Start off your weekend by heading out of work on Friday and planning to land at one of our city’s finest patios for a pint and a bit of hard-earned relaxation. Be it Lift Bar + Grill (and its upper deck views of the park, ocean and mountains), nearby (newly-opened) Sol Sunbelt Cookery, that of Main Street’s kitschy Rumpus Room, or the social street-side setting offered by Chill Winston in Gastown, Vancouver’s options are varied and endless.
After you’ve had a chance to unwind, consider ramping things up a bit by heading over to check out Science World After Dark. Starting at 7pm, this adults-only event gives big kids like you the perfect excuse to explore the exhibits and galleries at one of the city’s best venues located in False Creek. This SWAD is geared toward the genius of Da Vinci (their feature exhibition on until Labour Day) and gives visitors an uninterrupted chance to explore his mind-bending inventions.
Saturday calls for some serious beach time, or the chance to partake in a stack of events happening around the city. If you’re not planning on taking a southbound vacation anytime soon, be sure to make the trek to BrazilFest along Granville Street for a bit of cultural flavour. Enjoy a day of the best that Brazil has to offer, including food, dance, music and film.
While you’re in the area, cruise up to Portobello West’s first outdoor pop-up event (also on Granville between Robson and Smithe). This popular event always brings together a great mix of local crafters, their unique creations and plenty of pretty gift ideas – and the outdoor setting only adds a welcomed twist.
Into Anime? This weekend marks the return of all-things Anime related at Canada Place as part of a 3-day conference. Tickets are available for Anime Revolution and start at $55 per day, and will get you into a Pokemon Tournament, allow you a sneak peek at the New Super Mario Bros 3DS game, and get you into pro panels for some Q&A and more.
Feeling creepy…or just want to be a spectator? The Vancouver Zombie Walk takes place at 4pm starting at the Vancouver Art Gallery and will stumble its way through the streets toward English Bay. Usually garnering a crowd of several hundred deathly-looking participants, be sure to take it in.
Come Sunday, grab a bite of brunch at one of our go-to picks for diner-style comfort such as: The Main, Davie Street’s popular The Elbow Room, or revisit another favourite, the Acme Cafe in Gastown. Don’t fill up too much, though, because Sunday marks the return of The Waldorf’s Food Cart Festival.
That’s right, you’ll need to reserve plenty of appetite to sample the tasty treats courtesy of more than 50 different vendors (washed down with ice cold beer available on site). Take in the East Van setting as you explore the artisan crafter’s market and entertainment of this day-long event on until September 2nd. For more information, click here.
Also on our notable agenda: MusicFest Vancouver is set to wind things down after another successful year of celebrating classical, jazz and world sounds at various venues. This is the perfect excuse to get musically cultured – and Sunday is no exception. Check out the schedule here for shows and purchase tickets for their outdoor events taking place on Sunday at the Van Dusen Gardens.
Another suggestion for a relaxing Sunday evening happens to take place at Yaletown’s David Lam Park and involves a blanket, popcorn and a little Dirty Dancing. Yaletown’s Outdoor Movie Night returns on Sunday evening and is the perfect (free) way to chill out under the stars to a classic flick with friends. You’ll be recharged and ready for the week ahead in no time.
Photo courtesy Lift Bar + Grill