All-you-can-eat ice cream festival, outdoor movie night, solstice celebrations, Van Halen jams, crochet for beginners, and more.
June 20, 2025
Happy Friday, Vancouver. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Vancouver Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead:
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Ice cream festival 🍦
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Outdoor movie night 🎬
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Solstice celebrations ☀️
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
Scooped Ice Cream Festival: The popular All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival is set to debut at Esther Short Park in Vancouver July 19–20, offering unlimited samples of over 50 flavors, live music, giant games, and fan-favorite competitions — check out tickets and details.
Free music, movies and more: This summer, Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services is bringing the community together with free waterfront concerts, star-lit Friday movies, and family-friendly festivals running July through August — see the full summer lineup.
Vancouver bag plant closure looming: Hood Packaging will shut its Vancouver paper bag factory on August 1, 2025, resulting in 94 layoffs as the region’s manufacturing sector continues to contract — read the full story.
Highlights this week
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Allam is eyeing a mayoral campaign run
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WA State Patrol is tapping into cell phone data
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Camas charity golf tournament is tomorrow
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Play Pokémon Go at this community-wide event
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Compare auto insurance rates for free
🫶 We got your back
Fresh fields, fresher flavors: Get ready to dig in—Elements Restaurant is where your fork meets the farm. From sun-kissed heirloom tomatoes to pasture-raised delights, every plate tells a story of nearby soil, sustainable practice, and that sweet “I-can’t-believe-this-is-good-for-you” sensation.
Steep your senses: When you need a timeout from the daily grind, Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary brews up serenity one leaf at a time. Whether you’re chasing floral oolongs or smoky pu’ers, they’ve got the perfect pour-over to turn any afternoon into a moment worth savoring.
Strike the right chord: Ready to riff? Music World is your one-stop shop for everything from ukuleles that whisper to drum kits that roar. Whether you’re a fret-shy beginner or a pedal-tapping pro, they’ll have you making music—and maybe memories—before you can say “encore.”
Landlord life, minus the landlord hassles: Zenith Properties NW handles rentals like clockwork — no midnight “my faucet’s leaking” calls, no chasing down rent, no memorizing the latest landlord-tenant laws. Seriously… they handle it all. With a 99.47% collection rate and lightning-fast 30-day lease guarantee, they’re the secret to rental income while you sleep*
Degrees without the squeeze: Want to help your kiddo or grandchild through college? Co-signing their student loan helps them unlock lower rates and increases their chances of getting approved. Some lenders release co-signers after enough on-time payments, so it doesn’t have to be forever. Avoid last-minute headaches by acting now!
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📆 Vancouver happenings
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🔮 Fortune Friday – Psychic Faire @ Love Potion Magickal Perfumerie | Friday (6/20) at 4 pm – Ditch your to-do list and dive into tarot, oracle cards, rune stones, and crystal divination—all in fifteen-minute blasts of future-telling fun. Featuring Darci Velez, Kim Luttrel, Alexis Powers, and Bjorn, you can sample a different style of mystic mojo each month. Spots vanish fast—so come early or call ahead to reserve your spot.
🌞 Summer Solstice Celebration @ General OO Howard House | Friday (6/20) at 5:30 pm – Welcome the longest day of the year with poetry that sparks the soul, gentle yoga that stretches the spirit, and sound meditation to seal the summer vibes. Craft projects keep your hands busy while you mingle, and you’re free to come and go as you please—just don’t forget your mat for lawn yoga! This one’s on the house, so bring your curiosity (and maybe a friend) for a magically mellow solstice soirée. All ages welcome.
🎸 Best Of Both Worlds: Van Halen tribute @ Billy Blues Bar & Grill | Friday (6/20) at 9 pm – Get ready to crank the voltage with Best Of Both Worlds, the ultimate Van Halen tribute tearing through every Roth-era riff before jumping into the Hagar anthem hall of fame. Then Sarah Moon’s powerhouse pipes take the stage, blending Etta James sass, Chris Cornell grit, and early-blues soul into something entirely her own. It’s a two-for-one rock ’n’ roll smackdown that’ll leave you begging for an encore.
