35 things to do in Vancouver this week: November 20 to 24

November is flying by, and this month is still packed with great events! Make the most of it with our 35 things to do from Monday, November 20 to Friday, November 24. Hopscotch Vancouver, Canyon Lights, and more.

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

Monday, November 20

Hopscotch Vancouver

• What: Now in its 22nd year, Hopscotch Vancouver is back with six days of celebrating libations, including Scotch and other whiskies, craft and premium beer, craft and premium spirits, wine and food has been given a facelift. This year, the festival ditched its corporate vibes and will be offering the public the chance to try over 400 products. Get your tickets to a variety of events including master classes, satellite events, and the exclusive Hopscotch Dinner.
• When: Monday, November 20 to Sunday, November 26, 2017
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Various locations around Vancouver
• Tickets: buy via Ticket Leader

Cold Specks 

• What: Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada-born and London, England-based musician Al Spx, who goes by the stage name Cold Specks, describes her signature sound as “doom soul.” Her unique blend of Deep Southern soul, Tom Waits/Jeff Buckley-inspired blues, and goth-tinged indie folk first caught the public’s attention after an appearance on the popular British music staple, Later…With Jools Holland.
• When: Monday, November 20th, 2017
• Time: Doors 7 pm
• Where: The Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $19.99-$24.99

Ukulele for Storytime

• What: Have you ever wanted to learn to play the ukulele? Join children’s librarians Jamie, Nicole, and Tina for an introductory workshop on how to use your ukulele in storytime. This workshop is free and open to anyone who works with children and families. Please bring your own ukulele. Presented by the BCLA YAACS Continuing Education team.
• When: Monday, November 20th, 2017
• Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
• Where: Burnaby Public Library Bob Prittie Branch – 6100 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby
• Price: Free

Drink and Draw

• What: A monthly drawing social at Main Street Brewing Co. Supplies and a drawing ideas bin will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Hosted by Marena Skinner.
• When: Monday, November 20th, 2017
• Time: 4 to 7 pm
• Where: Main Street Brewing Co. – 261 East 7th Avenue, Vancouver
• Price: Free

2017 Vancouver Trans Day Of Remembrance

• What: The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honour Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.
• When: Monday, November 20th, 2017
• Time: 7:30 to 9:30 pm
• Where: Carnegie Community Center – 401 Main Street, Vancouver
• Admission: Free

Flying Lotus in 3D with guest Seven Davis Jr & PBDY

• What: Experimental multi-genre musician and producer Flying Lotus from LA, returns to Vancouver for a 3D performance.
• When: Monday, November 20th, 2017
• Time: Doors 8 pm, Show 9 pm
• Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $35

DAñSE

• What: DAñSE is a collaboration between Daniel Ruiz and Sean Bayntun using structured improvisation with electronic and acoustic instruments. Every DAñSE performance has its own unique life and feeling, transporting your ears mind and body through a musical journey of magic mysticism and lots of dancing.
• When: Monday, November 20th, 2017
• Time: 9:30 pm
• Where: Guilt & Company – 1 Alexander Street, Vancouver

Tuesday, November 21

Death From Above

• What: Ontario punk rock duo Death From Above are performing at the Commodore Ballroom as part of their extensive North American Tour. Sebastien Grainger (vocals, drums) and Jesse F. Keeler (bass, keys, synths) are supported on their tour by 70s-inspired indie rock girl band The Beaches.
• When: Tuesday, November 21, 2017
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville Street
• Tickets: $49 – Tickets available via Live Nation

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, 2017
• Time: 4 to 7 pm
• Where: Trout lake Community Centre – 3360 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
• Price: Free

Improvisando! And Friends

• What: A night of music, improv and comedy from Improvisando and special guests Channel Moonbeam Improv Sing-Song Learning Storytime. Admission by donation for Rainbow Refugee.
• When: Tuesday, November 21, 2017
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: XY – 1216 Bute Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: By Donation

Bravery Takes Balls

• What: As part of SAXX Underwear‘s “Bravery Takes Balls” campaign, Braeden Ralla, owner of Purpose Smoothie Co., will strip off from November 17 to 21 in the window of Boys’Co to help raise awareness and funds for Movember. For every pair of SAXX’s Movember collection sold, $2 will be donated to the Movember foundation, to further the funding of men’s health research.
• When: Now to November 21, 2017
• Where: Boys’Co – 1044 Robson Street, Vancouver

Kid Cudi – Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’ Tour

• What: American recording artist Kid Cudi takes the stage at the PNE Forum on November 21. Kid Cudi has released six solo albums to date. His current tour features his latest album Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’.
  
