The cherry blossoms are here, the tulip festivals are opening, and there’s a whole new month of events to enjoy. Find all the fun things to do around Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, on this lovely first weekend of April, listed below:
Support community, culture, and diversity on Saturday, April 27th by shopping locally during Canadian Independent Bookstore Day in Vancouver. Engage with a variety of celebrations at Independent Bookstores across Canada by visiting stores in person or online to show your support.
Independent Bookstore Day in Vancouver
Canadian Independent Bookstore Day (CIBD) is the annual day when readers, writers, illustrators, publishers, and supporters come together to celebrate indie bookstores across Canada. This year’s event is taking place on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Independent booksellers are an integral part of Canadian culture as they prioritize customer service and provide unmatched value for the book-buyers. Indie bookstores are pillars for the community with staff who are actively involved in their neighbourhoods. By joining the celebration, you advocate for independent businesses, support a flourishing book-selling community, and invest in Canadian culture.
Buy books Participate in CIBD by purchasing books and other items in-person, online, or by phone to show your support and enter to win the annual Contest for Book Lovers. This years prizes include 5 gift cards with opportunity for 4 readers to win $200 each to the independent bookstore of their choice. And, 1 lucky winner will win a $1,000 gift card to their favourite indie bookstore.
Check out bookstore activities Local shops across Canada are planning celebratory activities for the big day including customer giveaways, discounts, exclusive products, author events, and more. Visit the website of each participating location and their social media accounts for details.
In 2023, IndieBookstores was launched as a place for shopping independent bookstores across Canada. The Canadian Independent Booksellers Association established IndieBookstores to strengthen the independent book-selling sector in Canada. The site helps readers find reads from the favourite or yet-unknown Canadian Independent bookstores online. Find an independent bookstores near you to support Canadian Independent Bookstore Day on April 27th – and any other day of the year!
Experience and explore the 11th annual Capture Photography Festival from April 1 to 30, 2024. Local, national, and international artists will converge in Metro Vancouver to celebrate lens-based art in its forms through public art projects, exhibitions, tours, and panels.
Capture Photography Festival
Date: April 1 to 30, 2024
Location: Various Metro Vancouver Locations
Capture Photography Festival begins with a free (donations accepted) Opening Reception on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at The Pendulum Gallery with a special exhibition. On Time explores the relationship between time and photography, challenging the traditional notion that image only captures a single moment in time. Works on display by Sungseok Ahn, Gabi Dao, Pendarvis Harshaw, Brandon Tauszik, Aaron Leon, Anthony Lepore, Diane Meyer, Alp Peker, and Gonzalo Reyes Rodriguez.
The Vancouver Canadians are ready to welcome baseball fans back to the ‘Nat as they defend their 2023 Northwest League title and host a season full of promotional giveaways and championship-caliber baseball!
Barnside Harvest Festival returns to Paterson Park in Ladner from September 13 to 15, 2024 with a full lineup of entertainment including The Glorious Sons, Sam Roberts Band, Loverboy, The Trews, Sloan, and Wide Mouth Mason.
Barnside Harvest Festival 2024
Date: September 13 to 15, 2024
Location: Paterson Park (5800 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Ladner)
Tickets: Early Bird tickets go on sale Friday, April 5, 2024 at 10:00am and include single day, full weekend, and VIP passes for purchase. Tickets can be purchased online.
After a successful first year with over 23,000 attendees in 2023, Barnside Harvest Festival presents an expanded lineup featuring three full days of live music on three stages at Paterson Park in Ladner.
Friday (September 13) performers include JUNO award winning headliner The Glorious Sons and The Trews. Also appearing are Boston’s favourite new campus band, Couch and Vancouver’s own popstars Yukon Blonde. Saturday (September 14) features performances by legendary rock headliners Sam Roberts Band with support from Sloan and Doc Walker. Catch Canadian super group TOQUE and Carsen Gray.
UPDATE: Additional Main Stage performers on Saturday, September 14th include Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters at 3:00pm.
Sunday (September 15) includes Canada’s own, Loverboy. Joining in on Sunday’s lineup is soul-power pop group Wide Mouth Mason, Vancouver favourites Odds, and country artists JoJo Mason for afternoon shows. And of course, don’t miss Sunday’s dog-friendly theme Paw Pals Electric Picnic. Attendees are invited to bring their dogs for a fun afternoon in the park. Programming includes agility areas, musical mats, and a Best Dressed Dog Contest. Music for Paw Pals Electric Picnic provided by Larry Hennessey (JACK Up the 80’s) and DJ Goodspin.
The Market Stage includes musical acts XL the Band, Ashleigh Ball, Sadé Awele, Vox Rea, Blake Havard, Bryce Malensytn and many more. View the full lineup online.
Barnside Harvest Festival has something for all tastes. The Festival includes a charity BBQ benefitting the Delta Firefighters Charitable Society, plus a huge lineup of food trucks serving up tasty treats. The Artisan Market features goods for sale by vendors, artisans, and crafters. Of course, Barnside once again has a site-wide license to showcase Delta’s finest farm-fresh craft beer, local wines, ciders, and non-alcoholic options. Barnside Brewing Co. offers craft beer, grown and brewed right on their Ladner farms.
Follow Barnside Harvest Festival on Instagram for more information and updates on Barnside Harvest Festival 2024.