From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver from Thursday, June 12th to Wednesday, June 18th, 2025. Please note that you can now get the Scout List – with a few extra pieces of intel included – sent to your inbox every Thursday. Sign up for your subscription here.

BIRRIA | Get a head-start on eating up the summer vibes by hitting Strange Fellows Brewing for a two-day Top Rope Birria pop-up, this Friday and Saturday. Because Mexican street food plus a crisp, cold pint of beer and a [knock on wood] sunny patio equals the ideal summer combination. (And even minus the clear skies, it’s a good enough equation to mentally transport you somewhere where it’s perennially summertime.) Think quesabirria tacos, walking tacos, elotes (corn) salad and nachos. We’ll be there. ⁠DETAILS

SCORE | Not-for-profit DIY music and art space, Red Gate, is having a get-rid-of-everything garage sale this weekend. You never know what you’ll find. We suggest arriving early, though, since the good stuff will get scooped up fast. Enter through the alley; 1-5pm on Saturday, June 14th. DETAILS

DINE | Feeling like getting fancy this Saturday night? Dress Rehearsal, the new “mildly posh, maximally fun” dinner series from Chef Lina Caschetto (Say Hey Café & Deli) and the fine folks from This is Wine School, kicks off its first act, ‘La Mer’, on Saturday, June 14th. Expect a seafood-forward, multi-course meal with paired pours of crisp white wines and pét-nat, plus an apéro and dessert to bookend the evening. DETAILS

BEACH | The too-hot-to-sit-still temperatures are lifting, and this weekend is meant to be quite reasonable – a perfect time to hit the beach. This time, the destination is Whytecliff Park — great for climbing rocks, exploring tide pools, and taking in the views. It’s a bit of a haul across the bridge and along Marine Drive, so packing lunch is essential. The go-to move: a stop at Savary Island Pie Company for cold drinks and quality baked goods, then settling in on a beach blanket to watch the clouds drift by. DETAILS

SUPERSTITION | You might want to take a little extra care around the ladders and black cats this Friday, because it’s Friday the 13th. The superstitious date occurs once every 212.35 days, and the 13th of any month is marginally more likely to be a Friday than any other day of the week. We suggest riding it out with a can of counteractive “Lucky” lager in a quiet corner of your home. If, on the other hand, you don’t believe in any of that silly superstitious hullabaloo, you could swing by The Rio for a screening of Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning (1985), which kicks off just before midnight. Bonus: find a another non-fraidy-cat to join you, and snag two-for-once pricing. Score! DETAILS

NEW | Love yourself some Thai food? Chef Angus An’s new spot, Sainam, is now open on Davie Street, serving bold, Isaan-style Thai cooking with a focus on fermented, fiery, and deeply savoury flavours. The menu is built for sharing — think maekwem-spiced chicken wings, fried papaya salad, laab chicken with crispy skin, and tartare made from braised beef tendon, shin, and tripe. Som tum shows up in seven regional styles, while the drinks list leans non-alc (for now), with sharp, satisfying cocktails built around citrus, spice, and fruity tang. Add to that: English Bay is just down the hill for a post-dinner sunset stroll. DETAILS

PROTEST | On Saturday, June 14th, people will gather all over the world to call out the danger of normalizing authoritarian politics. Timed to coincide with Donald Trump’s birthday, the Vancouver protest will take place in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery, and urges Canadians to take seriously what’s unfolding in the U.S. — not just out of solidarity, but because what’s happening is wrong. The Trump administration’s actions violate basic rights and democratic principles, and their impact doesn’t stop at the border. When a political administration as powerful as the United States silences the press and discourages free speech, uses unjustified and disproportionate responses, and punitive economic actions to strong arm their own agenda, jails and threatens opponents, separates loved ones and deports human beings without due process, and rules through fear while prioritizing greed and power over human rights without consequence – there is a ripple effect around the world. Rich megalomaniacal assholes don’t need more power. We’re fed up with this BS, and aren’t going to keep quiet about it. Show up. DETAILS

BREATHE | Sometimes you just need to check out for a minute and stick your face in something that smells good — like a rose. The Vancouver Rose Society is hosting a proper rose show at VanDusen Botanical Garden this Sunday; and honestly, spending an afternoon surrounded by flowers that don’t care about the state of the world might be exactly what we all need right now. Expect rows of prized blooms, oddly specific judging categories, and folks who take their petals seriously. It’s all going down in the Floral Hall and Cedar Room — just note that Garden admission is separate, so book ahead or grab a ticket at the gate. DETAILS

FISH | You can fish for free across BC’s freshwater lakes and rivers during Family Fishing Weekend, June 13–15. The province is waiving the basic freshwater licence, and the feds are offering a free three-day tidal waters licence — just in time for Father’s Day, fortunately. For something easy and hands-on, head to Rice Lake Family Fishing Day on Saturday, June 14th, from 10am to 3pm. The Seymour Salmonid Society will have gear ready and volunteers on hand to help you cast a line. Expect live music, educational exhibits, a food truck, and (if luck’s on your side) your first trout! Just note: the free ride doesn’t cover everything, and conservation stamps are still required for species like steelhead and sturgeon. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or haven’t fished since childhood, it’s a good excuse to spend a quiet afternoon outside. DETAILS

GROW | Make your way out to UBC to learn how to grow your own microgreens (year-round) at a hands-on workshop led by sustainability educator, Yael Stav. Participants will get a clear breakdown of the differences between sprouts and microgreens, explore a range of seed options, and pick up practical tips for growing at home. Everyone leaves with a planted tray to keep cultivating at home. We’re telling you now because this event will likely fill up. Tickets are $45 and, at time of writing, there are still spaces available. DETAILS