27 things to do in Vancouver this weekend: March 15 to 17

The last official weekend of winter is here! Kick yours off with these 25 things to do in Vancouver on Friday, March 15, Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17. St. Patrick’s Day, Camilo the Magician, and more.

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

See also

• Dates announced for FREE outdoor movies in Stanley Park this summer
• The Vancouver Art Gallery has the answer to your Spring Break family plans, and it's FREE for kids
• This interactive map shows the best St. Patrick’s Day parties in Vancouver

Friday, March 15

Cheech & Chong

What: Richard “Cheech” Marin and Tommy Chong perform their classic comedy duo at Hard Rock Casino. Iconic comedy legends Cheech and Chong defined an era with their stand-up routines and hilarious films in the 1970s and 1980s. Over the course of their career, Cheech and Chong have starred in seven films together and recorded six gold comedy albums, including the Grammy-winning “Los Cochinos.”

When: March 15, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Hard Rock Casino Vancouver – 2080 United Boulevard, Coquitlam
Tickets: Online

Beaver Watch

What: Beavers are amazing creatures. Try to spot one as it goes about its nightly work. Registration required – barcode 7619. Ages 6+ only please.

When: March 15, 2019
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Where: Burnaby Lake Regional Park
Admission: $8.50 per adult, $4.50 per child/youth/adult 65+

Insomnia 2019

What: Dance the night away at Insomnia 2019 with Alesso, Vini Vici, Coone, Ben Nicky and DAIJO.

When: March 15, 2019
Time: 7 pm to 1 pm
Where: Pacific Coliseum – 100 North Renfrew Street Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Hot Brown Honey

What: Hot Brown Honey returns to turn up the heat, deliver lashings of sass and a hot pinch of empowerment. The Honeys will make you laugh, cry, clap and shake what your mama gave you. This stellar posse of phenomenal women make noise as they defiantly smash stereotypes and remix the system.

When: Various dates from March 15 to March 30, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: York Theatre – 639 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

MAGIK: Camilo The Magician

What: Vancouver-based Camilo The Magician is set to unveil his new show Magik at Norman Rothstein Theatre. Where the performer’s previous show ABRACADABRA drew on classic forms of magic, Magik takes audiences into a new, more adventurous territory. More than a year in the making, the new show is a thrilling combination of illusion, mind-reading, close-up magic and of course Camilo’s signature comedy.

When: March 15 and 16, March 29 and 30, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Norman Rothstein Theatre, 950 W. 41st Avenue (at Oak Street), Vancouver
Admission: Adults: $25-$35 / Children under 13: $20 / Students $30 / Seniors $25

Cinderella Waltz

What: Part Monty Python, part Brothers Grimm, Don Nigro’s Cinderella Waltz, directed by Claire Fogal, is a twisted and hilarious retelling of the world’s most popular fairy tale, with dashes of Beauty and the Beast and Snow White thrown in.

When: Now to Friday, March 15, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre, Douglas College – 700 Royal Avenue, Fourth Floor North, New Westminster
Tickets: Online

Made-to-Measure by Stefano Ricci

What: Drop by the Stefano Ricci store in on West Georgia Street to experience a Made-to-Measure tailoring experience — with Stefano Ricci’s master tailor travelling from Italy for the one-day event. The designer store brings luxurious menswear to Vancouver, as well as the label’s signature line of accessories including fragrances, pocket squares, pens, ties, belts, bags, wallets, and leather goods. With their belts hand-made in Italy, they are one of the finest belts produced in the world — highlighting their place as a top status symbol in fashion.

Sessions are extremely limited and by appointment only, made by emailing the Vancouver store or contacting the store at 604-559-7800.

When: Now to Friday, March 15, 2019
Time: 10 am till 5 pm
Where: Stefano Ricci Vancouver — 1139 West Georgia Street
More Info: Online

Saturday, March 16

10 Years of Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver — An exclusive taste of Shang Palace

What: In celebration of their 10-year anniversary, Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver is welcoming internationally acclaimed chef Daniel Cheung of Shang Palace to Vancouver. For the first time in Canada, guests will have the opportunity to try dishes from the iconic Shang Palace at Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong. Visit the restaurant’s website to browse the full menu.

When: Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16, 2019
Where: Market by Jean-Georges — 3F Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver
Price: $120 per person — limited seating, advance reservations required
Make a reservation: via OpenTable, email or call 604-695-1115

Generous Clothing Pop-up

What: Generous Clothing Pop-up is curated by Sharalee Prang, Melissa Klaassen, and Shantini Klaassen. Attendees will find clothing sourced from various outlets in Vancouver all the way down to Portland, from thrift and charity shops, flea markets, estate sales, and consignment stores. The event is set to cater for women size 10 and above.

