20 things to do in Vancouver this weekend: March 17 to 18

Mar 14 2018, 2:06 pm

Spring Break and St. Patrick’s Day in the same weekend? Let’s have some fun!

Here is our list of 20 things to check out on Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18, including Shamrocks & Shenanigans, Stanley Park Railway Easter Train, and more.

And for more things happening around town be sure to check out our events section.

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Shamrocks & Shenanigans

  • What: Vancouver TheatreSports presents three Irish-themed improv shows to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day. Lucky Charm Leprechauns rove the Theatre bringing pots of golden laughs to all they encounter and our Celtic Colleen will be improvising custom limericks for our guests. And yes there will be green beer!
  • When: Saturday, March 17, 2018
  • Time: 7:30, 9:30 and 11:15 pm
  • Where: The Improv Centre – 1502 Duranleau St, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, $20

Richmond Outdoor Spring Carnival 

  • What: West Coast Amusements, the largest Canadian midway operation in Western Canada will be making a stop at the Lansdowne Centre in Richmond. They’ll be setting up shop with a massive selection of rides, games, and traditional carnival eats. And no, it’s never too early in the day to have a cotton candy.
  • When: Now to Sunday, March 25, 2018
  • Time: 12 to 10 pm, hours may change based on weather.
  • Where: Lansdowne Centre – 5300 #3 Road, Richmond
  • Tickets: Available on-site

Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen

leonard cohen

  • What: In celebrating its 35th anniversary season, the Firehall Arts Centre has remounted Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen. The storyline centres on a writer with a past history of tumultuous relationships, who checks into New York’s historic Chelsea Hotel. He arrives hoping to self-reflect and find the inspiration for his next song, but in doing so he is forced to revisit memories from past relationships.
  • When: Saturday, March 17 to Saturday, April 21, 2018
  • Time: Various times
  • Where: The Firehall Arts Centre – 280 East Cordova St, Vancouver
  • Tickets: from The Firehall Arts Centre, $20-$40

Luminescence III

  • What: Experience artworks by over 20 notable artists from varying disciplines. These artists present the many ways this brilliant natural phenomenon – the essence of light or Luminescence – has inspired them.
  • When: Saturday, March 17 to Saturday, April 7, 2018
  • Time: 7 pm
  • Where: Deer Lake Gallery – 6584 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
  • More Info: Online

St. Patrick’s Day at Dublin Calling Vancouver

  • What: Dublin Calling will be throwing their #SaturdayShenanigans event all day long. Green beer and Guinness will be flowing, plus there’s pool, ping-pong, darts, Jenga, arcade games, and Skeeball to keep you entertained. The party is set to run right through to 3 am with a DJ sningpin tracks that will keep you dancing, or even doing an Irish jig.
  • When: Saturday, March 17
  • Time: Doors open 11 am – 3 am
  • Where: Dublin Calling – 900 Granville Street, Vancouver
  • Admission: cover charge at the door and entry is subject to capacity

Vancouver Canucks vs San Jose Sharks

  • What: The Vancouver Canucks face off with the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena.
  • When: Saturday, March 17, 2018
  • Time: 7 pm
  • Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online

Spring Break at the Steveston Museum & Visitor Centre

  • What: Explore both the Steveston Museum & Visitor Centre, and the Japanese Fishermen’s Benevolent Society Building, on a self-guided tour to learn all about Steveston’s unique heritage. Enjoy fun crafts and activities for children on select dates, and take part in a special spring break Steveston History Hunters scavenger hunt.
  • When: Saturday, March 17, 2018 to Monday, April 02, 2018
  • Time: Various times
  • Where: Steveston Museum – 3811 Moncton Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Free

Phillips Phillips

  • What: Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips released his latest album Collateral earlier this year. Since releasing his five-times-platinum debut single Home in 2012, Phillips has released two chart-topping albums and taken his expansive brand of earthy, guitar-fueled rock to stages across the globe.
  • When: Saturday, March 17, 2018
  • Time: Doors 7 pm, Show 8 pm
  • Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online

Spring Break at Sea-to-Sky Gondola

Gondola

The Sea-to-Sky Gondola in Squamish. (Josef Hanus)

  • What: For families looking take their spring break to new heights this year, the Sea-to-Sky Gondola in Squamish is the place to be. From March 17 to 29, the scenic attraction is offering free day tickets for children 12-years-old and younger. Up to three children can ride the gondola for free – accompanied by at least one adult – to enjoy the activities and outdoor adventure at the summit.
  • When: Saturday, March 17 to Thursday, March 29, 2018
  • Time: 10 am to 5 pm, with the last ride down at 6 pm
  • Where: Sea-to-Sky Gondola – 36800 BC-99, Squamish
  • Tickets: Free day tickets for children 12-years-old and younger. Adult day tickets are $39.95 when purchased online and $41.95 at the ticket window.

