Don’t be disappointed – book your accommodations early!
Coming to Vancouver!
Feb 18 Betty White
Mar 19 Lady Antebellum
May 5 Joan Rivers
May 26 Roger Waters
June 16 Bryan Adams
Jul 21 Neil Diamond
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Upcoming Vancouver Conventions & Tradeshows
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2012 Annual Major Vancouver Events
Calendar of Festivals and Events 2011 / 2012
January
Annual Polar Bear Swim - January 1st, locals take to the waters at English Bay Beach for the sole purpose of braving the extreme temperatures, which are generally around 8°C / 46°F to 9°C / 48°F. Many spectators turn up to observe this ritual of madness, at which the atmosphere is always jovial
February
Vancouver International Boat Show - early February, this annual event is the biggest and oldest show of its kind in Western Canada. Expect to see displays of modern and classic vessels as well as innovations in equipment and accessories
March
Pacific Rim Whale Festival - held just outside of Vancouver in nearby Tofino, this annual event celebrates the annual migration of some 24,000 grey whales on their way past the West Coast. Expect to see boat races, parades, art shows, live musical performances and more
April
International Wine Festival - Lovers of the fermented grape will be in their element at the Vancouver International Wine Festival, which sees more than 40 events held at a range of venues across the city. Expect wine tasting and talks and discussions involving some 150 different wineries from 15 countries
May
International Children's Festival - Beginning the last week of the month and running into June, this annual event is a must for the young and young at heart. Expect to see theatrical performances, dance exhibitions and puppet shows from a variety of international performers
June
International Jazz Festival - late June, this 10-day event is one of Canada's biggest jazz festivals and features many of the world's top jazz performers. Highlights include the best in live jazz music and performances on 40 stages spread across the city, while in Vancouver's Gastown district there is a two-day street festival
July
Caribbean Days Festival - late July, the Caribbean Days festival is held at North Shore's Waterfront Park and is a two-day celebration of the best of Caribbean culture. Expect live music and dance performances as well as some tasty food and interest
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Tourism Vancouver's Dine Out Vancouver
Friday, January 20, 2012 - Sunday, February 5, 2012
Tourism Vancouver will stage a culinary promotion called Dine Out Vancouver to showcase Vancouver's renowned food and wine scene. Participating restaurants will offer special three-course dinner menus to allow visitors to sample the best of local cuisine at an exceptional value. Reserve early to avoid disappointment.
Ten years makes for one great restaurant festival! Eat your way through 17 days of culinary events, choose from hundreds of sensational restaurants and stay at a hotel at a fabulous rate. You’re about to experience the tastiest 17 days of the year!
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Friday, February 10, 2012 - Sunday, February 12, 2012
Vancouver will host Canada's first-round Davis Cup World Group tie against France in February 2012.
The best-of-five tie will be played on indoor hardcourts at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre at the University of British Columbia.
The Feb. 10-12 competition will be the first-ever tennis event held at the venue.
Vancouver last hosted a Davis Cup tie in 1992, when Canada dropped a 3-1 decision to Austria in a World Group playoff at the Hollyburn Country Club.
The Canadian team members will be selected by team captain Martin Laurendeau at a later date. France has a Davis Cup world ranking of No. 4 while Canada holds the No. 14 position.
The 2011 Canadian team, led by Toronto's Daniel Nestor and Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., won road ties against Mexico, Ecuador and Israel to advance to the World Group for the first time since 2004.
Tickets prices start at $20 and they go on sale on 1 December through Ticketmaster
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Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - Sunday, February 12, 2012
Guys! Here's your chance to score major points for Valentine's Day!
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast has become an international sensation that has played to over 35 million people worldwide in 13 countries.
For tickets: http://bit.ly/vlgmxl
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Tuesday, January 17, 2012 - Monday, February 6, 2012
The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival is held in Vancouver, British Colombia each year. Produced over 20 days each January, the PuSh Festival presents work in the live performing arts: theatre, dance, music and various hybrid forms of performance. It attracts local, national and international artists and their work.
