35 free things to do in Vancouver this November

Nov 7 2017, 5:14 am

Looking to save while still having fun? Check out our list of fun free events happening in Vancouver! From Craft Fairs to Winter Farmers Markets, here are 35 free things to do around the city this November.

For more things happening around town, check out our events section.

Connect to arts and culture

Winter Treasures

  • What: Winter Treasures is a boutique style show and sale featuring handcrafted gifts, art, décor and fine craft items created by local artisans. It is brimming with inspired ideas to wrap up your shopping list and simplify the holidays. It also includes visual arts, ceramics, jewelry, textile arts, leather, woodworking and more.
  • When: November 9 to December 21
  • Where: Port Moody Arts Centre – 2425 St. Johns Street, Port Moody
  • Admission: Free

Sylvia Tait: Journey – Opening Reception

  • What: The opening reception for the latest exhibit by renowned Canadian painter and printmaker Sylvia Tait.
  • When: Thursday, November 16
  • Time: 7 pm
  • Where: Burnaby Art Gallery – 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
  • Admission: Free

Nature Art Jam

  • What: Join local artist Karen Cancino on a nature walk in Green Timbers Park. Head back to the Nature Centre to weave natural and recycled materials around a large Journey Branch. This is a collaborative project that will be temporarily installed in the Nature Centre. For youth 13-17 years old. All skill levels welcome.
  • When: Saturday, November 18
  • Time: 10 am to 2 pm
  • Where: Surrey Nature Centre Classroom Building – 14225 Green Timbers Way, Surrey
  • Price: Free

Ask Graham Anything – Music Biz Meet, Greet and Learn Event

  • What: Local resident and long-time music industry Graham Way veteran hosts an informal evening of discussion about the music business at Gallery Bistro.
  • When: Wednesday, November 22
  • Time: 7 to 9:30 pm
  • Where: Gallery Bistro – 2411 Clarke Street, Port Moody
  • Price: Free

Deer Lake Craft Festival

  • What: ​The 46th annual event will feature more than 60 artisans, all of whom have been juried into the show and selected for their high-quality handcrafted creations. Glass blowers, sculptors, potters, fashion and jewellery designers, woodworkers and more will be among those assembled for the show. Visitors will also be able to choose from a wide selection of foodstuffs – chocolate, spices, Christmas cakes, cookies, jams and jellies, chutneys and designer honey, to name a few.
  • When: November 24 to 26
  • Time: 11 am to 7 pm (Friday), 10 am to 5 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
  • Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
  • Admission: Free

Strathcona Winter Craft Fair

Strathcona Winter Craft Fair

Strathcona Winter Craft Fair / Facebook

  • What: The Strathcona Winter Craft Fair offers 15% of its tables to not-for-profit vendors free of charge, and it also features artists representing Vancouver’s Strathcona and Eastside communities. With an emphasis on local and grassroots vendors, you’ll feel great heading here to get your holiday gifts. Free parking for this fair is available via Pender Street at Princess Avenue.
  • When: Saturday, November 25
  • Time: 10 am to 4 pm
  • Where: Strathcona Community Centre Gymnasium – 601 Keefer Street, Vancouver
  • Price: $2 at the door, kids under 12 free

Artist Talk with Sean Alward

  • What: A new public artwork graces the windows of the Newton Recreation Centre expansion. Learn more about Fern Façade by artist Sean Alward at his artist talk.
  • When: Monday, November 27
  • Time: 7 to 8 pm
  • Where: Newton Recreation Centre – 13730 72 Avenue, Surrey
  • Admission: Free

Remembrance Day

Port Moody Remembrance Day Ceremonies & Parade

  • What: Events start with a non-denominational service at Kyle Centre. Then the parade goes around the block to Port Moody Arts Centre for a two-minute silence, act of remembrance and laying of wreaths at Port Moody Arts Centre Monument. Ceremony finishes with a 21-Gun Cannon Salute at Seymour Artillery.
  • When: Saturday, November 11
  • Time: 10 am to 12:30 pm
  • Where: Port Moody Arts Centre – 2425 St. Johns Street Port Moody
  • Price: Free

Surrey Remembers

poppies

Poppies, a symbol of remembrance.

