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Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for October 18 to 24

This week: Get home decor inspiration, catch a free movie at Cineplex, shop the hottest Parisian trends and more

By Kirsty Chan /

Vancouver Home + Design Show, October 16 to 19

Looking for some decor inspiration? The Vancouver Home + Design Show shows off everything design, entertaining and home improvement with expert presenters, including: Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan, co-stars of Cottage Life TV’s Cabin Pressure (above), Bryan Baeumler of HGTV’s Leave it to Bryan and local design duo A Good Chick to Know.

BC Place, 777 Pacific Boulevard



Credit: splash.com/Samantha Sandbrook

ArtsUmbrella Splash – October 18

ArtsUmbrella provides access to art education for children around the Lower Mainland, so it makes sense that their annual fundraiser encourages childlike joy and nostalgia. The theme of this year’s Splash Art Auction and Gala is to “act your shoe size, not your age.” You can bid on over 100 pieces of art (like this beautiful piece by Samantha Sandbrook) and enjoy their creative gala held at the CBC Vancouver building. Guests are encouraged to get fancy with their footwear and pair their favourite sneakers with their classy gala threads.

CBC Vancouver, 700 Hamilton Street



Credit: Flickr/Sara Robertson

Cineplex Community Day – October 18

There’s nothing like catching a movie on a rainy day and with showers in the forecast, Cineplex’s Community Day couldn’t come at a better time. On Saturday morning movies are free at all Cineplex theatres and you can purchase snacks for just two dollars each. Those snacks will be guilt-free with all proceeds going to support Free The Children. You can find schedules online.

Various locations



Credit: Flickr/Alice Popkorn

UBC Apple Fest – October 18 to 19

UBC’s Apple Festival is the perfect family-friendly fall event that everyone is sure to enjoy. You can sample 60 different types of apple at the tasting tent (including some special heritage apples), watch a cider-pressing demonstration and, of course, pick up some delicious apples to bring home with you. Children can participate in activities like crafts, face painting and jumping in a giant pile of leaves.

UBC Botanical Garden, 6804 SW Marine Drive



Credit: Flickr/Kurt Groetsch

The Forbidden City Exhibit – October 18 to January 11

Beijing is a long way from Vancouver, but for three months you can get a taste of China at the Vancouver Art Gallery’s Forbidden City: Inside The Court of China’s Emperors exhibit. The exhibit contains almost 200 works of art from the Forbidden City, the ancient palace that was home to China’s emperors. With artifacts from as early as 500 CE, the exhibit gives a glimpse of Chinese history all the way up until the last emperor of China.

Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street



Credit: Flickr/Stacey Shintani

Brock House Wedding Show – October 19

Brides-to-be are notoriously stressed, but they can find all the help they need in one place this weekend. Brock House Restaurant in Point Grey is hosting their 24th Annual Brock House Wedding Show on Sunday, October 19 to give you inspiration for your special day. The restaurant will provide delicious appies and wine while vendors show off the latest wedding trends. Don’t miss the fashion show where you can get admire beautiful attire for the bride, groom and everyone else in the wedding party.

Brock House, 3875 Point Grey Road



Credit: Flickr/Per-Olof Forsberg 

Rum and Chocolate Tasting – October 19

Few things go together as well as rum and chocolate, and Calabash Bistro’s Rum and Chocolate Tasting is a great chance to celebrate the deliciously luxurious duo. You’ll get a sample of five different rums and a rum cocktail paired with artisanal chocolates form local chocolatier Bumble and Oak. Sit back, sip, nibble and enjoy their presentation on the story of rum.

Calabash Bistro, 428 Carrall Street



Credit: Flickr/Rick Chung

Restaurants for Change – October 22

Twenty five restaurants around Canada, including Vancouver’s Hawksworth Restaurant and Vij’s Restaurant, are teaming up with Restaurants for Change to end hunger. Proceeds from the night’s dinner service will go to helping the charity address issues of “hunger, poor health and social isolation in low income communities.” You can learn more about the event and participating restaurants online, and find out how to make reservations.

Various locations



Credit: Flickr/Roman Boed

Paris Pop-Up Shop – October 23

Vancouverites are no strangers to pop-up shops, but Highstreet’s Paris Pop-up Shop is special. Local style bloggers The Sugar Plum Sisters and their friend Taya Hawes-Puiu took a trip to Paris and brought back all their favourite finds for you to enjoy. The pop-up shop will offer everything from housewares to food to fashion. It’s the perfect chance to get a bit of European style that you already know has been style-blogger approved without having to make the trek.

Highstreet Shopping Centre, 3122 Mt. Lehman Road, Abbotsford



Credit: Flickr/Andrew Taylor

Vancouver Writers’ Fest – October 21 to 26

Indulge your literary side at the Vancouver Writers’ Festival. Attending writers include some of Canada’s most well-known writers like Emma Donoghue, Miriam Toews and Steven Galloway, as well as some international gems. You can catch talks that are sure to entertain and enthrall you – and hey, it might even inspire you to start working on that long-abandoned novel again.

Granville Island