Couve Culture Weekender: June 26th - June 29th

Hey Vancouver — it’s Thursday, June 26th

I spent three days camping last weekend and, in classic PNW fashion, it poured the entire time. Think soggy socks, damp granola bars, and a very wet tent because I forgot to pack the rainfly. Ten out of ten would not recommend.

Meanwhile, my family is packing up and heading to the Oregon coast this weekend—without me. Betrayal? Maybe. Or maybe I’ll just make the most of my solo time and finally try that $8 happy hour burger at Gustav’s that one of our readers swears is the best in town. (If it delivers, I’ll report back with grease-stained enthusiasm.)

Anyway, if you’re sticking around this weekend, there’s a lot going on—from synth-heavy dance nights to Team Rocket cosplay chaos.

Here are the Top 5 events to put on your radar:

• Halsey: For My Last Trick

• SynthCadia 4

• GoFest 2025

• WFC 177

• Split Flipper Tournament

Let’s dive in →

✈️ Cheap Flights

Alright travel lovers, this week’s deals are serving serious wanderlust.

I found three roundtrip fares that are cheaper than your last Costco run—and they’re headed to some wildly different vibes. Whether you want to chase fall colors in Colorado, sip piña coladas in the jungle, or watch the aurora borealis with a tub of Skyr in hand, I got you.

• Denver brings cool mountain air and brewery patios without wrecking your wallet.

• Costa Rica is all tropical forests and beach sunsets—complete with a spicy layover in Houston.

• And Iceland? It’s like landing on another planet… but with excellent sweaters.

These are real fares, not fantasy. If your PTO balance is looking decent and your passport’s not hiding in a junk drawer, this might be your sign.

PDX - Denver 🏔️
From $157, normally $410+
Departing AUG - NOV 2025
Southwest Airlines
Economy
Nonstop
*Price will last ~7 days
sample pricing

PDX - Costa Rica 🌊
From $313, normally $750+
Departing JUL - OCT 2025
United Airlines
Economy
Layovers
1h27m in Houston
2h3m in Houston (return)
*Price will last ~5 days
sample pricing

PDX - Iceland ❄️
From $375, normally $780+
Departing OCT 2025, DEC 2025
Icelandair
Economy
Nonstop
*Price will last 3-4 days
sample pricing

✌️ That’s it for this week’s flight finds. I’ll keep hunting for cheap escapes, so make sure your bags are semi-packed and your passport isn’t expired (you know who you are). More deals coming soon!

Featured Event

Want to feature an event that is important to your business? Click below to share it with 7,000+ locals looking for something to do.

Thursday Events

Thursday, June 26 | Halsey: For My Last Trick | Cascades Amphitheater | Prices Vary
🎤 Halsey’s hitting Ridgefield with backup from Magdalena Bay and Flowerovlove—this lineup’s a whole vibe.
Grab your ticket on Ticketmaster

Thursday, June 26 | Ridgefield Raptors Home Game | Ridgefield Outdoor Recreational Complex | $8–$23
⚾ Wood bats, local talent, and the smell of ballpark nachos—what more could you want?
Check the full schedule

Thursday, June 26 | Trail Trackers | Water Resources Education Center | Free
🦶 Tiny detectives wanted! Learn to track critters by their footprints and clues on this muddy, sandy, wild nature trek.
Register through the City of Vancouver

Thursday, June 26 | Heritage Tree Bike Ride | Esther Short Park | Free
🌳 A 4-mile bike tour of Vancouver’s most historic trees—helmet hair optional but strongly encouraged.
Sign up through Urban Forestry

Thursday, June 26 | Kevin Selfe and The Tornadoes | Billy Blues | Free
🎸 Blues that’ll blow your socks off—Kevin Selfe brings the storm to Billy Blues.
Find out more

Thursday, June 26 | Game Night! | Final Draft Taphouse | Free
🎲 Sip, roll, and conquer—it’s board game night with beer-fueled bragging rights.
Details here

Friday Events

Friday, June 27 | Authors Event at White Oak Books | White Oak Books | Free
📚 Two local authors, two compelling stories, one cozy bookstore. Come sip something and get your next favorite read signed.
View the event on White Oak Books

Friday, June 27 | Community Dragon Boat Paddles | Ridgefield Waterfront Boat Launch | Free
🐉 All aboard the dragon boat! No experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm (and maybe a towel).
Check the schedule and register