The PuSh Festival was co-founded in 2003 by Katrina Dunn of Touchstone Theatre and Norman Armour of Rumble Productions. In 2005, the organization of the festival was formalized with the creation of a formal board of directors and advisors and by being registered as a charitable organization. PuSh stimulates Vancouver artists and audiences with contemporary performance that is multi-disciplined, startling and original. Over 23,000 people attended the 2008 festival. Visiting presenters from across Canada and around the world were in attendance for the Assembly networking event to view performances, talk and do business.
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Friday, February 3, 2012 - Friday, February 3, 2012
Heroes Hockey Challenge is a series of national hockey charitable fundraising events to take place in six cities across Canada. The funds raised by Heroes Hockey Challenge will benefit all wounded Canadian soldiers and their families with particular emphasis on amputees. The six Heroes hockey Challenge events during the winter of 2012 are designed to motivate Canadians to support our heroes, heroes, like Master Corporal Paul Franklin.
Master Corporal Paul Franklin has become well known across Canada for conquering many challenges, but none as difficult as his passion and purpose in life after losing both legs. Paul was nearing the end of a second tour of duty in Afghanistan when a suicide bomber attached his convoy. That was in January 2006 and three months later, Master Corporal Franklin walked with artificial legs for the first time.
The Vancouver game, Feb. 3 at Rogers Arena, will see the proceeds going towards funding military family resource centres and the Amputee Coalition of Canada. Ex-Canucks goalie Brodeur is one of many NHL stars confirmed to play, admitted military support is a topic that can be a political landmine. “I’m not a political guy, or a guy who wants to do politics,” King Richard said. “These guys come out with stories that you would not believe, physically and mentally. That, to me, was very important. “As hockey players, we risk getting booed and that’s it. They risk their lives.”
Tickets: $35.15 + applicable taxes.
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National Ballet of Cuba - Don Quixote
Thursday, February 16, 2012 - Saturday, February 18, 2012
Don Quixote is a wonderful comic ballet based on the Cervantes story. One of the most technically challenging works ever created, the ballet is rarely performed because of the sheer bravura required.
Choreographed by the legendary Alicia Alonso from the original work by Marius Petipa, and set to the music of Ludwig Minkus, the company is being brought to Vancouver by long-time dance impresario David Y.H. Lui and Brent Belsher.
Under the guidance of Prima Ballerina Assoluta Alicia Alonso as Director of the National Ballet of Cuba, this production of Don Quixote effortlessly blends the drama of the tale, with the athletic grace of the Cuban dancers to create a passionate and colourful portrayal of the most famous son of La Mancha.
Members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra will play the music for the performances in a LIVE artistic collaboration with the Cubans.
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Friday, February 10, 2012 - Friday, February 10, 2012
Hedley and guests perform at Rogers Arena.
Vancouver’s multiplatinum selling chart-toppers, Hedley are back with their fourth studio album, Storms and a cross-Canada tour kicking off in Kelowna, BC on February 10.
Tickets for the high-energy tour are available at www.livenation.com
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Saturday, March 10, 2012 - Thursday, March 15, 2012
Cats, the phenomenal musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber is back!
The smash Broad musical in two acts about a tribe of Cats who gather once a year to choose a member of the tribe to be reincarnated. The musical showcases characters from all walks of life who are metaphors of characters from different parts of society. Their stories are told through the poetry of T.S. Eliot and relationships are presented through choreography. It is ".. among the most exhilarating and innovative musicals ever staged..."
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Friday, February 10, 2012 - Saturday, February 11, 2012
Illuminate Yaletown is a spectacular event held in the heart of Yaletown for City and Slope. This is a free, multi-night, entertainment-filled street party that features remarkable light installations from local artists. Illuminate Yaletown is an annual visual spectacle that takes the neighbourhood by storm each year. Starting at dusk and continuing late in the evening on February 10th – 11th, 2012, this event brings thousands of residents and visitors to the core of Yaletown.
Illuminate Yaletown utilizes advanced video and lighting technology that is both cutting edge and power smart. Showcasing the latest technological and environmental advancements in the lighting and power generation, this light show has the ability to awe the audience with its brilliance. IY is an event that can speak to the use of renewable power sources, cleaner generation technologies as well as more efficient light technologies.