• When: Tuesday, November 21, 2017
• Time: Doors 8 pm / Show 9 pm
• Where: PNE Forum – 2901 E Hastings Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $47

2018 PuSh Festival Program Launch

• What: The launch of the full 2018 PuSh International Performing Arts Festival programming and artist lineup. Be the first to find out which shows and artists from around the world are coming to Vancouver from January 16 to February 4.
• When: Tuesday, November 21, 2017
• Time: 5 to 7 pm
• Where: Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main Street
• Price: Free

What’s in a Name? Paul & Eileen Lin Commemorative Lecture

• What: The inaugural Paul and Eileen Lin Commemorative Lecture jointly sponsored by CCHSBC and the Vancouver Public Library. This free lecture, given by Tim Stanley, prize-winning historian of the Chinese and of racism in British Columbia, illustrates ways of developing anti-racist and decolonized histories of inclusion for British Columbia and Canada.
• When: Tuesday, November 21, 2017
• Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
• Where: Vancouver Public Library – 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
• Price: Free

Wednesday, November 22

Pacific Centre Second Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

• What: Vancouver’s newest holiday tradition is back. Pacific Centre transforms the city into a magical holiday wonderland with a spectacular tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, November 22nd. This year, the 40-foot tree situated outside the rotunda off Georgia and Howe streets will serve as the backdrop for a memorable musical performance led by CHOIR CHOIR CHOIR.
  
• When: Wednesday, November 22, 2017
• Time: 6 pm
• Where: Pacific Centre Rotunda — 701 West Georgia, Vancouver
• Price: Free

Vancouver Christmas Market 2017

• What: Featuring more than 75 huts of authentic, German sweets, treats, and treasures, the Vancouver Christmas Market  is a holiday staple in the city and offers something for everyone of all ages. Each year, the Vancouver Christmas Market brings this festive Old World tradition to Vancouver. This cherished holiday event offers an authentic German feast for the senses.
• When: November 22 to December 24, 2017
• Time: 11 am to 9 pm daily
• Where: Jack Poole Plaza – 1075 Canada Place, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $5-$10

The Shipment – SpeakEasy Theatre

• What: Looking unlike anything else on stage this month, The Shipment will shake up your perception of race and identity. Five Black actors play out a host of bad cliches, challenging our traditional narratives of Black culture. Raw, challenging, and decidedly unpreachy, The Shipment might just be the production our city needs at this particular time.
• When: November 22 to December 2, 2017
• Where: The Cultch – 1985 Venables Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: At The Cultch; $31.25

Disney On Ice: Follow Your Heart

• What: In this version of the ice show, Mickey, Minnie, and all of their friends will be joined by Joy, Sadness, and all the Emotions from Inside Out in their latest adventure of helping Riley find the confidence to win a big hockey game. Fans can also expect Dory, Nemo, Marlin, and Hank from Finding Dory, Olaf, Kristoff, Anna and Elsa from Frozen, and all the Disney Princesses. Even the gang from Toy Story – including Buzz Lightyear and Woody – will make an appearance.
• When: November 22 to 26, 2017
• Where: Pacific Coliseum – 2901 East Hastings St, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $15-$100

Christmas Queen 4 – Secret Santa at Vancouver TheatreSports League

• What: Vancouver TheatreSports’ The Christmas Queen is returning this holiday season with the latest installment in the series, Christmas Queen 4 – Secret Santa. Confusion and hijinks ensue when the Queen and Santa exchange bodies in a Freaky Friday-style magical sleight- of-hand.  What happens to the Workshop’s Toy Factory with The Queen as Santa in charge? The answers are revealed as VTSL’s ensemble players take audience suggestions and turn them into 90 minutes of holiday hilarity.
• When: Wednesdays through Saturdays from November 22 to December 23. Matinees on December 10 and 17
• Time:  7:30 pm. Matinees at 2 pm
• Where: The Improv Centre – 1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $10.75-$24.25