  • What: A Remembrance Day service commemorating Canadian soldiers will take place at 10:25 am. Organized by the Cloverdale Legion, the large annual event typically draws crowds wishing to pay their respects. Visitors are invited to warm up at the Surrey Archives from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm for family friendly activities, including refreshments, crafts, wartime displays and the opportunity to write postcards for war veterans.
  • When: Saturday, November 11
  • Time: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
  • Where: Veterans Square – 17671 Highway 10 (56 Ave), Surrey
  • Admission: Free

Coquitlam Remembrance Day Ceremony

  • What: The Royal Canadian Legion #263 will host a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony at the Blue Mountain Park Cenotaph. The ceremony will start at 9:45 am at Como Lake Middle School (1121 King Albert Ave.), followed by a parade starting at 10:30 am along Winslow Avenue to the cenotaph on Veteran’s Way. The service at the cenotaph will begin at 11 am,, followed by a veteran, police and Fire/Rescue parade to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 263 (1025 Ridgeway Ave.) Grandchildren and great grandchildren are invited to march with the veterans. Lunch will be available at the Legion for a nominal fee, followed by live music and other activities.
  • When: Saturday, November 11
  • Time: 9:45 to 11:30 am
  • Where: Starts at Como Lake Middle School, 1121 King Albert Avenue Coquitlam
  • Price: Free

Richmond Remembrance Day Ceremony

  • What: The City of Richmond invites the public to observe and participate in the annual Remembrance Day ceremony. Parade will start at 10:20 am, and official ceremonies at the City Hall cenotaph will begin at 10:40 am. Two minutes of silence will take place at 11 am followed by wreath-laying. All in attendance are invited to a reception in the City Hall Galleria.
  • When: Saturday, November 11
  • Time: 10:20 to 11:30 am
  • Where: Richmond City Hall – 6911 No. 3 Rd., Richmond
  • Price: Free

Port Coquitlam Cenotaph Remembrance Day

  • What: Events start with a non-denominational service at Kyle Centre. Then the parade goes around the block to Port Moody Arts Centre for a two-minute silence, act of remembrance and laying of wreaths at Port Moody Arts Centre Monument. Ceremony finishes with a 21-Gun Cannon Salute at Seymour Artillery.
  • When: Saturday, November 11
  • Time: 11 am to 11:30 am
  • Where: Veterans Park – 2580 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam
  • Price: Free

Explore and enjoy the city

2017 Fraser Valley Small Business Information Expo

  • What: The 2017 Fraser Valley Small Business Information Expo will feature a tradeshow which will give you the opportunity to speak face-to-face with experts from over 30 support programs who provide valuable resources to small businesses. Plus you will have the chance to attend two free educational panel sessions.
  • When: Tuesday, November 7
  • Time: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
  • Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200 Street, Langley
  • Register: Online, Free

Reverse 7-Eleven Day

  • What: Not even a cold snap could stop true Slurpee fans from missing this one-day promotion! The Canada-wide chain of convenience stores is celebrating Reverse 7-Eleven Day by giving away free medium-sized Slurpees. There’s just one catch… To take advantage of this free giveaway, Slurpee fans have dress backwards.
  • When: Tuesday, November 7
  • Time: 11 am to 7 pm
  • Where: 7-Eleven locations across Canada
  • Price: Free medium slurpee when dressed backwards

Zero Waste Workshop

  • What: Reducing waste, recycling and zero waste workshop. Come learn all about these terms and how you can live a zero waste life.
  • When: Tuesday, November 7
  • Time: 6:30 pm
  • Where: Little Mountain Neighbourhood House – 3981 Main Street, Vancouver
  • Price: Free

Mental Wellness Series – Aging and Mood Changes

  • What: Did you know that mood changes can be a risk to your health? Learn the signs to prevent loss, grief, anxiety and depression. Speakers from Bounce Back and VCH nurses will be on hand to answer your questions.
  • When: Thursday, November 09
  • Time: 1 to 3 pm
  • Where: Richmond Public Library, Ironwood Branch – 11688 Steveston Hwy, Richmond
  • Admission: Free, register online

