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November is just zooming by! Slow down and have some fun this week!
There’s plenty of excitement to discover around Vancouver, including the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, Bruce Springsteen, and more! Here are 20 fun things to do from November 18 to 24.
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
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City of Surrey/Submitted
What: Holiday festivities are just around the corner and one of our favourite events is helping to kick things off in a big way in the City of Surrey.
The 14th annual Surrey Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market, presented by Concord Pacific, will be held on November 23 and 24 at Surrey Civic Plaza. The outdoor event will offer plenty of free activities and entertainment for all ages, including live music and dance, food trucks, amusement rides, and more.
When: November 23 and 24, 2024
Time: Noon to 8 pm
Where: Surrey Civic Plaza – 13450 104th Avenue, Surrey
Cost: Free
What: Erin Moon is an award-winning actor and narrator of over 450 books who is also known as Felicity Munroe in the romance genre. Attendees of the free Tech Talk at the West Van Library will get an exclusive demo of Erin’s recording process. They will also receive valuable tips and see the setup of her professional home studio.
When: November 18, 2024
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Where: West Vancouver Memorial Library, Welsh Hall — 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
Cost: Free
What: Indigenous fashion designers from across Turtle Island (North America) are coming to Vancouver this week for a huge celebration of artistry and resilience.
Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW) takes place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from November 20 to 23. The highly anticipated third edition of VIFW will feature a Red Dress Event, an Indigenous artisan marketplace, and dozens of Indigenous designers with new collections on the runway.
When: November 20 to 23, 2024
Time: Various times
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre — 650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
What: DanceHouse and Compagnie Catherine Gaudet are teaming up for Les jolies chooses (The Pretty Things).
Montreal choreographer Catherine Gaudet explores the power of endurance and exhaustion, of bodies sodden with effort, but somehow continuing. Be prepared to experience the synchronized, metronomic rhythms that offer no means of respite, but soon the mechanistic rituals become something new.
Come before the performance for a pre-show talk, or stay after for a post-show social on Friday.
When: November 22 and 23, 2024
Time: 8 pm
Where: Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Starts at $40.75, purchase online
© Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
What: Zach Bryan is bringing The Quittin’ Time Tour to Vancouver this month to showcase his fourth full-length self-titled studio album.
Written and produced entirely by Bryan himself, Zach Bryan features raw and unfiltered stories that speak from the heart; the album boasts collaborations with Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, Sierra Ferrell, and The War and Treaty.
When: November 20, 2024
Time: 7 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices. Purchase online
What: Pulitzer-nominated cartoonist, illustrator, and writer Zoe Si is hosting a new art show at Lucky’s Books and Comics titled, OKAY. The Vancouver-born creator will bring a mix of existing and new comics and paintings, both original art and prints, to the East Vancouver comic shop starting on November 23 and remaining available to view throughout the holidays.
When: Opens November 23 and remaining up throughout the holidays
Time: Store Hours 11 am to 6 pm (Monday to Thursday, Saturday), 11 am to 7 pm (Friday), 11 am to 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: 3128 Main Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free
What: Enjoy a five-course Italian feast celebrating seasonal comfort food at Locanda dell’Orso. Guests are invited to embrace the cozy spirit of hibernation season with a feast that captures the essence of autumn, featuring rich, comforting Italian dishes crafted from seasonal ingredients.
When: November 18
Time: From 5 pm
Where: Locanda dell’Orso — 350 W Pender Street, Vancouver
Cost: $139 per person
What: The holiday season can be a stressful time for a variety of reasons. That’s why the funny folks at The Improv Centre (TIC) on Granville Island are helping chase away the winter blues with its new seasonal show, Merry/Happy/Jolly.
Audiences will help the improvisers create a brand-new show each night during the “choose-your-own-adventure” performance.
When: Fridays and Saturdays from November 22 until December 23, with an opening night performance on November 21 and matinee performances on December 15, 22, and 24.
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: The Improv Centre — 1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Got Craft
What: Vancouver can’t get enough of holiday markets, and Got Craft is back to help festive shoppers find the perfect gifts this season.
The 17th annual Got Craft Holiday Market takes over the Croatian Cultural Centre on Commercial Drive on November 23 and 24. With 100 makers to discover, it’s one of BC’s largest curated markets of creatives, designers, and small shops. It’s the perfect way to shop locally for everyone on your list.
When: November 23 and 24, 2024
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where:: Croatian Cultural Centre – 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Admission: $5 online and at the door. Children 12 and under are free.
Enjoy a seasonal menu from Five Sails expertly crafted to complement the wines of Rombauer Vineyards. Enjoy dishes like Canadian Lobster Tail, Fraser Valley Duck Breast, and Grilled Bison Tenderloin, each paired with a selection of Rombauer wines.
When: November 18
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Five Sails — 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Cost: $185 per person
Head over to Fanny Bay Oyster Bar for a Little Mermaid-themed drag show production by the epic team from SleepyQueers Productions paired with an OceanWise-themed menu.
When: November 20
Time: Doors 6:30 pm, show 7:30 pm
Where: Fanny Bay Oyster Bar — 762 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Cost: $25.83
Marco Ovies/Daily Hive
What: Get ready to choose your own flaky adventures because the Metro Vancouver Croissant Crawl is back, and it’s bigger and better than ever!
