Vancouver’s historic Gastown neighbourhood is about to get a major weekend makeover. The Gastown Business Improvement Society (GBIS) is launching an exciting new initiative that promises to transform cobblestone streets into vibrant community spaces every Sunday this summer.
Starting June 15th and running through August 31st, the Gastown Sunday Set will bring 12 consecutive weeks of free, family-friendly programming to one of Vancouver’s historic neighbourhoods. This curated series of events draws inspiration from successful global pedestrian movements like Paris Breathes, creating a pedestrian-first experience that invites both locals and tourists to make Gastown an essential part of their weekend ritual.
Four Rotating Weekly Series
The Sunday Set features four distinct events that rotate throughout the summer, each offering a different way to experience Gastown’s charm:
Streetside Sessions – Coffee Party
June 15, July 27, August 31
Coffee lovers, this one’s for you. Streetside Sessions transforms Gastown’s historic streets into an outdoor coffee celebration, complete with locally roasted brews and curated DJ sets from Vancouver-based artists including TableTutors and bside.radio. In collaboration with Public Disco, these events bring together small businesses, artists, and the community in an accessible space that encourages meaningful connections. With over twelve coffee shops in Gastown, visitors can explore exclusive coffee party menu items at cafes throughout the neighbourhood.
Open Air Atelier – Live Art Battles
June 22, July 13, August 3
Watch art come alive on the streets. Open Air Atelier reimagines Gastown as an open-air art crawl, featuring emerging artists stationed throughout the neighbourhood creating original works in real-time. It’s part art competition, part street performance, with the public voting for their favourites. Beyond the live painting battles, visitors can explore street performances and the many established galleries that line the cobblestone streets.
Gastown in Bloom – Flower Market
June 29, July 20, August 17
These vibrant outdoor flower markets pay homage to Gastown’s historic significance as a centre for commerce and outdoor markets. In partnership with local florists including Flowerhouse Studios, Floba Flower Boutique, and Bita W Florist, the event transforms the neighbourhood into a botanical promenade. It’s the perfect opportunity to stroll, shop, and connect with nature in an urban setting while supporting local plant shops and producers.
Unscripted Sunday – Letting Water Street Breathe
July 6, August 10, August 27
Sometimes the best programming is no programming at all. Unscripted Sundays embrace Water Street’s natural charm with minimal infrastructure and maximum flexibility. These relaxed events encourage visitors to pause and appreciate the street as a true communal space, with informal activations unfolding organically throughout the day.
While each Sunday features one of these rotating events, there’s always more happening. Visitors can expect live community mural paintings, dance battles, large-scale games, drag shows, musical performances, and spontaneous moments of creativity that make each Sunday unique.
Visit www.gastown.org/sundayset for more information and mark your calendar for a summer of art, culture, and community connection in the heart of historic Vancouver.
The Gastown Business Improvement Society (GBIS) is a non-profit organization representing over 600 business and property owners, working together to promote and enhance Gastown since 1989. Learn more at gastown.org.