20 fantastic things to do in Vancouver this week: March 20 to 26

Spring has sprung and we’re ready to have fun!

Fill your weekly schedule with these 20 great events happening around Vancouver from March 20 to 26. Shrek Rave, The Vegan Market, and more.

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

Spring Break Up Country Music Festival

Dean Brody (marclepagephotography/Instagram) | Meghan Patrick (@unpluggedphotographybusiness/Facebook)

What: The Spring Break Up Country Music Festival, produced by Fraser Valley Exhibition Centre, is Fraser Valley’s newest country music festival. The highly anticipated event features an all-Canadian lineup led by Dean Brody and Meghan Patrick. There will also be market and food vendors, a mechanical bull, a 19+ VIP area, and more.

When: March 25, 2023
Time: Doors at 3 pm, event ends at 1 am
Where: TRADEX Trade and Exhibition Centre – 1190 Cornell Street, Abbotsford
Tickets: Starting at $59 plus fees, VIP tickets also available. Purchase online

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Spring Break at Britannia Mine Museum

What: The Britannia Mine Museum invites visitors to take part in the family-friendly “Mini Mud Monsters” activity in their Terralab STEAM learning space during spring break. During the interpreter-led drop-in sessions, participants will discover what microorganisms in freshwater ecosystems look like up close through magnification. Guests will also learn how these tiny animals help grow the understanding of the human impacts of metals and mining.

When: March 22 to 26, 2023
Time: 1:30 pm to 4 pm
Where: Britannia Mine Museum – 150 Copper Drive, Britannia Beach
Cost: Various prices, pre-book online

First Pick Handmade – Spring Pop-Up Fashion + Design Market

What: Browse locally made fashion, accessories and art from Canadian designers, with everything from clothing to hats, bags, and shoes available. First Pick Handmade will showcase local and BC-based makers and promises to be an exclusive and sustainable shopping experience

When: March 25 and 26, 2023
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Heritage Hall — 3102 Main Street
Tickets: $3, purchase at the door or online

Canucks For Kids Fund Telethon

Vancouver Canucks/Facebook | Canucks for Kids Fund/Twitter

What: Canucks for Kids Fund (CFKF) Telethon is back, and fans have the chance to win a huge prize by supporting an important cause.

The Vancouver Canucks will host the annual fundraising event when the Vegas Golden Knights visit Rogers Arena on Tuesday, March 21, though donations are currently being accepted online.

Fans can donate to CKCF online and donations received before midnight will be entered to win a brand-new 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid AWD. Donations can also be made by scanning the QR code during the broadcast.

When: March 21, 2023
Time: 7 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Cost: Various, purchase online

Spring Break at Burnaby Village Museum

What: Burnaby Village Museum is celebrating spring break and longtime visitors and new guests will discover plenty to enjoy. Special activities throughout the two weeks include making Coast Salish Seed Bombs, learning how to churn butter, playing heritage games, and more.

The beloved open-air historical attraction transports people back in time and lets them experience life in a 1920s village, complete with heritage and recreated buildings and staff dressed in the period’s fashion.

When: March 13 to March 24, 2023
Time: 11 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Burnaby Village Museum – 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Admission: Free

Festival du Bois

What: The 34th annual Festival du Bois is a weekend celebration of francophone and French-Canadian culture and the largest in BC. Enjoy live entertainment, traditional food, the Metis Village Experience, and more at Maillardville’s Music & Culture Festival.

When: March 24 to 26, 2023
Time: 7 to 10 pm (Friday), 11:30 to 8 pm (Saturday), 10 am to 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: Mackin Park — 1046 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam
Tickets: Free on opening night, $10-$32 on Saturday and Sunday. Free for children 5 and under. Purchase online

H2 Kitchen + Bar presents Battle of the Breweries

H2 Kitchen + Bar/Submitted

What: H2 Kitchen + Bar hosts Vancouver Island Brewing and Backcountry Brewing in a mouth-watering Battle of the Breweries. Two beers will be taste tested alongside each course of a 5-course menu by Chef Homer Baisa. The Southern-inspired dishes include Smoked Cheddar + Bone Marrow Croquette, Smashed Cucumber Salad, Beer Battered Oyster Mushroom, Smoked Bone-In Pork Belly;, and Molten Chocolate Cake.

A brewery will be crowned champion at the end of the friendly faceoff, with all guests being treated to a saucy swag bag filled with gourmet goodies.

When: March 22, 2023
Time: 6 pm
Where: H2 Kitchen + Bar at the Westin Bayshore – 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver
Tickets: $68 per person, book online

Eastside Flea

What: Eastside Flea features over 40 local vendors offering a variety of items including handmade goods and vintage clothing, collectibles and plants, artisan foods and more. Each weekend event will also have food trucks on-site as well as casual games.

When: March 4 and 5, 11 and 12, 18 and 19, 25 and 26, 2023
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Eastside Studios – 550 Malkin Avenue, Vancouver
Admission: $3, no one turned away for lack of funds

Spring Break at Sea to Sky Gondola

What: Sea to Sky Gondola is welcoming guests this Spring Break with a special offer. Children 12 and under can ride for free from Monday to Thursday with the purchase of an adult or senior day ticket. It’s a great opportunity to explore the snow-covered wonderland 885 meters above sea level.

When: Monday to Thursday until March 30, 2023
Time: 9 am to 5 pm (last ride down at 6 pm)
Where: Sea to Sky Gondola – 36800 Highway 99, Squamish
Cost: Various prices, purchase online

Surrey Animal Resource Centre’s Shelter Slumber Pawty

Surrey Animal Resource Centre/Facebook

What: Surrey Animal Resource Centre (SARC) is gearing up to host its first-ever Shelter Slumber Pawty on March 25, 2023.

