26 things to do in Vancouver this weekend: February 28 to March 1

So long February and hello March! Head into the weekend with these 27 Vancouver events on Friday, February 28, Saturday, February 29, and Sunday March 1. ARCHIVE Vancouver, Biggest Dog Meet-up, and more.

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

Friday, February 28

Rock For Dimes Vancouver

What: Rock for Dimes is a battle of the bands held to benefit March of Dimes Canada’s Art After Stroke Program. Amateur musicians compete in this friendly fundraiser for the title of the city’s best corporate band while showcasing their talents in front of Canadian music industry professionals.

When: February 28, 2020
Time: Doors 7 pm
Where: Imperial Vancouver — 319 Main Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Best Of Enemies

What: Best of Enemies tells the story of civil rights activist Ann Atwater and the Exalted Cyclops of the local KKK chapter C.P. Ellis. When a mediator arrives to institute nationally mandated desegregation, Ann and C.P. are forced into an uneasy truce as they battle for control of the future.

When: February 28 until March 21, 2020
Time: 8 pm (plus 2 pm on Saturdays)
Where: Pacific Theatre — 1440 W 12th Avenue, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Mendelssohn, Britten And A Surprising New Talent

What: Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents a concert at Bell Performing Arts Centre starring thirteen-year-old Alma Deutscher. The music prodigy wrote her first sonata at age seven and her first concerto at age 12. There will also be a prelude concert with Fleetwood Park Secondary in the lobby before the performance.

When: February 28, 2020
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: Bell Performing Arts Centre — 6250 144th Street, Surrey
Tickets: Online

Robson Square Ice Rink

What: The provincial government’s Robson Square Ice Rink is open for the 2019/2020 season, and as per tradition, skating is free for all ages. Wedged under the covered outdoor plaza at Robson Square, the rink is operated seasonally by the government when temperatures begin to dip.

Skating is free for all ages for those who bring their own skates. Those without skates can rent a pair on-site, for a fee. An on-site concession stand will also serve warm drinks and snacks.

When: Daily until February 29, 2020
Time: Sunday to Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm; Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 11 pm. Holiday hours vary
Where: 800 Robson Street, Vancouver (Robson Street and Howe Street)
Price: Free for all ages, if you bring your own skates. (Skate rentals are $5, and rentals end 30 minutes before closing time.) Robson Square Ice Rink accepts cash only. Helmets are mandatory for children 12 years and under.

Vancouver Giants vs Victoria Royals

What: Vancouver Giants face off with Victoria Royals in WHL action at Langley Events Centre.

When: February 28, 2020
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200 Street, Langley
Tickets: Online

Celtic Illusion

What: Celtic Illusion is a combination of modern Irish dance and spellbinding magic. Led by Anthony Street, director, producer, choreographer and lead dancer. Celtic Illusion has performed to sold out audiences since its debut in 2011.

When: February 28, 2020
Time: 8 pm
Where: Abbotsford Centre — 33800 King Road, Abbotsford
Tickets: Online

Saturday, February 29

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Sporting Kansas City

What: Vancouver Whitecaps take on Sporting Kansas City in their MLS season home opener at BC Place.

When: February 29, 2020
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Hopwired Festival

What: Hopwired Festival is a showcase of local, national, and international craft beer and third-wave coffee. Hopwired encourages craft beer and coffee roasters to team up to create new beverages that attendees can try throughout the event. There will also be food trucks, live interviews and presentations, and more.

When: February 29, 2020
Time: 1 to 6 pm
Where: Croatian Cultural Centre — 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Hollow Coves

What: Australian indie folk band Hollow Coves bring the Moments Tour to VENUE on February 29 with special guest Harrison Storm.

When: February 29, 2020
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: VENUE — 881 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

The Vancouver Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show / The BC Bike Show

What: BCs largest adventure show features over 250 exhibitors, with outdoor gear, travel destinations, and more. Hear from experts in the International Adventure Theatre, meet special guests like Survivorman Les Stroud, and then take a dip in the Whitewater Demo Pool.

When: February 29 and March 1, 2020
Time: 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday), 10 am to 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre – East Building – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

MomChoir: It Takes a Village Concert

What: MomChoir, in partnership with Richmond Public Health and Vancouver Coastal Health, presents a concert where parenthood, post-partum and pre-partum is shared through music and storytelling. As well as MomChoir, directed by Katy Cadman, the evening also features a performance by award-winning, all-female a cappella ensemble Sweet Scarlet.

When: February 29, 2020
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: Gateway Theatre — 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond
Tickets: In person at City Centre Community Association, phone 604-204-8588, or online using barcode #2756189

Tim and Eric

What: Comedy duo Tim and Eric (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule) bring the Mandatory Attendance World Tour to the Vogue Theatre on February 29.

When: February 29, 2020
Time: 5 pm and 8:30 pm
Where: Vogue Theatre — 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

The 80s Club

What: Take a trip back to the 80s with performances by A Flock of Seagulls, Men Without Hats, and Spoons at the Hard Rock Casino Show Theatre.

When: February 29, 2020
Time: 8 pm
Where: Hard Rock Casino Vancouver — 2080 United Boulevard, Coquitlam
Tickets: Online

Vancouver Warriors vs Georgia Swarm

What: The Vancouver Warriors take on the Georgia Swarm in NLL action at Rogers Arena.

