15 fantastic things to do in Vancouver this weekend: February 24 to 26

How is it already the last weekend of February?

Let’s make the most of it by checking out these 15 great events happening around Vancouver from February 24 to 26. VIMFF, As We Rise photography exhibition, and more!

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

Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival 2023

Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival/Submitted

What: The 26th annual Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) returns to the city starting this week and there’s a jaw-dropping lineup of shows you don’t want to miss.

Outdoor enthusiasts and film lovers will want to check out the live events with accomplished guest speakers, engaging workshops, and panel discussions. There are also over 70 films to discover about climbing, snow sports, adventure, mountain culture, the environment, and more.

When: February 24 to March 5, 2023
Time: Various screening times
Where: Various locations
Cost: Tickets start at $13-$15 in advance for feature film/ matinee and $23-$25 for evening show. Purchase online

Anniversary Party at Studio Brewing

What: On Saturday, February 25, head to Studio Brewing to celebrate the brewery’s second anniversary with a big bash. A bratwurst pop-up, live music, and street party will accompany Studio’s lager lineup for what is bound to be a great time.

When: February 25, 2023
Time: 12 to 9 pm
Where: Studio Brewing — 5792 Beresford Street, Burnaby

Vancouver Canucks

What: The Canucks take on Patrice Bergeron and the Boston Bruins in a matinee matchup on February 25 at Rogers Arena.

When: February 25, 2023
Time: 4 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Cost: Various, purchase online

As We Rise: Photography From The Black Atlantic

Tayo Yannick Anton, Untitled, 2009-2014 From the series Yes Yes Y’all, Digital print. From As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic (Aperture, 2021). Courtesy of the artist | James Barnor, Drum Cover Girl Erlin Ibreck, Kilburn, London, 1966. From As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic (Aperture, 2021). Courtesy of Autograph ABP

What: As We Rise is an exhibition organized by Aperture and curated by Elliott Ramsey. The photography exhibit at The Polygon Gallery showcases more than 100 photographs from the Wedge Collection, Canada’s largest privately owned collection committed to championing Black artists.

Discover images chosen from Aperture’s recently published book of the same name, including photographs from African diasporic culture from both sides of the Atlantic.

When: Wednesday to Sunday from February 24 to May 14, 2023
Time: 10 am to 5 pm (open until 8 pm on Thursdays)
Where: The Polygon Gallery – 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Admission: By donation

Stayin’ Alive – An ’80s Themed Fundraiser for Firehall Arts Centre

What: Travel back in time to the ’80s in support of the Firehall Arts Centre. Stayin’ Alive is hosted by David C. Jones and features a lip-synch contest, dance demonstrations and DJ, and prizes for best costumes. Guests will also enjoy complimentary hot dogs, sweets and a Firehall 1906 martini from the Odd Society Spirits.

When: February 25, 2023
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Firehall Arts Centre – 280 East Cordova Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $75 ($50 tax receipt). Purchase online

Festival Finale featuring Barangay Project youth dance battle

VMF Winter Arts Hub (Gabriel Martins/Submitted)

What: VMF Winter Arts Hub welcomes Barangay Project on closing day for an exciting youth dance battle. The All Styles battle format challenges the cultural practitioners’ ability to synthesize knowledge of multiple styles of dance as well as their skills in performing to a vast array of musical genres.

When: February 26, 2023
Time: 12:30 to 4 pm
Where: Winter Arts Hub atšxʷƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery north plaza)
Cost: Free

And That’s Why We Drink

What: True Crime podcast fans will want to listen up! And That’s Why We Drink (ATWWD), hosted by Em Schulz and Christine Schiefer, will be taking over the Vogue Theatre on Friday, February 24, as part of the On The Rocks Tour.

ATWWD boasts over 124 million lifetime downloads and is regularly ranked in the Top 20 comedy podcast charts. The weekly podcast so a two-time winner of the People’s Voice Webby for Best Comedy Podcast.

