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Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for June 20 to 26

This week: Catch a race at the Rio Tinto Dragon Boat Festival, enjoy music (and food trucks) at the Plaza of Nations, attend a stylish party + more

By Kirsty Chan /

Credit: Flickr/janhueninck

Rio Tinto Dragon Boat Festival – June 19 to 21

While watching the races at the Rio Tinto Dragon Boat Festival is a guaranteed good time, there are also plenty of other festivities to take in all day. Catch some live music or people watch from the comfort of the Granville Island Brewing Beer Garden. If you get hungry, cruise the Spice Islands Food Festival where vendors will be serving up favourites like beaver tails, donairs, barbeque and more.

Friday, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
#1 Athletes Way, Vancouver



Credit: Flickr/Jan Zeschky

Central City Summer Cask Festival – June 20

Surrey’s Central City Brewing is pouring from some of the best casks in the Lower Mainland this weekend. With 23 different breweries already confirmed (33 Acres, Bomber Brewing, Deep Cove Brewing + more), the festival will be nothing short of a foamy beer wonderland. Onsite will also be food and music to add to the fun. For true craft beer aficionados, there’s also the chance to win tickets to the brewmaster’s dinner after the event. The dinner is open exclusively to brewery staff and a few lucky winners who will get to drink and chat about their favourite beers.

11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Central City Brewpub and Restaurant, 13450 102nd Avenue, Surrey



Credit: Courtesy of Vancouver Draw Down

Vancouver Draw Down – June 20

Artists, pick up your pencils. Draw Down is about celebrating drawing and encouraging everyone to make their mark. Over 30 workshops will take place in local venues like community centres, galleries and even on the streets, and every workshop is free and open to the public. The workshops will explore different techniques – everything from blindfolded drawing to mural painting – in order to help Vancouverites discover their creative sides.

Check out the full schedule for details.



Credit: Erin Ireland

Plaza of Nations Concerts + Food Truck Festival – Saturdays from June 20 to September 12

Vancouver’s newest night market is a dream for foodies and music fans alike. Starting this weekend, Plaza of Nations will be the site of can’t-miss concerts and mouth-watering food trucks every Saturday. Local soul pop band Love Coast and singer songwriter Adam Woodall are kicking off the festival on opening night (June 20). The outdoor beer garden is the perfect place to enjoy the tunes and local craft beer all in one spot.

5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Plaza of Nations, 750 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver



Credit: Flickr/Christopher Porter

Car Free Day Festivals – June 20 and 21

Festival season is officially in full swing and Car Free Day is the next big one to add to your calendar. Car Free Day will be taking over the West End on June 20, Commercial Drive and Main Street on June 21, and Kitsilano all weekend. Every neighbourhood is celebrating a little differently with events ranging from roller disco to kids’ zones. Check online for specific event details.

West End (Davie to Robson on Denman Street), 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Commercial Drive (Venables to Grandview on Commercial Drive), 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Main Street (Broadway to 30th on Main Street), 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Kitsilano, various local block parties



Credit: Flickr/Raul Pacheco-Vega

Oysters, Wine, and Sausage at Le Marche St-George – June 20

If you’re the type to savour the finer things in life, An Evening of Oysters, Local Wine and Grilled Sausage at Le Marché St. George is the perfect event for you. Slurp and sip on fresh samples from local food producers to help raise money to turn Little Mountain playground into an inclusive playground. This event has limited seats and tickets are going fast, so don’t hesitate to get yours online now.

7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
East 28th Ave, Vancouver



Credit: Facebook/Campagnolo

Fratello at Campagnolo – June 25

East is meeting west for Fratello, a trans-Canada foodie event that’ll have two of the best pasta chefs in the country collaborating. Campagnolo’s Chef Robert Belcham is teaming up Chef Basilio Pesce of Porzia, an Italian eatery in Toronto. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception to start off the night, and then dig in to a five-course community-style dinner. The “alla famiglia-style feast” is an exclusive affair with only 60 lucky guests. Tickets are still available online, but move fast before they’re sold out.

6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Campagnolo, 1020 Main Street, Vancouver



Credit: Facebook/Front and Company

Summer Nights at Front and Company – June 25

Vancouver’s Front and Company has always been a hot spot for fashionable finds, but this summer they’ll also be throwing some stylish parties. Summer Nights at Front and Company take place on the last Thursday of every month with a different vendor at each event. June’s feature vendor is Sons of Vancouver Distillery, which means free vodka tastings and craft cocktails at their cash bar. Shop till you drop at the curated vintage pop-up shop by Hocus-Rocus, and take your chances on their lottery where you could win 40 per cent off your purchase.

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Front and Company, 3772 Main Street, Vancouver



Credit: Flickr/Liam Ross

SWEET! It’s Summer at Science World – June 26

Everyone loves Science World, and now teens have the chance to discover it on their own. To commemorate the end of school, Science World is offering teens free admission to SWEET (Science World Extravagant Evenings for Teens), It’s Summer at Science World. Visitors can churn their own ice cream, compete in a scavenger hunt around the newest exhibit, Ultimate Dinosaurs and explore Science World’s galleries.

6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Science World, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver



Credit: Flickr/H.R. McMillan Space Centre

Waves and Flickers at the Planetarium – June 26

Live music lovers need not look any further for a one-of-a-kind listening event. Waves and Flickers at the Planetarium features sets from Hello Blue Roses, Holy Hum and the Red Hot Icicles Burning on Fire set to projections on the planetarium screens by artists Jen Weih, Khan Lee and Steven Hubert. It’ll be an immersive musical event like no other, and tickets can be found online.

8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver