Get the new month started off the right way with our rundown of 20 fun things to do around Vancouver! Taboo Sex Show, LunarFest, and more!
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
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What: The Taboo Show is an upscale adult playground dedicated to enhancing lifestyles, romance, personal betterment, and all things taboo. The 19+ event features entertainment, unique shopping from over 100 vendors, provocative and educational seminars, fashion shows, bar and food, and live demonstrations.
When: January 31 to February 2, 2025
Time: 5 pm to midnight (Friday), 1 pm to midnight (Saturday), Noon to 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East Building – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Tickets: Starting at $33.50 plus fees for a single pass; purchase online
What: Celebrate the Year of the Snake with LunarFest and discover the many stories of the snake through The Lantern City.
Guests are invited to take a walk through five different locations in downtown Vancouver and on Granville Island to see 36 lanterns created by artists of diverse cultural backgrounds
Then head back to Granville Island every weekend from February 1 to 16 for an artist market, crafts workshops, food, games, and more at Ocean Artworks. Free admission for all ages to enjoy.
When: Various dates in January and February 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Admission: Free and ticketed events
What: Some comics are known to kill onstage, but how far will one of them go in this murder mystery stand-up show at Little Mountain Gallery? Laugh along and listen carefully as clues are revealed in this hilariously gruesome comicide. Presented by A Little Weird Weekend.
When: January 31, 2025
Time: 7 pm
Where: Little Mountain Gallery — 110 Water Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door, plus fees. Purchase online
Lunar Year Parade (@scootercooks/Instagram)
What: One of the city’s largest annual parades is returning to Chinatown this week to help kick off Lunar New Year celebrations in Vancouver.
The 51st Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration is happening on Sunday, February 2, 2025, the fifth day of the Year of the Snake. The popular event is expected to draw over 5,000 participants and more than 100,000 spectators to the neighbourhood, with family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and more for everyone to enjoy.
When: February 2, 2025
Time: 11 am (parade start), 2 to 4 pm (fair)
Where: Various locations throughout Chinatown
Cost: Free for parade and fair
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: Now until January 30, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: VIFF Centre and streaming online
Cost: Various prices, purchase online.
What: No plans for Lunar New Year in Vancouver? Think again! The Met is hosting several fun activities to enjoy.
Take in a traditional Lion Dance, where two teams will parade through the Grand Court and hand out red envelopes for good fortune. In collaboration with the Chinese Canadian Museum, cultural workshops will also be taking place, including Chinese lantern-making, abacus learning, and family-friendly fun.
Lunar New Year celebrations at The Met run until February 16. Check out more of the fun programming online and get ready for the best year yet.
When: Now until February 16, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Metropolis at Metrotown — 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby
Tickets: Free to attend, open to the public
The Improv Centre
What: Some of the world’s funniest comedians are coming to The Improv Centre this month, and the live shows are sure to crank up the temperature in Vancouver.
The improv theatre company’s The Heat is an international comedy showcase happening on Granville Island from January 23 to 27, featuring groups from the Phillippines, New Zealand, Estonia, Zimbabwe, and Canada.
When: January 28 to February 1, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: The Improv Centre – 1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver
Cost: Starting from $15. Tickets are available online.
What: Head to BCLIQUOR Richmond Brighouse on Wednesday, January 29 to immerse yourself in Japanese excellence while exploring the taste of Hakutsuru this Lunar New Year season.
When: January 29, 2025
Time: 2 to 4 pm
Where: BCLIQUOR Richmond Brighouse – 8100 Ackroyd Rd Unit 100, Richmond
What: Viral sensation, singer, and rapper Bryce Vine will take the stage at the Commodore Ballroom on his Motel California Tour. The musician is known for his massive hits like “Sour Patch Kids,” “La La Land,” and “Drew Barrymore.”
When: January 30, 2025
Time: 7 pm
Where: Commodore Ballroom – 7 pm, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
What: Silk Road Music blends the historic traditions of Asian and non-Asian music for a Lunar New Year celebration at Gateway Theatre on February 1.
The celebratory concert will showcase why Silk Road Music has won two Best World Music awards from the West Coast Music Awards, been featured on BBC International Recital, and spotlighted at festivals all over North America.
When: February 1, 2025
Time: 2 pm
Where: Gateway Theatre — 6500 Gilbert Road, Vancouver
Tickets: $25, purchase online
Shane Gillis
What: Stand-up comic, podcaster, and actor Shane Gillis is coming to Rogers Arena on Friday, January 31. The Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast co-host was named one of Just for Laughs’ “New Faces” in 2019 and stars in the Netflix series Tires. Gillis also hosted SNL in 2024.
When: January 31, 2025
Time: 8 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices; purchase online
What: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is hosting Year of the Snake celebrations on February 2, with Lion Dances, cultural street cuisine, tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and more. The garden will also be decorated with plenty of red lanterns for the perfect Lunar New Year photo.
When: February 2, 2025
Time: 11:30 am to 5:30 pm
Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden — 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $6-$8 plus fees, free for children four and under. Purchase online
What: The Vancouver Giants return to the Langley Events Centre this weekend for two games, including the Kamloops Blazers on Saturday and the Spokane Chiefs on Sunday.
When: February 1 and 2, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200th Street, Langley
Cost: Various; 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 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
Capilano Suspension Bridge
What: The most romantic month of the year is just around the corner, and you can take your next date night to great heights with the return of Capilano Bridge’s Love Lights.
Valentine’s Day-themed lights will transform the park into a pink paradise from January 31 to February 23, and romantics of all ages are welcome.
Bring your favourite people to enjoy the glow of the suspension bridge, several sparkling photo opportunities, and special activities for the season of love.
When: January 31 to February 23, 2025
Time: 10 am to 8 pm (until 9 pm from February 13 to 16)
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
Tickets: Available online
What: Visitors will find over 85 farms and producers and a selection of food and coffee trucks. Shop for fruits and veggies, eggs and dairy, meat, prepared food, craft beverages, craft items, and more.
When: Every Saturday until March 29, 2025
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: 50 E 30th Avenue and Ontario Street, Vancouver
What: The Polygon Gallery at The Shipyards in North Vancouver hosts a showcase of new work by the finalists of the Philip B. Lind Prize for Emerging Artists. This is your opportunity to see the best in emerging BC-based artists working in the mediums of photography, film, or video.
When: Now until February 2, 2025
Time: Wednesday, 10 am–5 pm; Thursday, 10 am–9 pm; Friday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
Where: The Polygon Gallery — 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Cost: By donation
Foster the People
What: Foster The People are on the road in support of their latest album, Paradise State Of Mind, and they take over the QE Theatre on Monday, January 27. The three-time Grammy nominees are known for smash hits like “Pumped Up Kicks” and “Sit Next to Me,” as well as the single “Lost In Space” off the 2024 record.
When: January 27, 2025
Time: 8 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
What: Hero’s Welcome is throwing a huge Royal Rumble Watch Party on Saturday, February 1, and you can catch all of the action starting at 3 pm. There is no cover, though seating is limited, so guests are encouraged to book their tables ahead of time.
When: February 1, 2025
Time: 3 pm start
Where: Hero’s Welcome – 3917 Main Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free
What: Abbotsford Canucks continue their AHL campaign this weekend with back-to-back games against the Calgary Wranglers on Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1.
When: January 31 and February 1, 2025
Time: 7 pm
Where: Abbotsford Centre – 33800 King Road, Abbotsford
Cost: Various; purchase online
What: Join the second annual Chinatown cocktail showdown where eight of Chinatown’s finest bars and restaurants (Bagheera, Bao Bei, Brasserie, The Chickadee Room, Fiorino, The Keefer Bar, Kissa Tanto, Laowai, and Meo) go head-to-head to craft the best Lunar New Year-inspired cocktail.
When: January 31
Time: 5:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Chinatown Storytelling Centre — 168 E Pender Street, Vancouver
Cost: $73.75