When: February 24, 2023
Time: Doors 9 pm, show 9:30 pm
Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $36.50, purchase online

Samia

What: Rising indie star Samia brings her Honey Tour to Hollywood Theatre with special guest Tommy Lefroy. Her second studio album of the same name was released in late January and features the single “Mad At Me” with Papa Mbye.

When: February 24, 2023
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 7:30 pm
Where: Hollywood Theatre – 3123 West Broadway, Vancouver
Cost: $25 plus fees, purchase online

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Real Salt Lake

Vancouver Whitecaps/Submitted

What: Whitecaps fire things up on Saturday, February 25, when Real Salt Lake comes to town. Tickets for the home opener are on sale now.

The first 20,000 fans at BC Place will receive a “Together We Dare” scarf from TELUS, the team’s new kit sponsor and premier partner. To complete your Whitecaps look, you can also pick up the new 2023 Bloodlines Jersey supporting Canadian Blood Services.

When: February 25, 2023
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
Cost: Various, purchase online

Drift: from the forest to the sea

What: Drift: from the forest to the sea by BC artist Bettina Harvey is an exhibit that explores the ecology and physical journey of driftwood. Harvey’s unique drawings draw parallels between the passages of our personal lives and the cycles of ecological life. The themes explored include resilience and transformation, love, and the natural world.

When: Now until August 20, 2023 (Closed Mondays and Stat Holidays)
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Beaty Biodiversity Museum – 2212 Main Mall, Vancouver
Admission: $10-$14 for non-members, free for UBC Students, faculty + staff (with UBCcard) and children 4 years and under. Purchase online

Muay Thai Academy Vancouver Grand Opening

What: Muay Thai Academy’s grand opening includes an exclusive seminar with Nong o Gaiyanghadao, reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion.

Celebrations continue into the evening with a grand opening party from 5 pm onwards. Guests will enjoy free catered food and live music while learning about MTA’s classes and training.

When: February 26, 2023
Time: 2 to 4 pm (Nong o seminar), 5 to 9 pm (grand opening celebrations)
Where: Muay Thai Academy – 301 West Broadway, Vancouver
Cost: $150 for Muay Thai Seminar, free for grand opening celebrations

Black Futures: Saul Williams, Moor Mother, and Irreversible Entanglements

What: The Chan Centre EXP welcomes acclaimed artists Saul Williams, Moor Mother, and Irreversible Entanglements for an exploration of Black Futures. The collaborative concert will interweave Afrofuturist currents within a continuum of Black music.

When: February 25, 2023
Time: 7 pm
Where: Chan Shun Concert Hall at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts – 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver
Cost: $13.50-$50, purchase online

Kawaii Japan Market

@japanmarketvancouver/Instagram

What: The Kawaii Japan Market is hosted by the same organizers behind previous Japan Markets and will highlight “kawaii” pop culture and food vendors.

Fairs in the past have featured several food kiosks (like Carp and Tokyo Katsu Sando) as well as local artisans and craft-makers.

When: February 25 and 26, 2023
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $4 for one adult, $7 for two adults, and 15 and under are free. Purchase online

Gorilla Theatre

What: Tightrope Theatre in Mount Pleasant presents Gorilla Theatre, with improv comedians directing each other in scenes to prove they are the best director of the night.

The audience will decide whether the director deserves praise (a banana) or punishment (a forfeit) after each scene, and the comedian with the most bananas at the show’s end wins.

When: Every Friday
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Tightrope Theatre – 2343 Main Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $20, purchase online

Vancouver Winter Pride Festival

What: The second Vancouver Winter Pride Festival, happening until February 26 at venues across the city, is a celebration of the intersections of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Attendees can look forward to exciting and interactive events curated to honour the existing celebrations in February, including Black History Month and BC Family Day.

When: Now until February 26, 2023
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free and ticketed events. Tickets and full details at vancouverpride.ca.