Many restaurants and local businesses take part in Illuminate Yaletown adding to the scope of the event and expanding the overall experience. With light shows, music, and great food, Illuminate Yaletown gives Vancouverites the opportunity to view breathtaking art while rocking out to live DJs on our city streets.
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The Harlem Globetrotters!!!
Friday, February 24, 2012 - Friday, February 24, 2012
Globetrotters Introduce Class of Newcomers, Highlighted by the Tallest Pro Basketball Player, the Shortest Globetrotter Ever, and the Team’s First Female in 19 Years.
On the heels of signing one of the most extraordinary rookie classes in team history, the Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 2012 World Tour to Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.
The outstanding rookies include Paul “Tiny” Sturgess, the world’s tallest pro basketball player at 7’8”, Jonte “Too Tall” Hall, the shortest Globetrotter ever at 5’2”, and Fatima “TNT” Maddox of Temple University, the team’s first female player since 1993 and ninth female in team history.
The new Globetrotters also feature the top three finishers from the 2011 College Slam Dunk Contest, including the reigning champ Jacob “Hops” Tucker. At 5’10”, Tucker sports a 50-inch vertical leap, and his YouTube videos have garnered well over four million views. Tucker joins slam dunk runner-up John “Jet” Williams of UNC-Asheville and semifinalist Darnell “Spider” Wilks of the University of Cincinnati.
The 2012 rookie class has a total of three seven-footers including 7’4” Jermaine “Stretch” Middleton, the third-tallest player in team history, and 7-foot Anthony “Biggie” McClain. At 7’8”, Sturgess becomes the tallest Globetrotter ever after a career at Mountain State University (W.Va.). He is the 19th internationally born player in team history, hailing from Loughborough, England.
For more information and tickets: www.ticketmaster.com
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Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show
Saturday, March 3, 2012 - Sunday, March 4, 2012
See it! Do it! Live it!
Explore BC's largest adventure & travel show offering pre-season deals on the newest outdoor gear and amazing travel destinations! See canoe & kayak experts in the Whitewater Demo Pool or ignite your passion for biking, hiking, running, water, board or mountain sports at over 200 exhibits!
What's Your Next Adventure?
Meet experienced guides who will help you plan your next dream getaway. Discover exotic hot spots, safaris, eco-holidays or camping trips and be inspired by outdoor celebrities and thrilling adventure travel presentations!
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Prince of Whales is the largest, safest and most enviornmentally sustainable whale watching and eco-adventure company is Vancouver and Victoria.
Their commitment to sustainable marine wildlife management and responsible viewing is demonstrated by their excellent staff.
Located in both Vancouver and Victoria, the company provides you with an adventure of a life time as you see orcas, humbacks, greys, minkes, porpoises, seals, sea lions, elephant seals and numerous marine flora and fauna in their natural habitat.
Tickets are available through our Hotel's Concierge Desk.
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Saturday, March 10, 2012 - Sunday, March 18, 2012
CelticFest Vancouver is Western Canada’s biggest annual Celtic festival.CelticFest is a rich cultural celebration of the seven Celtic nations’ kinship and community.The festival showcases the best of Celtic music, dance, spoken word as well as film, foodand fare and the much-anticipated St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Founded in 2004, the cornerstones of CelticFest Vancouver are community, diversity, family and civic pride. CelticFest draws its artistic direction from some 5,000 years of Celtic history and culture. This young, vibrant event has quickly, and firmly, established itself as an annual springtime tradition in downtown Vancouver.
Since inception, CelticFest’s attendance has significantly grown year over year, drawing 250,000+ year over year.
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Friday, February 24, 2012 - Sunday, February 26, 2012
Winterruption on Granville Island is celebrating its seventh annual, truly unique Vancouver winter festival. The magic is in the mix as we once again celebrate our local and international artists of all disciplines.
Bring your kids to Carousel Theatre`s classic tale of Aesop’s Fables or visit our Kids Zone where Vancouver International Children`s Festival presents the rhythmic soul of Kutapira; Arts Umbrella showcases their theatre program with Theatre Fix; and the internationally renowned Indigenous company, Red Sky, returns with The Great Mountain.
