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where.ca > Things to Do Vancouver

Things to Do Vancouver

Relive the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver

A decade has passed since Vancouver and Whistler hosted the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, where Team Canada secured a record-breaking number of gold medals and finished third overall. Here are 10 ways to recapture the city’s most memorable moments.

By HANNAH POAROS-MCDERMOTT

Jan. 2019

The Olympic Cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza (Photo by KK Law)

1. Gaze upon the 10-m- (33-ft-) tall Olympic cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza, with the North Shore mountains in the distance.

2. Take a peek at the Olympic display, which features torches and a full set of shiny medals, inside the Vancouver Convention Centre.

3. Pick up a pair of limited-edition 10-year-anniversary Team Canada mittens from Hudson’s Bay.

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Making Spirits Bright: Holiday Lights

By SHERI RADFORD

Nov. 2019

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

For an illuminating experience this holiday season, visit Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge or Bright Nights in Stanley Park, both of which display thousands of twinkling lights in charming forest settings and raise money for the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. Each event has entertainment for the whole family, with tasty treats, Christmas carols and more. The Lights of Hope turn St. Paul’s Hospital into downtown’s brightest attraction and raise much-needed funds for the hospital. Other seasonal lights worth bundling up for include the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden, the Carol Ships Parade of Lights, Aurora Winter Festival and Lumière.

Disney on Ice in Vancouver

By SHERI RADFORD

Disney On Ice: Mickey’s Search Party

Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, 2019 Magic is in the air—quite literally—when Disney On Ice: Mickey’s Search Party glides into the Pacific Coliseum. This extravaganza features more than just ice skating as Disney characters perform acrobatic and aerial stunts, too, taking the entertainment high into the air above the audience. Mickey Mouse leads the way on a quest to find Tinker Bell, who has been kidnapped by Captain Hook. Immerse yourself in the enchanting worlds of Frozen, Coco, Moana and other beloved Disney-Pixar stories. Happily ever after, guaranteed.

Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival

By CHLOË LAI

Greg Hill pursues a carbon-neutral path to outdoor adventure in Electric Greg

Nov. 14 to 19, 2019 Deep alpine powder. Steep granite walls. Rugged backcountry bike trails. At the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, adrenaline-fuelled documentaries, photography exhibits and multimedia presentations take audiences deep into nature’s most spectacular—and challenging—terrain, led by legendary athletes. Highlights include: superstar climbers Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold race a dizzying 914 m (3,000 ft) up Yosemite’s El Capitan in The Nose Speed Record; a trio of intrepid bikers takes an unprecedented approach to Africa’s two highest peaks in Mt. Kilimanjaro & Mt. Kenya on MTB; and acclaimed skier Greg Hill pursues a carbon-neutral path to outdoor adventure in Electric Greg (pictured). Talk about next-level entertainment.

Open-Air Art

By SHERI RADFORD

Oct. 2019

“217.5 Arc x 13” by Bernar Venet, at Sunset Beach (Photo by KK Law)

Thanks to the Vancouver Biennale, locals are accustomed to larger-than-life artwork springing up all around the city. Some of the pieces remain on a permanent basis, such as Marcus Bowcott’s “Trans Am Totem” near Science World, while others eventually move on to the next destination. The fourth iteration of this alfresco exhibition runs from 2018 to 2020, and it includes works such as “Paradise Has Many Gates” by Ajlan Gharem, which appears to be a mosque constructed from chain-link fence, right in Vanier Park. Another visiting piece is Maskull Lasserre’s “Acoustic Anvil: A Small Weight to Forge the Sea,” a colossal installation in Leg-In-Boot Square. The outdoor locations guarantee accessibility for all. Just remember to pack your walking shoes—and an umbrella.

The Magic of Mexico with Cirque du Soleil

By CHLOË LAI

Cirque du Soleil: Luzia (Photo by Matt Beard. Costume by Giovanna Buzzi)


Oct 1-Dec 15, 2019 In the mood for something truly spectacular? Cirque du Soleil: Luzia transports audiences to a dreamy, otherworldly vision of Mexico, complete with breakdancing soccer players, hoop-diving “birds” and a galloping, life-sized stallion puppet. It’s also the first touring production in Cirque history to incorporate rain, adding a splash of drama to the already dazzling aerial stunts—acrobats twist, twirl and flip through strategically placed downpours as they soar from one dizzying perch to another. Espectacular!

