28 things to do in Vancouver this week: March 18 to 21

Spring is just around the corner! Get there with these 28 fun Vancouver events happening Monday, March 18 to Thursday, March 21, including Spring Break activities, Michelle Obama, and more.

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

See also

• India's 'Singing Queen' will be performing in Vancouver next month
• You can take FREE boxing classes in Vancouver from March 20 to 24
• Dates announced for FREE outdoor movies in Stanley Park this summer

Monday, March 18

Katya – Help Me I’m Dying Tour 

What: As RuPaul’s Drag Race Miss Congeniality and All-Stars S2 finalist, Katya Zamolodchikova brings her stand-up show to Vancouver for the first time this March. Katya is known for her personas and characters, starring in UNHhhh with Trixie Mattel, and appearances in productions like Hurricane Bianca.

When: Monday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: The Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville St., Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Bunny Social at UBC

What: There’s nothing like cute little bunnies to help tackle life stress – at least, that’s the theory behind an event coming to the University of British Columbia (UBC). Attendees are given treat cups for the rabbits, who will have the option of socializing with students or hanging out in their houses. Entry is by donation and all the funds will be going to the Rabbitats Rescue Society – a non-profit dedicated to providing solutions to housing the large number of abandoned and feral rabbits around BC.

When: Monday, March 18, 2019
Time: 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Where: AMS Nest, North Great Hall, UBC
Admission: By donation – all proceeds go to Rabbitats

Spring Break Mystery in the Museum

What: Explore the historic cannery and find clues to solve the mystery of the missing fortune, ‘stolen’ from inside the safe of the Plant Manager’s Office, and set during the Great Depression in 1930. Offered throughout Spring Break from March 18 to 29, this activity is best suited for children 7 to 10 years old, and will be available on a drop-in basis.  One detective kit will be provided per paid Adult or Senior admission, for families or friends to share.

When: March 18 to 29, 2019
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Gulf Of Georgia Cannery – 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond
Admission: Adults $11.70, Seniors (65+) $10.05. Youth 17 and under are free of admission at all Parks Canada sites; all youth who enter must be accompanied by an adult.

Spring Break at the Carousel

What:Burnaby Village Museum is throwing open the gates for 12 days of Spring Break family fun. Stroll the streets of a 1920s village and visit businesses and homes. Take in demonstrations, ride the carousel, play games and activities, learn about Indigenous culture, and chat with costumed towns-folk. Browse the Carousel Gift Shop and enjoy a treat or lunch at the Ice Cream Parlour.

When: March 18 to March 29, 2019
Time: 11 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel – 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Admission: Free. Carousel Rides $2.65 each

Heritage Writers’ Group

What: Start capturing your life story for family and posterity. No preparation required; just bring a pen and paper, or your laptop.

When: March 18, April 15, May 27, June 17, 2019
Time: 10:30 am to 12 pm
Where: PoCo Heritage Museum and Archives – 150-2248 McAllister Ave., Port Coquitlam
Admission: Free

Royal Dinette and Four Winds pair up beer dinner

What: Royal Dinette and Four Winds Brewing Co are teaming up for a seasonally-focused beer-paired menu. Guests will enjoy a Canadian/Australian inspired menu paired with a selection of bottle-conditioned beers flavoured with ingredients from BC’s last summer harvest.

When: Monday, March 18, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Royal Dinette – 905 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver
Price: $100; buy online

The Cat Empire

What: Australia’s The Cat Empire bring their Stolen Diamonds Tour to Vancouver with support by Neal Francis.

When: Monday, March 18, 2019
Time: Doors 8 pm, show 9 pm
Where: Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Tuesday, March 19

The 99th Annual Vancouver International Auto Show

What: Explore 370,000 ft. of event space and see more than 400 vehicles on display. The world’s top brands will be showcasing their latest vehicles, concepts, and technology displays — including many of the leading exotic brands from around the world. Take Instagram photos of every kind of vehicle you could imagine from modified supercars to sedans, electric vehicles, lifted jeeps, trucks, classics, and one-of-a-kind creations. Featured vehicles will include the Genesis Essentia Concept Car, the Felino Supercar, and a throwback to one of the most iconic cars of the 60s and 2000s, the 2020 Toyota Supra.

When: March 19 to 24, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West — 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Price: $17 – $20 for general admission | $13 students and seniors | $5 kids | $37 to $42 for a family pass — Tickets available via Vancouver International Auto Show website

Spring Break Drop-In: Farm Life

What: Not sure what to do for Spring Break? Bring the kids back in time. Drop in for activities at Heritage Stewart Farm during both weeks of the break Tuesday to Thursday from 12 to 3 pm. Show the kids how people lived in Surrey in the year 1900. Themes will include spring cleaning, activities in the kitchen and old school fun. Pack snacks and boots and remember to charge up your phone to take lots of pictures.

