The Magic Festival in New Westminster

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Prepare to be amazed by a lineup of enchanting performances, captivating displays, and mystical experiences at The Magic Festival in New Westminster from March 25 to 30, 2024.

The Magic Festival
Photo Submitted

The Magic Festival

The Magic Festival in New Westminster invites attendees of all ages to embark on a journey into the extraordinary world of illusion, mystery, and spectacle. The Festival will showcase a diverse range of talents and styles, ensuring each performance is a unique and unforgettable experience. Audiences can expect to be amazed by mind-bending illusions, mesmerizing card tricks, and feats of magic that defy explanation.

The line up includes Shawn Farquhar (who’s fooled Penn & Teller, twice!) presenting 52 & You at the Hidden Wonders showroom and a unique collection of talented magicians at the Cabaret of Wonders. Catch Magic, Mystery and Dinner with Jay Alexander at Stefanos Lounge & Restaurant, An Evening of Magic, and The Children’s Magician of the Year Competition with even more events to be announced. From seasoned magic enthusiasts, to curious newcomers, there’s something for everyone at this extraordinary celebration of the impossible.

The Magic Festival was founded with the mission of promoting and preserving the rich tradition of magic, and it aims to inspire wonder, ignite imaginations, and create unforgettable memories for the audience.

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Free Spring Break Activities Around Vancouver

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There’s plenty of free * family-friendly entertainment for kids around Vancouver this Spring Break. Spend time in a museum learning about local history, or outside surrounded by trees and other plants as you take in the splendour of the spring season.

Free Spring Break Activities in Vancouver

Free Spring Break Activities Around Vancouver

Vancouver Public Library | Various VPL Locations
March 16 to 30, 2024 at varying times
Kids and teens can take part in a variety of free programs and activities at various Vancouver Public Library locations. Program and events include Coding for Kids, Teen Book Swap, Family Movie days, Lego Building, and so much more.

Steveston Tram | 4111 Moncton Street, Richmond
March 15 to 31, 2024 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Young visitors can pick up a scavenger hunt to explore the 112 year old Tram Car at the Steveston Tram. Look for an additional mystery item that will move positions around the building daily. Submit your suggestion for the name for the most popular tram passenger in the “Name our Passenger Pig” Contest. The winning submission will be selected and revealed in April.

Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site | 5180 Westwater Drive, Richmond
March 15 to March 31, 2024 from 10:00am to 4:00pm Tuesdays to Sundays
Discover the fascinating world of boat building and innovation as you navigate through the Seine Net Loft building with a new scavenger hunt at Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site.

Burnaby Village Museum Summer
Burnaby Village Museum Photo Submitted

Burnaby Village Museum | 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby
March 18 to March 28, 2024 open daily from 11:00am to 4:30pm
Explore how homes and businesses used to look in the 10-acre open-air site of Burnaby Village Museum. See how different cultures help shape our communities and learn from Indigenous Educators. Special activities feature a Coast Salish seed ball workshop and steam demos while daily events include a scavenger hunt, coffee grinding, and more.

Museum of Surrey | 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey
March 19, 2024 from 10:00am to 1:00pm
Build whatever you can imagine at the Museum with building blocks, bricks and more! Tour the “Everything is Awesome” exhibit, make a craft and complete a themed scavenger hunt at the Museum of Surrey.

Surrey Public Library | Various Surrey Public Library locations
March 18 to 30, 2024 at varying times
Register for any free program or activity at the Surrey Public Library for kids and teens. Events include presentations from the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Family Movie days, an Easter Special, Family Crafting, Murder Mystery afternoon for teens, and more at participating library locations.

Sea to Sky Gondola | 36800 BC-99, Squamish (Deal)
March 11 to 28, 2024 from 9:00am to 5:00pm (last ride down) daily
Kids age 12 and under ride free during Spring Break with the purchase of an adult or senior day ticket. Explore the summit, cross the suspension bridge, and look out at various viewing points at the Sea to Sky Gondola.

Find more family fun listed on Miss604 »

For more events and activities, check out Miss604’s March event list.

*These activities may have added costs or add-on activities available for a fee. Prices reflect the public admission rates online as of March 11, 2024. While we stay up the date with the latest news from these wonderful local attractions and post the most accurate information available, visitors should always adhere to the admission prices posted on-site and online for these venues.