This weekend
🎨 Summer Solstice Native Art Market @ Clark County Historical Museum | Saturday (6/21) at 11 am – Celebrate the longest day with a vibrant showcase of Indigenous creativity: shop handcrafted jewelry, textiles, and carvings from 17 local Native artists—every dollar goes straight to the makers. Award-winning flutist Sherrie Davis will provide the perfect soundtrack while you explore free museum exhibits. Come for the art, stay for the stories, and leave with a meaningful treasure.
🐲 Community Day: Jangmo-o @ Vancouver Arena | Saturday (6/21) at 2 pm – Calling all Pokémon Trainers: catch Jangmo-o, enter size-and-quick-catch competitions, and score free pins, stickers, and raffle tickets (extra entries for canned food donations!). Don’t miss the group photo at 5 pm or the chance to trade your way to the perfect squad. It’s free, it’s fun, and your Pokédex will thank you.
🤘 The Rising Band with Seth Myzel Band @ Georgie’s Garage and Grill | Saturday (6/21) at 7 pm – Metalheads, unite! The Rising Band rips through face-melting riffs alongside Seth Myzel Band for a night of thunderous drums and neck-breaking solos. It’s a pit-ready soundtrack to your weekend—no tickets required, just bring your best air-guitar moves. Get ready to headbang until the sun goes down.
🧘 Summer Solstice Sound Healing @ Breathe Wellness Company | Saturday (6/21) at 7:30 pm – Drift away in a blissful sound healing meditation as Paul Summers Jr layers live guitar with 528Hz solfeggio frequencies that resonate deep within. Lie back on provided mats and bolsters, tune into emotional balance, and elevate your consciousness. Early bird tickets are $30 through June 14—bring comfy layers and let the vibes roll.
🎬 Movie Night: Moana @ East Vancouver Community Church | Saturday (6/21) at 8:30 pm – Bring your blanket or camp chair to catch Moana on a 20′ screen under the stars, with FREE popcorn for everyone. This family-friendly flick fest is the perfect way to wind down your solstice Saturday. No tickets, no fees—just good vibes and island tunes.
💪 Glutes & Groin: 4-Hr Hands-On Ce for LMTs @ Breathe Wellness Company | Sunday (6/22) at 10 am – Give those underappreciated muscles their moment in the (massage) spotlight with this four-hour deep dive. You’ll refine trauma-informed touch, draping skills, and targeted techniques for glutes and adductors—plus a bite to eat between practices. Early birds save twenty bucks, so sign up now and bring your A-game (and maybe stretchy pants).
🧶 Beginner Crochet Class @ Kindred | Sunday (6/22) at 11 am – Got yarn envy? Stitch your way into crochet mastery with this hands-on class—no prior skills required. You’ll learn slip knots, chains, and single crochets while crafting your own dish cloth from recycled cotton. All materials are included, so just roll up with your enthusiasm (and maybe a snack).
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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6/20 Johnny Gotta Die Band @ Georgie’s Garage – 6 pm
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6/20 Far out Friday @ UnderBar – 7 pm
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6/20 Best of Both Worlds and more @ Billy Blues Bar – 9 pm
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6/21 The Rising Band and more @ Georgie’s Garage – 6 pm
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6/21 Movie Night: Moana @ East Vancouver Community Church 8:30 pm
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6/21 Hellcats @ Billy Blues Bar – 9 pm
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6/21 Magic Happens @ UnderBar – 9 pm
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6/22 Hott Cuntry Drag Show @ UnderBar – 7 pm
🏠️ Price Is Right – Vancouver edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Donna M Roberts (eXp Realty) – 3 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | Built in 1998 | 2396 sqft
Five acres of pure, unfiltered whimsy—plus a front-row seat to Mt. Jefferson’s daily mood swings. This isn’t just a house; it’s a full-blown art installation with a roof. Every room is hand-painted and themed, with enough 24-karat gold accents to make Midas jealous. Artifacts and details abound, making each corner a new conversation starter (or existential crisis).
Move-in ready, fully furnished, and already winking at Airbnb stardom, this estate doesn’t just break the mold—it throws it out the window. Each corner is a discovery, inviting delight and curiosity.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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