Glow Christmas 2017

• What: This year, Glow Christmas will be brightening up Langley’s Milner Village Garden Centre with over 500,000 lights spanning 103,000 square feet of holiday magic. The display will feature four different light gardens, food trucks (and bar!), over 40 vendors, and – the cherry on top – a 210-foot musical light tunnel.
• When: Select dates from November 22 to December 30, 2017
• Time: 4 to 10 pm
• Where: Milner Village Garden Centre – 6690 216 St, Langley
• Tickets: Online , $20 for adults, $15 for kids and seniors, family discounts available

Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown

• What: Now in its tenth year, the event in support of Ocean Wise sustainable seafood programs, will see past winners compete for the title of “All-Star Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Champion.” In this All-Star edition, culinary heavyweights will go “ladle-to-ladle” in the soup-centric cook-off as attendees and a panel of judges sample the goods before casting their votes to name the 2017 champion.
• When: Wednesday, November 22, 2017
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Vancouver Aquarium – 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
• Tickets: $75 per person; buy online

Thursday, November 23

Canyon Lights

• What: ​Capilano Suspension Bridge’s annual holiday tradition Canyon Lights is a must-see holiday event for all ages. Be dazzled by thousands of magical lights twinkling across the Suspension Bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk and throughout the park. Canyon Lights also illuminates the river and cliff face, and features the world’s tallest living Christmas tree. New this year is ‘Fireflies’, an interactive lighting display in the rainforest. Using giant flashlights, guests can magically awaken waves of tiny lights that glimmer and twinkle like fireflies.
• When: ​November 23, 2017 to January 28, 2018
• Where:  Capilano Suspension Bridge
• Tickets: Online

11th Biennial Dance In Vancouver

• What: Dance In Vancouver is a biennial event celebrating contemporary dance generated by local artists. The 2017 edition features some of the West Coast’s most exciting artists and companies, including Aeriosa, Co.ERASGA, Julianne Chapple, Lesley Telford | Inverso, Karen Jamieson & Margaret Grenier, Wen Wei Dance, Ziyian Kwan | dumb instrument Dance, Shay Kuebler | Radical System Art, and more.
• When: Now to November 25, 2017
• Where: Scotiabank Dance Centre – 677 Davie Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online

Kenny vs Spenny live in Vancouver

• What: Kenny and Spenny are two best friends who compete against each other. Their competitions are ridiculous, immature and totally intense. Featuring opening skits by DTG.
• When: Thursday, November 23, 2017
• Time: 7:30 pm
• Where: Red Room Ultra Bar – 398 Richards Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $35-$85

In Circulation

• What: In Circulation is a mixed program of Company 605’s current repertoire, consisting of excerpts from two recent full-length works, Albatross and Vital Few, as well as the premiere of a brand new short piece. Each of these distinct works circle around the same present interests of 605’s artists: individuals united, a shared experience held between separate bodies, moving as one.
• When: Now to November 25, 2017
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
• Price: Online, $15-$36

Mockingjay: The Musical

• What: Mockingjay: The Musical concludes the parody adventures of Katniss Everdeen as she joins the rebels of District 13 in taking down President Snow and the Capitol. The characters sing and dance to fun pop song parodies of artists like Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Adele, and Justin Bieber.
• When: November 23 to 25, 2017
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Studio 1398 – 1398 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $25

#YVRSocial – The Rise of the Influencer

• What: The expert panel, moderated by Senior Marketing Strategist and Instructor Wahiba Chair, will present case studies, share best practices, and answer your questions about Influencer marketing. 
• When: Thursday, November 23, 2017
• Time: 5:30 to 8:30 pm
• Where: Unbounce – 401 W Georgia Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $10-$15

Captain Future Saves the World!

