We’re more than halfway there, Vancouver.
Chanukah gets spinning in only a few days, two weeks from now it’ll be Christmas, and just one day after that, we get a glorious Boxing-Day-Kwanzaa-Bonanza.
No doubt you’re already busy closing out the quarter, getting in your charity contribution, and replacing half of your breathing with excessive calorie ingestion. But around this time of year, everyone’s always got room for more.
So make space, Vancouver; your weekend starts now …
THURSDAY
Taking place at the Mobify’s Yaletown headquarters is e-Commerce Vancouver’s monthly event where local marketers and online commerce peeps share ideas and meet others focused on the same goals.
This time around you’ll hear from specialists at Vega, Mountain Equipment Coop and Richie Bros. Auctioneers – all leaders in their own rights – while having a couple drinks and snacks.
The boys at Noble Gentlemen Trading Company are opening the doors to their gorgeous Gastown showroom for their Holiday Sample Sale happening today and tomorrow until 5pm.
You know what means: leave the office early to scoop up some suave threads from Zanerobe, Neuw and more. GQ chic but friendly on the wallet? No complaints here.
And ladies, don’t let the name fool you – there will be a few deals for you too.
It’s the newest free event to be organized in the city and it starts tonight. Lumiere 2014 will connect Yaletown and the West End communities with 12 stops and a ton of happenings set up between Davie Street to Robson Street, and David Lam Park to English Bay. It kicks off tonight and runs until Saturday night.
Photo booths, live performances, light shows, a Celebrity Drag Queen Clause, trolley tours, a prize wheel, ornament making, a pop-up art gallery – this event has really been orchestrated to make sure there more than enough to check out all with a festive touch.
Get the map and get going.
FRIDAY
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet makes a stop in Vancouver this week presenting the traditional tale of the Nutcracker with a Canadian twist. The world famous play will tell us the usual Christmas story but also feature some good ol’ puck and other typical wintertime scenes that Canada is known for. Working with Ballet BC, Canada’s premiere ballet company has casted over 70 aspiring young dancers from 20 different local schools to take part in the magical production. Starting tonight, the 7:30pm play will be the first performance at Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
It’s the Beggars Banquet Holiday Shoppe opening party tonight and it’s going to be better than ever before. Normally a one-day marketplace, Beggars Banquet has brought in a number of local talents to share their quality, vintage and super rad goods with shoppers. You’ll find everything from fine-printed socks from Strathcona Stockings to Culver City Salads and maybe some discounted items from Gravity Pope considering the Beggars Banquet is taking place in their warehouse this time around.
If you’re looking for a low-key Friday night date idea or group activity, head over to the Capilano Suspension Bridge on the North Shore for Canyon Lights. Only for the Christmas season, the bridge is all lit up in twinkling lights that will bring out best in even the biggest Grinch. Grab a cup of hot chocolate, bundle up, and enjoy our great outdoors in the night.
Thousands of lights illuminate the park and thus far has been home to the world’s tallest living tree. Take that, Rockefeller Centre. This is the weekend to go to avoid the long line-ups as the official holidays creep upon us.
SATURDAY
Opening today, Visual Space is their celebrating their new Dunbar digs all weekend. Painters, printmakers and photographers will have their first group collection showcased to an open house and a special saxophonist performance from Gordon Bertram. Forget the stormy weather and take a break from all things jolly.
Head away to Kelowna’s star ski hill Big White for the night. Their 2nd annual Big White Sweater Ball is going down bringing on a flashback to a past decade.
In partnership with TELUS, Happy Valley Lodge will become a 80s-themed nightclub – just for the night. Food stations, hand-crafted cocktails, and sips from one of the most popular summer vineyard getaways – Quails’ Gate Estate Winery – and more will be on the site at the converted club. All proceeds from the night will benefit Kelowna General Hospital Foundation. There’s nothing like a change of scenery to refresh your mind. Think of it as a weekend getaway for a great cause.
Looking for a job or a major life change that involves becoming a part-time beach bum?
Fidelis is back in Vancouver looking for sales and marketing professionals to learn more about working at their five-star resorts in Cancun. It sounds like a dream job if, you know, blue skies, clear water and year-round scorching sunshine passes as acceptable working conditions.
That alone makes their meet and greets worthy of checking out to hear the intriguing and informational details. We look forward to being really jealous.
SUNDAY
Do some good this Sunday with burritos, bananas and hot chocolate.
It sounds like an odd mix but we promise the combo will go a long way. Feed The People and Chronic Taco Broadway are having a more than merrier afternoon of making burritos and enjoying a beer, then heading over to Main and Hastings to hand out food to those on in need. Join in for $20 – your ticket price will cover the costs of food and any change left over will be donated to Union Gospel Mission.
They say, “a Sunday well spent brings a week of content” – a Sunday spent giving back is sure to create that feeling for days, make an impact on someone’s life, and seriously give some good karma.
If you have your volunteer work already scheduled for the season, Canthrill is throwing their last Veuve Cliquot Champagne Brunch bash of the year. Yellow cups, yellow shades, French toast and Champagne showers. DJs will be on deck at Mamie Taylor’s for a chic all-day brunch party right until 6pm.
For just $10 bucks you’re in for some laughs. The Say Wha?! Comedy Show is having their last big laugh of the year. Hosted by Sara Bynoe, a line-up of comedians will rip into some books that were a serious fail. The series started in 2010 and has been poking good fun at everything from R. Kelly’s autobiography to, well, anything that’s just ridiculous. For Sunday night, there will be no barriers – not just limited to books, any piece of published writing is up for a little comedic outtake. Writers: don’t take it personally.
#NOTABLE
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Top photo courtesy Big White