The Vancouver Writers Fest will host more than 120 international and local authors for 85 events during their flagship festival this fall.
Vancouver Writers Fest 2024
Dates: October 21–27, 2024
Location: Granville Island and local schools
Tickets:On sale starting September 17, 2024 (September 10th for members)
Featured authors include: Jane Urquhart, Ann Cleeves, Tanya Talaga, Adam Pottle, Nita Prose, Andrey Kurkov, Gabor Maté, Dionne Brand, Elizabeth Renzetti, Rumaan Alam, Murray Sinclair, Liane Moriarty, Jody Wilson-Raybould, Thuận, Ian Williams, Malcolm Gladwell, Louise Erdrich, Rachel Kushner, Beverley McLachlin, Roddy Doyle, Richard Powers, Drew Hayden-Taylor, and Daniel Levitin, and many more.
Featured Events
A Grand Opening: Finding Joy Amid Turmoil – Internationally-renowned authors Andrey Kurkov, Heather O’Neill, Bill Richardson, Tanya Talaga, Kim Thúy, and John Vaillant share insights on where they find joy in troubling times, illuminating a path forward and finding strength to imagine a different future.
The Mystery Queens – Three of the biggest names in crime fiction— Ann Cleeves, Beverley McLachlin, and Nita Prose—discuss their bestselling works together on stage for the first time.
Romancing the Page – Where Holly Gramazio, Yulin Kuang, and Leanne Toshiko Simpson explore why the romcom genre has doubled in readership since 2020—and how it’s far more complex than some may think.
Science and Fiction – With James Bradley and Pulitzer-winner Richard Powers who will offer fascinating insights into the intersections of literature and nature.
The Knowing – Tanya Talaga shares a powerful retelling of Canadian history through a deeply personal, Indigenous lens.
Roddy Doyle in Conversation – The Booker Prize-winning author shares The Women Behind the Door, exploring the hidden truths of domestic violence and its aftermath.
Food for Thought returns this year with its continental breakfast, signature mimosas, and topical conversations with six celebrated non-fiction authors, along with the Festival’s other iconic offerings including The Poetry Bash, The Literary Cabaret, and The Afternoon Tea.
The Vancouver Writers Fest is one the largest, premiere literary festivals in North America. Now in its 37th year, the not-for-profit welcomes more than 25,000 audience members to its events year-round and during the week-long Festival in October. More than 7,000 of these are students. In addition to both free and paid for on-stage author events, the Writers Fest also offers educational programming opportunities including author visits to schools, writers in residence and a story competition.
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority presents the 6th annual Port Day at Canada Place, where everyone is invited to come together on the waterfront for a free day of music, exhibits, food, and a celebration of the maritime community.
Canada Place Photo
Port Day at Canada Place
Dates: Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Location: Canada Place, Vancouver
Admission: Free!
Port Day is a celebration hosted in honour of World Maritime Day to recognize and thank our local maritime community for their invaluable contributions and support in ensuring goods and cargo flow safely and efficiently throughout the region.
Along the waterfront at Canada Place, enjoy the live music, food, maritime-themed activities, and over 40 exciting community exhibits. The headline act is Delhi 2 Dublin—a Canadian world music group from Vancouver who play a fusion of Bhangra, electronic, funk, dub, reggae, hip hop, Celtic music and a mashup of other genres.
Schedule of Events
12:00pm Exhibitor booths and activities open
12:05pm Traditional Indigenous welcome
12:10pm Remarks from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and partners
12:15pm Cheque presentation from Holland America Line to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre
12:20pm Leah Barley
1:00pm On-water demonstrations
1:55pm Uncle Strut
2:55pm Wooden Horsemen
4:00pm Headliner, Delhi 2 Dublin
Canada Place Photo
There will also be exhibits inside at the Vancouver Convention Centre East ballrooms at the new maritime career zone. This is where you can learn more about the various career options available at the waterfront and the important work that goes on behind the scenes to keep our port operating smoothly.
About Port Day
The United Nations created World Maritime Day in 1978, and events are held annually to recognize the maritime industry’s contribution to shipping safety, maritime security, and the conservation of the marine environment around the world.
The theme established for World Maritime Day 2024 is ‘Navigating the future: safety first!”, reflecting the International Maritime Organization’s work to enhance maritime safety and security, in tandem with the protection of the marine environment, while ensuring its regulatory development process safely anticipates the fast pace of technological change and innovation.
It will soon be the season of pumpkin spice delights mixed with haunted corn maze frights and Fall at the Farm at Maan Farms in Abbotsford will have it all!
Double Pumpkin Spice Cream – Photo by Maan Farms
Fall Fun at Maan Farms in Abbotsford
Dates: September 14 to November 3, 2024
Location: Maan Farms at 790 McKenzie Rd (Abbotsford)
Elevate your experience with a Treat Pass or VIP Pass
Navigate the daytime corn maze, and have a hoot at the Barnyard Adventureland with the jumping pillow, play forts, zipline, sides, tractor pull, climbing wall, giant board games, and visits with barnyard animals. Guests are welcome to see the donkey, sheep, ducks, turkey, and goose and to greet and feed the alpacas, goats, chickens, bunnies and pigs.
Maan Farms Fall Festival. Dylaina Gollub Photography.
The forested pumpkin patch brings ten acres of a variety of pumpkins, blending a happy and haunted Halloween spirit. Friendly photo opportunities include a ‘fall in love’ sign and white and orange pumpkin houses while the spookier side brings upright coffins to walk out of, oversized chairs, spiders and skeletons, and swings. New this year is a witchy photo op with a Hallow’s Eve moon backdrop.
Snack on spice mini donuts, kettle corn, double Pumpkin or Apple Spice Cream, caramel apples, apple pie tacos, and field-to-plate pumpkin pies. Try a Mad Pumpkin or Mad Apple spice wine, and enjoy a savoury lineup of dishes from the kitchen including a new pizza line-up, butter chicken poutine, butter chicken naan tacos, butter chicken rice bowls, chickpea curry naan tacos, chickpea rice bowls, and samosas.
Maan Farm’s Haunted attractions are not included in Fall at the Farm and are best suited for ages 16 years and older.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by Visit South Okanagan Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
Get ready for the ultimate fall escape to Penticton and Naramata! Visit South Okanagan and Miss604 are giving away an unforgettable trip (valued at over $4,500) to this stunning destination, nestled in the heart of the South Okanagan.
Fly into this South Okanagan destination nestled between two sparkling lakes and enjoy sandy beaches, vineyards, and gently sloping mountains as the backdrop to your adventure.
Penticton offers a perfect blend of outdoor fun and relaxation, with a rural atmosphere while still offering all the amenities of a larger city. Explore trails on foot or bike, take in the vibrant local culture, and experience what makes this region of BC so special.
This Labour Day Long Weekend sees the end of some summer-long events but the start of a new month filled with festivals, theatre, live music, and so much more. It’s your last chance to visit Burnaby Village for the summer season, to enjoy Summer Cinema outdoor movies, and Sounds Like Summer in Burnaby. Find these activities and many more things to do over the long weekend below:
