19 things to do in Vancouver this weekend: January 6 and 7

The first weekend of 2018 is here! Get the fun started with our checklist of 19 things to do on Saturday, January 6 and Sunday, January 7. Swollen Members, Pancakes and Jam, and more to enjoy.

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

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Bowie Ball 2018

• What: The third annual celebration of the life and music of David Bowie for the benefit of the Canadian Cancer Society. Featuring more than 20 local bands and solo artists, with prizes for best costume. There will also be face-painting and random acts of creativity and connection.
• When:  Saturday, January 6, 2018
• Time: 7:30 pm
• Where: Rickshaw Theatre – 254 East Hastings Street, Vancouver,
• Tickets: Online, $15

Vancouver Lipont Art Centre presents Unlocking The Code

• What: Retrospective exhibition of Joseph Synn Kune Loh. Loh is a visual artist, a published poet, a design consultant, and international speaker on the evolution of consciousness. His career spans from the ’70s to present, and across Hong Kong, China, the US and Canada.
• When: Saturday, January 6 to Sunday, February 4, 2018
• Time: 9 am to 5 pm
• Where: Vancouver Lipont Art Centre – 4211 No. 3 Road, Richmond
• Admission: Free

Nature Story Time

• What: Join Surrey Nature Centre by the cozy fire for nature story time. Stories will change each day.
• When: Now to Saturday, January 6, 2018
• Time: 10:30 am and 1:30 pm daily
• Where: Surrey Nature Centre – 14225 Green Timbers Way, Vancouver
• Admission: Free

Vancouver Stealth vs Toronto Rock

• What: Vancouver Stealth take on the Toronto Rock at the Langley Events Centre.
• When: Saturday, January 6, 2018
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200 Street, Langley
• Tickets: Online

Swollen Members

• What: Over the course of their long career, Swollen Members has managed to develop some of the most electrifying hip-hop chemistry. From the release of their debut album Balance in 1999, Swollen Members captivated the underground hip-hop world with live shows that took the raw explosive energy of rock music and powered it with the group’s jaw dropping lyrical abilities. The group’s universal appeal caught the attention of both underground and mainstream audiences, while earning accolades, as well as Juno Awards and Video awards.
• When: Thursday, January 6, 2018
• Time: Doors 7 pm
• Where: Fortune Sound Club – 147 East Pender Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $20-$40

New West Farmers’ Market

• What: This Winter Farmers Market in New Westminster features fresh farm produce, plants, quality crafts from local artists and artisans, gourmet prepared foods, community information, live entertainment, and more.
• When: Every second Saturday until April 21, 2018
• Time: 11 am to 3 pm
• Where: Belmont Street, New Westminster
• Admission: Free

Eric Samuels – Mind Games

• What: Eric Samuels is The Mentalist. Using a deft combination of psychology, suggestion and stagecraft, Samuels goes where other people can’t: inside your mind.
  
• When: Saturday, January 6, 2018
• Time: 7:30 pm
• Where: Coast Capital Playhouse – 1532 Johnston Rd, White Rock
• Tickets: Online, $30

Walk Richmond – Minoru Park/Resolution Walk

• What: Start the New Year off on the right foot by discovering Minoru Park, the green heart of Richmond’s city centre. This walk begins and ends on the Clement Track before making its way into the Minoru Lakes area to the north.
• When: Saturday, January 6, 2018
• Time: 10 to 11 am
• Meeting Spot: In front of the Grand Stand on Minoru Track – 7191 Granville Avenue, Richmond
• Admission: Free

Freedom MUZIK!

• What: Freedom Muzik is an evening that invites musicans from Vancouver’s most innovative community to create together in a platform that spawns new ensembles.
• When: Saturday, January 6, 2018
• Time: 9:45 pm
• Where: China Cloud – 524 Main Street, Vancouver
• Admission: $10-$20 suggested

Vancouver Aquarium Scavenger Hunt

• What: Take part in a self-guided scavenger hunt and enter to win one of three Behind-The-Scenes tours at Vancouver Aquarium. Staff have rounded up their favourite animals to create a scavenger hunt that’s fun and engaging for all ages. The Aquarium is open 365 days a year, including statutory holidays. So you can visit on Christmas morning if you want to.
• When: Now to Sunday, January 7, 2018
• Time: 9:30 am to 6 pm
• Where: 845 Avison Way, Stanley Park
• Tickets: $39 for adults, $30 for students and seniors, $22 for children –  Tickets available online

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Golden Globe Awards: Live. Free. Big Screen! At the Rio Theatre

• What: The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards are hosted by Late Night host and SNL alum Seth Meyers. Dress up in your finest red carpet outfit and enjoy the festivities on the Rio big screen.
• When: Sunday, January 7, 2018
• Time: Doors 4 pm, show 5 pm
• Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• Tickets: Free

Sylvia Tait: Journey – Opening Reception

• What: The latest exhibit by renowned Canadian painter and printmaker Sylvia Tait.
• When: Now to Sunday, January 7, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Burnaby Art Gallery – 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
• Admission: Free

Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden

• What: The botanical garden is covered in more than a million lights. Reindeer and Scandinavian gnomes also roam the trails, and visitors can walk through the gingerbread wood, lantern alley, and Make-a-Wish candle grotto.
• When: Now to Sunday, January 7, 2018
• Time: 4:30 pm to 9 pm.
• Where: VanDusen Gardens – 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: $18.50 for adults, available online.

Headlamp Hikes

• What: Discover pristine solitude in the outdoors on a guided sunset headlamp hike or snowshoe. If conditions permit, the group will snowshoe instead of hike.
• When: Daily until Sunday, January 7, 2018
• Time: 4:15 pm
• Where: Plaza at the Sea to Sky Gondola Summit Lodge
• Register: Online, $10 (not including lift ticket). Snowshoe/crampon rental $5, headlamps provided.

Winter Wonderland Skating at Minoru Arenas

• What: Skate around the winter splendour of thousands of lights, real snow banks, festive trees and more.
• When: Now to Sunday, January 7, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Minoru Arenas – 7551 Minoru Gate, Richmond
• Admission: Regular admission rates apply

Peak of Christmas

• What: The Peak of Christmas is a 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.
• When: Now to Sunday, 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.

Disney’s Aladdin Jr 

• What: The Children’s Choir of Richmond presents Disney’s Aladdin Jr. Directed by Emma Swords.
• When: Sunday, January 7, 2018
• Times: 6:30 pm
• Where: Gateway Theatre – 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond
• Tickets: Online

Winter Ice Palace

• What: The 20th Annual Winter Ice Palace is a winter wonderland at Cloverdale Arena. Find some time to skate across the old fashioned pond.
• When: Now to Sunday, January 7, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Cloverdale Ice Arena – 6090 176 Street, Surrey
• Tickets: $4.50/person, $3.25 for skate rentals; $1.75 for helmet rentals. Free admission for Recreation Pass holders.

Pancakes and Jam – Five Year Anniversary

• What: Pancakes and Jam is an inclusive community building event that combines brunch with a live music dance party. Potluck items that complement the pancakes like condiments, or other brunch-like munchies and beverages are appreciated.
• When: Sunday, January 7, 2018
• Time: 11:30 am
• Where: The Woods Studio – 7 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver
• Admission: By donation, $5-$10 recommended. Breakfast is free. Please bring your own cups, mugs, dishes and cutlery.