Running from November 1 to 21, the croissant crawl is a self-guided, limited-edition croissant tour taking place around the region. This buttery and delicious event highlights some of the most creative and mouthwatering croissant creations from participating vendors, and organizers are excited for foodies to try them all.
When: Now until November 21, 2024
Time: Various operating hours
Where: Participating vendors across Metro Vancouver
What: Heritage Christmas and the Burnaby Village Museum are truly where history comes alive. Enjoy the magical atmosphere of festive lights and traditional decorations in this 1920s-era village.
There will also be seasonal entertainment, demonstrations and activities, and delicious food served up at Heritage Christmas. Keep an eye out for the historic street car on your way to the old-timey ice cream parlour.
When: November 23, 2024, until January 3, 2025 (Closed December 24 and 25)
Time: Various times
Where: Burnaby Village Museum — 6501 Deer Lake Avenue
Admission: Free, Carousel rides $2.62 plus tax
What: Mexican stand-up star and YouTube sensation Chumel Torres has hosted a variety of high-profile events, including he hosted the MTV Millennial Awards and the Los Metro Awards. He’s coming to Vancouver for an all-Spanish comedy show at The Rio Theatre this month.
When: November 20, 2024
Time: 7 pm
Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Lights at Lafarge
What: Lights at Lafarge, Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor winter lights display, is back again for another holiday season.
The annual tradition will illuminate Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam throughout the season, with over 100,000 twinkling lights to enjoy until the end of February. Guests of all ages can explore the outdoor display that wraps its way entirely around the lake, leading them on a 1.2 km loop through themed zones.
When: November 22, 2024 until February 2025
Time: Nightly from 4 to 11 pm
Where: Town Centre Park – 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Cost: Free
What: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is coming to Vancouver, so get ready to sing along to rocking fan favourites like “Born To Run,” “Prove It All Night,” and “Wrecking Ball.”
The Boss has sold over 140 million albums worldwide, has won 20 Grammy Awards, and has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
When: November 22, 2024
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices. Purchase online
Meo is welcoming LA’s Thunderbolt for one epic bar takeover on Wednesday, November 20. Thunderbolt will serve up its distinctive signature cocktails while guests feast on an exclusive, good old-fashioned cookout by Basta Barbeceu’s Alden Ong, a way to pay tribute to Thunderbolt’s Southern roots.
When: November 20
Where: Meo — 265 E Pender Street, Vancouver
Cost: $88 per person
Tourism Harrison/Facebook
What: Harrison Hot Springs will be overflowing with Christmas spirit this season, thanks to the return of its annual holiday lights festival.
The village’s annual Lights by the Lake will happen until Sunday, January 7, 2024. Visitors will enjoy magical holiday displays that transform the Harrison lakefront into an enchanting world of lights celebrating the local wildlife as well as the elusive Sasquatch.
When: November 23, 2024 until January 12, 2025
Time: Dusk to 11 pm
Where: Harrison Hot Springs
Admission: Free
What: Two Thai restaurants are going head to head in a delicious and friendly competition to prove who has the best Pad Thai dish. Noodle lovers can visit Sen Pad Thai and Longtail Kitchen to try a limited-edition Pad Thai flavour and vote for their favourites. Plus, those participating are entered into a contest for a year of free pad Thai from both restaurants.
To enter, guests can pick up a special Pad Thai stamp card at either restaurant. After enjoying both dishes, completed stamp cards can be submitted at either restaurant.
When: Now until November 21, 2024
Where: Longtail Kitchen (810 Quayside Drive Unit 116, New Westminster) and Sen Pad Thai (1689 Johnston Street, Vancouver)
What: Get ready to meet the Greatest Boy Band That Never Was. The Comedy Department presents the hilarious tale of the Middle Aged Boy Band as they hit the road on their much-anticipated reunion tour.
When: November 9 (Chilliwack) and November 23 (Langley)
Time: 7:30 pm
Where:The Hub International Theatre Chilliwack Cultural Centre – 9201 Corbould Street, Chilliwack; Chief Sepass Theatre – 9096 Trattle Street, Langley
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Homes for the Holidays
What: The entertaining season is upon us, and if you’re looking for ideas to take your space to the next level, you need to check out Homes for the Holidays.
Vancouver’s quintessential festive season event returns to UBC’s iconic Cecil Green Park House on Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24. The magical event will bring together award-winning interior design, live entertainment, a wine bar, and more. And it’s all to support a great cause.
When: November 23 and 24, 2024
Time: Various time slots from 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Cecil Green Park House – 6251 Cecil Green Park Road, Vancouver
Admission: $50; purchase online
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. Part of the Little Weird Weekend Festival.
When: November 23, 2024
Time: 9 pm
Where: Little Mountain Gallery – 110 Water Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door plus fees. Purchase online
What: Notch8 is launching its Autumn Harvest Afternoon Tea, which it says is a “luxurious experience that captures the rich and warm flavours of the fall season.” Expect plenty of sweet and savoury dishes that celebrate the bounty of the season.
Examples include a Kabocha Squash Tartlet with vadouvan saffron apple puree and toasted coconut, Smoked Steelhead with yuzu tobiko, and Serrano Ham Reserva with pickled mustard seeds and coffee aioli on brioche, just to name a few.
When: Wednesdays to Sundays (and statutory Mondays) until November 24, 2024
Time: 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm
Where: Notch8 — 900 W Georgia Street, Vancouver
Cost: $72 per adult, $40 per child