Garden Light Festival at Bear Creek Park

Garden-Light-Festival-at-Bear-Creek-Park

City of Surrey

  • What: The trails and the trees of Bear Creek Park will be illuminated for two nights this year. Grab a hot drink, make a lantern and prepare to be wowed as you wander through an ever changing display of colours. Activities include face painting, photo booth, lantern crafts, illumination board and food trucks.
  • When: November 8 to 9
  • Time: 5 to 8 pm
  • Where: Bear Creek Park – 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey
  • Admission: Free

Lunch & Learn: Principles of Successful Return-To-Work

  • What: The learning objective for this event is to understand how to develop a successful return-to-work program that is integrated, flexible, practical, and personalized. Participants will also develop an understanding of the components of return-to-work and their roles and responsibilities in the process.
  • When: Thursday, November 9
  • Time: 11:30 am to 1 pm
  • Where: 1285 West Broadway, Vancouver
  • Register: Online, Free

City of Burnaby 5th Annual Wedding Show & Swap

  • What: Planning a wedding? Know someone who is planning a wedding? Swap and visit with a full range of vendors offering new and used items as well as any service you might need for that special day.
  • When: Sunday, November 12
  • Time: 11 am to 3 pm
  • Where: Riverway Clubhouse – 9001 Bill Fox Way, Burnaby
  • TicketsOnline, Free

NITE*MOVES

  • What: House party jams every Saturday at the Biltmore Cabaret with resident DJs Can I Live, Harvey Harvey and special guests.
  • When: Every Saturday
  • Time: Doors at 10:30 pm
  • Where: The Biltmore Cabaret – 2755 Prince Edward St, Vancouver
  • Admission: Free before 11 pm if you RSVP to [email protected]

Fall Mason Beekeeping

  • What: ​Help harvest mason bee cocoons and prepare the bee house for spring.
  • When: Sunday, November 12
  • Time: 10 am to noon
  • Where: Burnaby Lake Nature House – 4519 Piper Avenue, Burnaby
  • Price: Free

Ask the Experts in Construction

  • What: Mix and mingle with notable professionals from the Vancouver Construction industry. Have the opportunity to ask them about career advice, market insights and more.
  • When: Thursday, November 16
  • Time: 5:30 to 8:30 pm
  • Where: Photon Studio, Studio A2 – 1888 Main Street, Vancouver
  • Register: Online, Free

11th Annual Surrey Kids Conference

  • What: The 11th Annual Surrey Kids Conference is a free collaborative, creative and inclusive celebration for children ages 6 to 12. Children will learn everything from how to manage stress and make healthy lifestyle choices, to the fundamentals of breakdancing, volleyball and human rights.
  • When: November 17 to 18
  • Where: Newton Recreation Centre, 13730 72 Avenue, Surrey
  • Price: Free. Registration is required.

Walk Richmond – Middle Arm Dyke

  • What: Follow the Fraser River on this picturesque walk that passes by the Richmond Olympic Oval offering spectacular views of the North Shore Mountains.
  • When: Saturday, November 18
  • Time: 10 to 11 am
  • Where: Meet at the playground at Dover Park – 5855 Dover Crescent, Richmond
  • Price: Free

Ecology Walk with Lee Beavington

  • What: The walk will focus on the ecology, creativity, and wonder of our local forest ecosystem. Lee Beavington is a biologist, artist, and an instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Amazon Field School. He will also compare the amazing biodiversity of tropical rain forests with our own temperate rain forests. Presented by Derby Reach/Brae Island Parks Association.
  • When: Saturday, November 18
  • Time: 10 am to noon
  • Where: Derby Reach Regional Park
  • Price: Free

Dundarave Festival of Lights

  • What: The annual Dundarave Festival of Lights kicks off with a Christmas tree decorating beach party on November 26. On the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas, stop by for an afternoon of free concerts to spark your Christmas spirit. The official lighting of the Festival’s Christmas tree forest takes place at dusk. The Christmas trees will remain on display until December 31.
  • When:  November 18 to December 25
  • Where: Dundarave Park, West Vancouver
  • Admission: Free

