20 fun things to do in Vancouver this weekend: September 27 to 30

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October is just around the corner, and there are many unique events to discover as we transition into the new month.

From Orange Shirt Day to ISAFF, Oktoberfest and more, here are 20 fantastic things to do around Metro Vancouver from September 27 to 30.

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

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International South Asian Film Festival

Boong (Courtesy of TIFF)

What: It’s time to take your seats and silence your cellphones because the International South Asian Film Festival (iSAFF) is officially back for 2024. The festival’s programming has expanded this year, including 19 world premieres, eight North American premieres, and 23 Canadian premieres.

This year’s theme is “Crossroads,” celebrating South Asian cinema and culture as a hub and a place where many roads intersect. To help kick things off, iSAFF is welcoming special guest Archie Panjabi to a Filmmaker Welcome Retreat in Surrey.

When: Now until September 29, 2024
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Cost: Various costs for tickets, festival passes, and special events. Purchase online.

Finding Your Voice: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

What: Indigenous artist and facilitator Christine Mackenzie hosts an inclusive workshop at Place des Arts on National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Attendees will learn how to spread kindness through making art and discover what makes each person unique. Mackenzie will also share her experience as an Indigenous woman and why Truth and Reconciliation are vital.

When: September 30, 2024
Time: 1 pm, 2:20 pm, and 3:45 pm
Where: Place des Arts – 1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam
Cost: Free, register online

Dreadworks Haunted House

What: Dreadworks Haunted House is transforming the Cloverdale Fairgrounds into a high-tech “immersive Halloween nightmare.” Guests of The Dreadworks Factor will discover three distinct storylines: Steamboat Willie – Terror on the Mississippi, a psychological horror set on a haunted boat; Tartarus, a terrifying journey through a mythical labyrinth; and Spore Zombies, a spine-chilling scenario set in an infected swamp.

Award-winning filmmakers and industry-leading special effects and makeup artists are bringing the horror to life with both indoor and outdoor spaces. Expect to see AR technology, projection light mapping, and sets and soundscapes that will have you questioning what’s real.

When: September 27 to November 3, 2024
Time: Various time slots
Where: Cloverdale Fairgrounds, Surrey
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

WXV 1 Women’s Global Competition, Vancouver & Langley

Rugby Canada

What: Gather your pals and get ready to cheer on Canada at this world championship rugby tournament, where you’ll witness the national women’s team compete at the highest level.

The WXV 1 Women’s Global Competition features the six best teams in the world battling it out over three high-action weekends. Watch Canada, England, France, New Zealand, Ireland, and the U.S. play at BC Place for the first and third rounds on September 29 and October 11 to 12 and at Willoughby Stadium from October 5 to 6.

When: September 29; October 5 and 6; October 11 and 12, 2024
Time: Games start at 12:30 pm
Where: BC Place — 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver; Willoughby Stadium — 7888 200th Street, Langley Township
Tickets: Starting at $30, available here.

As You Like It or The Land Acknowledgement

What: Cliff Cardinal’s As You Like It or The Land Acknowledgement, a production from Toronto’s Crow’s Theatre, comes to The Cultch this month. The insightful and oft-comedic show takes a hard look at land acknowledgements as cultural and political practices.

As You Like It or The Land Acknowledgement has sold out shows across the country and also won the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama.

When: Now until September 29, 2024
Time: 7:30 pm (Wednesday to Saturday), 2 pm (Sunday)
Where: York Theatre – 639 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Cost: Starting at $29, purchase online

White Rock Night Market

What: White Rock Night Market, hosted by the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival, Total Event Co., and BC Shop Local, is taking over White Rock Promenade in Memorial Park with food trucks, live entertainment, an artisan market, and more.

When: The last Friday of each month until September 27, 2024
Time: 3 to 10 pm (3 to 9 pm on September 27)
Where: White Rock Promenade in Memorial Park
Cost: Free

Discover incredible murals by Indigenous artists around Vancouver

What: There are many Indigenous artworks to be found all over Vancouver, and each one has an important story to tell.

Some of the most thought-provoking pieces that can be seen throughout the traditional unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations are the dozens of Indigenous murals. Many of which were created for the Vancouver Mural Festival (VMF).

Where: Various mural locations across Vancouver. See the list online.

The Chef & the Daruma

The Chef & the Daruma/Submitted

What: The Chef & the Daruma is a feature-length documentary by director Mads K. Baekkevold and writer Natalie Murao about Chef Hidekazu Tojo, the pioneer of Japanese cuisine in the West and the inventor of the California roll.

According to the owner and executive chef of Tojo’s Restaurant in Vancouver, many viewers will find something in the film that resonates with their own experiences.

When: September 30, October 3, 5 and 6, 2024
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Tickets: Single tickets range from $14 to $19, with ticket packs and festival passes also available. VIFF+ Members receive discounts on all VIFF tickets, and the free U25 membership offers additional discounts to those between the ages of 19 and 25. Purchase online.

Richmond Night Market

What: The Richmond Night Market is back for another season filled with epic eats and live entertainment. The largest night market in North America draws crowds from across the province who travel to check out the 600+ international food items up for order.

There is also a ton of unique shopping along with the diverse lineup of nightly performances.

When: Fridays to Sundays from April 26 until October 14, 2024, plus holiday Mondays
Time: Various hours
Where: 8351 River Road, Richmond (near Bridgeport Station)
Tickets: Available on site

Oktoberfest at Parallel 49

What: Parallel 49 Brewing will celebrate Oktoberfest in its massive biergarten every day until October 6. Come enjoy live music, a Bavarian food menu, German-style beers, and plenty of cocktails.