Participants will eat, sleep and play in the shelter for 24 hours along with one of the four-legged shelter residents. Supporters can follow along on social media as the event will be live-streamed, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of shelter pets.

When: March 25, 2023
Time: 12 am to 11:59 am
Where: Live-streamed on social media

Current Swell

What: Victoria indie-rockers Current Swell have performed at iconic events such as the 2010 Winter Olympics and Ottawa Bluesfest and have released seven albums throughout their career. The quartet plays the Commodore Ballroom on March 25.

When: March 25, 2023
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville Street, Vancouver
Cost: $35 plus fees, purchase online

Reel 2 Real Film Festival 2023

What: Reel to Real is an annual youth film festival showcasing the best of international cinema to an audience of all ages. The 25th-anniversary lineup includes shorts and feature-length films, Canadian premieres, a youth filmmakers showcase, and more at Vancity Theatre and The Roundhouse Community Centre.

When: March 28 until April 6, 2023
Time: Various times
Where: Vancity Theatre – 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver; The Roundhouse Community Centre – 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
Cost: Various, purchase Online

Shrek Rave

Shrek Rave/Instagram

What: The Shrek Rave, presented by Modo-Live is notorious for people’s costumes of iconic characters from the classic tale. Get some friends together and dance the night away dressed as Lord Farquaad or the Three Blind Mice.

DJs will be playing memorable Shrek hits while the visuals from the hit films make you feel as happy as an ogre in a swamp.

Get ready to take part in “I’m A Believer” singalongs while enjoying Shrek-themed drinks. The 19+ event will also offer prizes to the best dressed, so get ready to be an “All Star.”

When: March 26, 2023
Time: 10 pm to 3 am
Where: Harbour Event & Convention Centre — 760 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
Tickets: $30 to $50 plus fees, purchase online

Joke Books Comedy!

What: Joke Books Comedy! challenges top Vancouver comics to perform their hottest material, then shuffle through the pages of their joke books until the audience shouts, “stop!” The lineup for March includes Gina Harms, Randee Neumeyer, Chris Griffin, Aaron Arya and Nathan Hare.

When: March 24, 2023
Time: 8 pm
Where: Dolly Disco – 713 E Hasting Street (Alley Entry), Vancouver
Cost: $15 plus fees in advance, purchase online

Oz

What: The Canadian premiere of Oz retells the whimsical story of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The audience is transported to 1899 Chicago as the author and poet struggles to put his ideas down on paper. His housekeeper Bridgey and a young girl named Dot help Baum improvise the story and soon the magical tale starts coming to life.

When: Now until March 26, 2023
Time: Various times
Where: Waterfront Theatre – 1412 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $18-$35, purchase online

Molson CARHA Hockey World Cup

What: The Molson CARHA Hockey World Cup, presented by Lulu Island Winery, is set to take place in Richmond from March 19 to March 26, and it promises an unforgettable week full of family-friendly fun and hockey camaraderie.

Known as “the Olympics of recreational hockey,” the event happens only once every four years and attracts participants from all over the world. This year, approximately 100 teams from 10 countries will travel to Richmond to compete.

The best part? All of the games are completely free for the public to attend!

When: March 19 to 26, 2023
Time: Varies by game
Where: All games take place at the Richmond Olympic Oval and Richmond Ice Centre. The feature game will take place at Minoru Arena

The Vegan Market

What: From tacos and tarot readings to DJs and vegan ice cream, the March Break Night Market is sure to offer everything that you are looking for plus some unique surprises.

The indoor/outdoor event will also serve up cocktails, bonfires, and live music. With over 30 food brands and businesses to discover, The Vegan Market is a great way to kick off the new season.

When: March 23, 2023
Time: 6 to 10 pm
Where: Waldorf Hotel, 1489 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Minimum donation of $2 or canned goods, clothing, or pet food. Children are free.

Nature’s Ninjas: Defenses of the Animal Kingdom

What: Nature’s Ninjas: Defenses of the Animal Kingdom is an all-new Vancouver Aquarium interactive exhibit. Guests will get up close with unique animals and learn all about their crafty self-defences through hands-on displays and engaging talks.

Highlights include the spiky four-toed hedgehog, the armoured three-banded armadillo, and the colour-changing chameleons. You can even meet a two-toed sloth.

When: Open daily until September 4, 2023
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park – 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Cost: Regular plan-ahead pricing for ages 13-64 is $37.95-$49.95. Child, Student, and Senior tickets, and memberships are available. Purchase tickets online

Skate Plaza at The Shipyards

City of North Vancouver/Facebook

What: Until the end of winter, skaters of all ages can glide on the approximately 12,000 sq ft surface daily from 1 to 8 pm. And fun can be had no matter the weather, as a retractable roof covers the Shipyards Skate Plaza.

Skaters can either bring their own skates or rent a pair of skates on-site, although quantities are limited. Helmets and skating aids are free, with the former being mandatory for skaters under the age of 12.

When: Daily until March 26, 2023
Time: 1 to 8 pm
Where: The Shipyards Commons, North Vancouver
Admission: FREE, skate rentals are available at a cost of $7 for adults and $5 for children (quantities are limited)

The Secret Garden Dome Experience

What: Step into a “botanical oasis” and dine amongst the flowers and the cherry blossoms with The Secret Garden. The domes here can accommodate up to six guests in total. The private structures feature heaters, fresh-air circulation, and independent sound systems so diners can choose their own tunes.

When: Now until May 14, 2023
Time: Various times
Where: H Tasting Lounge at The Westin Bayshore – 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver
Reservations: Online