Things to do in Vancouver this week: September 20–26

Sunday opens the week dry and mild, and Vancouver's biggest stages are ready. Foo Fighters bring the TAKE COVER TOUR 2026 to BC Place at 5:30 PM, anchoring an unusually muscular opening day. Rock, alternative rock, post-grunge—the band commands arena scale, and a day that tops out at 19°C with clear skies means the crowd will actually see the stage. If you're chasing a full night out, Sarah McLachlan performs at Freedom Mobile Arch at 7:30 PM the same evening. McLachlan, a Canadian singer-songwriter ranked among the country's elite and a 40-million-album seller, gives locals a rare headliner moment on home soil. Later that night, The Spits—a Seattle punk rock trio—play The Pearl at 8:00 PM for $21 CAD if you want to chase the smaller-room energy. Sonu Nigam, an Indian playback singer with extraordinary range, takes Pacific Coliseum at the PNE at 7:30 PM the same day, drawing the region's South Asian music crowd.

Thursday and Friday are the weather pivot. Light drizzle moves in Wednesday through Friday, with Thursday hitting 39% rain chance and Friday 40%—cozy indoor weather. Big Thief, the Brooklyn indie folk band fronted by Adrianne Lenker, plays Malkin Bowl at 6:00 PM Thursday; the drizzle will add atmosphere to an outdoor amphitheatre show, but come layered. That same evening, Hermanos Gutiérrez—the Latin instrumental brothers from Zürich—command the Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 8:00 PM, a dry alternative if the rain feels too heavy. Friday at 8:00 PM, trumpeter Chris Botti performs at Chan Shun Concert Hall, a formal indoor setting perfect for a wet night.

Saturday stays overcast and cool (10–14°C) but mostly dry. American stand-up comedians Nikki Glaser and Marc Maron both play at 7:00 PM—Glaser at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Maron at Vogue Theatre—two heavyweight headliners splitting the town's comedy nights. Pick your comic.

Beyond the stages, Mount Pleasant just cracked Time Out's global coolest neighbourhoods list at 35th worldwide, earning recognition for independent businesses, diverse food, and walkable streets. If you're exploring the neighbourhood this week, grab a slice at Thank You Pizza (Italian, moderate price) or settle into The Templeton (diner, budget-friendly) for a casual meal. For something refined, C|PRIME Modern Italian Steak and Wine (Italian, moderate) lands well before or after any downtown evening.

Ramen Danbo expands this fall with a self-order kiosk opening on the UBC campus September 23, then a Yaletown flagship later in the season. If you're near the drive or heading east, it's worth noting the new option.

With Sunday clear and the rest of the week turning wet, front-load your outdoor plans—the seawall is walkable and rewarding on day one. By Thursday, you'll want to be indoors anyway. If you have one night to lock in, Foo Fighters at BC Place on Sunday is the week's unmissable draw: an arena moment in dry weather with one of rock's largest bands.