5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (June 17-23)

A dragon boat race, a summer fashion pop-up market and an all-day skateboard celebration.

Here’s your weekly roundup of the top events in the city, including art exhibitions, local theatre, restaurant openings, concerts, film, markets and other to-dos we think you’ll love. If you have a Vancouver event you’d like to submit for consideration, add it to our ongoing Vancouver events calendar here!

1. Spill the Tea and Mimosas at This Pride Month Drag Brunch

June 23

Grab a table with your best besties and a pitcher of sparkling mimosas for an afternoon of drag served Pride side up at the Shade Never Made Anybody Less Gay: Pride Month Drag Brunch. Kiki-ing off at 11 a.m. and going ’til 3 p.m. (the official brunching hours), host Carrie Dawn and special guest drag performers (TBA) will be bringing some fierce lip sync performances while you try and finish that stack of pancakes you decided was the right way to start your day.

When: June 23
Where: Ventura Room
Cost: $20
More info: eventbrite.ca

 

2. Grab Some Beer and Community Cheer at the Strathcona Blocks Party

June 22

Taking over the 600 – 900 blocks of E Hastings, it’s the block party of block parties, featuring local vendors, live music, food trucks and a must-visit Beer Garden, maker lab, market, kids zone (with face painting, chalk art and games), skate park with ramp and a BBQ.

When: June 22
Where: Strathcona (800 block of East Hastings)
Cost: Free
More info: lowtideproperties.com/event/strathcona-blocks-party/

 

3. Do a Kickflip at an All Day Skate Sesh for Go Skateboarding Day

June 21

From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., hit your best kickflip for Go Skateboarding Day and you could snag $2,500, including a $500 prize for the “Most Tech Trick.” This skate (sorry, sk8) meetup kicks off at the Downtown Skate Plaza, rolling through various spots decked with new obstacles and challenges. Don’t miss: an art show by Kevin ‘Spanky’ Long (9 to 11 p.m. in the Special Projects Space) and jams from Loukeman, Rico Uno, Sincerely Hana, Wealthy and others. Wrap up with an afterparty at Fortune Sound starting at 9 p.m.—and we’re going l8!

When: June 21
Where: Downtown Skate Plaza
Cost: Free
More info: facebook.com

4. Row, Row, Row Your Boats at the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival

June 22-23

Watch some of the continent’s best scoot their boats along False Creek all while enjoying some music, demonstrations, a local marketplace, food vendors and the fact that we live in this gorgeous coastal province (just don’t think about how much you pay in rent.)

When: June 22-23
Where: Concord Pacific Place
Cost: Free
More info: concorddragonboatfestival.ca

5. Shop Locally for Beauty and Fashion Finds at This New Summer Pop-Up

June 18-August 18

This summer, hit The Cut Design Academy‘s pop-up, steps from Kits Beach. Shop your Hot Girl Summer essentials and support local artists—like cool jewelry from Their, sustainable swimwear by Morning Nudes and eco-friendly body care at MeadowFoam. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Shop guilt-free and support local talent (unless you’re on a spending freeze—then good luck.)

When: June 18-August 18
Where: The Cut Design Academy
Cost: Free
More info: thecutfashionacademy.com