Festival season is upon us: This year, the schedule is extra-packed.
June brings plenty of familiar annual events as well as one-offs like the FIFA Fan Festival. Meanwhile, the summer tour season is about to shift into high gear, bringing gig after gig to local music fans who are often torn between enjoying the sunny weather or catching a show at an arena or club.
Sometimes, you don’t have to make that choice at all, since some of the best deals during this busy season are free outdoor concerts. Nice!
Here are the 10 shows that hit our don’t-miss list.
Iron Kingdom Shadows and Dust release
When: June 5, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Rickshaw Theatre, 254 E. Hastings St.
Tickets/info: orangetickets.ca
Vancouver metal crew Iron Kingdom celebrates 15 years of rocking with the release of its sixth album, Shadows and Dust. Also on the bill is W.M.D., who are releasing their new album. Torrefy and Hyperstrike round out this night of traditional metal music artists. Bring your headbanging best.
Orchid Orchestra releases Feel in June. Credit: Zack Clare
Orchid Orchestra Feel Release
When: June 6, 7 p.m.
Where: Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main St.
Tickets/info: foxcabaret.com
Vancouver trio Orchid Orchestra has been winning over fans with honest pop tunesmithing and heart-on-the-sleeve lyrical honesty for a few years. Now the band is releasing its debut full-length album Feel, and heading out on a B.C. tour. Nicky MacKenzie and Kay Brette are opening.
Bailey Zimmerman: Different Night Same Rodeo Tour 2026
When: June 10, 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Forum, 33800 King Rd., Abbotsford
Tickets/info: ticketmaster.ca
Multi-platinum performer Bailey Zimmerman is about as ‘new country’ as the genre can get. Blending pop arrangements and production with arena-ready hooks in songs like Just Believe (a hit duet with Brandon Lake), he’s also been known to strap on a Gibson Flying V and do some headbanging on stage, which is a lot of fun.
Mary Gauthier: Mercy Now 20th Anniversary Tour
When: June 10, 8 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton St.
Tickets/info: admitone.com
Acclaimed singer/songwriter Gauthier released her landmark album Mercy Now in 2005. The fourth studio release from the artist featured a who’s who of the Austin music scene and brought her gothic tales of the American West to a global audience. On this tour, she is reflecting on the album’s material in a modern-day context.
FIFA Fan Festival
When: June 11 – July 19, various times
Where: Hastings Park venues, 2901 E. Hastings St.
Tickets/info: vancouverfwc26.ca
Alongside the giant viewing screens for families of fans to take in World Cup matches for free in the historic PNE grounds at Hastings Park, this multi-day event also includes free and ticketed performances from L.A. hair metal act Mötley Crüe, Canada’s beloved Arkells and many, many more. Visit the website to get all the information you need about this unique celebration.
Burning Spear
When: June 14, 7 p.m.
Where: Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville St.
Tickets/info: livenation.ca
Along with Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, Burning Spear is one of the most important Rastafarian reggae music stars of all time. Born Winston Rodney in Jamaica in 1945, the 81 year-old vocalist dropped his debut in 1969 after Marley urged him to seek out legendary producer Coxsone Dodd and try to record for his Studio One label. Today, he is one of the few remaining original reggae acts still touring. Killer live show, too.
Ne-Yo and Akon: Nights Like This Tour 2026
When: June 17, 8 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena, 800 Griffiths Way
Tickets/info: livenation.ca
In the early 2000s, Ne-Yo and Akon were two of the biggest names in Rap/R&B, dropping hit after hit and defining their distinctive smooth, cool suave sound. Now the two have teamed up for a co-headlining tour that will have fans singing along to songs like Sexy Love and Sexy Bitch all night long.
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
When: June 19 – July 5, various times
Where: Various venues
Tickets/info: coastaljazz.ca
One of the Lower Mainland’s signature cultural events returns with a great lineup of free and ticketed performances for music fans to take in and appreciate just how wide-ranging the jazz genre can be. The free Downtown Jazz weekend (June 27 – 29) is a great place to start: There, you can see acts such as South Korea’s incredible Leenalchi (June 27, 8 p.m.) or move on to performers like saxophonist Isaiah Collier (pictured) who brings his Tribute to John Coltrane to the Vancouver Playhouse on July 1, 7:30 p.m. The full program is posted at coastaljazz.ca.
Railtown Rooftop Party
When: June 20, 3-10 p.m.
Where: Summerlight Stage, 611 Alexander St.
Tickets/info: eventbrite.ca
The annual celebration of Vancouver’s indie scene never fails to showcase some of the best up-and-coming groups and artists. With Young Friend, Chopping Spree, King Cruff, Dacey and the Beatdapp Emerging Artist 2026, tickets for free event will likely go fast.
MGK: Lost Americana Tour
When: June 29, 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena, 800 Griffiths Way
Tickets/info: ticketmaster.ca
The artist formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly is out on the road celebrating his seventh album, Lost Americana. Having spent some time in the acting world, MGK’s music has added in some more dramatic elements and the new album is a strong follow up to 2022s hit Mainstream Sellout.