Guest vendor Studio Natoyaista will be bringing in some vintage goods made from natural fibres, postcards, and photographs. There’s also going to be a small selection of footwear and other accessories on sale, including vintage handbags.

When: Saturday, March 16
Time: 9 am to 4 pm
Where: 33771 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford, BC
More Info: Online

Celtic Fest

What: You don’t need to be a Finnegan or a MacDonald to take part in this lively event. Be entertained by captivating Celtic music and dancing and get creative with Celtic crafts with the Museum of Surrey.

When: Saturday, March 16, 2019
Time: 1 to 4 pm
Where: Museum of Surrey – 17710 56a Ave, Surrey
Admission: Free

Broken Tailbone

What: Celebrated writer and performer Carmen Aguirre leads a Latin American dance lesson that flows into Carmen’s remarkable stories of intimacy, politics, culture, and the forgotten origins of the salsa. Explore the hidden dance halls in Canada while DJ Don Pedro creates an irresistible musical scene that will get even the most reluctant dancer up on their feet.

When: Now to Saturday, March 16, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby,
Tickets: Online

Vancouver Warriors vs New England Black Wolves

What: Vancouver Warriors face off with the New England Black Wolves at Rogers Arena.

When: Saturday, March 16, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

4th Annual Baked Salmon

What: The infamous fourth annual Baked Salmon | Banked Slalom returns to Mt Seymour on March 16, 2019. Powered by local riders on the local mountain, this season’s banked slalom promises to be full of good times with good people. Trophy’s and prizes will be up for grabs but more importantly, so are the bragging rights. There will be DJ playing and for those 19+ the Cariboo Brewing Beer Garden to enjoy.

When: March 16, 2019
Time: 10 am
Where: Mt Seymour – 1700 Mount Seymour Road, North Vancouver
Register: Online. Entry costs $30 and helmet + lift ticket are mandatory for participants.

St. Patrick’s Day Brunch at Wildebeest

What: This Gastown gem will be offering food and drink specials for St. Patrick’s Day. Think Guinness doughnuts, rashers and eggs, fish and chips, and a proper Full Irish Breakfast. To drink, Irish Coffees and Boilermakers (a pint of beer and a shot of whisky) will be on special for those who want to start the party early.

When: March 16 and 17, 2019
Where: Wildebeest – 120 W Hastings Street, Vancouver
More Info: Online

Tori Kelly — The Acoustic Sessions 2019

What: Hailed as an artist to watch by Rolling Stone and USA Today, Tori Kelly was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Artist category and received the Billboard Women in Music Breakthrough Artist Award. She recently revealed the title and cover art for her new single, Change Your Mind, which will be released soon. Never Alone, the single from her newest project Hiding Place, claimed the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart.

When: Saturday, March 16, 2019
Time: Doors 7:00 pm | Show  8:00 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre — 630 Hamilton Street
Price: Starting at $26.50 – Tickets available via Ticketmaster

First Pick Handmade Spring 2019 Market

What: The second annual First Pick Handmade Spring Market, showcases high end, Canadian-made fashion and accessories in a curated Pop Up Department Store. Discover new lines and shop from your favourite designers.

When: Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17, 2019
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Heritage Hall – 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $3

#BreaktheCycle Fundraiser

What: #BreaktheCycle is a fundraiser hosted by realtor Richard Bao. Richard has teamed up with Christina Wong from Employ to Empower Foundation, a non-profit that focuses on connecting low-income individuals experiencing homelessness to meaningful and long term work in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Richard and Christina will be hosting “Break the Cycle,” a series of two energizing spin classes (on separate days) at Ride Cycle in Yaletown with instructor Michael Kong. The goal of this event is to raise awareness about the cause and fundraise $16,000 for Employ to Empower.

When: Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17, 2019
Time: 2 to 3 pm (Saturday), 1:30 to 2:30 pm (Sunday)
Where: Ride Cycle – 881 Hamilton St, Vancouver
Register: Online, $50

DIG Day at Britannia Mine Museum

What: Delve into Geoscience at Britannia Mine Museum. There will be hands-on activities and professional geoscientists on-hand. Plus head into the GeoLab to discover the science behind rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, volcanoes, and fossils. This fun and educational event is in partnership with Engineers & Geoscientists BC.