When: March 19 to 21, March 26 to 28, 2019
Time: 12 to 3 pm
Where: Historic Stewart Farm – 13723 Crescent Rd, Surrey
Admission: Free

Urban Grind 2019 at Harbour Centre

What: The 633-step climb takes place at Vancouver’s Harbour Centre and takes climbers to the tower’s iconic Lookout observation deck. There’s a $5 entry fee to participate as many times as you wish during the day and upon reaching the top, participants receive a free beer and a $5 voucher for the Harbour Centre’s food court.

Dates: March 19 and March 26, 2019
Times: Anytime between 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
Location: Harbour Centre (access through lobby at 555 West Hastings Street, Vancouver)
Cost: $5

Spring Break at the Nature House

What:  Get out and enjoy nature this spring break.  The nature house at Burnaby Lake will be open with activities and crafts to help you and your kids get outside and experience spring. All ages.

When: March 18 to March 22, 2019
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Burnaby Lake Regional Park – Meet at Burnaby Lake Nature House – 4519 Piper Avenue, Burnaby
Admission: Free

‘The Office’ trivia night at Relish Pub

What: Relish Pub in downtown Vancouver is hosting an ‘Office’ trivia night. Any dedicated ‘Office’ lovers are encouraged to make a reservation for the Tuesday, March 19 event – it’s expected to sell out. Prizes range from liquid items, gift cards, clothing, brewery tours, and concert tickets, with a grand prize to be announced soon.

When: Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Time: 7:30 to 10:30 pm
Where: Relish Pub, 888 Nelson Street #G5, Vancouver
Cost: $10/team, pay at the door

Vancouver Career Fair

What: Landsea Tours & Adventures, an award-winning sightseeing and excursion company that offers tours around Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, the Sea to Sky corridor, and Vancouver’s North Shore, is holding a career fair. With outdoor-based positions like mobile guest relations, driver tour guides, and step-on guides, their full-time jobs give you a unique chance to experience some of BC’s most beautiful scenery.

When: March 19 to 21, 2019 (Vancouver), March 26 to 28, 2019 (Richmond)
Time: 10 am to 5 pm (Vancouver), 11 am to 7 pm (Richmond)
Where: Spaces, Gastown — 151 West Hastings Street 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Floor (Vancouver); Landsea Tours & Adventures head office — 14291 Burrows Road (Richmond)
Admission: Free

Spring Break at the Space Centre

What: Do you have a young space enthusiast in the family? Join the Space Centre over Spring Break for some special activities and programming focused on “Exploring the Sun” and “Exploring the Moon”. These family friendly activities will run daily throughout Spring Break. They will also be premiering the film “The Sun: Our Living Star” in the planetarium star theatre.

When: Now to Sunday, March 31, 2019
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where:H.R. MacMillan Space Centre – 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
Admission: Online

Wednesday, March 20

Cold Fighter Series

What: To help bring awareness to the many ways you can stay healthy and strong during the cold and flu season, Vancouverites are invited to take part in a free boxing classes hosted by Jamieson Vitamins from March 20 to 24. Taking place on various dates in March, fitness enthusiasts can lace up and join the free boxing class and wellness session at Kondi Fitness, HIIT Fitness and Lift Fitness.

When: Wednesday, March 20 to 24, 2019
Time: Varies from 5 pm – 6:20 pm, 6:30 pm – 8 pm, 5:30 pm – 7 pm and 10 am – 12 pm
Where: Kondi Fitness, Hiit Fitness and Lift Fitness
Price: Free

Kinky Boots

What:  The winner of six 2013 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Kinky Boots tells the uplifting and heartwarming tale of Charlie Price, a young man reluctantly taking over his family’s struggling shoe factory and looking for a fresh idea. Charlie meets and finds inspiration in Lola, and together they discover that it takes a good friend to make a great pair.

When: March 20, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Abbotsford Centre – 33800 King Rd, Abbotsford
Tickets: Online

Ladies Against Humanity

What: Who run the world? Girls! Join The Fictionals and special guests on March 20th at the Rio Theatre for the annual Ladies Against Humanity special. Some of the funniest women from around Vancouver will bring CAH to life during the live tournament, give out sweet prizes, and crown the next Most Horrible Person in Vancouver.

When: Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $12

Surviving Vancouver: Gathering in our City

What: Join Lori Snyder, Woody Morrison, and T’uy’t’tanat- Cease Wyss as they engage in an exploratory and educational discussion about Indigenous Food systems, abilities to subsist, survive and live with traditional food sources and healing properties of the natural world. The evening will be moderated by Jolene Andrew.