Easter at Maan Farms 2024

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Hop on by for Easter at Maan Farms during their Spring at the Farm celebration. The egg-stravaganza includes meeting baby farm animals, an adult boozy egg hunt, and a berry pancake breakfast with the Easter Bunny.

Ice Cream at Maan Farms

Easter at Maan Farms – BAE Days

  • Date: March 29 to 31, 2024
  • Location: Maan Farms at 790 McKenzie Rd (Abbotsford)
  • Tickets: Available for purchase online as general admission, BAE Days VIP, or BAE Days Treat Pass

Spring at Maan Farms brings Baby Animal Easter Days (BAE Days) back, bringing bunnies, ducklings, chicks, calves, goats, lambs, and pigs to the farm. This event features an education activity booklet to complete alongside egg-collecting activities. Guests are invited to try their luck at searching for the golden egg as there are prizes to be won and redeemed. Everyone is invited to explore the Barnyard Adventureland including the zipline, pedal go karts, tractor field, jumping pillows, slides, and playground. And of course, the Easter Bunny will be available for photos.

Back by popular demand, the Egg-Cellent Ice Cream – handmade milk chocolate egg filled with soft serve and topped with caramel, crushed mini eggs, and a wafer straw – will be avalible for purchase in addition to egg nests, lemon mini donuts, and the new Egg-Stravagent Hot Chocolate.

VIP passes are available for purchase and include animal feed, mini donuts, a glass of Maan Farms Estate Winery’s berry wine or lemonade, chocolate, and a comback pass.

Maan Farms Easter Bunny
Photo Submitted.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

  • Date: March 29 to 31, 2024 from 9:00am to 10:30am
  • Tickets: Tickets are available for purchase online
    • Access to BAE Days activities require its own admission ticket purchase

Every morning during BAE Days, guests are able to have some exclusive time with the Easter Bunny during Breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 9:00am to 10:30am. The menu consists of strawberry and whip cream topped pancakes, sausages, and a hot or cold beverage. After breakfast, the Easter Bunny will head over to the Barnyard for BAE Days.

Bunnies & Booze

  • Date: March 30, 2024 from 5:30pm to late
  • Tickets: Available for purchase online (19+)
    • Ticket includes appetizers, dinner, 1 glass of wine or beer

The retro Bunnies & Booze egg hunt returns on March 30. This 2000’s themed event will have guests using their flashlights to find hidden eggs in the early evening will the challenge of uncovering the golden egg to win the grande prize. The remainder of the evening includes an appearance from the Easter Bunny, lots of fun games, and some of Mama Maan’s signature dishes. The evening will begin with drinks and food during Hoppy Hour including local beer and Maan Farms Estate Winery award-winning berry wine, as well as a speciality Easter cocktail available for purchase. Dinner consists of your choice of Butter Chicken Naan Tacos, Chickpea Curry, and Butter Chicken or Chickpea Curry Poutine.

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Cherry Blossom Food Festival

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The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Food Festival invites you on a self-guided culinary tour through the city. From March 29 to April 28, 2024, explore over 10 Metro Vancouver restaurants and cafes, showcasing limited-time cherry blossom-inspired flavours.

Cherry Blossom Food Fest

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Food Fest

  • Date: March 29, 2024 to April 28, 2024
  • Location: Various locations throughout Metro Vancouver (Vancouver, Richmond, and Burnaby)
  • Tickets: Free to attend; Festival items priced individually

Try cherry-blossom inspired foods from over 10 participating Metro Vancouver restaurants on this self-guided tour. Try a new spot, or an old favourite, during a food crawl while supporting local businesses this spring. Plus, you’ll be out and about in blossom-filled neighbourhoods while you’re at it!

Each vendor will offer themed items for the festival. Enjoy a Sakura Cloud Pudding or Sakura Mont Blanc Roll at Ki Cafe. Drink a Pink Matcha with guava at Sunny M Speciality Coffee & Tea or a Hanami Oat Latte at Whisk Matcha Cafe and many more items from any of the participating vendors/locations.

