There are quite a few festivals you can experience during your time in Vancouver this November. While the weather may be getting chillier, the event calendar is far from cooling off this month! We’ve gathered up a list of four festivals in Vancouver for you to enjoy.
Hopscotch Festival
Located at the PNE Forum in Vancouver, this festival is all about whisky, spirits, and premium beer! Attendees are able to sample over 250 products available or soon to be available in the area of British Columbia. This festival runs from November 21 – 27 this year and tickets start at just $30.
However, the main event is the Grand Tasting Hall, which occurs on November 25 and 26. These two days you’ll be able to wander from booth to booth and taste whisky, other spirits, along with wine, cider, and craft and premium beer. It’ll also offer food and have live music! This is an event you won’t want to miss! Note that the samples are not free, but require tokens you purchase at the festival. A sample will range in the number of tokens – for example, a sample of an 18 year old whisky could be several tokens while the 12 year old sample of the same brand could be only a couple of tokens.
Learn more on the festival website here.
Eastside Heart of the City Festival
Back for its 19th year, the Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver is back this year for 12 days from October 26 to November 6. This in-person event (which also has online streaming options) includes music, stories, poetries, theatre, ceremony, films, dance, readings, workshops, and much more. The festival is located throughout Downtown Eastside in over 40 locations, and there are more than 100 events scheduled that week. This year’s theme is Community is Our Mentor, which focuses on listening and learning from the lived wisdom and cultural practices of various Downtown Eastside groups. Learn more at their website here.
Craft Beer Week
Craft Beer Week is back this year at 11 participating North Shore breweries in Vancouver. The launch party starts on November 3, but Craft Beer “week” runs through Monday, November 16. The launch party takes place at the Pipe Shop in the Historic Shipyards District from 5 to 10 pm. Tickets are $38 and includes 2 drinks tokens and a tasting mug. If you cannot attend the opening night launch party, no worries! Craft Beer Week will feature events all week at each of those 11 breweries. These events will include music, food pop-ups, games, and giveaways. Learn more and purchase tickets at the North Shore website here.
Surrey’s Bear Creek Light Festival
While it may be a bit of drive from downtown Vancouver and Sunset Inn & Suites (about 50 minutes), the Surrey Light Festival is definitely worth the trip – especially this year as it’s in its 10th year! This free, family-friendly event takes place each night from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. for 2 weeks from November 4 – November 18. This year’s display will be extra special, as there will be stunning light displays that enhance the natural landscape of Bear Creek Park. You’ll be sure to enjoy the one-kilometre garden walking loop, along with the food trucks that will be available on select nights. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. Learn more on the City of Surrey website here.