The band fires up starting at 5 pm on Thursday to Sunday. Plus, there will be a nightly contest from Thursday to Sunday for the best-dressed Oktoberfest outfit.

When: Now until October 6, 2024
Time: 11 am to 1 am
Where: Parallel 49 – 1950 Triumph Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Noons Creek Hatchery

Noons Creek Hatchery/Facebook

What: Noons Creek Hatchery in Port Moody invites the community to learn about Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30. There will be speakers at 11 am, as well as an art booth led by PoMo Arts where guests can participate in a Feathers for Children art project.

When: September 30, 2024
Time: 11 am
Where: Noons Creek Hatchery — 336 Ioco Road, Port Moody
Cost: Free

Forged & Foraged: Published on Main Welcomes San Francisco’s Kiln

What: Chef John Wesley from the newly anointed Michelin-star restaurant Kiln from the Bay Area will visit Published on Main for a collaborative dinner with Chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson.

This multi-course dinner will showcase the chefs’ shared culinary approach, which leans Nordic, highlighting global flavours with fresh, local seasonal ingredients alongside fermentations and preserves.

When: September 29, 2024
Time: 6 pm
Where: Published on Main — 3593 Main Street, Vancouver
Cost: $360 per person plus tax and gratuity

Betrayers at The Improv Centre

What: Fans of the hit reality show The Traitors are in for a comedy treat this fall in Vancouver.

The Improv Centre (TIC) is showcasing its deceptive side in Betrayers, its latest feature show on Granville Island. Audiences are invited to witness the comedy competition fueled by falsities and faux-friendships. Each improviser will try to be the last performer standing while using crowd suggestions for the show.

Even the audience gets a say in who they trust and who they want gone for good.

When: Fridays and Saturdays from September 27 to November 2, 2024 (special opening night on Thursday, September 26)
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: The Improv Centre – 1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, tickets are available online

Disney and Pixar’s Coco in Concert at the VSO

Coco/Pixar

What: Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Movies Nights with the VSO continues with the Oscar-winning Coco. Journey with Miguel through the colourful Land of the Dead on the giant screen at the Orpheum while the orchestra plays the score live.

When: September 28 and 29, 2024
Time: 7 pm (Saturday), 2 pm (Sunday)
Where: Orpheum Theatre — 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Starting at $26, purchase online

Haunted at Maan Farms

What: The “Scariest Corn Maze in Canada” is back with The Kept: Slaughterhouse. Longtime fans and newcomers to Maan Farm’s Haunted can go on a self-guided exploration of the corn maze, but be careful as something is lurking just out of sight.

When: Select nights from September 27 until November 3, 2024
Time: Hours of operation vary based on the date
Where: Maan Farms — 790 McKenzie Road, Abbotsford
Tickets: Various options, purchase online

Fort Langley Night Markets

What: Summer has returned, and so have Metro Vancouver’s popular night markets.

A fun one you need to have on your radar is Fort Langley Night Markets, a weekly family-friendly event from 5 to 10 pm each week, with dozens of local vendors, food and drinks, and live entertainment.

When: Every Friday until September 27, 2024
Time: 5 pm to 10 pm
Where: Corner of Glover Road and Mary Avenue, Fort Langley
Admission: Free

Last Screenings at Twilight Drive-In

Daniel Chai/Daily Hive

What: The Twilight Drive-In is officially closing this month, marking the end of the popular movie-going experience after 19 years.

Metro Vancouver’s last drive-in theatre announced earlier this year that 2024 would be its final season. According to a social media post, the property owner wanted a massive increase in rent that the Drive-In could not afford.

When: Open until September 30, 2024
Time: Check the website for up-to-date schedule
Where: 3350 260th Street, Fraser Highway, Langley
Cost: Various prices depending on number of people in the car. Walk-ins are also welcome

Vancouver International Film Festival 2024

What: Grab the popcorn and don’t forget the butter because one of the largest film festivals in North America is returning to Vancouver next month.

The 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival features 150 features and 81 shorts from around the world at the festival’s 43rd edition. The festival will also include insightful talkbacks, conferences, live performances, and other special events.

When: September 26 to October 6, 2024
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Tickets: Single tickets range from $14 to $19, with ticket packs and festival passes also available. VIFF+ Members receive discounts on all VIFF tickets and the free U25 membership offers additional discounts to those between the ages of 19 and 25. Purchase online.

Truth and Reconciliation Day at Museum of Vancouver

What: The Museum of Vancouver and the National Film Board are screening films by Indigenous directors to mark Truth and Reconciliation Day. The free screenings of WaaPake (Tomorrow) by Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin and Our People Will Be Healed by Alanis Obomsawin will spotlight how Indigenous communities heal and move forward together.

Orange Shirt Day is Every Day by 3 Crows Productions will also be screening at the MOV, which is offering admission by donation with proceeds going to support the Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society.

When: September 30, 2024
Time: 10:30 am WaaPake (Tomorrow), 1 pm Our People Will Be Healed
Where: Museum of Vancouver — 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Chill X Studio presents: Swipe Right, a Comedy Show with Jane Stanton

Jane Stanton/Chill X Studios

What: Chill X Studio welcomes Jane Stanton (The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, Just for Laughs) for Swipe Right. Six comedians will share their stories about love and dating while Stanton shares her opinions and swipes with the audience.

When: September 28, 2024
Time: 10 to 11:30 pm
Where: Chill X Studios — 2270 Manitoba Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

BC Lions vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats

What: BC Lions’ CFL season roars on at BC Place this month with a home game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on September 27.

When: September 27, 2024
Time: Various times
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online