Visit each vendor to collect stickers and be entered into a special festival sweepstakes. Pickup your Passport Activity Sheet at any festival vendor locations to start your journey. Present your passport when purchasing a festival item to receive stickers. Submit your passport online before May 10, 2024 to be entered into tired sweepstakes.

Complete Festival Missions to be entered to win prizes. Choose your mission from the list and share once complete on Instagram or TikTok (make sure to tag @nomsmag, use #VanCherryBlossomFoodFest and mention your completed mission and name in the caption to be entered). Prizes include a $50 Jungle Room gift card, 2 Takenaka Coasters and 1 cap, more prizes to be added.

View the full list of venues online and plan your own guided tour of cherry-blossom inspired flavours across the city and follow Noms Magazine on Instagram to stay updated with information on the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Food Festival.

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Verses Festival of Words 2024

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Vancouver Poetry House presents the 14th annual Verses Festival of Words from April 18 to 27, 2024 at venues across the city. The festival is Canada’s largest spoken word festival and brings together generations of poets. This years theme is “Learning and Remembering”.

Performer at Verses Festival of Words
Photo by Mary Matheson.

14th Annual Verses Festival of Words 2024

  • Date: April 18 to 27, 2024
  • Location: Various venues across the city
    • PerformanceWorks (1218 Cartwright St)
    • The Nest (1398 Cartwright St 3rd Floor)
    • Vancouver Film School (198 W Hastings St)
    • The WISE Hall (1882 Adanac St)
  • Tickets: Admission prices start at $15 and are available for purchase online.

Verses Festival of Words 2024 theme is Learning and Remembering. The program highlights education, lineage, and the passing of knowledge, fortifying the bonds between emerging and established poets through workshops, performances, talks, and the annual Canadian Individual Poetry Slam. The 7th poet laureate of Toronto and considered a godmother of spoken word, Lillian Allen, will provide a keynote address on the festival’s closing day. A full lineup of events is available online.

Featured Events

Hullabaloo: Spoken Word Jamboree and Alumni Showcase (Vancouver Film School)
April 18 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
A chance for the teams participating in Hullabaloo to meet and greet with one another. Following a showcase from three of Hullabaloo’s outstanding alumni, ll attending teams will perform a short 1-minute piece to introduce themselves.

Hullabaloo: All Star Slam (PerformanceWorks)
April 19 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Hullabaloo: Poetry Slam Round 1 (Vancouver Film School)
April 19 from 6:30pm to 10:00pm
Hullabaloo: Poetry Slam Round 2 (Vancouver Film School)
April 20 from 2:00pm to 5:30pm
Hullabaloo: FINALS Featuring Marie Metaphor Specht (Vancouver Film School)
April 20 from 8:00pm to 10:00pm

Embodying Spoken Word: Johnny Trinh Workshop (The WISE Hall)
April 24 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Poets who perform or want to perform their works will be invited to experiment with and practice various techniques in embodying their poetry in performance. 

Canadian Individual Poetry Slam PRELIMS Bout 1 (The WISE Hall)
April 24 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Poets will be paired up via random draw and compete head-to-head. The first round of poems are 3 minutes long. This will be a double knockout competition. Meaning 24 poets will compete with each other in 12 groups of 2. Bout two will be held on Thursday and Finals on Friday.

Canadian Individual Poetry Slam PRELIMS Bout 2 (The WISE Hall)
April 25 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
The poets competing will be the 12 poets who lost in the First Preliminary Night. The top 6 poets who survive the first round, will compete against the 6 poets who were knocked out in the final round of the First Preliminary Night. This will determine the top 6 poets. Both rounds will be 3 minutes long.

Canadian Individual Poetry Slam FINALS (The WISE Hall)
April 26 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Featuring Lillian Allen and followed by a performance by Kimmortal. The top 6 poets from Preliminary Round 1, and the top 6 poets from Second Chance Night will go head to head.  The knockout format is as follows: 6 groups of 2,  2 groups of 3 and the final faceoff between two poets and then the last poet standing will be crowned the CIPS winner.

Public Keynote: Lillian Allen (The Nest)
April 27 from 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Dub Poet, educator, changemaker, Lillian Allen will be offering a talk on spoken word, the movement ahead, and what is needed to continue the evolution of spoken word poets.

Following Verses Festival on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date.

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