When: February 29, 2020
Time: 7 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Sneaker Con Vancouver 2020

What: Sneaker Con, affectionately dubbed as “the greatest sneaker show on earth,” will be taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre on February 29, 2020. The event is a massive collection and collaboration for fans to browse, talk, and learn more about their favourite brands and shoes.

The event includes over 100 vendors who will be selling sneakers and streetwear, as well as an on-site team to authenticate products. A trading pit also takes place during the day, allowing attendees to sell and trade pieces of their own connection.

When: February 29, 2020
Time: 12 to 7 pm
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre – 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Tickets: Available online for $28.55

Talking Stick Festival 2020

What: The 19th annual Talking Stick Festival (TSF), which is proudly presented on the traditional unceded territories of the Coast Salish People, celebrates Indigenous performance and art through theatre, storytelling, writing, music, spoken word, dance, film, and visual arts. The theme of this year’s festival is Chén̓chenstway, a Squamish word that translates to “upholding each other” and “lifting each other up.”

When: February 29, 2020
Time: Start times vary based on event
Where: Various locations including the Yaletown Roundhouse Community Centre and other venues
Tickets: Prices range from being free, by donation, and set based on event

Sunday, March 1

Vancouver’s Biggest Dog Meet-Up

What: Vancouver’s biggest dog meet-up is returning to Trout Lake Park for another year, and more than 1,300 people have already expressed interest in attending. The event takes place on Sunday, March 1, and is hosted by Dogs of Vancity.

Any dog owners with a furry friend that loves to play well with others are invited to join in the festivities and meet hundreds of other canines. Those who don’t have pets are also more than welcome to pay a visit and meet some new friends.

When: March 1, 2020
Time: 12 to 4 pm
Where: Trout Lake Park — 2100 E 13th Avenue, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Kim’s Convenience

What: Mr. Kim is proud of his store, Kim’s Convenience. After thirty years of selling lottery tickets, catching petty thieves, and reporting illegally parked cars, he tries to convince his artist daughter, Janet, to take over the store. The play by Ins Choi that inspired the hit TV sitcom. An Arts Club Theatre Company production based on the 2018 Pacific Theatre production.

When: March 1, 2020
Time: Various times
Where: Main Stage at Surrey Arts Centre — 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey
Tickets: Online

Skate Plaza at The Shipyards

What: The Shipyards’ large, covered outdoor plaza has been converted into a free ice rink for the season. The rink will be open to skating seven days a week from 12 to 7 pm.

The skateable surface is approximately 20,000 sq. ft., including the floor area of the 12,000-sq-ft plaza and the adjacent 8,000-sq-ft summertime water spray area, both of which are covered by a retractable roof. Skaters can either bring their own skates or rent a pair of skates on-site for $7, although quantities are limited. Helmets and skating aids are free.

When: March 1, 2020
Time: 12 to 7 pm
Where: The Shipyards Commons, North Vancouver
Admission: Free, skate rentals are available at a cost of $7 (quantities are limited)

Galleria Photography Exhibition: Visibility by Ya-Wei Lin

What: Visibility documents Ya-Wei Lin’s daily observation of the urban landscape. The ongoing series of observational photographic images reflect on and ponder the meaning of the word “visibility” in the broadest sense. The exhibition, in the works since 2016, showcases 11 images taken in the greater Vancouver area.

When: Now until March 2, 2020
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Richmond City Hall — 6911 No. 3 Road, Richmond,
Admission: Free

Vancouver International Wine Festival 2020

What: Canada’s premier food and wine festival, the Vancouver International Wine Festival, will take place until March 1, 2020, and it will feature 164 wineries from 15 countries. Known as “one of the biggest and oldest wine events in the world,” the festival will feature a plethora of French wineries (43 of them) this year, the showcase region for 2020. As always, HQ for the wine fest will be the Vancouver Convention Centre, but more than 25 other restaurants and venues around the city will host winery dinners, lunches, and seminars.

When: March 1, 2020
Time: Various times
Where: Venues around Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Dear Evan Hansen

What: Dear Evan Hansen, the story of a teenage boy who gets wrapped up in a tragic event by happenstance, is playing in Vancouver this February, as part of the Broadway Across Canada 2019/20 Season. Dear Evan Hansen picked up six Tony awards in 2017, including Best Musical, as well as a 2018 Grammy Award.

When: March 1, 2020
Time: Various times
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre — 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Forget Me Not

What: Forget Me Not by Ronnie Burkett features 100 audience members each holding a unique puppet. The show is set in “The New Now,” a time when written language is suppressed and forgotten, and hand-drawn love letters are a powerful act of defiance. Presented by The Cultch.

When: March 1, 2020
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Secret Location
Tickets: Online

Coastal Dance Festival

What: The Dancers of Damelahamid present the annual Coastal Dance Festival at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster. Audiences will be treated to a selection of ancestral and innovative performances from British Columbia, the Yukon, Alaska, Washington state, as well as national and international guest artists

When: March 1, 2020
Time: Various times
Where: Anvil Centre – 777 Columbia Street, New Westminister
Tickets: Online

Le NoShow Vancouver

What: Théâtre la Seizième presents Le NoShow Vancouver, an interactive experience with a cast of seven performers where the idea of the cost of theatre does battle with the idea of its value as art. In French with English subtitles.

When: March 1, 2020
Time: 2 pm
Where: Performance Works — 1218 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online