When: Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: Museum of Vancouver – 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Spring Break at Vancouver Aquarium

What: Did you know that a sloth only goes to the bathroom once a week? Or that a penguin has fleshy hooks on its tongue? These are just some of the 50,000 creatures at the Vancouver Aquarium, where weird is normal. Enjoy special family programs and shows including ‘Meet a Penguin’ or ‘Shark: A 4-D Experience.’ Then get up close and personal with your favourite animal during an animal encounter.

When: Now to Sunday, March 31, 2019
Time: 9:30 am to 6 pm
Where: Vancouver Aquarium – 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Multiple Organism

What: Multiple Organism by Mind of a Snail is a surrealist comedy for adults (18+) about having a body and how our body is seen by others. Expect nudity, projections, puppetry, and sentient toothbrushes.

When: Wednesday, March 20 to Saturday, March 31, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: The Cultch – 1895 Venables Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Spring Break at Lonsdale Quay Market

What: Stop by Lonsdale Quay Market between 10 am to 3 pm and play board games with a view. They have a wide range of games including Jenga, Monopoly Deal, Twister, Uno, Checkers and more. These will be available at the Visitor’s Center located on the Market Level to sign out.

When: Monday, March 18 to Friday, March 29, 2019
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Lonsdale Quay Market – 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Admission: Free

Thursday, March 21

Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama

What: Former First Lady Michelle Obama is coming to Vancouver on her Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama tour. As the first-ever African American First Lady, Obama helped create a welcoming and inclusive White House, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls everywhere. In keeping with her commitment to making her events accessible to as many people as possible, Obama and Live Nation will donate a portion of ticket inventory in each market to various charities, schools, and community groups in each city the tour visits.

When: Thursday, March 21, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Kellylee Evans

What: Six albums deep and Juno Award winner Kellylee Evans is still shaking it up on Come Over, her latest Decca album. The stylistic connoisseur has tackled everything from jazz to R&B to pop in such previous tasty classics fight or flight? Nina her Juno-winning tribute to the legendary Nina Simone – and I Remember When.

When: March 21, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Tickets: Online, $15-$36

Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers

What: Emerald Pig presents the timeless, swashbuckling tale of heroism, treachery, romance, and above all, honour. Join D’Artagnan and his fearless sister, Sabine, along with Athos, Porthos and Aramis, as they battle the evil Cardinal Richelieu and the most dangerous woman in France, Milady DeWinter, to defend the honour of the Queen.

When: March 21 to 23 and March 28 to 30, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm, matinees on March 23 and 30 at 2 pm
Where: Inlet Theatre – 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody
Tickets: Online, $15-$20

Re/Form Conference 2019

What:  Re/Form is a two-day conference featuring a thoughtfully curated program of keynotes, panels, workshops and wellness breaks led by an inspiring and accomplished roster of more than 25 speakers and facilitators. Connect with and learn from like-minded creative professionals. The diverse lineup of speakers includes Shelley Adams of Whitewater Cooks, Ryan Slater and Zach Berman, from the Juice Truck, and Bree Melanson, spiritual medium and advisor. Attend one or both days.

When: March 21 and 22, 2019
Time: 8 am to 5 pm
Where: Cheakamus Centre – 1600 Paradise Valley Road, Squamish
Tickets: Online. $160 for one day or $320 for both days.

Good France Vancouver 2019

What: Taking place on March 21, 2019, the Vancouver edition will feature seven participating restaurants and one eatery in Kelowna too. Chefs from each respective eatery will be cooking up a French-style dinner with a focus on environmental and resource preventions, and the spotlight region for each spread this year is Provence.

When: Thursday, March 21, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Participating restaurants around Vancouver
More Info: Online

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 for 10 straight days with a massive array of rides, games, and traditional carnival eats.

The outdoor carnival will be open from March 21 to March 31, 2019, with hours of operation varying by date and weather. Attendees can ride six attractions for $16.99 or purchase a daily wristband for $40. Tickets for rides may also be purchased individually and in groups of 20 and 40.

When: Thursday, March 21 to Sunday, March 31, 2019
Time: 12 to 10 pm, hours may change based on weather.
Where: Lansdowne Centre – 5300 #3 Road, Richmond
Tickets: Available on-site

Colin James

What: Canadian rock and blues legend Colin James brings his Miles To Go Tour to Vancouver with special guest Marty O’Reilly.

When: Thursday, March 21, 2019
Time: Doors 6:30 pm, show 7:30 pm
Where: Orpheum – 884 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online