Things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend aside from—or in addition to—watching the World Cup

Italian Day on The Drive is happening June 11, 2023, and organizers say it will be a record event. It's one of eight festivals happening in Metro Vancouver over the weekend.

Now that the FIFA World Cup has officially kicked off, there’s no shortage of events planned this weekend for fans of the beautiful game and CTV News has compiled a list of local watch parties.

If you’re looking for something to do between matches, or if you’re not a soccer fan, a city-wide garage sale and a beloved annual street festival are some of the options on offer.

Bard on the Beach

Bard on the Beach has kicked off its 2026 season, featuring a soccer-themed adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor—with two evening performances of the musical comedy scheduled for this weekend.

The annual festival’s full performance schedule, along with ticket prices, can be found online. All performances take place at the waterfront site located at 1695 Whyte Ave.

Italian Day on the Drive

A 14-block street party celebrating “Italian heritage and community pride” will transform Commercial Drive on Sunday. Visitors can browse the wares on offer from artisanal vendors, sample delicious food, and take in free live performances.

The annual celebration runs from noon to 8 p.m., closing the road between Venables Street and North Grandview Highway. The event is one of several that faced a funding shortfall this year, putting it at risk of cancellation before the city stepped in and provided a one-time grant.

Bon Appétit Festival

Foodies may want to check out a francophone culinary festival on Granville Island Saturday. Visitors can sample cuisines from Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and Canada while taking in live music and cooking demonstrations. The event is “designed as an immersive cultural experience” that “highlights the richness and diversity of francophone food and community in British Columbia,” according to organizers.

The Bon Appétit Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Performance Works, which is located at 1218 Cartwright St.

National Indigenous Peoples Day at Fort Langley

The Fort Langley Historical Site, in collaboration with Stalew Arts and Culture Society, will host a day-long gathering to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on Saturday—ahead of the official holiday on June 21.

The free event is billed as a “special gathering that offers a rich opportunity to learn about the cultures, histories, and enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples who have cared for these lands since time immemorial.”

The program runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and includes storytelling, live musical and dance performances, and demonstrations of cultural practices including cedar weaving.

The Fort Langley Historical Site is located at 23433 Mavis Ave. in Langley.

Silent Book Club

Described as “an introvert’s happy hour,” book lovers are invited to a public plaza at Granville Street and West 13^th Avenue to spend time reading in silence. The gathering starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Socializing is optional.

Queensborough Children’s Festival

In New Westminster on Saturday, the Queensborough Community Centre will host a “day of free family fun.” Kids of all ages can enjoy panda rides, face-painting, a circus tent, and arts and crafts. Performances include a magician and a martial arts demonstration. The event will go ahead rain or shine at 920 Ewen Ave. and it runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

City-wide Garage Sale

A city-wide garage sale is set for Port Coquitlam Saturday starting at 9 a.m.

“Declutter, make some cash, and give your unwanted items a new home! At our City-wide Garage Sale, participants dispose of their unwanted items in an earth-friendly way as tons of bargain hunters explore all the garage sales happening around the community,” a description on the city’s website says.

The event is set to end at 1 p.m. and an interactive online map is available showing the locations of hundreds of individual sellers.

Fred Herzog: A Colour Legacy

The Equinox Gallery in East Vancouver is currently displaying a collection of never-before-seen colour works by Fred Herzog, who spent “decades quietly documenting the city’s changing face” as a street photographer in Vancouver.

Admission to the gallery is free, but donations are accepted. It is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but closed on Sundays. The address is 3642 Commercial St. and the exhibit runs through June 27.