Friday–Saturday, June 27–28 | Wind and the Willows Young@Part | Metropolitan Performing Arts | $1–$3
🎭 Toad’s got two days to cause chaos! Catch this whimsical youth musical about friendship, wild rides, and weasel trouble—three performances across two days.
Reserve your seats

Friday, June 27 | Music in the Vines w/ Fox & Bones | Pomeroy Cellars | $12–$20
🎶 Retro-folk duo Fox & Bones bring harmony, heart, and serious outdoor concert energy to the vineyard.
Snag your ticket through Pomeroy

Friday, June 27 | Summer Concert Series: Big Bossa Quartet | O.O. Howard House | Free
🎷 Bring a blanket and catch smooth Latin jazz on the lawn with food trucks and beer garden bonus points.
Concert details here

Friday, June 27 | Final Fridays Live Music Series | Amavi Cellars & Pepper Bridge Winery | Free
🍷 End your week with wine, acoustic vibes, and the sweet croon of Jim Marcotte on the waterfront.
See the event

Friday, June 27 | Good Times & Wine: Sparrow Wren | English Estate Winery | Free
🕊 Picnic under the trees with Sparrow Wren’s tunes and a glass of something local in hand.
Event info

Friday, June 27 | Incense Making with Darci Velez | Love Potion Magickal Perfumerie | $45
🧙‍♀️ Midsummer magic, botanical incense, and fairy whisperings—what more could you want from a Friday night?
Get your ticket here

Friday, June 27 | SynthCadia 4 | Vice Beer | Free
🎛 Neon dreams, retro synths, and infinite vibes—dance your way into a digital sunset at SynthCadia 4.
More details

Saturday Events

Saturday-Sunday, June 28-29 | GoFest 2025 | Esther Short Park & Downtown Vancouver | Free
⚡ Pokémon fans, unite! Downtown becomes a Poké-paradise packed with games, cosplay, crafts, and a full-on Team Rocket takeover.
Explore the GoFest site

Saturday, June 28 | Fort Vancouver Rose Society Rose Show | Clark County Event Center | Free
🌹 Seventy years, thousands of roses, and a whole lot of fragrant competition. Bring your nose and your camera.
Show details here

Saturday, June 28 | Harper’s Playground Day of Play | Marshall Park | Free
🎈 Inclusive play for all ages, live music, food carts, and endless joy. Basically the most wholesome party ever.
Learn more here

Saturday, June 28 | Lake to Bay | Vancouver & Camas, WA | $90+
🏃‍♂️ Relay or ultramarathon, 62.2 miles of scenic hustle through Vancouver and Camas. Your legs will remember this one.
Register through Whisper Running

Saturday, June 28 | Uptown Flea Market | Kindred | Free
🛍 Indie vendors, vintage treasures, and good vibes only—this Main Street market is the perfect Saturday stroll.
Vendor info and schedule

Saturday, June 28 | WFC 177 | ilani | $50–$150
🥊 MMA action under the lights—titles, takedowns, and a stacked fight card featuring NW heavy hitters.
See the full fight lineup

Saturday, June 28 | Reptile Man | Vancouver Community Library | Free
🦎 Real reptiles, weird facts, and wild laughs—this guy brings snakes, lizards, and an unforgettable show.
Learn more from Reptile Man

Saturday, June 28 | Budokan w/ Stan McMahon | Heavy Metal Pizza | Free
🎸 Cheap Trick tribute with Beatles acoustic opener—just the right combo of rock nostalgia and pizza grease.
Event info

Saturday, June 28 | Jam Session Summer Showcase | Magenta Theater | Donation
🎤 Four bands, local brews, and Magenta magic. Reserve free tix, drop a few bucks at the door, and enjoy.
Reserve tickets at Magenta

Saturday, June 28 | The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Kiggins Theatre | $15
👄 Live shadowcast, cult classic chaos, and all the glittery debauchery your Saturday night can handle. Prop kits encouraged.
Get freaky with Denton Delinquents

Saturday, June 28 | The Next Level Band 143 | Cascade Bar and Grill | Free
🕺 Disco, Motown, R&B—this dance floor’s not gonna boogie itself.
Check out the event

Sunday Events

Sunday, June 29 | Children’s Entrepreneur Market | Esther Short Park | Free
🧃 A farmers market run entirely by kids! Expect lemonade stands, slime shops, and entrepreneurial cuteness overload.
Register or browse here

Sunday, June 29 | Movie Night | Thirsty Sasquatch | Free
🎬 Grab a patio beer and catch a flick under the stars—Sunday nights just got cooler.
See what’s playing

Sunday, June 29 | Paint & Sip Night | Willful Wine at the Grant House | Free
🎨 Coastal driftwood meets cabernet. Paint something pretty while sipping something smoother.
Event details

The Tape Deck

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project your working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to over 7,000 friends?