Artists and artisans fill the galleries, nooks and crannies of Granville Island. There are exhibitions and open studios around every corner! ReVision at the Creekhouse is exhibiting recycled, salvaged, or found materials transformed into amazing art! Dalbergia Wood + Fine Objects Studio in Railspur Alley is presenting Woodenough, a wood exhibition, sharing techniques and exploring new frontiers in the world of wood. Continuing Studies at Emily Carr University of Art and Design is offering a behind-the-scenes tour of the University as well as a Drop-In Life Drawing workshop.
The Island is alive with theatre and dance. Visit the Granville Island Stage where the Arts Club Theatre Company is presenting Intimate Apparel, a richly textured love story by Lynn Nottage. Or expect the unexpected as some of Vancouver's favourite dancers pop up in unusual spaces all over the Island.
After exploring the island, recharge in our world of culinary arts. Take a Public Market Tour...for your taste buds. Or just relax and indulge at one of Granville Island`s featured restaurants, The Dockside at Granville Island Hotel, Edible Canada, or Whet kitchen/ bar/ patio.
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Rio Tinto Alcan Dragonboat Festival!
Friday, June 15, 2012 - Sunday, June 17, 2012
Recognized as North America’s biggest and best, the 24rd annual Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival in Vancouver was a true celebration of our diverse and beautiful city, attracting over 100,000 people and close to 180 dragon boat teams from across the Lower Mainland and around the globe.
Beginning on Friday afternoon with the colourful Eye-dotting Ceremony, the festival continued with two more days of non-stop entertainment on the World Beat Stage, fabulous food and shopping, and of course, dragon boat racing of the highest caliber.
Admission is free to the general public! Plan to come down to the waters of False Creek and celebrate!
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Vancouver International Film Festival
Thursday, September 27, 2012 - Friday, October 12, 2012
Both in terms of admissions and number of films screened (148,000 and 373 respectively in 2010) VIFF is amongst the five largest film festivals in North America. They screen from 80 countries on 10 screeens. The international line-up includes the pick of the world's top film fests and many undiscovered gems.
Three main programming platforms make the festival unique: they screen the largest selection of East Asian films outside of that region, they are the biggest showcases of Canadian film in the world and they have a large and important nonfiction program.
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Wednesday, February 22, 2012 - Sunday, February 26, 2012
Located at the newly renovated BC Place Stadium for five short days, you will find the latest in innovative products and outdoor living idea from over 425 retailers. Talk with top industry experts. Don’t miss the top gardening experts in The Vancouver Sun Gardeners School and the city’s hottest BBQ gurus on The Outdoor Entertaining Stage.
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Saturday, July 28, 2012 - Sunday, July 29, 2012
Each July, the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC presents the Caribbean Days Festival. This event draws a crowd of exuberant fun-lovers to North Vancouver's Waterfront Park for a weekend of parading, dining and dancing in the sunshine.
This is a weekend of tropical rhythm, cuisine, carnival and culture as only the Caribbean can offer. Over the years, the Festival has grown into the largest Caribbean event on the local calendar—and with thousands of attendees it is the largest single-weekend cultural event in BC, period.
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Friday, June 1, 2012 - Sunday, June 3, 2012
EAT! Vancouver Food and Cooking Festival is the ultimate food expo.
Come for lunch and stay for dinner at EAT! Vancouver's Bite of Vancouver restaurant pavilion. The chefs of favourite Lower Mainland restaurants will serve up appetizer portions of their signature recipes. For a nominal charge ($1.00 - $2.50) per item you will be able to savour the flavours of numerous eateries.
Celebrity chefs, popular local restaurants, wineries, food and beverage manufacturers, cookbook authors, retailers, artisans, and many others from the culinary world will come together for a three day public extravaganza at BC Place Stadium on June 1, 2 & 3, 2012. EAT! Vancouver encompasses unique food experiences, opportunities to learn behind-the-scenes culinary magic from professional chefs, dynamic entertainment through celebrity chef cooking demonstrations and culinary competitions, diverse food, beverage and cooking related exhibits; and of course fantastic shopping opportunities.
