Add to Calendar: 20 Vancouver Arts and Culture Events Happening in May and June 2026

1. IMPRESSIVE FEET: BMO Vancouver Marathon

WHEN May 3

WHERE City-wide route

COST Free to watch

Fun can be lots of things. Running, allegedly. And sure: endorphins, fresh air, a good cause… I get it. But fun can also mean cheering from the sidelines while you shamelessly eat a finish-line croissant.

2. SPACE JAM: Neil deGrasse Tyson’s The Search for Life in the Universe

WHEN May 4

WHERE Orpheum Theatre

COST From $157

If you’ve ever looked up and thought, “Wow, I am but a crumb,” Neil is here to validate that, scientifically. 

3. ON POINTE: Ballet BC’s Unity

WHEN May 7 to 9

WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre

COST From $19

You’ll leave inspired, emotionally hydrated and briefly convinced that you too are a dancer… then you’ll throw out your back sneezing in the Uber home.

4. LICENCE TO THRILL: VSO Pops’ The Music of James Bond

WHEN May 8 to 9

WHERE Orpheum Theatre

COST From $32

Licence to thrill, sure. Licence to actually do espionage after? Absolutely not. You’re going for ramen.

5. CUTTING EDGE: Stars on Ice Canada

WHEN May 12

WHERE Rogers Arena

COST From $84

Elite skaters committing elegant physics crimes in sequins. You’ll whisper “that’s not allowed” at least once.

6. WORDS WITH FRIENDS: An Evening with David Sedaris

WHEN May 13

WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre

COST From $94

A night of comedy for people who read… and who also have a complicated relationship with their relatives.

7. FOLK AROUND AND FIND OUT: Ichiko Aoba

WHEN May 18

WHERE Orpheum Theatre

COST From $54

A night that feels like getting gently emotionally rebalanced by a lullaby.

8. DRIFT MODE: Corporeal Imago’s Drift

WHEN May 21 to 23 (Talkback May 22)

WHERE Scotiabank Dance Centre

COST From $29

A contemporary dance reset for your nervous system. You’ll leave feeling taller somehow.

9. HITCHCOCK AND CHILL: Silent Movie Mondays presents The Lodger

WHEN May 25

WHERE Orpheum Theatre

COST From $29

Old Hollywood suspense plus live Wurlitzer organ is a pairing Vancouver should try more often, honestly.

10. KID ISLAND: Vancouver International Children’s Festival

WHEN May 25 to 31

WHERE Granville Island (and surrounding venues)

COST From $15

Kinda like Jurassic Park but instead of an island full of dinosaurs, it’s children.

11. GIMME! GIMME! GIMME!: Mamma Mia! The Musical

WHEN May 26 to 31

WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre

COST From $171

The ABBA singalong you swear you won’t do… until you absolutely do. Your seat neighbours may not be thrilled. The ticket price might also trigger an involuntary “Mamma mia.”

12. THIS CIDER HOUSE RULES: Drag Bingo X The Cider House

WHEN May 27

WHERE The Cider House

COST $14.82

Kits gets campy, loud and slightly competitive (as all bingo should be). Expect prizes, chaos and big “B” energy.

13. HEARTSTRINGS SECTION: VSO presents Mahler’s Third Symphony

WHEN May 29 to 30

WHERE Orpheum Theatre

COST From $32

Need a “stare out the window and reconsider everything” soundtrack, with an orchestra? Lou Bega had five mambos. Mahler only needed three symphonies.

14. FLOATS YOUR BOAT: Vessi 500 Championship (Dragon Boat BC)

WHEN May 30

WHERE Olympic Village/False Creek

COST Free to watch

Fast boats, loud cheering and you thinking you should really join in next year, knowing full well you won’t.

15. SERVING FIERCE: The Real Sunday Day Drag Brunch

WHEN May 31

WHERE Taylight Local Craft Beer and Kitchen

COST From $23

Lip sync plus brunch, with a strong chance you leave with new friends from the washroom line. Also, bingo afterward. A perfect day, in my humble opinion.

16. CORNUCOPIA OF KIDS: VSO Kids Concerts’ The Unicorn’s Birthday

WHEN June 7

WHERE Orpheum Theatre

COST From $20

A family outing where kids are delighted and adults get to feel cultured about it. 

17. GET YOUR KICKS: FIFA World Cup 2026

WHEN June 11 to July 19

WHERE BC Place (plus official fan programming at the PNE)

COST Mix of ticketed and free

Yes, it’s real: Vancouver’s hosting seven matches at BC Place, and the FIFA Fan Festival is set for key dates at the PNE. Downtown is about to become a very loud group chat. 

18. INTERNET FAMOUS: Alex Warren

WHEN June 14

WHERE Rogers Arena

COST From $196

Proof that the algorithm does sometimes lead to a fun night out. 

19. BLUES CLUES: Bonnie Raitt (with Jon Cleary)

WHEN June 16

WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre

COST From $260

A masterclass in staying cool for decades without trying to win the internet. 

20. JAZZED: La La Land in Concert

WHEN June 20

WHERE Orpheum Theatre

COST From $138

Live-to-film romanticism for people who also appreciate excellent logistics: full orchestra, choir, jazz ensemble and that score doing the absolute most.