Vancouver Weekender: June 20 through 22, 2014

Thursday 

Night at the Aquarium (tonight, 845 Avison Way)

Grab your cocktail attire and head to the recently revamped Vancouver Aquarium for one of the top fundraising gala events of the year. This celebration of the oceans raises funds to support the Vancouver Aquarium’s conservation, research, and education efforts, including its national sustainable seafood program, Ocean Wise. This is the Aquarium’s signature gala fundraiser that you don’t want to miss and features plenty of top-notch chefs, wineries, entertainment, dancing and more. For more details and tickets, click here.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 

Scandinavian Midsummer Festival (6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby) 

Thousands of people visit the Scandinavian Community Centre every year to celebrate the traditions and festivities of Scandinavian Midsummer. In its 19th year, it is a weekend of fun-filled activities, cultural displays, beer gardens, a bonfire, wife carrying contest, benefit run, living history, dancing, traditional Scandinavian foods, and non-stop entertainment for the whole family. Score a festival pass for $10. 

Vancouver Jazz Fest (now until July 1, various venues) 

On until July 1, the Vancouver Jazz Festival works to connect, transform and nurture artists and audiences with the passion and power of jazz music. It’s one of the largest events in Vancouver and well-timed to kick off summer with plenty of concerts to pick from, pop-up jam sessions held throughout downtown and surrounding areas, and other special events worth checking out. For info and tickets, click here.

Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival (False Creek, Vancouver) 

Beginning on Friday afternoon and throughout the weekend, be sure to pop down to False Creek (by Science World) and check out the athletic competition set to take place. It all starts with the colourful eye-dotting ceremony followed by an evening opening concert. The weekend festivities and racing continues non-stop on the World Beat Stage, along with food, art installations, an Urban Tea Lounge, shopping, and plenty of dragon boat racing to be taken in.

Saturday

Eat Local (Trout Lake Farmers Market)

This is the place to be Saturday. Get off your couch and head over to this expansive marketplace to score the latest offerings from local vendors. There’s plenty to see and do with hundreds of booths to explore. Take in live entertainment as you stock up on fresh seafood, produce, baked goods and more. Click here for more details about this and other Vancouver farmers markets.

Annual Aboriginal Day (Trout Lake)

Saturday also marks the return of the Annual Aboriginal Day at Trout Lake. It’s a community-based full day of events, live artist demos, a pancake breakfast, a pow-wow performance, canoe tours and more. Find more info here.

Sunday

Food Cart Fest (False Creek/Olympic Village)

One of summer’s best weekly pop-up food festivals is back and with more food trucks than ever before. Starting this Sunday (and every Sunday throughout the season), grab your bike and head over to Olympic Village at False Creek for a full day of fun and be sure to bring your appetite. You’ll find about 30 different food and beverage trucks waiting for you coupled with plenty of entertainment to make you want to stick around for the day (it runs from noon until 5pm).

#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)

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Top photo courtesy Vancouver Food Cart Fest