Vancouver in June

Springtime in Vancouver is a moody season, delivering glorious blue-sky, blossom-filled days one moment and wretched rain-soaked ones the next. But the days are at their longest by late June, offering plenty of time to enjoy the city’s splendours indoors or out.

While June technically straddles the spring-summer calendar divide, most years the weather leans a little more to the former than the latter. With temperatures hovering in the 15 C/59 F range, you’ll want to pack a sweater or shawl, a light raincoat, a collapsible umbrella and water-resistant shoes.

Bard on the Beach (Photo: Tourism Vancouver/David Blue)

• Bard on the Beach: Beloved by locals for more than 20 years, this outdoor Shakespeare festival at Kits Point offers a range of first-class theatre productions in rep through to September.

• Vancouver International Children’s Festival: Another favourite with locals, this family-friendly festival attracts the biggest names in children’s entertainment.

• Playland at the PNE: Popular with ‘tweens, teens and families, Playland is a giant amusement park adjacent to the Pacific National Exhibition grounds on Hastings Street.

• Klahowya Village in Stanley Park: Billed as an “authentic aboriginal experience”, this popular summer attraction is a family-friendly introduction to First Nations history in BC.

• Exercise like a local: Always a fit city, Vancouverites take their outdoor activities up a notch come June.

• Park it at a patio: Enjoy a meal or a craft-brewed beer on one of the city’s many outdoor patios.

• Picnic in a park: Pick up a meal to go from one of the city’s new street food carts and head for any of the nearby parks or beaches for al fresco dining.

• Take a drive: Longer days means there’s more time to rent a car and explore further afield. Consider a scenic drive along Highway 99, or a birding excursion to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary.

• Chinese Night Markets: With its huge Asian population, Vancouver supports two Chinese night markets. The Richmond Summer Market runs from 7 pm to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 to 11 pm on Sundays and holidays, and is the larger and more authentic. But if you’re pressed for time or without wheels, visit the Chinatown Night Market held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm at Keefer and Main.

• Dragon Boat Festival: North America’s biggest dragon boat festival animates the waters of False Creek for two days in early June.

• Vancouver International Jazz Festival: Kicking off at the end of June, this popular multi-venue festival features a range of performers and styles.

• Need more suggestions? See things to do in Vancouver…