Things to do in Vancouver this week: June 14–20

Sunday clears to 28 degrees and almost no rain—the best weather of the week—which means you should spend at least part of it outdoors. But if your evening plans pull you inside, you have two genuinely compelling reasons to stay: Burning Spear, the Jamaican roots reggae master and one of the most influential artists to emerge from the 1970s, plays the Commodore Ballroom at 7 p.m. Reggae of that calibre does not come through Vancity often, and Burning Spear is one of the artists who built the entire language of roots music. This is not a show to skip.

If you lean harder into the underground, Napalm Death—the English grindcore pioneers who formed back in 1981—bring their relentless minimalist assault to The Pearl at 8 p.m. with Primitive Man and Luella. Tickets run from $43. Grindcore is not for everyone, but if it is your sound, this is the real thing: Barney Greenway on vocals, the full original lineup energy. The Pearl is a tight room, which is exactly where this kind of music lives.

Monday stays warm (high of 29) and mostly clear, then Tuesday through Thursday cool down into the low 20s with partly cloudy skies and zero rain. It is a solid stretch to be outside. If you have not yet hit the seawall this season, Tuesday or Wednesday morning is your move—bring a coffee from Waves Coffee (where drip is now under $3 after they renegotiated supplier contracts) and walk it off.

For dining, Brunch Vancouver on Sunday or Monday morning before the weather shifts is smart planning; grab a seat on their patio while the sun is strong. For later in the week when the forecast turns cooler and more overcast, The Templeton offers the kind of straightforward diner comfort that lands right when you want it. If you are looking for something more polished, Glowbal sits well for a cocktail before heading out—they are hosting a three-week series from Botanist featuring Canada's top cocktail bars (Calgary, Montréal, Toronto) with nightly 5–8 p.m. service at the Fairmont Pacific Rim.

Beyond music and dining, keep an eye on FIFA World Cup 2026, which arrives at BC Place this summer. Seven matches are coming to Vancouver, and the Fan Festival is going to remake the downtown core. Hotels are already at $1,700 a night. For the full schedule and details, head to /vancouver/fifa-world-cup. It is the season's defining event, and the city is only beginning to feel its gravity.

Sports are also in motion this week: the Vancouver Canadians play the Everett AquaSox on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. at Scotiabank Field, and if you want to watch UFC on a big screen with other locals, Good Co. Granville is running a live watch party for UFC FREEDOM 250 starting at 4 p.m. ($16 and up).

If I had one night this week, I would take Sunday at the Commodore for Burning Spear—a living legend, perfect weather to walk there, and the kind of once-in-a-while evening that reminds you why you stay in this city.