Science World After Dark Celebrating Pride

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Science World After Dark is celebrating Pride with a special edition of its late night, adults-only event series. Enjoy this unique and inclusive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & design, and mathematics) experience with one-of-a-kind performances, a tuned-in DJ, and tasty food.

Science World After Dark Celebrating Pride

Science World After Dark Celebrating Pride

  • When: Thursday, August 3, 2023 from 7:00pm to 11:00pm
  • Where: Science World (1455 Quebec St, Vancouver)
  • Tickets: Available online now ($5 off for Science World members). Food and drinks are available for purchase.

Honour the rich history of Pride in Vancouver while uplifting our 2SLBGBTQIA+ communities and looking towards a future free from hate.  The incredible lineup of performers, drag stars, and science communicators, includes Anya Anomaly, Xanax, Abb ’Original, Genesis, Ruth Odare, Bongganisa, and host Batty Banks.

More Vancouver Pride

Don’t miss the Vancouver Pride Festival around Concord Pacific Place and False Creek near Science World, August 5-6, 2023.

More at Science World

Looking for more evening fun at Science World? Twilight Tuesdays are back! Every Tuesday through the summer, Science World will be open to explore until 8:00pm. Admission is only $16.50 for adults and $13 for kids aged 3-12 after 5:00pm on these days.

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Happyland Summer Pride Festival at the PNE

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Happyland – a summer Pride festival – returns to the PNE Amphitheatre August 6, 2023 with drag performances, music, carnival rides, and more!

Happyland Summer Pride Festival at the PNE

  • When: August 6, 2023
  • Where: PNE Amphitheatre (2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver)
  • Admission: General Admission tickets and 19+ VIP tickets are available for purchase online
    • A portion of each ticket sold is donated to  Vancouver Pride Society and QMUNITY, who help support and facilitate funding for LGBTQAI2S+ community members, events and organizations 
Happyland at the PNE – Venus Photo by Ryan Maxwell

This year’s Happyland is headlined by world famous drag artist Trixie Mattel and Grammy-nominated drag queen and singer Pabllo Vittar, and hosted by local drag personality Venus, with the cast of ENBY6. 

Rounding out the star-studded performers: RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (Season 2) winner Alaska, American pop singer and songwriter Slayyyter, and Canada’s Drag Race (Season 1) champ Priyanka. Feature acts include Rogue, Kara Juku, MX Bukuru & Amy Grindhouse with sounds by Softieshan and Mygayhusband.

Happland is a one-of-a-kind experience for festival-goers, with exclusive access to the concert venue and Playland’s thrill rides, plus unique amusement park vendors and fun food offerings. Ticket holders can enjoy additional festival attractions including a 19+ VIP section, a new food truck area, an alcohol-free zone, and a merch area. 

Hapyland Festival is an all-ages event aiming to provide a safe and inclusive space for attendees to fully and openly express themselves while enjoying music, performances, and community spirit. The Good Night Out Street Team will be on site to help curb incidents of gendered harassment, assist vulnerable patrons, and support the safety of all festival-goers. 

Stay up to date with the Happyland Festival online and on Instagram.

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Russell & Roots Concert Series at Softball City in Surrey

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The first ever Russell & Roots concert series, sponsored by Russell Brewing is happening at Softball City in Surrey on July 29th with a Rock Night theme and August 12th with a Country theme. Both nights feature talented artists and each will be rounded out with a local musical performance voted through and online Battle of the Bands style competition.

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Russell & Roots Concert Series at Softball City

  • When: July 29, 2023 and August, 12, 2023
  • Where: Softball City (2201 148 St, Surrey)
  • Admission: General and VIP tickets are available for purchase online
    • Events are all ages, kids 10 and under are admitted free with purchase of an adult ticket.

July 29th Rock Night is presented by CFOX and headlined by Marianas Trench, Big Wreck, Default, and The Wild. Rock Night is guaranteed to be a celebration like no other with a lineup of killer bands to get heads banging and fists pumping, a “Russell Mania” pro wrestling show presented by local promoter Wrestle Core, food trucks and ice-cold Russell Beer to keep the crowd fuelled and refreshed. 

Don’t miss the performances on August 12th Country Night presented by 93.7 JR Country featuring LOCASH, James Barker Band, Meghan Patrick, Mark Ledlin, and Dane Bateman.

