Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for June 17 to 23

Check out a pop-up roller disco, grab a bargain at the Great Grandview Garage Sale, brush up on your paddleboarding skills and more

 

1. Scandinavian Midsummer Festival – Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 18

Cut loose Scandinavian-style at the 22nd annual Midsummer Festival—authentic crafts, a Viking Village and traditional wife-carrying races are all on the agenda, with plenty of authentic food and folk dancing to keep everyone well-fed and entertained.
Scandinavian Community Centre, 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby; festival pass $10

 

2. Car Free Days – Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18

Take a stroll through one of Vancouver’s car-free community festivals in the West End (Saturday, June 17), Main Street (Sunday, June 18), or Kitsilano’s community block party (Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18). Food, music and community stalls provide the entertainment for a day of mingling and merry-making.

 

3. Great Grandview Garage Sale – Saturday, June 17

Head to East Van for the annual neighbourhood-wide yard sale in the Grandview Woodland area. Hunt for bargains and buried treasures or just shoot the breeze with the eclectic array of folks who call this neighbourhood home.
Various locations in Grandview Woodland (Broadway to the Burrard Inlet, and Clark Drive to Nanaimo); 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

4. Red Truck 2017 Concert Series – Saturday, June 17, Saturday, July 15 & Saturday, August 12

Australian electronic band cut/copy headlines an afternoon and evening of music in the parking lot of Red Truck Beer Company for the first Truck Stop Concert series event. This will be followed by two more, featuring country artists Drake White and The Big Fire (July 15) and soul outfit Lee Fields & The Expressions (August 12).
Red Truck Beer Company, 295 East 1st Avenue; single tickets sold out for June 17 but Tailgate passes for all three concerts are available ($75)

 

5. The Gathering Festival – Saturday, June 17

Downtown’s month-long free arts and music festival includes a day of community celebration at Emery Barnes Park with music from Marcus Mosely and the Sojourners, Company B Jazz Band, Locarno, Dawn Pemberton, The Iskwew Singers and the Carnegie Jazz Band.
Emery Barnes Park (Seymour and Davie Street); 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

 

6. International Yoga Festival – Saturday, June 17

Part of the United Nations International Day of Yoga celebrations, you can look forward to a full and enlightening Saturday that includes workshops, yoga classes and guest speakers, as well as delicious vegetarian dining at UBC.
Student Recreation Centre at UBC; 10 a.m. 4 p.m.; festival pass $5

 

7. Point Grey Fiesta – Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18

Carnival rides and a colourful parade highlight the Point Grey Fiesta‘s three days of free fun, alongside decorated bike rides, lawn bowling and even pet blessings. Parade assembly starts on Saturday at 9:15 a.m. on Blanca between 10th and 13th, and the parade begins at Blanca and 10th.
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

 

8. 7th Mariachi Festival Canada – Saturday, June 17

Some of North America’s best mariachis headline this gala gig at the Vogue as part of a B.C.-wide festival that sees charro-suit-clad musicians play guitars, violins, bass and trumpets to evoke the melodies of Mexico.
Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville Street; doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.; tickets $20 to $47

 

9. MEC Paddlefest – Saturday, June 17

Brush up on your paddling skills with free clinics from MEC. The workshops are a mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced clinics covering paddling techniques, introduction to rolling, stand-up paddleboarding and how to paddle a surf ski.
Jericho Beach; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

10. Pop-up Roller Disco – Sunday, June 18

Dust off those old roller skates and get a little bit disco at the Robson Square rink. If you’re feeling the funk but lack the skating skills, free quad and inline lessons will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Limited skate rentals will be available on the night.
Robson Square Ice Rink; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; admission $7 to $10; must be 16+

 

11. National Aboriginal Day – Wednesday, June 21

First Nations, Métis and Inuit people gather to share their spirit, experiences, stories, songs, art and dance with the community through a mini powwow, teepee village and traditional food and entertainment. It all kicks off at 9 a.m. at the Friendship Centre with a pancake breakfast, followed by a friendship walk to Commercial Drive and Trout Lake, where the cultural celebrations really begin.
Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society, 1607 East Hastings Street; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; more information here