The last weekend of January is here!
Time flies when you’re having fun, so check out these 15 things to do in Vancouver from January 24 to 26, including the MENA Film Festival, Dine Out Vancouver, and more.
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
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What: PuSh International Performing Arts Festival is back for another groundbreaking year this winter, and it promises a lineup of works for every type of live arts enthusiast.
Highlights include the return of Dances for a Small Stage, Dune Wars Kiki Ball, and the popular Club Push.
When: January 23 to February 9, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various venues
Cost: Various prices, including several free events. Purchase online
What: The long-running winter comedy tour returns to Surrey on January 26 and Vancouver on January 27. This year’s lineup includes Great Canadian Laugh Off winner Paul Myrehaug, Sirius-XM Radio Top Comic winner Pete Zedlacher, CBC’s The Debaters regular Erica Sigurdson, and winner of The Canadian comedy competition at Just for Laughs Dan Quinn.
When: January 23, 2025 (Surrey), January 24, 2025 (Vancouver)
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Surrey Art Gallery & Surrey Arts Centre – 13750 88th Avenue, Surrey; York Theatre – 639 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, purchase online
What: Fraser Valley Discovery Centre hosts a series of public programs for families on the last weekend of each month, with immersive activities that help guests of all ages discover the important waterway.
January and February explores the Blustery Fraser Canyon and how its unique geography of the Fraser Canyon shapes the Lower Mainland’s weather patterns.
When: January 25 and 26 and February 22 and 23, 2025
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Fraser River Discovery Centre – 788 Quayside Drive, New Westminster
Cost: Included with admission, $5-$8. Free for ages 2 and under.
What: Five Sails is hosting a special Lunar New Year afternoon tea with plenty of sweet and savoury bites like its Mandarin Cake, Five Sails Egg Tart, Pork Belly Bao, XO Devil Eggs, and much more.
When: January 25 to February 28, 2025
Where: Five Sails — 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Cost: $75 per person
What: Films from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) regions get the spotlight at the sixth edition of the festival, which is happening at the VIFF Centre and streaming online. Check out over 40 shorts and feature films, an opening ceremony party, industry events, panel discussions, and more.
When: January 25 to 30, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: VIFF Centre and streaming online
Cost: Various prices, purchase online.
What: Dine Out participants will have the one-of-a-kind chance to dine among the jellyfish at the Vancouver Aquarium.
Guests will be able to enjoy a three-course meal prepared by the aquarium’s culinary team, paired with a glass of wine from a BC-based winery.
When: January 25 to 27, January 31 to February 6, 2025
Time: 7 to 9 pm. Dinner starts at 7:30 pm
Where: Vancouver Aquarium – 845 Avison Way, Stanley Park, Vancouver
Tickets: $125 per person; $100 for members
What: VSO Pops dives into the songs from some of the biggest movies and binge-worthy TV series during Hollywood Rocks. The event will feature music from A Star Is Born, Back to the Future, Top Gun, Elvis, and more, with special guests from Broadway, Julie Reiber and Bryce Ryness.
When: January 24 and 25, 2025
Time: 8 pm
Where: Orpheum Theatre – 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, purchase online
What: What’s better than one hot dog, you may ask? All-you-can-eat hot dogs, of course.
As part of Dine Out Vancouver, Mount Pleasant Vintage and Provisions is offering a special all-you-can-eat menu for just $20.
You’ll be able to enjoy as many hot dogs (or beyond veggie brats) as you can eat alongside bottomless tater tots and sauces like its cheese and secret sauce.
When: Now until February 9 for all-you-can-eat
Where: 67 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver
What: Duck Pond is Circa’s irreverent take on the timeless Swan Lake. Leave any preconceived notions of ballet at the door as the highly-anticipated show will embrace the controlled chaos that is Australia’s premiere dance circus company.
Under the direction of visionary choreographer Yaron Lifschitz, Circa mixes it up, combining burlesque, heart-in-throat acrobatics, romance, and more in Duck Pond, coming to the Vancouver Playhouse in January.
When: Now until January 25, 2025
Time: 8 pm (plus 2 pm matinee on January 25)
Where: Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Starts at $40.75, purchase online
What: New York comedian Shafi Hossain moved to America to study Chemical Engineering before discovering a passion for stand-up. He’s appeared on Kevin Hart’s LOL Network’s show Road Comics and was named one of New York’s Funniest Stand Up by the New York Comedy Festival.
When: January 23 to 25, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy – 530 Columbia Street, New Westminster
Tickets: Tickets starting from $18-$25.50, purchase online
In the third edition of its Taste Our Travels dining series, ¿CóMO? Taperia is featuring food inspired by the many small pintxo bars they visited during the team’s recent travels through Spain’s Basque region and Cantabria. Diners can anticipate seven tapas-style dishes inspired by the team’s favourite eats.
When: Now until February 9
Time: 4 to 9 pm
Where: ¿CóMO? Taperia — 201 E 7th Avenue, Vancouver,
Cost: $170 per group of 2 plus tax and gratuity
What: UBC Botanical Garden is hosting its third Lunar New Year Market on January 25 and 26, with an artisan market, live entertainment, and more to enjoy.
Visitors of the Lunar New Year Market will meet local makers, artists, crafters, and food trucks showcasing a variety of goods. Attendees can also enjoy a photo booth, take in lion dances and a kung fu performance by the UBC Kung Fu Club, and participate in workshops throughout the weekend.
Tickets to the Lunar New Year market include admission to the Asian Garden.
When: January 25 and 26, 2025
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: UBC Botanical Garden – 6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver
Tickets: $8.88 after tax and fees, free for children eight and under. Purchase online
What: Grammy-nominated and the EDMA’s Female Artist of the Year winner Haliene is coming to the Hollywood Theatre on January 24 on her Into The Water tour. Haliene has collaborated with dance music legends like Armin Van Buuren, Illenium, Seven Lions, and more while crafting her own journey to stardom.
When: January 24, 2025
Time: Doors 9 pm
Where: Hollywood Theatre – 3123 West Broadway, Vancouver
Tickets: Purchase online
When: January 21 to 26, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm (Tuesday to Sunday), 2 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre — 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online
What: You’re invited to celebrate Family Literacy Day at the annual Surrey Libraries Expo at South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre. There will be a variety of fun activities for all ages to enjoy, including craft stations, coding sessions, book bowling and more. Plus, check out the mobile library to discover the latest reading releases.
When: January 25, 2025
Time: 10 am to 2:30 pm
Where: South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre – 14601 20th Avenue, Surrey
Cost: Free
What: Vancouver has an epic food truck scene, and a returning outdoor festival is here to prove it this month during Dine Out Vancouver.
Street Food City is back for its 13th year from January 24 to 26, with over a dozen delicious food trucks to discover at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
The free event presented by the Vancouver Streetfood Society is always one of the most exciting parts of Dine Out Vancouver. This year’s lineup is shaping up to be a mouthwatering one.
Dates: January 24 to 26, 2025
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square, West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free