Festival
• Halal RibFest – at Surrey’s Holland Park
• Go by Bike Week Celebration Stations
• Shipyards Night Market
• Richmond Night Market
• Vancouver Greek Film Festival

Saturday, June 3, 2023

• Black Music Month Festival in Vancouver
• Go by Bike Week Celebration Stations
• Marpole Day Community Festival
• Afro World Expo
• Vancouver Short Film Festival
• Ardbeg Day
• June Intro to Bird Watching
• Sapperton Garage/Yard Sale
• BC Cider Festival
• Kawaii Fest
• First Saturday Open Studios
• Roller Derby
• Give Breath 5K
• Burnaby Heights Hats Off Day
• West Vancouver Community Cultural Festival
• Halal RibFest – at Surrey’s Holland Park
• Indigenous Knowledge & Sea Level Rise Symposium
• Doors Open Richmond – Free Access to Diverse Places
• Vancouver International Children’s Festival
• Surrey Urban Farmers Market
• West End Farmers Market
• Riley Park Farmers Market
• Fort Langley Farmers Market
• Vancouver Greek Film Festival

Sunday, June 4, 2023

• Black Music Month Festival in Vancouver
• Shipyard Pals Theatrical Walking Tours
• Vancouver Short Film Festival
• VanCity Soul Skate
• Sensory Friendly Sundays at MONOVA
• Halal RibFest – at Surrey’s Holland Park
• Doors Open Richmond – Free Access to Diverse Places
• Vancouver Heritage House Tour
• Vancouver International Children’s Festival
• Coquitlam Farmers Market
• Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
• Kitsilano Farmers Market
• Vancouver Greek Film Festival

The Whistler summer concert series is offering fourteen nights of free music starting at the end of June. Each evening’s programming features a live DJ set to kick-start the atmosphere before the headlining performers take the stage.

Free Summer Concerts in Whistler

• When: Opening June 29, 2023 with shows from July 1 to August 31
• Where: Whistler Olympic Plaza, 4365 Blackcomb Way, Whistler
• Admission: FREE

The summer of music kicks off with Symphony at Whistler Olympic Plaza featuring the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Thursday, June 29th.

Lineup

Additionally, to support Whistler’s climate action strategy, complimentary secured bike parking is provided for those who choose to pedal along the Valley Trail to the event.

Whistler hosts hundreds of other events each year, and the summer is a great time to be there! From hiking and ziplines, to the Whistler Famers’ Market, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, and the enchanting Vallea Lumina multimedia forest walk. Check out the calendar and plan your visit.

The Black Culture Celebration Festival features local hip-hop artists, dance showcases, food market, art exhibitions, beer gardens, and more at the Beach on June 17th.

Black Culture Celebration Festival at Sunset Beach

• When: June 17, 2023 from 11:00am to 10:00pm
• Where: Sunset Beach Park, 1204 Beach Avenue, Vancouver
• Admission: Early bird tickets are available for purchase from $40, Kids 12 and under are free

“We are excited the Black Culture Celebration is returning to Vancouver bigger and better than ever, with an incredible roster of talent, vendors and community partners to help educate and celebrate the diversity that makes our community so rich and vibrant.”

– CEO and Co-Founder of BCC, Nova Stevens.

The event will feature a diverse range of performers and activities, including live music from Kardinal Offishall, Rascalz, Maestro, and Choclair. Dance performances, cultural displays, raffles, art exhibits, a marketplace, and a variety of food vendors serving flavours from Jamaica, Ghana, and other nations all avalible on site.

In addition, there will be a special focus on celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, and artists.

Adding to the day of festivities, BIPOC rollerskating organization ‘Bad Bounce’ will provide free skating lessons to attendees on a first come, first served basis.

For more information, a full lineup, and tickets visit the Black Culture Celebration website.

Related: Black Music Month Festival in Vancouver

Everyone is invited to celebrate the freshest bounty of the season at the 2nd annual Steveston Spot Prawn & Seafood Celebration in historic Steveston Village, where locals and visitors alike have been flocking to the docks for fresh BC spot prawns.

Steveston Spot Prawn & Seafood Celebration

From now until June 18th, spot prawn festivities are taking place to shine a spotlight on the popular delicacy and the storied fishing history found at Steveston’s Fisherman’s Wharf through family-friendly activities including opportunities to ‘buy off the dock’ from local fishers, and the return of the ‘Dine About’ program where local chefs will showcase a fresh taste of the best of Richmond’s spot prawn and seafood.