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Friday, August 10, 2012 - Sunday, August 12, 2012
The Abbotsford Airshow began in 1962... and in the following years showed continuous growth and eventually, the Abbotsford Airshow has become the largest airshow in Canada.
The airshow is held every year in August. Abbotsford is a medium sized town about 100 kilometers east of Vancouver in Beautiful British Columbia. Situated just minutes North of the US border town of Sumas, WA and about 15 minutes north of old dutch town Lynden, WA.
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Friday, August 3, 2012 - Sunday, August 5, 2012
The annual Pride Parade celebrating the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender ("GLBT") community and affiliated groups has grown from a handful of (proud placard and balloon waving) enthusiasts walking along traffic congested streets, to become Western Canada's largest GLBT parade and Vancouver's second largest annual event and only official parade.
The Vancouver Pride Society has adopted a three-year theme of Educate, Liberate, Celebrate - focusing on one of the three elements each year.
Pride celebrations across the country have become a gathering of people from all walks of life. At Pride, our diversity is celebrated openly, and people can express themselves freely without fear of retribution. In Canada, we have fought many battles on our road to equality, and we have achieved many of our legal rights. Yet, transgender people are still not protected under our laws, and we still have a long way to go before we conquer homophobia.
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Saturday, July 28, 2012 - Saturday, August 4, 2012
The Celebration of Light event attracts approximately 500,000 Greater Vancouver residents each night to downtown Vancouver for each of the several nights of world class fireworks displays and competitions.
The show starts at approximately 10:00 PM each night.
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In 1940, Theatre Under the Stars started when a group of local theatre people formed to produce professional quality musicals during the summer. Since then, TUTS has been a Lower Mainland tradition, delighting generations of locals and tourists alike under the stars in the pastoral outdoor setting of historic Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park. TUTS provides performers and technical staff an opportunity to work in a real world theatrical venue alongside seasoned professionals.
This year’s shows will be Titanic and The Music Man.
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Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Friday, July 13, 2012 - Sunday, July 15, 2012
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival characterizes the laid back attitude and style of the West Coast. Now in its 30th year, the festival brings some of the finest folk and roots musicians from around the world to Jericho Beach, a stunning outdoor venue complete with sunsets, food vendors and an art market.
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Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - Saturday, February 25, 2012
For 8 years, the Vancouver ComedyFest has taken advantage of our cities’ perfect backdrop to experience some of the best comedians from around the globe.
They have grown to become a prime destination for talent within the international comedy circuit. They have had the incredible opportunity to host personalities like Carol Burnett, Steve Martin, Jay Leno and Zach Galifianakis to name just a few.
The Vancouver ComedyFest, directed by Will Davis, works diligently to support up-and-coming talent from across Canada and to create a unique west coast festival that represents us here on the water’s edge.
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Friday, July 6, 2012 - Sunday, July 15, 2012
BC Superweek consists of several independent events that happen annually around the second week of July in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
With over 5,000 spectators in attendance at each event and over $65,000 in cash prizes for the cyclists who participate to win, this is the cycling event to be at each year!
Professional Teams from all over North America are in attendance. The accolade of some past attending riders include, but not limited to the likes of; Tyler Farrar, Chris Horner, Lance Armstrong, Svein Tuft, Brian Walton, Christian Meier and Dominique Rollin on the men’s side and Olympic riders Alison Sydor, Leslie Tomlinson, Gina Grain and Erin Willock that have attended the Pro women’s events.
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Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
Thursday, May 31, 2012 - Saturday, September 22, 2012
Celebrating its 23rd Season in 2012, Bard on the Beach is one of Canada's largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare Festivals. Presented in a magnificent setting on the waterfront in Vancouver's Vanier Park, the Festival offers Shakespeare plays, related dramas, and several special events in two performance tents from May through September.
A new, custom-built Mainstage tent has been built, offering expanded seating (742 seats), a redesigned stage and more comfortable seating for patrons. The Mainstage tent is open-ended so that the actors perform against a spectacular backdrop of mountains, sea and sky - a highlight of the unique Bard experience. Four productions (Taming of the Shrew, MacBeth, The Merry Wives of Windsor, King John) are performed in repertory in the tent from early June through late September.
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