Downtown Vancouver is bracing for one of the biggest crowds it's seen since the Olympics this weekend, with major events ranging from a UFC fight to dragon boat races in the schedule.

Mixed martial arts is making its return to the city, with the UFC 131 slate set for a sold-out crowd of 18,000 at Rogers Arena on Saturday night. The city hosted its first UFC event last year, but this time, the fights will be sharing the limelight with the Vancouver Canucks.

"It's never bad to be number two. Down in the United States, you've got basketball, the NFL, you've got Major League Baseball and all these other things. The country up here has embraced us -- not only Vancouver, but all of Canada," UFC President Dana White told CTV News.

A more family-oriented crowd is expected for the 23rd annual Dragon Boat Festival, which will be held at the former Olympic Village this weekend.

"There are lots of spots to view the races, there's lots to eat, there's live music on the stage, all day, both days, Saturday and Sunday," festival spokeswoman Anita Webster said.

Add to that five cruise ships carrying 18,000 people and the sold-out production of the musical "Wicked" at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and it all means big bucks for local businesses and the tourism industry.

"An average visitor would spend a few hundred dollars a day, and it goes up if you're a convention delegate, for example. Somebody in the arts and culture sector coming in for arts and culture product might spend over $500 a day," said Walt Judas, spokesman for Tourism Vancouver.

TransLink isn't planning to add any extra services, but Vancouver cabbies are prepping for a very busy -- but lucrative -- weekend.

"This is great because we're still in a recession and it's a plus for the people of Vancouver," said Amrik Singh Mahil, president of Blacktop Cabs.

"All I ask is people to be a little bit patient, we will service you, we will take you home whenever you need us."

Beginning Friday night, cab companies will be putting extra cars on the road to help with the larger-than-usual crowds.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jina You