• What: What happens when the imaginations of the future are threatened by the brain numbing, highly addictive, social networking apps of the evil Dr. SAMGOOGAPPLESOFTSUNG-MART? Captain Future Happens! With his trusty ukulele, Myron, and his slightly less trustworthy time machine, the Timeswozzler 8000, Captain Future will take audiences back through time to bring the history of our imaginations vibrantly alive, using songs, raps, puppets, and interactive performance. Written and performed by Lucas Myers.
• When: Thursday, November 23, 2017
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Evergreen Cultural Centre – 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
• Tickets: Pay-what-you-can, minimum $10

Friday, November 24

Orpheum 90

• What: An evening of celebration, silent film, and live vaudeville, with your hosts Bill Richardson and Maestro Bramwell Tovey. Experience live entertainment honouring the Orpheum’s beginnings, including a taste of vaudeville from local acts and silent film classics accompanied by the Mighty Wurlitzer and grand piano.
• When: Friday, November 24, 2017
• Time: 6:30 to 10 pm
• Where: Orpheum – 601 Smithe St, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $19.27

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, 2017
• 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

Cambie Bridge Warming

• What: Vancouver’s first large-scale public blanket fort is being set up by students of  SFU’s Semester in Dialogue at CityStudio, as part of their Bridge Warming event on November 24. CityStudio Vancouver is an innovation hub of students from SFU, UBC, BCIT, Langara, Emily Carr and NEC, as well as City of Vancouver staff, and community stakeholders. The free event will feature Patio​ ​Jams, Chalk Talks, a Connect Fort blanket fort, a City Gone Wild feature, and live music. The whole event is free, but donations of blankets and warm clothing for the Union Gospel Mission will be accepted.
• When: Friday, November 24, 2017
• Time: 3 to 8 pm
• Where: Under the south side of Cambie Bridge, between 1st and 2nd, Vancouver
• Admission: Free; bring donations of warm clothing or blankets for the Union Gospel Mission.

Park & Tilford Hi-Light Festival 

• What: The 28th annual Holiday Hi-Light Festival at Park & Tilford Gardens features a majestic festival of lights with over 150,000 on display over 3 acres.
• When: November 24 to December 31, 2017
• Where: Park & Tilford Gardens – 333 Brooksbank Avenue, North Vancouver
• Entry: By donation with proceeds going to support the North Vancouver firefighters, and their various appointed charities.

Startup Weekend Vancouver 2017

• What: An expert panel discussion relevant to women in business. The panel will focus on the intricacies of career development and advancement, provide insights into overcoming challenges, identify strategies for successful paths, and share advice from women who have been there and done that.
• When: Friday, November 24, 2017
• Time: 3:30 to 6 pm
• Where: Launch Academy – #300-128 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
• Register: Online, $85-$125

Peak of Christmas

• What: The Peak of Christmas is popular annual tradition. Visitors can take a spin on Grouse Mountain’s 8,000 sq. ft. outdoor ice skating pond or zip down the multi-lane snow sliding zone. You can also take a Sleigh Ride through the mountain’s Winter Wonderland, meet Santa’s Reindeer, watch family Christmas movies, and write a letter to Santa. At Santa’s Workshop, believers young and old can share their special Christmas wishes and take a photo. Photos are by donation to BC Children’s Hospital.
• When: November 24 to January 7, 2018
• Where: Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver
• Admission: Family Rate for Peak of Christmas festivities includes admission for 2 adults and 2 children/youth (under 18) for $89.95. All festive Peak of Christmas activities are complimentary with an Annual Local’s Pass, Y2Play or Winter Season Pass, as well as regular Alpine Experience tickets.

NERVO

• What: The duo sisters of NERVO from Australia have written and produced hits for Kylie Minogue, Ke$ha, David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, and perform over 200 live shows around the world per year. NERVO has climbed as high as #16 in the DJ Mag top 100 DJ’s while continuing to hold the title of world’s highest ranking female DJ’s.
• When: Friday, November 24, 2017
• Time: 10 pm
• Where: Harbour Event Centre – 750 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $40