Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for February

From interactive augmented reality to Lunar New Year events and more, here are our top picks for February

Because of public health orders surrounding COVID-19, all event statuses are subject to change. Please check directly with event websites for updates.

1. Push International Performance Festival – Until Sunday, February 6

Pushing boundaries, the Push International Performance Festival brings an array of shows to Vancouver including Cliff Cardinal’s radical retelling of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Njo Kong Kie’s haunting piano in I Swallowed a Moon Made Of Iron, and the eccentric dance trance of La Goddam Voie Lactee. Partygoers can join in virtually with TSF@ClubPush, a genre-blending mash-up of Indigenous ancestral sounds with contemporary dance grooves. 
Details online

2. Vancouver Short Film Festival – Until Sunday, February 6

Tune into 51 films and three days of filmmaker events at the Vancouver Short Film Festival. Fully online for 2022, the festival will be showcasing innovative original short films from across the country, covering genres from comedy to horror and everything in between. 
Details online

3. Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – Until Monday, February 14

Sip on some of the city’s tastiest hot chocolates from 44 ‘chocstar’ cafes and establishments offering up 106 different innovative flavours to beat the winter blues. Check out some of the offerings online now.
Details online

4. Lunarfest Vancouver – Until Monday, February 21

Celebrate the Year of the Tiger with workshops, shows and art installations throughout Vancouver, including ‘The Lantern City’ at Granville Island, which combines Indigneous artwork with large scale Lunar New Year lanterns. 
Details online

5. The Fifth Element – Until Monday, February 28

During Black History Month you can discover local emerging artist Crystal Noir’s solo exhibition, The Fifth Element, in Suite 305 of Bentall’s Underground Mall. Focusing on strong Black subjects, and delving into the theme of love and how it is the strongest element of all, Crystal uses bold colour, imagery and symbolism to tell distinctive stories. 
Art @Bentall, Suite 305 – Underground Mall, 595 Burrard Street, Vancouver; Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Details online

6. Skating at the Shipyards – Until Monday, February 28

Head to North Vancouver’s Shipyard Commons outdoor skate plaza for free family fun. Take your own skates (or rent them for $7) and enjoy the region’s largest outdoor rink between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. each day.
Shipyard Commons, North Vancouver; $7 adult skates, $5 kids skate rentals; Details online

7. Intangible Thread: Part One – Until Wednesday, March 30

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden’s new resident artist Xiangmei Su uses the traditional medium of thread to create contemporary works,  exploring questions of identity, migration and modernity. This personal and powerful exhibition was inspired by childhood memories of Xiangmei watching their mother weave in their home in Suzhou, China. 
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver; Included in admission; Details online

8. Vancouver Mural Festival: Winter Arts – Friday, February 11 to Sunday, February 27

Reality can be tough nowadays, but you can blur the lines between the virtual and real world at VMF Winter Arts. Visit 11 new interactive augmented reality (AR) art and light installations, created by local and international artists, in public plazas throughout downtown Vancouver.
Details online

9. Into the Light [?????] – Friday, February 18 to Sunday, February 20

Experience an all-ages, immersive, walk-through Lunar New Year experience, created by Hong-Kong-born and Vancouver-based multidisciplinary artist, Stephanie Wong, and award-winning Richmond-based artist, Marina Szijarto. Step inside the traditional tale of Nian the sea monster and be guided by illuminated lanterns and bursts of sound, colour and light, while learning how certain Lunar New Year rituals became traditions. Afterwards, audience members can take part in lantern-making and visit the shrine for good wishes for the new year. 
Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond; Tickets $18 to $28; Details online

10. Pride Snow Day – Thursday, February 24

Pride takes to the slopes of Grouse Mountain this month for a day of fun in the snow at the ‘Peak of Vancouver’. Parade down the mountain with pals or stay for the snowshoe fondue tour. 
Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver; Details online