Soccer in the Square at UBC

Wesbrook Village is a modern development on Vancouver’s UBC Campus. It’s home to shops, restaurants and various festivals and events throughout the year.

A number of events take place in the village at various times of the year. Over the Christmas holiday season, there is also the Wesbrook Village Holiday Market as well as the Wesbrook Village Festival.

In the summer of 2026, there are FIFA soccer game-viewing opportunities at Soccer in the Square between June 12th and July 19th. There is also live music with the Sounds of Summer between May 1st and September 26th. In July everyone can enjoy free movies in the plaza too. They include IF on July 16th, Smurfs on July 17th, Barbie on July 18th and Minecraft Movie on July 19th.

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Norman McKenzie Square at UBC — Norman McKenzie Square at Wesbrook Village

Wesbrook Village at the University of British Columbia

Wesbrook Village is a popular mixed-use community at the University of British Columbia (UBC). The neighbourhood features park space, playgrounds, a community centre and about two dozen shops and restaurants. It’s a walkable, bike-friendly, pet-friendly and family-friendly little town centre.

Where is Wesbrook Village

Located near the corner of Wesbrook Mall and West 16th Avenue, Wesbrook Village is in the south-central part of Vancouver’s main UBC Campus. It’s just a few blocks south of the Thunderbird Park athletic field and halfway between the UBC Botanical Garden and the western edge of Pacific Spirit Regional Park.

Norman Mackenzie Square is located at 3378 Wesbrook Mall. That’s where you’ll find the Sports Illustrated bar & restaurant, the Doughgirls Bakeshop and other popular places to eat and drink. Wesbrook Community Centre is also nearby at 3335 Webber Lane.

Badaboom at Wesbrook Village — Music in Norman Mackenzie Square

Wesbrook Village Events

Wesbrook Village hosts various events at different times of the year. In the summer there are both indoor and outdoor movies on various dates. There is also live music and entertainment at Norman MacKenzie Square. Details about these and other events are below. For the most up-to-date information, check out Wesbrook’s Calendar of Events.

Soccer in the Square

For the FIFA season in 2026, head to Norman MacKenzie Square to cheer on your favorite soccer team when the games are live-streamed for all to enjoy. These events happen during the actual televised games, so you might be there in the morning, afternoon or evening. Matches take place between June 11th and July 19th.

To learn more, see our article about Soccer in the Square.

Sounds of Summer

Sounds of Summer happens from May 1st to September 26th in 2026. Norman MacKenzie Square is host to local musicians, bringing friends together to enjoy summer afternoons and cool vibes. This series of events happens on Fridays and Saturdays from noon until 3 pm (except for during FIFA between June 12th and July 18th). There is also live music on University Boulevard (outside the Body Energy Club) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons all summer long, plus on Sundays between June 14th and July 19th.

Movie Nights at UBC

In the summer there are also free outdoor movies at Norman MacKenzie Square. In 2026 the screenings happen on select dates between July 8th and 19th. This year’s schedule is below.

8th of July, 2026 – Flow
12th of July, 2026 – Tom + Jerry
16th of July, 2026 – IF
17th of July, 2026 – Smurfs
18th of July, 2026 – Barbie
19th of July, 2026 – Minecraft Movie

Ricky Ringmaster at Wesbrook Village Festival

Wesbrook Village Holiday Market

The Wesbrook Village Holiday Market runs from late November until the last weekend before Christmas. 2026 dates and details are to be confirmed.

Last year during the holiday season the Wesbrook Village Holiday Market happened every Friday from 3:00 until 9:00 pm (with live music running from 4:00 until 7:00 pm). The market was also on Saturdays and Sundays between noon and 7:00 pm (with the live music happening between 2:00 and 5:00 pm). Also in 2025, on the weekend of December 12th to 14th, there was the Winter Festival at UBC which featured additional fun activities.

At the market there are artisan vendors selling all kinds of unique and wonderful handmade things. Admission is free, as is parking in the areas for up to two hours.

To learn more about the event, see our article about the Wesbrook Village Holiday Market.

Christmas Tree at Wesbrook Village at UBC — Wesbrook Village Holiday Market

Tips and Advice

Here are some tips and things to know to help you make the most out of your visit to UBC’s Wesbrook Village.

TIP #1: You have to pay for parking at most places at UBC. However, there is free parking (for up to 2 hours) on the streets around Wesbrook Village and in the village’s main parking lot. If you find all the spaces are taken, there is also lots of pay parking elsewhere on the campus.

TIP #2: Check out some of the university’s other attractions while at UBC. Places of interest include the UBC Botanical Garden, Museum of Anthropology, Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Pacific Spirit Regional Park and Nitobe Japanese Garden.

TIP #3: Wesbrook Village isn’t a tourist destination like Gastown or Granville Island. Some of its events are excellent though and highly recommended. Places listed under TIP #2, however, are venues that people travel from afar to see. Wesbrook Village is a great place to go if you’re visiting UBC for any of the above attractions, seeing friends or family on campus, or if you’re looking for a convenient place to meet people and grab a bite to eat.

UBC Thunderbirds Mascot at Wesbrook Village