From top trending stories to news you can use and fun events, our weekly guide - This Week in Vancouver - has it all!
Vancouver has a lot of festivals going on in just a few days and an exciting popular cookie store opening is also happening this week.
Here's what you need to know if you're in Vancouver from May 27 to June 2.
THINGS TO KNOW
🤑 BC MINIMUM WAGE IS GOING UP
The B.C. minimum wage is going up by 3.9%. Starting June 1, the minimum wage will rise from $16.75 to $17.40 an hour. The province also announced alternate minimum wages for residential caretakers, live-in home-support workers and camp leaders will receive the same increase on June 1.
⛴️ BC FERRIES REDUCING TICKET PRICES THIS SUMMER
BC Ferries expects a record-breaking summer, meaning ferry routes will be busier than usual. The good news is that the ferry operator is adding extra sailings in preparation for its busiest season and reducing ticket prices for its customers. In a press release, BC Ferries said starting June 1, it will remove the 4% fuel surcharge from all fares to increase "affordability for customers."
📦 TIPS IF YOU'RE MOVING TO VANCOUVER
Are you planning a move to Vancouver? If so, Vancouver native Nadya Bondoreff has put together an honest guide full of do's and don'ts for anyone considering relocating to the B.C. city. In it, she writes tips about public transit, apartment hunting, grocery shopping, and more.
🌦️ WEATHER
We're off to a wet start this week in Vancouver. The rain will continue through Monday and into Tuesday with a high of around 16 C. There's only a 40% chance of rain on Wednesday and Thursday so hopefully it holds off. Then it's sunshine for the remainder of the week with highs of 18 C into the weekend.
⭐ CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS
Vancouver seems to always be bustling with film shoots and actors working on various projects. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is one of those Hollywood A-listers. The actor shared a photo from the Vancouver set of his new film The Smashing Machine. In the MMA biopic, Johnson plays MMA fighter Mark Kerr and stars alongside Emily Blunt who plays Kerr's wife, Dawn Staples.
TRAVEL
✈️ TRAVEL ADVISORIES TO SUMMER HOTSPOTS
Travel may be on your mind with summer coming up soon. If you're planning on heading to Europe or the Caribbean, you'll want to take a look at whether your destination has any travel advisories in effect. Canada has issued travel advisories to several popular summer destinations, including Costa Rica, Mexico, Cuba, St. Lucia, France and Denmark.
⛴️ FERRY BETWEEN VANCOUVER AND NANAIMO
Have you heard of the Hullo ferry? It's a foot-passenger ferry between downtown Vancouver and downtown Nanaimo. Albeit a bit pricier than BC Ferries, Hullo does offer you a quicker trip at just 70 minutes. The ferry, which launched in 2023, offers multiple sailings every day. So if you're planning a trip from Nanaimo to Vancouver this summer, now you have another option of getting there!
🚗 SUMMER DAY TRIPS FROM VANCOUVER
If you're keen to explore this summer but want to stay close to home, you can take plenty of fun day trips! Narcity editor Morgan Leet put together a list of summer day trips from Vancouver that are three hours or less from the city. One of the suggestions includes a drive across the border!
FOODIE NEWS
🥩 STEAK RESTAURANT NAMED BEST IN CANADA
A Vancouver restaurant has been named the best steak restaurant in Canada and has ranked highly on a global list. The World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants was released and Elisa Steakhouse located in Vancouver's Yaletown ranked 20th on the 2024 list. According to the World's Best list, a must-try on the menu is the Black Angus bone-in ribeye from Alberta, which is "cooked to perfection."
🍪 CRUMBL COOKIES COMING TO METRO VANCOUVER
If you've ever wanted to try a Crumbl cookie, you'll soon get the chance! The popular cookie chain from the U.S. is finally opening a store in B.C. this week. The province's first Crumbl Cookie location is at the Clock Tower Shopping Centre in Port Coquitlam. The grand opening is on May 31 at 8 a.m.
🍣 BEST SUSHI RESTAURANTS
B.C. is a sushi-loving city and there are so many great Vancouver sushi restaurants to choose from. In case you need help narrowing some options down, we've put together a list of some of the best sushi spots in the city, from high-end to all-you-can-eat.
VANCOUVER FESTIVALS AND THINGS TO DO
🌱 PLANTED EXPO
North America's largest plant-based event is back in Vancouver this weekend. The 2024 Planted Expo will bring together over 200 plant-based, vegan and sustainable exhibitors to the Vancouver Convention Centre on June 1 and 2. Tickets are $20 plus tax.
🍖 BREWERY & THE BEAST
Another culinary event is also coming back on June 2 at Concord Pacific Place. Brewery & the Beast brings together a line-up of incredible chefs and beverage makers to deliver a feast of meats, craft beers and cocktails. The main event runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and you can get tickets on the event website.
🎶 NEW WHITE ROCK NIGHT MARKET
A new night market is launching in White Rock on May 31. White Rock Night Markets will take over the promenade inside Memorial Park on the last Friday of every month from May to September 2024. The free market will run from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on May 31 and will feature delicious food, live entertainment and unique local crafts.
🍦 WEST VANCOUVER COMMUNITY CULTURAL FEST
The District of West Vancouver is inviting the community to its Community Cultural Fest. The two-day festival aims to bring people together through food, music and culture. The event runs May 31 from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and June 1 from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Ambleside Park.
🌍 AFRO WORLD EXPO
The Afro World Expo is coming to the Vancouver Convention Centre on June 1 and 2. The event is Western Canada's largest event featuring Caribbean and African culture. Tickets for the event are $5 for adults and kids under 12 are free.
SPORTS
⚽ VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
The Vancouver Whitecaps will be back for a home game at BC Place on June 1. The MLS team will take on the Colorado Rapids at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $31 on Ticketmaster.
⚾ VANCOUVER CANADIANS
The Vancouver Canadians are also back home this week with six games between May 28 and June 2. The games are all taking place at Nat Bailey Stadium and you can get tickets online.
There you have it Vancouver, that is what's happening in the city from May 27 to June 2.
Have a great week!
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