Spot prawn sales officially kicked off earlier this month, and people are encouraged to make the most out of this year’s spot prawn and seafood celebrations by visiting Steveston Village. Highlights of the Celebration include:

• Spot prawn and seafood sales at the dock: 
  • Visit Fisherman’s Wharf and buy your spot prawns directly from the source for a limited time only! Support local fishers – including Steveston’s beloved Fisherman Frank – as they return each morning with their daily catch. Come early for the chance to take home fresh spot prawns for dinner (they often sell-out by the afternoon), a truly unique highlight of spot prawn season.
• Visit the culinary stage at Fisherman’s Wharf: 
  • On Saturday, June 10th and Sunday, June 11th, visit the Tourism Richmond culinary stage at Fisherman’s Wharf and enjoy cooking demonstrations and insider tips from top local chefs including Chef Robert Clark, Chief Culinary Officer at Organic Ocean, Chef Harris Sakalis, Executive Chef at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, and Chef Ian Lai, Executive Director at Urban Bounty.
• Spend a festive day in Steveston Village: Enjoy the best of Steveston’s spot prawn celebrations with all-ages activities in historic Steveston Village! Visit the new Fish Tales exhibition at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site opening on Saturday, May 27th, take a photo at the spot prawn selfie station, check out the Steveston Tram museum or Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, and much more!

“What I love about Steveston itself is that people are coming from all over the Lower Mainland,” says Fisherman Frank aka Frank Keitsch. “It’s not just us [the fishers] who benefit. It’s all the local merchants, shops, restaurants too.”

Keitsch said for decades spot prawns wouldn’t even make it to local plates, as they would be caught, frozen, and shipped overseas. In the last 15 years there’s been a shift, and the community (and diners) are loving it! “It all stays right here,” he adds.

Dine About Passport

This year’s popular Dine About program returns on June 1st and brings together 12 local restaurants and chefs working in partnership with Steveston fishers to offer an authentic taste of fresh, local seafood – a true “ocean to plate” gastronomic experience.

Foodies are encouraged to make a reservation in advance, and to download the all-new Steveston Spot Prawn & Seafood Dine About Passport for $2 off the featured spot prawn dish at all participating Dine About Restaurants from June 1-18, 2023. Each time you redeem a $2 discount, you’ll also be automatically entered into a draw for the chance to win a Steveston restaurant gift card. The more restaurants you visit, the higher your chance of winning. Don’t forget to make a reservation!

Can’t miss restaurants included in this year’s Dine About program include:

• Britannia Brewing, where you can pair locally brewed beer with Smoked Garlic Butter Spot Prawn Skewers with Toasted Focaccia
• Catch Kitchen + Bar, who will be offering a sizzling garlic spot prawn appetizer along with amazing views of Steveston’s historic harbour from its rooftop patio.
• [email protected] at Fairmont Vancouver Airport, where you can enjoy their Spot Prawn & Cherry Gazpacho at the iconic Fairmont restaurant offering a backdrop of YVR’s active runways
• Steveston Seafood House, winner of the “Best Seafood Restaurant” as voted by the people of Richmond for 12 years running, where they will be serving a mouthwatering Spot Prawn Ceviche!

Check out the full list of participating restaurants online and follow Visit Richmond on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

On June 10th everyone is invited to enjoy hours of fun and music, while also learning how they can contribute to climate action, at the second annual Car Free Day in Surrey.

Car Free Day

• When: June 10, 2023 from 12:00pm – 8:00pm
• Where: 137 Street, between 72A Ave and 74 Ave in Newton
• Admission: FREE

On 137 street between 72A and 74 Ave you’ll find a variety of food trucks and vendors who will have something to satisfy any food craving.

Check out the musical performances by Luv Randhawa, MNGWA, Glisha and Haleluya Hailu. A DJ and Dance Zone will featured the “Higher Ground Dance Battle“.

A Family Fun Zone will be set up where kids can enjoy face painting, balloon twisting, mini golf, and a bouncy castle. A performance from comedian Matt Henry showcasing his exceptional juggling skills will also take place.

“We want to encourage people to get out of their cars this summer and experience the region using transit. Car Free Day is a great opportunity for everyone to visit and experience the best of their neighbourhoods using transit, walking, and cycling,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn.

Guests are invited to check out the TransLink Zone and make a pledge for a Car Free Summer to learn how personal actions play a part in Climate Action. Play the Transportation Game, for a chance to win a TransLink prize.

Plan your route using the TransLink trip planner. A free bike valet will be available. Parking is limited and attendees are encouraged to use transit, bike, walk, or use a car-share service rather than drive.

Visit the Car Free Day website for more information.

View more free/low-cost activities in Vancouver