Photo via @vanchristmas / Instagram
Whether it’s catching a movie or show, an art crawl, or a holiday market, there’s tons of fun to be had in Vancouver this November. And you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy it all! So with that in mind, here are 10 of the best free (and cheap) things to do in and around Vancouver this November.
The 21st annual DTES Heart of the City Festival is coming up at the end of October and will last through mid-November, and will feature over 100 local events across 40 venues – both indoors and out. With the 2024 theme of ‘Threads of Connection,’ the 2024 fest will take place over 12 days, showcasing music, stories, poetry, theatre, films, dance, ceremony, and much more.
When: Wednesday, October 30th to Sunday, November 10th
Where: 250 to 111 West Hastings
Cost: Free admission
The next free night at Vancouver Art Gallery is coming up on Friday, November 1st – so mark your calendars and get ready to enjoy some after-work art!
When: Friday, November 1st and every first Friday of the month
Where: 750 Hornby Street
Cost: Free admission
On Friday, November 3rd, Soumak Boutique is hosting a pop-up Turkish/Syrian cafe at the Kids Market on Granville Island, where visitors can drink authentic Turkish coffee made on hot sand, traditional tea, and play board games together. As well, there will be traditional Syrian storytelling (Hakawati) and live Middle Eastern music.
When: Sunday, November 3rd
Where: 1496 Cartwright Street
Cost: Free to enjoy, coffee and tea available for $5.54 and $3.54 respectively
Love perusing old vinyl? From 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday, November 17th, the Vancouver Flea Market is hosting a record show that you’ll definitely want to add to the calendar.
When: Sunday, November 17th
Where: 703 Terminal Avenue
Cost: $5 admission
Starting November 2nd, Presentation House Theatre in North Van is co-presenting a series of events with Blackout Art Society as part of the 4th annual STAND Festival, which celebrates emerging immigrant and refugee performing artists. The festival aims to offer the chance to connect newcomer artists with the community so they may share their stories.
When: Friday, November 1st to Sunday, November 17th
Where: 333 Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver
Cost: Varies per event
Looking ahead to the holiday season? The Vancouver Christmas Market is coming back earlier than you might think! While it’s not free to enter, single-entry is currently priced at $15 per person, which will be the market’s lowest price this year. So snag your tickets early if you’re eyeing a couple of dates!
When: Wednesday, November 13th to December 24th
Where: 1055 Canada Place
Cost: $15 for single-entry, $31 for a season pass
The beloved Eastside Culture Crawl is now in its 28th year, spotlighting the incredible work of hundreds of local artists. Visitors of the crawl can explore tons of open studios across Vancouver’s Eastside, with mediums ranging from paintings, sculptures, and pottery to fun prints, glassware, furniture, and jewelry.
When: Thursday, November 14th to Sunday, November 17th
Where: Venues at Columbia Street, First Avenue, Victoria Drive, and the Waterfront
Cost: Free admission
From 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday, November 16th and Sunday, November 17th, The Pipe Shop is hosting a Holiday pop-up by the Vancouver Etsy Market, with over 100 local businesses to peruse. According to the event page, the curated vendor list ranges from ceramics and one-of-a-kind jewelry to crocheted goodies.
This year, half of the ticket proceeds will go to Baby-Go-Round and Make-A-Wish Canada.
When: Saturday, November 16th and Sunday, November 17th
Where: 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: $5 admission
Speaking of holiday markets, there’s a free-to-enter Christmas market coming to the Shipyards this year that you won’t want to miss! The event will feature over 75 wooden stalls adorned with twinkling holiday lights, with a variety of unique artisanal gifts for sale. Visitors can also celebrate the start of the season with festive music, ice skating on the outdoor ice rink, mulled wine and cocoa, and North Vancouver’s shining Christmas tree.
When: Friday, November 29th to December 24th
Where: 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
One of Vancouver’s best-known improv theatre companies is always a fun time, especially this time of year. Right now, you can check out “Betrayers” on Fridays and Saturdays until November 2nd, as well as a ton of regular weekly shows, including TheatreSports, Date Night Wednesdays, Blockbuster Thursdays, Stand-up (November 3rd), and the upcoming 12th-year edition of Improv Against Humanity (November 16th).
When: Multiple dates this November
Where: 1502 Duranleau Street
Cost: Varies by seat
And that’s a wrap on some of the best free (and cheap) things to do around town this upcoming month, Vancouver. Enjoy!
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