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This week: Enjoy car-free street celebrations, groove to the best in international jazz music, raise your glass at Gin-a-palooza + more
Taking place in multiple venues across Vancouver, Levitation has grown from an offshoot of the cult Austin music festival into its own lauded celebration of local and international music acts with a psychedelic edge. Now in its second year, the festival has expanded to take place indoors across several venues to keep the party going no matter what the weather serves up.
4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; various venues; 19+Tickets: All-access pass $265; two-day Friday/Saturday pass $165; one-day pass $85
False Creek is host to the adrenaline-packed dragon boat races this weekend, and the celebrations kick off with a blessing ceremony on Friday, June 17 at 5 p.m. close to Science World. Go along on the weekend to catch the races or sign up to join a team and unleash your inner dragon.
Schedule and details here, free admission
Now settled into its new home of the Ellis Building, Eastside Flea returns for a monthly market of handcrafted pieces, live entertainment and vintage finds. Railtown Cafe will be bringing their 10-foot flatbed smoker barbecue to serve up delights such as 35-hour smoked pulled pork.
Friday 6 p.m to 10 p.m.; Saturday/Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: $3 or $5 weekend pass; Ellis Building,1024 Main Street
Bike rides and Vancouver go together like strawberries and cream, but the Summer Solstice Ride is the largest gathering of cyclists in the city. The ‘Longest Day’ ride, part of the Velopalooza festival, starts at Crab Park Pier and winds through Gastown, Olympic Village and Kitsilano before heading to Jericho and sunset at Spanish Banks.
Meet at 5 p.m., depart at 6 p.m. Crab Park Pier, 101 East Waterfront Road
Westsiders can take the whole family to the kid-friendly Point Grey Fiesta on Saturday to watch the parade on West 10th Avenue or to enjoy a carnival ride at Trimble Park. Look out for a pancake breakfast and the chance to decorate your bike before the parade on Saturday.
Parade begins at Blanca and West 10th from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Carnival runs from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., ticket information here
Love thrifting? Get down to Grandview for a huge yard sale that runs from Broadway to the Burrard Inlet and from Clark Drive to Nanaimo. Join in the community-wide treasure hunt and sift through vintage clothes, old vinyl and all manner of bric-a-brac from the East Van locals. The event will be held rain or shine.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free event
Head to Burnaby for an authentic Scandinavian celebration of summer. Take part in wholesome activities such as wife carrying contests and check out the Viking Village. Pick up local arts and crafts in the marketplace and tuck into Scandinavian food.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (family festival until 6 pm); Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $10 day pass, free for children under 16, free parkingScandinavian Community Centre, 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby
Reclaim the street with your feet and head to a Car Free Day celebration this weekend. The West End goes first on June 18 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. when Denman becomes a community space for music, shopping and festivities. Commercial Drive and Main Street join in the fun on June 19 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and some streets in Kitsilano will be joining together to have individual block parties.
Various locations, free event
Once again Vancouver’s Jazz Festival brings renowned greats and up-and-coming stars to the city for a plethora of musical happenings. Acts include Lauryn Hill, Sarah McLachlan and Neko Case as well as nightly free shows by jazz musicians, including JUNO-nominated Jaclyn Guillou at Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s Prohibition every night of the festival from 9 p.m.
Schedule and details here
A gin-centric celebration? Yes, please! Pick up a G-Pass for info about which 14 establishments are taking part and get a stamp every time you try one of the three signature drinks at each bar (using some of the 10 specially chosen gins). Featured gins include British brands such as Beefeater and Hendrick’s as well as local favourites like Long Table and Victoria gin.
Venue details here
