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Enjoy November on a budget by checking out our list of fun free events happening in Vancouver this month. From Lumière YVR 2018 to Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, here are 21 FREE events in the city this month.
For more things happening around town check out our events section.
Check out the city
Night for All Souls
What: Curated by artists Paula Jardine and Marina Szijarto, this unique cultural event offers the public an opportunity to remember their dead, whether interred at Mountain View Cemetery or not, in a gentle atmosphere of contemplative beauty.
When: Now to Thursday, November 1, 2018
Time: Various times
Where: Mountain View Cemetery- 5455 Fraser St., Vancouver
Admission: All events are free. Donations are welcome.
Lumière YVR 2018
@lumiereyvr/Instagram
What: Lighting up Vancouver’s English Bay, Jim Deva Plaza, and šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, formerly known as the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery, Lumiere is a series of light art installations, performances and community building initiatives. This year, Lumiere will feature 17 public artworks created by local and international artists.
When: Friday, November 2 to Sunday, November 4, 2018
Time: Various times
Where: English Bay, Jim Deva Plaza, and šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, formerly known as the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery
Admission: Free
Mat Collective Free Fall Yoga
What: Take advantage of Vancouver’s beautiful autumn days and take part in free fall yoga, hosted by the Mat Collective. Fall classes will take place in September, October, and November at City Hall, in downtown Vancouver, Granville Island, and Kits Beach.
When: Various dates until November 2018
Time: Times vary, check schedule for details
Where: Downtown (800 Robson Street), City Hall (2600-2799 Yukon St.), Granville Island (1404 Anderson Street), Kits Beach (1015 Maple Street), East Vancouver (520 E 1st Ave (Emily Carr)
Admission: Free
Enjoy the great outdoors
The Secret Life of Trees Walking Tour
What: A walking tour around Port Coquitlam’s beautiful downtown parks and gardens. Hosted by PoCo Heritage Trees and is part of the collaborative The Secret Life of Trees exhibit.
When: Saturday, November 3 and Saturday, November 17, 2018
Time: 2:30 to 4 pm
Where: PoCo Heritage Museum and Archives – 150-2248 McAllister Ave., Port Coquitlam
Admission: Free
The Light Festival
City of Surrey
What: The City of Surrey and Telus are inviting everyone to the Light Festival at Bear Creek Park this fall. Visitors can experience a mesmerizing show of illuminated trees, eye-catching displays, and sparkling lights throughout an ever-changing garden of colour. On opening and closing night, guests will be treated to family-friendly activities at a kid’s zone, food trucks, and roving performers. Tuesday, November 6 will feature Diwali-inspired music, food, and performers, as well as a chance to make your own lanterns at the Surrey Art Gallery. Anyone attending is reminded to bring a flashlight and dress for the weather, as the event will run rain or shine.
When: Sunday, November 4 to Saturday, November 10, 2018
Time: 6 to 9 pm daily
Where: Bear Creek Park – 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey
Admission: Free
Bike to Work Week
What: Cyclists, both novice and experienced, are invited to don some raingear and visit one of over 40 celebration stations located across the city. The stations will feature daily draw prizes, free drinks and snacks, and basic bike maintenance, to make sure everyone is biking (and feeling!) their best. Participants can also register online and log their bike trips, giving them a chance to win great prizes, including a new bike from Brodie and a cycling trip for two to Sicily – courtesy of Exodus Travels. All participants will also receive a 24-hour pass for Mobi, free of charge, allowing users a great chance to test out Vancouver’s bike-share program. PS: All kinds of bike trips count, whether it be to school, to work, or to get groceries.
When: Now to Sunday, November 4, 2018
Time: All day
Where: All across Metro Vancouver
Price: Free of charge – register online
Remembrance Day Ceremonies
Victory Square Cenotaph
What: In honour of veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of Canada, the City of Vancouver is holding its annual Remembrance Day ceremony and parade at Victory Square.
