Thursday
Diner en Blanc is set to take the city by storm in a sea of white later tonight. Lucky attendees who made it through the application process are set to gear up for a magical evening at an as-yet-to-be disclosed location (it’s got to be big enough for the 3,500 participants). Be on the look out for clusters of partygoers post-work as they trek toward respective meeting places and eventually congregate for a massive celebration. We’ll be covering the event again this year, so watch for a recap early next week.
Not part of the party? No problem. Head down to Canada Place tonight and catch the latest outdoor flick on the waterfront inflatable screen. Showing this evening: ‘The Hunger Games’, kicking off at dusk. It’s a stunning cinematic setting and 100% free.
Friday
Mahony & Sons has just opened their latest location at Stamps Landing after a complete overhaul of the property (and about $6M in renovations). The result is a stunning, multi-level, laidback Irish watering hole you ought to head to in order to kick off the weekend. Nab a seat on their 300-seat patio (two floors to choose from) and sample your way through their impressive lineup of beers on tap and by bottle.
Alternatively, the patio at Chewie’s Steam & Oyster Bar at Coal Harbour opened recently and is a hot spot tucked just off West Hastings. It’s the perfect place to land after a hectic week at the office and its convenient downtown location adds to the appeal (not to mention the eye candy wait staff).
Step a little outside the box and consider adding an infusion of Japanese anime culture to the weekend mix starting Friday with the opening of AniRevo 2014 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. There will be hundreds of anime fans strolling around the city dressed up in their favourite characters get-ups, so be on the lookout. They’ll have photo booth sessions, entertainment, a gaming lounge, tournaments, various speaking panels and more. It’s the perfect spot to unleash your inner geek if you ask us.
Saturday
2014 Kayak for a Cure Vancouver ought to get you out of bed bright and early on Saturday. Register today and head down to Jericho Beach in Kits to show your support for cancer research alongside hundreds of other participating paddlers. Kayaks will be available courtesy of the Jericho Sailing Club and anyone can try their hand at the sport, so don’t be shy. Started by a group of 20-somethings in 2006, this great cause now has nine different annual fundraising events and has raised over $250K.
The annual SeaWheeze half marathon will have thousands of runners taking over the city Saturday morning and throughout the afternoon. If you’re one of the participants, good luck! If you’re more interested in cheering on the athletes from the sidelines clutching a coffee, you can do that too. Stick around for the after party, free concerts, free post-race yoga sessions in Stanley Park and more. Find details and grab tickets ($25) for the post-run party here.
The Garden Party and Croquet Classic celebrates its inaugural year at Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Gardens and is going to be the place to be Saturday afternoon. Tickets are $75 and will get you access to this frivolous and fun event set amidst the sprawling greenery of the gardens, sipping Pierre Jouet Champagne and dodging mallets. Funds raised go to Backpack Buddies, a great community-minded program for kids.
Head out to the picturesque (and revamped) New Westminster waterfront and check out Saturday’s Columbia StrEAT Food Truck event. They’ll have over 50 different vendors on-site cooking up a storm, so bring a healthy appetite. It’s a great opportunity to revisit this quaint seaside town and explore the new shops, local brewery, cafes and restaurants that have popped up in the area. The event will also feature a pop-up picnic park, mini farmers market and busker entertainment all day.
Sunday
Who doesn’t love an event that brings together fuzzy little four-legged friends? Sunday’s Pet-A-Palooza does just that and is the west coast’s largest pet festival taking over Coopers Park in Yaletown. If you’ve a dog, bring them along and treat them to a ‘pawdicure’ or bang trim courtesy of The Pet Shop Boys (funds raised will go toward the spay and neuter programs in the city). Fido will love you for it (and especially love all the free sample treats, accessories, toys, food and swag you’ll score).
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Cover Image: vancouver.dinerenblanc.info
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