Vancouver ain’t cheap, but we do have plenty to do around the city this month that thankfully won’t break your wallet. Enjoy the fall colours, check out a new cafe, and get involved in your local arts scene. Oh, and get ready for the return of winter markets & holiday lights galore! Without further ado, here are 14 free & cheap things to do around Vancouver this November.
Woman, Life, Liberty: Feminist Cinema from Iran
We’re starting off this list with one of the easiest ways you can learn more about the fight for freedom in Iran and support the cause. The Polygon is screening feminist films from Iran every Thursday this month in solidarity with the women of Iran & those facing persecution. Below is a complete list of the films that will be shown, which you can read more about here.
- A Girl Walks Alone at Night (dir. Ana Lily Amirpour) – November 3rd
- Appropriate Behavior (dir. Desiree Akhavan) – November 10th
- The Day I Became a Woman + The House is Black (dir. Marzieh Meshkini) – November 17th
- Offside (dir. Jafar Panahi) – November 24th
Note that all films are in Persian, but will include English subtitles. Admission is by donation, and all screenings begin at 7 pm.
When: Every Thursday in November
Where: 101 Carrie Cates Court
Cost: By donation
DTES Heart of the City Festival
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The 19th annual Heart of the City Fest just started, and the festival will run until November 6th, spotlighting the lived experiences and identities of the DTES community. This year’s theme of “Community Is Our Mentor” will include the launch of a new mural, a series of dialogues and short films on housing justice, and The Prop Master’s Dream, a new fusion opera produced by the Vancouver Cantonese Opera.
When: October 26th to November 6th
Where: 401 Main Street
Pop-up Latin dance classes
This month, Vancouver Civic Theatres is hosting a series of $10 pop-up Latin dance classes at Queen Elizabeth Theatre Salons. If you’ve been looking to connect with other dance enthusiasts or learn some new steps, this is a great opportunity to do both.
When: November 18th
Where: 630 Hamilton Street
Cost: $10
Eastside Culture Crawl
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The 26th annual Eastside Culture Crawl is taking place next month across 80 different buildings on the east side, with more than 500 local artists showcasing their work. Explore the open studios, peruse unique jewelry and home goods, and connect with the artists themselves. Oh, and did we mention this event is completely free?
When: Thursday, November 17 to Sunday, November 20th
Where: See link above
BC Culture Days
From checking out Vancouver’s “Enchanted Garden” to exploring the culture of food in Lonsdale Quay, BC Culture Days always has an array of free (and by-donation) offerings. Check out some live events going on this month, or tune in at home digitally.
Where: See locations at the link above
Vancouver Christmas Market 2022
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With over 40 gourmet food vendors (including delicious bratwurst, pretzels, mulled wine, and more!) the Vancouver Christmas Market is a classic wintertime destination for a reason. And while November is still technically part of fall, we can’t help but get excited for all the holiday fun.
When: Opens Saturday, November 12th
Where: Jack Poole Plaza
Cost: $18 for GA
Surrey’s annual Tree Lighting Festival
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With the unveiling of a huge 60-foot Christmas tree, the City of Surrey is officially back with their iconic Tree Lighting Festival this month. In addition to stunning light displays and installations, guests can peruse local artisan vendors, enjoy live choir and comedy shows, a ballet performance of The Nutcracker, and of course, photos with Santa. Oh, and did we mention the festival is free?
Where: 13450 104 Avenue, Surrey Civic Plaza
When: Saturday, November 19th
Cost: Free
See an improv show
From Date Night improv to monthly standup sessions, House Team showcases, and more – there’s always something exciting going on at The Improv Centre on Granville Island. And if you’re ready for even more fun this season, you’ll want to check out the Wednesday comedy nights (and improv classes!) at Blind Tiger, and Tightrope Theatre’s Dirty Little Secrets Improv Show on Friday, November 11th.
Where: Multiple locations
Vancouver Giants
Switching gears a bit, the month wouldn’t be complete without a little action from the Vancouver Giants. Head to the Arena Bowl at the Langley Events Centre on Friday, November 18th for their home game against the Blazers. Tickets start at just over $20 a pop, and you can view the full list of home games scheduled for this season here.
When: Several dates in November
Where: 7888 200 Street Langley
Cost: $23.70+
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Save it for a rainy day
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Why go with one rainy day activity when we could share all our fave picks?? With the return of the rain at full force, it never hurts to be prepared with multiple options. From checking out the local art scene to catching a movie at the Rio, here are our picks for rainy-day activities around Vancouver.
Where: See our picks above
Cozy up at a neighbourhood cafe
Whether you want to visit a classic Vancouver coffee shop or bunker down for some serious work/studying, we guarantee that the city has a cafe for everyone.
Where: See our picks above
Thrift some vintage fits
From Community Thrift to Mintage Mall, to all the hidden gems in between, here are some fantastic places to peruse if you’re looking to spruce up your wardrobe with some cool vintage finds this month.
Where: See our picks above
Go on a fall hike
BC is absolutely stunning in autumn, and the season is now in full swing. Explore our beautiful province, get your steps in for the month, and soak in all those changing colours while you can.
Where: Check out our picks above
And that’s a wrap on free & cheap things to do around Vancouver this November! You can use this list as a jumping-off point for discovering new budget-friendly events & experiences.