A Tour for Every Taste

Hesitant to explore Vancouver solo? Let a guide lead the way on 10 of our favourite city tours. Make sure to wear your comfiest walking shoes—and stretchy pants for the foodie outings.

By SHERI RADFORD

Sep. 2019

Gastown is full of historic landmarks, such as the flatiron-style Hotel Europe in Maple Tree Square (Photo by KK Law)

Walk This Way (or Run)

Forbidden Vancouver peeks below Vancouver’s glittering surface to expose the seedy (and captivating) underbelly. Learn about crime, revenge, fire and disease on the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour. Discover hidden cemeteries, notorious crime scenes and the ghost stories of Deadman’s Island on the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour. Or hear about murder, scandal, financial strife and bootlegging—while sampling sinfully good treats—on the Art Deco and Chocolate Tasting Tour. The guides are so entertaining, it’s almost criminal.

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Friday Night, Market Night

By SHERI RADFORD

Friday nights are lively at the Shipyards Night Market

To Sep. 27, 2019 The hottest place to be on a Friday evening isn’t an underground nightclub—it’s the Shipyards Night Market. This lively spot on the North Shore buzzes with activities for the whole family. Local bands perform, encouraging spectators to shimmy and shake. More than 30 food trucks feed the hungry hordes, while a 19+ beer garden guarantees plenty of top tipples from BC breweries and wineries, to wash down all those delicious meals. An artisan marketplace has a wealth of local products to discover, from jewellery to baked goods. And the best part? No secret handshake (or cover charge) required.

Real Adventures in Vancouver

Turn off the TV and live out your own reality show this summer

By LUCAS AYKROYD
Aug. 2019

Kayaking in False Creek offers unique views of landmarks such as BC Place Stadium (Photo © Leonu/istock.com)

Are you addicted to reality-TV shows? With their glamorous settings, pulsating soundtracks and over-the-top personality conflicts, it’s easy to understand why you might be. However, on a beautiful summer day, it’s time to switch off the set, get outside and explore Metro Vancouver’s amazing adventures. To help you make the transition, we’ve themed each of our five suggested activities around one of our favourite guilty-pleasure shows. And you won’t get eliminated!

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Hanging out with Caroline MacGillivray

The fun-fuelled fitness instructor talks about the joys of hanging upside down, the age limit for pole-dance fitness classes (spoiler alert: there isn’t one) and the best ways to get the most out of summer in the city

By CHLOË LAI + Photos by KK LAW
Aug. 2019

Caroline MacGillivray hangs upside down at Tantra Fitness

There are two kinds of people who show up to fitness classes: those looking for fun ways to stay fit, and those seeking an instructor who can trick them into getting fit without them noticing. (Guess which one we are.) For both of these groups, Caroline MacGillivray is the holy grail of instructors. 

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Last Hurrah: 35 Ways for Kids to Enjoy Summer

35 ways for kids to enjoy the dog days of summer. Some activities are also suitable for adults—with kiddo supervision, of course

By CHLOË LAI

Aug. 2019

Fun at Creekside Park (Photo: KK Law)

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Where There’s a Will

By CHLOË LAI

The Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival at Vanier Park

To Sep. 21, 2019 The Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival turns 30 this year, and it’s coming out with (prop) guns blazing. A Wild West–themed The Taming of the Shrew transports the comedic battle of wills to cowboy country. A young woman defies the societal norms of 1940s India in All’s Well That Ends Well. A ruthless warrior reclaims her honour in a postmodern rendition of Coriolanus. Witty one-liners and a lawbreaking lover take centre stage in a delightful adaptation of Oscar Award–winning Shakespeare in Love. Performed beneath the big white tents at waterfront Vanier Park, this season promises to go off with a bang.

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