2018 BMO St. Patrick’s Day 5K

  • What: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by running a 5K through scenic Stanley Park. Afterwards, stay for the party, with a DJ, green beer, and more. Proceeds raised are going to support Diabetes Canada.
  • When: Saturday, March 17, 2018
  • Time: 9:30 am
  • Where: Stanley Park
  • Register: Online

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Stanley Park Railway Easter Train

Easter Train

Image: Stanley Park Railway/Facebook

  • What: Both kids and adults will be able to take part in activities like a “Bunny Burrow” maze, face painting, an egg hunt in the farmyard, Easter crafts, inflatable bouncers, and carnival games. Food will also be available at the train ride, with Stanley Park’s concession stand open as well as food trucks from Cloud Nine Cotton Candy Company, Insomniac Coffee, and the Praguery.
  • When: Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18 (train only), Thursday, March 22 to Sunday, March 25, Thursday, March 29 to Tuesday, April 2, 2018
  • Time: 10 am to 5 pm, last egg hunt is at 4:40 pm.
  • Where: Stanley Park
  • Admission: Access to the train ride costs $6, the farmyard egg hunt costs $5, and tickets required for carnival activities cost $2 each. Tickets for the train can be purchased in advance online; tickets for other activities can be purchased on-site.

Jacques Plante & the Parkdale Knitting League

  • What: Jacques Plante and the Parkdale Knitting League is a true-life account of legendary NHL goalie Jacques Plante, with the fictionalized story of Violet Henderson, a lonely Toronto housewife who falls in love with Plante when she learns that, like herself, he is an avid knitter. The story spans the more than 20 years of both Plante’s varied and sometimes tumultuous career, and the romantic fantasy developed by Violet. Presented by Surrey’s Naked Stage.
  • When: Now to Sunday, March 18, 2018
  • Time: Various times
  • Where: Newton Cultural Centre – 13530 – 72 Avenue, Surrey
  • Tickets: Online, $15

Sunday Coffee Concerts: 5 on a String

  • What: 5 on a String is one of B.C.’s most popular and longest running bluegrass bands. A family friendly show with plenty of hot picking and fiddle tunes to entertain just about any audience.
  • When: Sunday, March 18, 2018
  • Time: 2 pm
  • Where: Terry Fox Theatre 1260 Riverwood Gate, Port Coquitlam
  • Tickets: Online, $7-$13. Children 12 and under free

2018 Brave New Play Rites Festival

  • What: Enjoy 24 new plays written by MFA and BFA students from the University of British Columbia, performed and produced by members of the Vancouver theatre community.
  • When: Now to Sunday, March 18, 2018
  • Time: Various times
  • Where: Studio 1398 – 1398 Cartwright St., Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online

Follow their Footsteps: Animal Signs

  • What: ​​​Learn to be a forest detective by identifying various animal tracks by size, shape, pattern, gait and more. Models and photos of different tracks will be on hand, and there will be an outdoor walk where attendees look for animal signs.
  • When: Sunday, March 18, 2018
  • Time: 1 to 4 pm
  • Where: Kanaka Creek Regional Park – Meet at 11450 256th St, Maple Ridge
  • Admission: Free

Antibalas 

  • What: Brooklyn-based musical collective, Antibalas are on tour to support their latest release Where The Gods Are In Peace.
  • When: Sunday, March 18, 2018
  • Time: 8 pm
  • Where: Biltmore Cabaret – 2755 Prince Edward Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, $25

Family Sunday at Surrey Art Gallery

  • What: Drop in to create, explore, and enjoy art with friends and family. Engage in activities that respond to Surrey Art Gallery exhibitions, including hands-on art-making workshops in a range of mediums, an art explorer game in the Gallery, and interactive performances in the Studio Theatre.
  • When: Sunday, March 18, 2018
  • Time: 11 am to 3 pm
  • Where: Surrey Art Gallery – 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey
  • Admission: Free

Healthy Family Expo 2018

Image: Healthy Family Expo

  • What: Canada’s biggest family-focused food and health event. There will be more than 200 exhibitors, a massive kid zone, and a star-studded line-up on stage. Enjoy sampling delicious foods with more than 100 brands in the Whole Foods Market Zone and London Drugs Health Zone. While you’re doing that, the kids can play in the 30,000 square foot Active Kid Zone where they’ll find a climbing wall, bike course, trampolines, obstacle courses, a tumbling area, and more.
  • When: Sunday, March 18, 2018
  • Time: 9 am to 6 pm
  • Where: Vancouver Convention Centre – 999 Canada Place Way
  • Tickets: via Healthy Family Expo. Kids under 17 free, $20 for adults

Planning your Garden for Abundance

  • What: ​Master Gardener Amanda Smith will instruct participants on how to maximize the growing potential of their backyard or balcony garden. Bring in information on your garden including how many hours of sunlight it receives and your ability to water. Registration is $10, but you will receive $10 in market money after the class and a seedling to take home.
  • When: Sunday, March 18, 2018
  • When: 10:30 am and 12 pm
  • Where: Port Moody Recreation Complex- 300 Ioco Rd, Port Moody
  • Tickets: Online, $10

Opening Celebrations of Culture at the Centre

  • What: ​The Museum of Anthropology is celebrating the opening of its new exhibition, Culture at the Centre, with dance performances from the communities represented in the exhibition: Musqueam, Squamish, Lil’wat, Heiltsuk, Nisg̱a’a, and Haida. Then you are invited to see the exhibition, which brings together Indigenous-run cultural centers and museums from across British Columbia and opens a window on the important work that they do.
  • When: Sunday, March 18, 2018
  • When: 1 to 4 pm
  • Where: Museum of Anthropology – 6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver
  • Admission: Free
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