Russell & Roots is guaranteed to be a good time, but it’s also an event with a big heart, with all net profits going to support community organizations like the Surrey Fire Fighters and LIFTED Children & Youth Mental Health Foundation, an initiative created by country legend Dallas Smith. LIFTED is dedicated to ensuring that children and youth in British Columbia have access to the necessary resources and opportunities that can positively impact their lives.

Follow the Russell & Roots Concert Series on Instagram for updates.

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Celebration of Light Fireworks Road Closures, Viewpoints in Vancouver

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Hundreds of thousands of spectators will look to the sky over English Bay this week as the Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks in Vancouver return for three nights this summer. Here are a few more details about the evening events that include some traffic impacts, road closures, and more:

Fireworks Road Closures | Fireworks Viewpoints | Viewing Tips

celebration of Light Fireworks Miss604

This post has been updated for 2024*

Fireworks Schedule

Red Bull Air Show 7:40pm | Drone show 9:50pm | Fireworks 10:00pm

  • Saturday, July 20 Portugal – Team Macedos Pirotecnia
  • Wednesday, July 24 Malaysia – Team Pyro Tact
  • Saturday, July 27 United Kingdom – Team Pyrotex Fireworx

Related: Food Trucks at the Fireworks in Vancouver

Fireworks Road Closures in Vancouver

Event load-in/load-out – July 17-19, 2024

  • Full road closure
    • Burnaby St from Beach Ave to Bidwell St

Event – July 20, 24 , and 27

  • 9:00am to 6:00pm: Traffic controls in effect
  • Periodic traffic control for load-in on Beach Ave, Pacific to Davie
  • Beach Ave closed to traffic, bike lane detour 5:00pm to midnight
  • 6:00pm to 11:00pm: Public vehicle access restricted
  • Stanley Park – west of Pipeline Road
  • 6:00pm to midnight: Full road closures
  • Beach/Pacific St from Stanley Park to Thurlow
  • Davie St from Denman to Burrard
  • Denman St from Alberni to Beach

Local Traffic Access Points

  • Burnaby St at Thurlow St
  • Nelson St at Thurlow St
  • Denman St at Alberni St

Vehicle access in the West End and Kits Point event areas will be limited to residents with a local parking decal or vehicle registration displaying a local neighbourhood address. 

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2023 Reconciliation Award Recipients

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The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, in partnership with BC Achievement Foundation, has announced the recipients of the third British Columbia Reconciliation Award.

This award recognizes four extraordinary individuals and two organizations who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, respect, and commitment to furthering reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in the province of British Columbia, or inspired others to continue reconciliation efforts.

2023 Reconciliation Award Recipients
2023 Reconciliation Award Recipients

2023 Reconciliation Award Recipients

Individual Recipients:

  • Dr. Daniele Behn Smith (Victoria)
    • Dr. Danièle Behn Smith is Eh Cho Dene of Fort Nelson First Nation and Franco-Manitobain/Métis from the Red River Valley. Danièle has dedicated her medical career to serving rural and First Nations communities across Canada (read more)
  • Chief Willie Sellars (Williams Lake)
    • Chief Willie Sellars’ leadership embodies integrity, respect, and a commitment to furthering reconciliation. His efforts inspire others to participate in the collective journey of healing and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities (read more)
  • Klith-waa-taa, Dr. Barney Williams (Campbell River)
    • Klith-waa-taa, Dr. Barney Williams, a hereditary leader from the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation of the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation, is renowned for his expertise in Indigenous healing and counselling (read more)
  • Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn (Burnaby)
    • Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn (Otahkotskina) is an Indigenous engagement leader in archaeology and academia whose trailblazing efforts have paved the way for subsequent generations of Indigenous scholars and students to thrive in these fields (read more)

Organization Recipients:

  • Last Post Fund – BC Branch (Burnaby)
    • The Last Post Fund (LPF) is dedicated to ensuring that no Veteran is denied a dignified funeral, burial, or military gravestone due to insufficient funds at the time of their death (read more)
  • The Exploration Place & Lheidli T’enneh First Nation (Prince George)

“Reconciliation acts as the cornerstone for fostering meaningful connections and bridging the divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. By acknowledging the historical injustices and illuminating transformative actions, we inspire others to tread the same path,” said Cloy-e-iis, Judith Sayers, a member of the board of BC Achievement.

“As we enter the third year of the British Columbia Reconciliation Award, we continue to shine a light on empowering approaches that allow Indigenous peoples to flourish while positively impacting all communities. On behalf of BC Achievement, we take great pride in announcing and commending the accomplished recipients of the 2023 award. Congratulations to the awardees, and heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment to our shared journey of reconciliation.”

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