18th Annual Hyde Creek Salmon Festival

  • What: This family event provides visitors of all ages the opportunity to observe salmon up close and learn about their life cycle through educational displays, salmon dissections and in-stream demonstrations. Come out for a day of exploring, experiencing and learning about the salmon and wildlife in a fish-bearing watershed.
  • When: Sunday, November 19, 2017
  • Time: 11 am to 3 pm
  • Where: Hyde Creek Recreation Centre – 1379 Laurier Avenue, Port Coquitlam
  • Price: Free

Cedar Cottage Park open house

  • What: ​​Drop by the Cedar Cottage Park open house and share your thoughts on two concepts plans for park improvements and playground upgrades.
  • When: Tuesday, November 21
  • Time: 4 to 7 pm
  • Where: Trout lake Community Centre – 3360 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
  • Price: Free

Surrey Tree Lighting Festival

Surrey Tree Lighting Festival

City of Surrey

  • What: This year’s Surrey Tree Lighting Festival features a holiday market, a Holiday Fun Zone and live entertainment. The lighting of Surrey’s 55-foot Christmas tree—one of the tallest Christmas trees in Canada – will be at 6:30pm with the Mayor and Council joining Santa to turn the switch.
  • When: Saturday, November 25
  • Time: Noon to 7 pm
  • Where: Surrey City Hall – 13450 104 Ave, Surrey
  • Admission: Free

Heritage Christmas

  • What: ​Heritage Christmas with old-fashioned fun. Special entertainment is scheduled throughout the season including theatre performances, community choirs, street characters and musicians.
  • When: November 25, 2017 to January 5, 2018
  • Time: November 25 to December 15: Monday to Friday 1 to 5:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays 1 to 9 pm; December 16 to January 5: daily 1 to 9 pm (closed December 24 and 25)
  • Where: Burnaby Village Museum – 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
  • Admission: Free

5th Annual Christmas Tree Festival

  • What: Check out the Christmas Trees at the Port Coquitlam Museum and Archives and partner locations Leigh Square, Terry Fox Library, and City Hall. Take part in the Christmas Tree Festival Scavenger Hunt for more festive fun.
  • When: November 25 to December 31
  • Where: PoCo Heritage Museum and Archives – 150-2248 McAllister Ave Port Coquitlam
  • Price: Free

Eat fresh with winter farmers’ markets

Hastings Park

  • What: Find a great selection of local produce, fish, meat, dairy, artisan prepared foods, baked goods, local crafts, craft alcohol producers, and food trucks.
  • When: Every Sunday to April 29 (except December 24 and 31)
  • Time: 10 am to 2 pm
  • Where: Hastings Park Centregrounds – 2901 East Hastings Street
  • Admission: Free

Nat Bailey Stadium

  • What: Each week you can look forward to finding locally grown vegetables and fruit, meat and seafood from local ranchers and fishermen, artisan cheese and bread, herbs and seasonal nursery items, baked goods, prepared foods and artisanal crafts.
  • When: Every Sunday to April 21 (except December 30)
  • Time: 10 am to 2 pm
  • Where: Nat Bailey Stadium – 4601 Ontario Street

Gulf of Georgia Cannery Winter Farmer’s Market

Gulf of Georgia Cannery

Image: Gulf of Georgia Cannery

  • What: The Cannery Farmers’ Market has products from local food producers and artisans who follow a “Make it, Bake it, Grow it, Catch it” philosophy. BC-produced vegetables, fruits, and meats are the central draw to this market, but there is also entertainment and guided tours of the heritage site (pay by donation).
  • When: November 12 and 26
  • Time: 10 am to 3 pm
  • Where: Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site – 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond
  • Admission: Free

Port Moody Winter Farmers’ Market

  • What: Enjoy local BC products, artisan crafts, and delicious baked goods at the Port Moody Winter Farmers’ Market.
  • When: Every Sunday from November to April
  • Time: 10 am to 2 pm
  • Where: Port Moody Recreation Complex – 300 Ioco Road, Port Moody
  • Admission: Free
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