Georgia Straight names Vancouver Art Gallery, Michael Bublé among 2026 Best of Vancouver winners
The annual awards span arts and entertainment across 38 categories. Michael Bublé tops the Best Band or Singer category, with Sarah McLachlan and Mother Mother rounding out the top three.
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The Georgia Straight has released its 2026 Best of Vancouver awards for arts and entertainment, recognizing standouts across 38 categories spanning visual art, music, theatre, comedy, film, and more.
Michael Bublé earned top honors in the Best Band or Singer category, followed by Sarah McLachlan and Mother Mother. The Vancouver Art Gallery claimed the top spot for Best Art Gallery, with Polygon Gallery and the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art in the second and third positions.
In performing arts, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra led the Best Classical Music Ensemble category, while Bard on the Beach took top honours for both Best Performing Arts Festival and Best Literary Festival. The Arts Club was named Best Theatre Company.
For comedy, Julie Kim won Best Comedian, while the Improv Centre took Best Comedy Club. In dance, Arts Umbrella was named Best Dance Company, with Harbour Dance Centre leading the Best Dance Studio category.
Other notable winners include the Vancouver International Film Festival (Best Film Festival), the Commodore Ballroom (Best Live Music Venue), the Rio Theatre (Best Movie Theatre), and the Museum of Anthropology at UBC (Best Museum). The Vancouver Pride Festival topped the Best Community Festival category.
In visual art, Douglas Coupland was named Best Visual Artist. The awards also recognized independent record labels, with 604 Records taking first place, and literary publishers, where Granville Island Publishing earned the top honour.
The details
How many categories are included in the 2026 Best of Vancouver awards?
The Georgia Straight's 2026 Best of Vancouver awards span 38 categories across arts and entertainment, including visual art, music, theatre, comedy, film, and more.
Who won Best Band or Singer?
Michael Bublé earned top honours in the Best Band or Singer category, with Sarah McLachlan in second place and Mother Mother in third.
Which gallery won Best Art Gallery?
The Vancouver Art Gallery claimed the top spot for Best Art Gallery, with Polygon Gallery and the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art in the second and third positions.
