Vancouver Weekender: October 18 through 20, 2013

You’ll definitely want to grab tickets to this year’s Toast to the Coast event on Friday to benefit the Vancouver Aquarium.  This party is always happening, with the fact that you’re surrounded by some exceptionally stunning aquatic life at night amping up the cool factor. If you’re lucky, you might still be able to score one of the last remaining tickets to this event that sells out each year. Save up an appetite as it’s a pretty great excuse to get slightly dolled-up and taste your way around the Aquarium at this food and wine event. We hear the silent auction is fully loaded this year, a special VIP area is ready to go, and it’ll be the perfect opportunity to squeeze in a little schmoozing on the side.

Also taking place Friday (and Saturday) in celebration of beer and October is, you guessed it, Oktoberfest hosted by the Vancouver Alpen Club. Grab a group of friends and head out with your best lederhosen look for some German fun. It’s guaranteed to get messy… that’s just how they like to party… and it can be yours for $25 per person.

Get primed for Halloween and head over for some late-night cinema fun at the Rio Theatre. They’ll be showing all-time classic Beetlejuice starting at 11pm. Bonus: you can chase all that buttery popcorn down with a beer – they’ve got a licensed bar too!

Saturday, make it a day that all about getting outside and stocking up on seasonal goods. Pay a visit to one of the various local Farmers Markets on around town or head off the beaten track for a bit. We’re talking about making your way out to explore UBC’s Apple Festival celebrating its 23rd year. Hundreds of apples are featured, there is live music, a food fair, tastings, the opportunity to check out the UBC Botanical Gardens and more. You know what they say: an apple a day…

Looking for a new place to grab some grub come Saturday night? Check out Cuchillo if you’ve got a hankering for some authentic Mexican cuisine with a twist of Pan-Latin attitude (in tapas form). Located in the heart of Chinatown/Gastown, it’s the perfect spot to start off or end up at for tasty bites and stellar cocktails.

If you’re up for a bit of a unique (and charitable) dining experience, be sure to grab tickets for this Saturday’s #dinnerpartyYVR with Social Bites, Home Dine and Chimp for a culinary home tour like no other. Hobby chefs from around the city will be prepping surprise menus for guests and inviting them into their homes. Each chef has chosen a charity to benefit from funds raised, et voila, unique, belly-filling do-good complete. After party is to be held at Hawkers Market, so rest up for a night of good times.

Given that the weather is supposed to be splendid come Sunday, we think you ought to get off your butt and out the door to enjoy some R&R on one of our city’s trails. Head out to Stanley Park, hit up the Seawall, check out the UBC Endowment Lands or meandre over to the North Shore where plenty of outdoor options await. Be sure to bring your camera and score some stunning seasonal shots before gray days and rain inevitably return.

Sunday afternoon, we think you ought to wind down and reward yourself with a leisurely sweet bite at Cafe Medina before making your way over to The Vancouver Home+Design Show for some house-worthy inspiration. This year’s show promises to be pretty epic with 325 exhibitors on site. Take in celebrity presentations and seminars, check out new design trends, pick up hot décor tips and score plenty of loot to boot.  

After you’ve cruised around under all those fluorescent lights, we’re betting you might be in need of a bit of a wake-up call. Well, if you’re like us and love getting spooked, be sure to challenge your stamina by heading out to Fright Nights at the PNE. Order tickets online for savings and gear up to be very, very afraid.