Concert Calendar

TUESDAY, Jul 22, 2025 @ 7pm | VOLBEAT w/ Halestorm | Cascades Amphitheater | From $30 | 🤘 Tickets Here

SATURDAY, Aug 9, 2025 @ 8pm | Maren Morris | Cowlitz Ballroom | From $103.85 | 🌟 Tickets Here

WEDNESDAY, Aug 13, 2025 @ 7pm | Creed | Cascades Amphitheater | From $90 | 🤘 Tickets Here

THURSDAY, Aug 14, 2025 @ 6:30pm | Wiz Khalifa - Good Vibes Only Tour | Cascades Amphitheater | From $40.50 | 💨 Tickets Here

SATURDAY, Aug 16, 2025 @ 7pm | Above & Beyond | Cascades Amphitheater | From $56.50 | ✨ Tickets Here

SATURDAY, Aug 16, 2025 @ 8pm | Scotty McCreery | Cowlitz Ballroom | From $74.80 | 🤠 Tickets Here

SUNDAY, Aug 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm | Cyndi Lauper | Cascades Amphitheater | From $44 | 🤠 Tickets Here

THURSDAY, Aug 21, 2025 @ 7pm | Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms, and Spin Doctors | Cowlitz Ballroom | From $50 | 🎸 Tickets Here

FRIDAY, Aug 22, 2025 @ 7:30pm | Parker McCollum | Cascades Amphitheater | From $44 | 🤠 Tickets Here

SATURDAY, Aug 23, 2025 @ 7pm | Pantera | Cascades Amphitheater | From $55 | 🤘 Tickets Here

SUNDAY, Aug 24, 2025 @ 7pm | Nelly | Cowlitz Ballroom | From $186.03 | 🎤 Tickets Here

TUESDAY, Aug 26, 2025 @ 6:30pm | $uicideboy$ - Grey Day Tour | Cascades Amphitheater | From $68.20 | 🖤 Tickets Here

SATURDAY, Aug 30, 2025 @ 6:45pm | Toto + Men At Work + Christopher Cross | Cascades Amphitheater | From $30 | 🕶 Tickets Here

MONDAY, Sep 1, 2025 @ 7pm | Lil Wayne: Tha Carter VI Tour | Cascades Amphitheater | From $35 | 🎤 Tickets Here

THURSDAY, Sep 4, 2025 @ 7pm | The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World & New Found Glory | Cascades Amphitheater | From $52 | 🤘 Tickets Here

*CANCELLED* THURSDAY, Sep 11, 2025 @ 6pm | Kidz Bop Live | Cascades Amphitheater | From $50 | 👧👦 Tickets Here

FRIDAY, Sep 19, 2025 @ 7:30pm | Billy Idol & Joan Jett and The Blackhearts | Cascades Amphitheater | From $44 | 🎸 Tickets Here

FRIDAY, Sep 26, 2025 @ 7:30pm | Thomas Rhett | Cascades Amphitheater | From $47 | 🤠 Tickets Here

WEDNESDAY, Oct 1, 2025 @ 7pm | Breaking Benjamin & Three Days Grace | Cascades Amphitheater | From $30 | 🤘 Tickets Here

How can I support Couve Culture?

• Share the love and tell a friend to subscribe!

• Want to share about your business or event with our subscribers? Respond to this email or fill out this short form to learn about our sponsorship opportunities.

• Become a monthly supporter with a $5 or $10 donation

• Want to submit an event? Do it here.

That’s a wrap on the weekend rundown

Whether you’re catching Halsey under the stars, battling it out in a synthy pinball haze, or just vibing with some downtown Pokémon chaos—I hope you make it a weekend worth remembering (or at least one that doesn’t involve damp socks).

As always, hit reply if you find something fun, taste something amazing, or have a local tip that deserves the spotlight. And if that burger at Gustav’s really is the best in town, I want to hear about it.

See you out there!

—Jay from Couve Culture 🖤