While the winter months can feel a bit slower post-holidays, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a ton of exciting things to do around the city this time of year. From the return of the largest comedy festival in Western Canada to a special Valentine’s Day dinner, to celebrating Black History Month at the VPL – here are 32 exciting things to do in and around Vancouver this February.
Live Events & Concerts
Sponsored Pick: Get Sassy at the Taboo Expo Vancouver
We’ve got some exciting and sensual news to start with. From February 3rd to 5th, The Taboo Show returns to Vancouver for one seriously sexy weekend. This ‘naughty and nice’ expo is an upscale adult playground dedicated to enhancing lifestyles, romance, personal betterment, and all things Taboo.
Everything from your heart’s desire to delights, this must-see event is filled with live performances, unconventional exhibitors and educational seminars hosted by doctors and TV personnel. Grab your pals & get your tickets – stat!
When: Friday, February 3rd to Sunday, February 5th, 2023
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East, 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver
Cost: $31.56 – $103.39
Ari Lennox
Courtney Shanade Salter (AKA – Ari Lennox) is an R&B and soul singer and the first female artist to be signed to J. Cole’s record label, Dreamville Records. Her rise to recognition came soon after the release of her first EP, “Pho,” and she’s been growing in fame and accolades ever since.
When: Tuesday, February 7th
Where: Commodore Ballroom
Cost: $71.25+
Just For Laughs
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Just For Laughs is Western Canada’s largest comedy festival, and every year, the organizers bring their A-game when it comes to creating the perfect lineup of talent. This year? They’ve gone above and beyond – casting everyone from Sarah Silverman and Tim Dillon to Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness and Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey from The Office.
When: February 16th to February 25th
Where: Multiple venues
Cost: Varies per show, 3-show passes available for $110+ fees
Mod Sun
A singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, and rapper, Mod Sun has worn (and continues to wear) many hats in his career. The Minnesota-born artist has released four solo studio albums, three EPs, and six mixtapes, and his latest tour is coming to Vancouver on Thursday, February 23rd. So hold onto your hats!
When: Thursday, February 23rd
Where: Rickshaw Theatre
Cost: $160.76 for VIP
Tove Lo
One of the bigger performers slated to take the stage this month, Tove Lo is known for her raw, “grunge take” on pop. And the Swedish singer-songwriter is bringing her Dirt Femme Tour to Vancouver along with special guest Slayyyter on Friday, February 24th.
When: Friday, February 24th
Where: Commodore Ballroom
Cost: $295.12
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 their Kiss & Tell show on Valentine’s Day, and their Single, Not Single show on Fridays and Saturdays this month.
Where: 1502 Duranleau Street
Arts & Culture
PuSh International Performing Arts Festival
That’s right, one of the most exciting performing arts festivals in Canada is coming back to Vancouver in a few short weeks, and all events will be in-person this year! You can buy four-show tickets ($120), six-show ($180), and digital passes ($100) on their website.
When: Thursday, January 19th to February 5th
Where: Multiple locations
Cost: Varies
As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic
This month, the Polygon Gallery is hosting a curated exhibit by Elliott Ramsey celebrating the Black community and identities in Canada. The As We Rise exhibit features more than 100 photographs from the Wedge Collection – the largest privately owned collection championing Black artists in the country.
From African diasporic culture to the civil rights movement, the new exhibit (organized by Aperture) will feature powerful photography by a number of talented artists.
When: February 24th to May 14th
Where: 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Cost: By donation
Take a free class at VPL
In addition to online and in-person educational courses, VPL offers guests all kinds of free workshops, career services, family-friendly activities, book clubs, film screenings, and more. From sound editing to STEAM (science, technology, art, engineering, and math) courses for kids, there are plenty of options to fit any age or skill set. Best of all? All of them are free to attend!
Where: See our picks above
See some local art
By the same token, there are plenty of museums and art galleries in Vancouver offering free admission to their exhibits year-round. And while the list is by no means complete, we think this is a solid place to start if you’re looking to get into the local art scene.
Where: See our picks above
Pop-up Latin dance classes
This month, Vancouver Civic Theatres is hosting a $10 pop-up Latin dance class at their Annex downtown. 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: February 17th
Where: Annex 823 Seymour Street
Cost: $10
Food & Drink
Sponsored Pick: This new rustic Italian eatery is the perfect place for your next dinner date
Comforting yet elevated, casual yet intimate, you can expect a dining experience that is somehow both familiar and fine at The Farmhouse on 10th! Serving Northern Italian fare in a homey, comfortable space, The Farmhouse is the perfect place to go for your next dinner date.