When: Sunday, November 11, 2018
Time: Starts at 10 am
Where: Victory Square – 200
Admission: Free
Port Moody Remembrance Day Ceremonies & Parade
What: Events start with a non-denominational service at Kyle Centre. Then the parade goes around the block to Port Moody Arts Centre for a two-minute silence, act of remembrance and laying of wreaths at Port Moody Arts Centre Monument. Ceremony finishes with a 21-Gun Cannon Salute at Seymour Artillery.
When: Sunday, November 11, 2018
Time: 9:30 am to 11 am
Where: Port Moody Arts Centre – 2425 St. Johns Street Port Moody
Admission: Free
Surrey Remembers
What: Take in the Remembrance Day service at the Cloverdale Cenotaph in Veterans Square at 10:25 am on Sunday, November 11. Museum of Surrey will remain open until 5 pm with family-friendly activities throughout the museum. The Surrey Archives will be open from 9:30 am to 1 pm. Visitors are welcome to explore the Archives and enjoy refreshments.
When: Sunday, November 11, 2018
Time: 9:30 am to 1 pm
Where: Museum of Surrey – 17710 56a Ave, Surrey
Admission: Free
Richmond Remembrance Day Ceremony
What: The City of Richmond invites the public to observe and participate in the annual Remembrance Day ceremony. The parade will start at 10:20 am, and official ceremonies at the City Hall cenotaph will begin at 10:40 am. Two minutes of silence will take place at 11 am followed by wreath-laying.
When: Sunday, November 11, 2018
Time: 10:20 to 11:30 am
Where: Richmond City Hall – 6911 No. 3 Rd., Richmond
Admission: Free
West Vancouver Remembrance Day Ceremony
What: Led by The Royal Canadian Legion – West Vancouver Branch #60, this service is for the public to gather and honour our veterans and those currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. All members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend. Parade starts at 10:45 a.m. with service starting at 10:55 a.m.
When: Sunday, November 11, 2018
Time: 10:45 to 11:30 am
Where: Memorial Arch in Memorial Park – Marine Drive between 19th Street and 20th Street
Admission: Free
Port Coquitlam Remembrance Day
What: Port Coquitlam’s Remembrance Day begins with the Wilson Centre Service. Then veterans and members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #133 will lead a parade from the Wilson Centre along Wilson Avenue to Shaughnessy Street to the Cenotaph services at Veterans Park.
When: Sunday, November 11, 2018
Time: 9:30 to 10:30 am (Wilson Centre Service), 11 am (Cenotaph Remembrance Service
Where: Wilson Centre – 2150 Wilson Ave, Port Coquitlam, Veterans Park – 2580 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam
Admission: Free
Get into the Christmas and holiday spirit
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: Friday, November 16 to Sunday, November 18, 2018
Time: 11 am to 7 pm (Friday), 10 am to 4 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Admission: Free
Lights of Hope 2018 Fireworks & Display Launch
What: St. Paul’s Foundation will mark the launch of its seasonal hospital lights display with a free event at the intersection of Burrard Street and Helmcken Street that includes a fireworks display from the hospital rooftop. There will also be food trucks and carollers to add to the festivities. Each year, the foundation’s Lights of Hope campaign raises millions of dollars for the hospital’s most immediate patient care and equipment needs. In 2017, the campaign raised a staggering $3.1 million for these initiatives.
When: Friday, November 16, 2918
Time: 6:30 pm (Lighting of the display and fireworks), 6:30 to 8 pm (Festivities)
Where: St. Paul’s Hospital Burrard entrance – 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free
CandyTown – A Yaletown Holiday Festival
What: The Yaletown Business Improvement Association hosts the 7th annual free outdoor Christmas festival –CandyTown. Last year, an estimated 15,000 people came out to Candytown to kick off the holidays at Downtown Vancouver’s only free winter festival. Holiday shoppers are invited to start their seasonal gift buying in Yaletown with local merchants as well as a specialty market carrying unique gifts and holiday treats. Stilt walkers and roaming holiday characters will interact with revellers, to the wonderment of tots – while live music and carolling will set the stage for Yuletide cheer. There will also be horse carraige rides by donation, visits with Santa and the Ice Queen, and more entertainment.
