This week in Vancouver: 'The Last of Us' filming, best beaches, Playland is back, and more

Hey there, Vancouver! I hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather over the weekend.

I'm back with Narcity's new weekly guide, This Week in Vancouver, to share all the exciting things happening in the city over the next seven days.

Whether you're looking for things to do in Vancouver, a look at the forecast, exciting events happening or restaurants to check out in the area, we've got it all.

Here's what's happening in the city from Monday, May 13 to Sunday, May 19, 2024.

THINGS TO KNOW

🌊 BC BEACH NAMED BEST IN CANADA

If you're planning a trip to Vancouver Island this summer, make sure you check out San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park. The beach with its sandy shores, turquoise water and rugged coastal views was named one of the 50 best beaches in North America in 2024. It's the only beach in Canada to make the list.

🎥 THE LAST OF US SPOTTED FILMING IN VANCOUVER

The Last of Us Season 2 is filming in B.C. and fans captured videos and photos of the HBO series shooting scenes on the streets of downtown Vancouver. The videos show actors dressed as soldiers and military vehicles driving along a Vancouver street. The series is heading to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island this week to film in Diana Krall Plaza and the downtown area.

☀️ WEATHER

Temperatures in Vancouver will drop slightly this week from the mid-20s we just saw over the weekend. The weather will hover between 15 C and 17 C throughout the week. The good news is the sun will be sticking around, with only Thursday showing a 40% chance of rain. It looks like we're in for another sunny weekend with temperatures holding at 17 C on Saturday and Sunday.

TRAVEL

🇲🇽 CANADA'S MEXICO TRAVEL ADVISORY

If you're travelling to Mexico soon, make sure you check out Canada's newly updated travel advisory, warning residents of new safety and security risks. The Canadian government is urging travellers to be careful if they're travelling to Mexico around June 2 as that's when the country's elections are scheduled. This election in Mexico will be the biggest in the country's history and it's important to exercise caution if you're there at that time.

🇨🇦 CHEAPEST PLACES TO VISIT IN CANADA

If you're looking for an affordable travel option within Canada this summer, you'll want to check out Kayak's list of the 10 cheapest places to travel in the country. Two cities in B.C. made the list, including Abbotsford and Vancouver.

🚗 SHORT AND SWEET ROAD TRIPS

If you want to stay closer to home, you could go on a short and sweet road trip from Vancouver this summer. Narcity editor Morgan Leet put together a list of nine road trips from Vancouver that are a short drive away and will make you feel like you're in a different world.

FOODIE NEWS

🍽️ VANCOUVER RESTAURANTS LOVED BY CELEBS

If you're a foodie who loves dining at Vancouver restaurants then there's a chance you might bump into a celebrity if you go to some of their go-to spots. There are at least 14 restaurants that big-name celebs have been spotted in the city. Next time you're at Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill, maybe you'll see Drake enjoying a plate of pasta!

🍣 ICONIC VANCOUVER FOODS

Anyone who lives in Vancouver has most likely heard about certain iconic snacks that are popular in the city. From fish tacos at Tacofino to Lee's Donuts and White Spot burgers, we put together a list of 15 snacks that you should try if you're a true Vancouver local.

☕ VANCOUVER'S HIDDEN GEM CAFES

Along with certain popular snacks, Vancouver also has an amazing coffee scene. While many coffee shops are popular and busy any day of the week, the next time you need a latte or tea, check out one of Vancouver's hidden gem cafes. Some of these shops are located in small corner grocery stores or heritage buildings.

VANCOUVER FESTIVALS & THINGS TO DO

🎡 PLAYLAND OPENS FOR THE 2024 SEASON

It's a sign that summer is around the corner when Playland opens for the season. The amusement will open to the public on May 18 and the season will run until August 16, 2024. One-day passes and season passes are on sale and this year the park will introduce its newest ride: the ThunderVolt rollercoaster.

🎵 SHIPYARDS NIGHT MARKET

The Shipyards Night Market in North Vancouver has taken over the waterfront. The annual market features live music and DJs on The Stage at Shipbuilders Square, a pop-up beer garden, dozens of artisan vendors, and a splash park for kids. The waterfront market runs every Friday from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. until September 13, 2024.

🎪 THE ROYAL CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUS IS IN BC

The all-new Royal Canadian International Family Circus has returned to two cities in Metro Vancouver. The shows include acts from various daredevils, an acrobatics act from Taiwan, Bollywood aerialists and a rollerskating duo featured on America's Got Talent. There are shows at the Guildford Mall in Surrey until May 12. Then the circus will move to Lansdowne Centre in Richmond from May 16 to 20.

🏊 VANCOUVER POOLS OPENING

Three of Vancouver's outdoor public swimming pools are opening on the May long weekend for the summer season. The Kitsilano Pool, New Brighton Pool and Second Beach Pool will open on May 18. Reserving your tickets online is recommended to ensure you get a spot at one of these pools!

SPORTS

🏒 VANCOUVER CANUCKS

The Vancouver Canucks will be playing against the Edmonton Oilers three times this week during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. The City of Vancouver is hosting a series of viewing events at Oak Meadows Park for all these games if the team proceeds past Game 4. The viewing area will be set up in the north end of the park and there will be enough room for 2,000 people to bring a blanket and watch the game on a big screen.

JOB POSTINGS

💼 PNE FAIR IS HIRING

If you're looking for a summer job, you could apply to work at the PNE Fair. The fair is currently hiring for over 1,000 positions in a variety of departments for the 2024 event. The PNE Fair is happening from August 17 to September 2, 2024. You can find more information about the jobs on the PNE website.

👔 JOB FAIR

If you're looking for a new job then you may want to check out MOSAIC's 12th Annual Job Fair happening at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster. The fair is free and a great opportunity to meet over 60 employers who are looking for new employees to fill roles in finance, hospitality, healthcare, retail and more. The fair is scheduled for May 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There you have it! That's what is happening in Vancouver from May 13 to 19.

Have a great week!