When: Saturday, March 16, 2019
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Britannia Mine Museum – 1 Forbes Way, Britannia
More Info: Online

Sunday, March 17

St. Patrick’s Day parties in Vancouver

What: What started out as a religious feast day in honour of the patron saint of Ireland is now a lively celebration of Irish culture around the globe. For those of us an ocean away from the Emerald Isle, St. Patrick’s Day is a time for wearing green shirts and shamrock necklaces while we sip Irish whiskey and beer.

Jameson is sharing some of that famous luck of the Irish with Vancouverites this St. Patrick’s Day, with the famed whiskey distiller putting together a list of the best St. Pat’s celebrations across the city. This handy map will lead you to Vancouver’s greatest (and greenest) celebrations, so you can kick back with a Jameson, Ginger & Lime cocktail knowing that your whole evening is planned out for you.

When: Various dates
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
More Info: Online

Cannery Farmers’ Market

What: The Cannery Farmers’ Market is Steveston’s indoor winter market, held at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. This unique market features local food and artisan merchants, inside a historic cannery setting. Admission to the museum is free on market days, with guided heritage tours by donation.

When: March 17, March 31, April 14 and April 28, 2019 
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site – 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond
Admission: Free

Shamrocks and Shenanigans at Vancouver TheatreSports

What: Join Vancouver TheatreSports for some fun with all things Irish at Shamrocks & Shenanigans, the improv comedy company’s St. Paddy’s Day celebration on Sunday, March 17. Patrons that night will laugh ‘til their faces hurt at a crazy Celtic version of TheatreSports starting at 7:30 pm. Plus there will be roving Lucky Charm Leprechauns bringing pots of golden merriment to all they encounter and Celtic Colleen improvising custom limericks for guests.

When: Sunday, March 17, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: The Improv Centre – 1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Circle Game

What: One of the most influential recording artists of the late 20th century, Joni Mitchell has often reflected on social and environmental ideals through her music. Circle Game reinterprets Mitchell’s iconic songs such as Big Yellow Taxi, River, California, and A Case of You through the ears and eyes of a new generation, connecting to the politics and world we know today.

When: March 16 and March 17, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Tickets: Online

The Morning After Hip-Hop Brunch: St. Patricks Day

What: This hip-hop brunch party offers ticketholders three mimosa’s plus one brunch items from 12:30 to 2 pm, along with a party that continues until 6 pm.

When: Sunday, March 17, 2019
Time: 12 to 6 pm
Where: The Charles Bar – 136 West Cordova Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $25 buy online

Vancouver International Dance Festival

What: The Vancouver International Dance Festival (VIDF) is a three-week-long festival with internationally revered artists and lauded Vancouver performers, workshops, and interactive dance activities. The 2019 VIDF will showcase Canadian premieres from Japan’s Dairakudakan, three world premieres from Vancouver’s Vision Impure, Olivia C. Davies, and Leslie Telford, free performances by V’ni Dansi and Harbour Dance ITP & Platform, and more.

When: Now to Saturday, March 30, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Tickets: Online

St. Patrick’s Day Cereal Pop-up

What: Breakfast lovers will find this cereal party on the Lonsdale Quay East Plaza complete with seating, so be sure to head here and get a glimpse of the sugar-fuelled action – which will include a curated feature bowl with Lucky Charms available for purchase.

When: Sunday, March 17, 2019
Time: 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Lonsdale Quay Market East Plaza- 123 Carrie Cates Crescent, North Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Contemporary Art Gallery Exhibition Tour in Spanish

What: Join Valentina Acevedo Montilla for a tour of CAG’s current exhibitions in Spanish, including Anne Low’s “Chair for a woman” and Aslan Gaisumov’s “If No One Asks.”

When: Sunday, March 17, 2019
Time: 3 pm
Location: Contemporary Art Gallery – 555 Nelson St, Vancouver
Admission: Free

The Cat Empire

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

When: Sunday, March 17, 2019
Time: Doors 8 pm, show 9:30 pm
Where: Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Growing Room 2019: Keynote: Canisia Lubrin

What: Join Growing Room at Big Rock Brewery for breakfast and a very special end-of-festival keynote and reflection with Canisia Lubrin, editor, critic educator and awards-nominated cross-genre writer of Voodoo Hypothesis. During the second hour, you’re invited to mingle with other authors, volunteers, and Growing Room and Room staff.

When: Sunday, March 17, 2019
Time: 10 am to 12 pm
Where: Big Rock Vancouver Brewery & Eatery – 310 West 4th Avenue Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $20