This Sunday is the final Vancouver Salsa Cruise of the season (sponsored by Miss604) but it’s the beginning of the Fringe Festival, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, and so much more. Find these events and many other things to do in Vancouver this weekend listed below:
The Fire Dragon Festival will illuminate Vancouver’s Chinatown on September 17th, celebrating and honouring all who call and have called Chinatown their home. This free community event reflects the cultural vibrancy of the neighbourhood with an exciting variety of artisan crafts, games, workshops and more.
Photo submitted
Vancouver Fire Dragon Festival in Chinatown
When: Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 11:00am to late
Where: Vancouver Chinese Cultural Centre (50 E Pender St)
Admission: Free!
The Fire Dragon Festival marks the annual Mid-Autumn celebrations unique to Vancouver’s Chinatown in an inclusive environment. It’s also a great way to explore the historic neighbourhood.
Along with a special seniors morning organized with Yarrow’s Seniors Group, the festival weekend will be filled with fun daytime activities (11:00am to 5:00pm) at the courtyard of the Chinese Cultural Centre featuring collaborations with the Chinese Canadian Museum, Elimin8Hate, The Chinatown Legacy Stewardship Group, the City of Vancouver and Government of Canada.
Festival goers can learn about the history of the Festival via an AR activation along Pender, developed in conjunction with LNG Studios and based on a photo taken of Vancouver’s first Fire Dragon Festival in 1975. The Vancouver Chinatown BIA will have their giant Mahjong tile game set up (lessons are on hand for those who don’t know how to play or need a refresher) alongside many other free activities and workshops.
Evening events (5:00pm to 7:30pm) include a public tai chi flash mob and traditional lion dance performance at Andy Livingston park.
The feature of the evening (starting at 7:30pm) will be the eye dotting ceremony of this year’s Fire Dragon. Festival goers can place lucky incense into the Fire Dragon before it is paraded along Keefer Street.
September 30th marks the second official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to recognize and reflect on the legacy of residential “schools” in Canada.
If you are looking for a way to commemorate and recognize this day of active listening, and action (on top of wearing an orange shirt, which is a good start!) here are a few events in which you can participate around Metro Vancouver:
Watch the sun set over the water as you sip and sample from the best local craft breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries at Brewhalla Beer and Music Festival in North Vancouver. Enjoy the views from The Shipyards, the sounds of local musicians on two stages, and savour food truck offerings all night long.
Brewhalla Beer and Music Festival North Vancouver
When: Friday, October 7, 2022 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Where: The Shipyards (125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver)
Performers include CHERSEA, Caleb Hart & Co, The Big Coast, Ryan McAllister Band, Olin Brix, DJ Flipout, Trilogy. And here’s the lineup of over 20 craft breweries and cideries including nine North Vancouver craft beer, wine, cider, and gin makers:
Beere Brewing
Callister Brewing
North Point Brewing
Brewhall Brewing
Windfall Cider
Strange Fellows Brewing
Wildeye Brewing
Backcountry Brewing
La Cerveceria Astilleros Brewing
Valley Commons Winery
Shaketown Brewing
Electric Bicycle Brewing
Bridge Brewing
Humblebee Meadery
Garden of Granite Winery
Five Roads Brewing
Copper Penny Distillery
Studio Brewing
Container Brewing
Northpaw Brewing
Trading Post Brewing
East Van Brewing
Callister Brewing
Dead Frog Brewing
The 2022 Brewhalla Beer & Music Festival in North Vancouver is presented by The Quay Market & Food Hall. The Quay is located right next to the festival site and is a destination for those seeking fresh, local and unique foods. Featuring fantastic vendors, artisans, entertainers and retailers, The Quay is a one-stop-shop and with endless options, there is something for everyone.
Brewhalla events in Langley and Port Moody have sold out, and for good reason! Here’s your chance to experience this incredibly well-run event — and if you can’t make it to North Van they have a Cloverdale event coming up October 29th as well. Follow Brewhalla on Facebook for details.
Update! Enter to Win
I have a four-pack of tickets to give away to the North Vancouver event on October 7th! Here’s how you can enter to win:
The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada – West (“ICCC West”) will be celebrating its 30th anniversary with La Grande Festa on September 29th. This deluxe gala dinner is open to members, partners and the public, and partial proceeds will benefit Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC.
ICCC West Presents La Grande Festa
When: Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 6:00pm
Where: Coast Coal Harbour Hotel (1180 W Hastings, Vancouver)
Tickets: Available to purchase online or by phone (604) 682-1410.
La Grande Festa or ‘The Big Party’ will feature a culinary experience that includes an exclusive 5-course menu inspired by authentic Italian products from different regions of Italy. Guests will also enjoy premium Italian wines, guest gift bags with authentic Italian products, door prizes, a silent auction of Italian-made and designed items, as well as a top prize by ICCC West sponsor and Premium Member, Air Canada.
The gala dinner will open with a keynote speech from honorary guest Coach Vanni Sartini from the Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club.
Win Tickets
I have a pair of tickets to give away to this wonderful gala experience. Here’s how you can enter to win:
Since 1992, ICCC West has played a key role in connecting Italian brands and businesses with like-minded Canadian counterparts across Western Canada in order to facilitate trade between both countries. With a combined total of over 30,000 event attendees to date (and counting), ICCC West hopes to showcase the immense contributions that Italian and Canadian members have made in building Western Canada’s cultural mosaic and economy.
“We invite our dear members and the public to join us for a festive celebration showcasing an authentic taste of Italy. For three full decades, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada – West has been driving economic impact by giving Italian and Canadian businesses customized solutions and a platform to broaden their business horizons into the Canadian and Italian markets,” said Ilaria Baldan, Executive Director of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada – West. “Events comprise a vital part of our work, and we are looking forward to celebrating this milestone anniversary with friends and colleagues, new and old.”
They have some great online resources available as well, like the Italian Food Map featuring where to buy authentic Italian food and wines in Western Canada, and the Italian Design Map to search for made in Italy products near you.