When: Saturday, November 24, 2018
Time: 12 to 7 pm (tree lighting at 6:30 pm)
Where: Yaletown
Admission: Free
Surrey Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market
City of Surrey
What: The City of Surrey will be hosting their annual Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market with a 60-foot-tall Christmas Tree. Visitors will be able to enjoy live music and performances by Warren Dean Flandez, Dawn Pemberton, Lovecoast, the Westcoast Harmony Chorus, and The Piano Man. In between sets, attendees can enjoy a number of food trucks, take part in ice carving demos, join in a five-hour road hockey game, take pictures with a life-sized snow globe, and meet a number of athletes from the BC Lions. Children will be able to ride a miniature Christmas Train, as well as free amusement park rides from Shooting Star Amusements, including a “berry-go-round” and a miniature Ferris wheel. And of course, what holiday celebration would be complete without a visit from Santa?
When: Saturday, November 24, 2018
Time: 12 to 7 pm (tree lighting at 6:30 pm)
Where: Surrey Civic Plaza and Atrium – 13450 104th Avenue, Surrey
Admission: Free
Lights on the Lake at Harrison Hot Springs
What: A sasquatch-themed festival that hopes to share some of Harrison’s favourite ways to spend time outdoors. Light displays on the Harrison Lakefront will showcase the mythical creature hiking, biking, paddling, skiing, fishing, camping, and windsurfing. The celebration will also include a Christmas tree trail, Whoville-themed village, and cabin-style New Year’s celebration. An inaugural lighting ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 24 at 5:30 pm, including hot chocolate and treats, a Sasquatch, and a number of other surprises.
When: Saturday, November 24 to Monday, January 28, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Harrison Hot Springs
Admission: Free
Lights at Lafarge Lake
What: Lights at Lafarge Lake is one of the largest free light displays in Metro Vancouver, and features more than 100,000 twinkling lights. The outdoor display wraps its way entirely around the lake, leading visitors on a 1.2-kilometre loop through 10 themed zones. The display is located just steps from SkyTrain’s Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station, and the lights will remain on from dusk each night until 11 pm.
When: Starting Saturday, November 24, 2018
Time: Dusk to 11 pm daily
Where: Town Centre Park – 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Admission: Free
Eat fresh with farmers’ markets
Riley Park and Nat Bailey Stadium Farmers Market
What: Each week you can look forward to finding locally grown vegetables and fruit, meat and seafood from local ranchers and fishermen, artisan cheese and bread, herbs and seasonal nursery items, baked goods, prepared foods and artisanal crafts.
When: Every Saturday from November 3, 2018, to April 27, 2019 (except December 30)
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Riley Park Plaza – 50E. 30th Ave., Vancouver, Nat Bailey Stadium – 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free
Hastings Park Farmers’ Market
What: Find a great selection of local produce, fish, meat, dairy, artisan prepared foods, baked goods, local crafts, craft alcohol producers, and food trucks. There is free parking for market shoppers at Gate 2 off of Renfrew St.
When: Every Sunday from November 4 to April 28 (except December 30)
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Hastings Park Centre grounds – 2901 East Hastings Street
Admission: Free
Haney Farmers’ Market
What: A vibrant outdoor Saturday market in downtown Maple Ridge, Haney Farmers’ Market sells fresh farm produce, locally-grown fruit and veg, preserves, baked goods, artisan crafts, fine art, and more.
When: Saturdays until November 10, 2018
Time: 9 am to 2 pm
Where: Memorial Peace Park – 224th Street, Maple Ridge
Admission: Free
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