Where: 352 East 10th Avenue
Dine Out Vancouver
Created back in 2002 by a group of foodies and wine enthusiasts at Destination Vancouver, Dine Out Vancouver has only grown in size and scope over the years. What started as a fixed-price menu featuring 57 restaurants has now become a culinary celebration of over 300 restaurants, wineries, craft breweries, and more. The result? An entire month’s worth of in-person dining, virtual events, and hotel offers to accommodate local visitors and those from out-of-town.
When: January 20th to February 5th
Where: Participating restaurants TBA
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
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Luckily for chocolate lovers, there’s still time to enjoy this year’s Hot Chocolate Festival. From Viva Cafe in Kits to Trafiq bakery on Main, here are all the participating cups of cocoa you can sip this month.
When: January 14th to February 14th
Where: Participating locations across Vancouver
Indulge in a five-course Valentine’s Day feast
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If the way to one’s heart is through their stomach – an elaborate five-course meal paired with specialty cocktails just might do the trick. ‘The Love Voyage’ is pretty much the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the foodie and travel enthusiast, as guests are wined, dined, and whisked away to five “cities of love” across the globe via an immersive experience.
Early bird tickets are available for $129 for dinner on February 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th at 6 pm.
When: February 11th to 14th
Where: 120 West Hastings
Cost: $129 ($119 for non-alcoholic pairings)
Check out a jazz night
No matter your beverage of choice, Vancouver has some stellar jazz nights to take advantage of on a weekly basis. So as long as you’re prepared to shell out the occasional cover fee here and there, consider this list a solid go-to for an after-work treat.
Where: See our picks above
Hang out at a wine bar
The power of good wine and good company cannot be overstated, and since Vancouver has a ton of great wine bars – this list is a great starting point if you’re trying to find a new spot this month. Add in some charcuterie boards and low lighting, and you’ve got the perfect date night combo!
Where: See our picks above
Weekly specials at Lunch Bar by Kafka’s
Warm up with a bowl of stew or a hot sandwich at Lunch Bar, Kafka Gastown’s newest venture. And to sweeten the pot, the new Lunch Bar is serving up weekly stew specials for $13.50 – one vegan and one meat. And what’s more, both are served with a slice of fresh-baked focaccia.
Where: 151 West Hastings Street
Try a new restaurant
Those looking for something new should keep in mind all the incredible restaurants that opened in the city in recent months. We’ve got hotspots, hidden gems, new offerings, and everything else you could ask for in a city that’s already got one of the best scenes in the country.
Where: Click the link above for more info
Swing by your local Farmers’ Market
You better believe that we think a trip to the farmers market is worthwhile any time of year! Picking up great groceries from local producers? This requires no selling on our part.
Where: Locations around Vancouver
Enjoy some covered patios
Whether it’s just drizzly or full-out storming, there are (thankfully) plenty of covered patios in Vancouver to choose from. Why not make the most of them and sip on a couple of happy hour bevies this month?
Where: See our picks above
Sports & Outdoors
Snowshoeing at Cypress
Ok, emphasis on the ‘around’ Vancouver part here. But, if you’re ready to take a day trip this month, know that Cypress Mountain has got a serious amount of snowshoe trails for you to explore. Our advice? Check in with your more outdoorsy friends and family to secure a pair, and eliminate half the cost of a trip out!
When: Open until mid-April
Where: 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver
Cost: $20 without rentals, $38 with snowshoe rentals
Snow Tubing at Mt. Seymour
Tubing (or tobogganing) is certainly a rare opportunity for Vancouverites. Luckily, you can enjoy both on dedicated hills at Mt. Seymour. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a family-friendly day trip, or as a way to unwind after a day on the actual slopes.
When: Open throughout February
Where: 1700 Mt Seymour Road, North Vancouver
Cost: $10+
Downhill Skiing
Speaking of actual slopes, we can’t forget that all three of Metro Vancouver’s mountains offer great, close-to-home on-piste options. This is a no-brainer pick, so all we’ll say is that you’re better off playing hooky during the week than trying to visit on the weekend.
When: Open throughout February
Where: 1700 Mt Seymour Road, North Vancouver, 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver and 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
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 to watch them face off against the Raiders, Blazers, Americans, Royals, Blades, Chiefs, and more this month. 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 February
Where: 7888 200 Street Langley
Cost: $23.70+
Vancouver Canucks
Another sports pick coming your way. There are several Canucks games taking place in Vancouver this month. On Monday, February 13th, the Canucks will face off against the Detroit Red Wings, on Wednesday, February 15th, they’ll take on the NY Rangers, on Saturday, February 18th, they’ll play the Philadelphia Flyers, and on Saturday, February 25th, they’ll play against the Boston Bruins.
When: Games throughout February
Where: 800 Griffiths Way
Robson Square Ice Rink
For just $5 per skate rental, you can skate to your heart’s content at Robson’s Square. Stop by on a spontaneous trip downtown, or plan a special pre-dinner visit on your next date night.
When: Open until February 28th
Where: 800 Robson Street
Cost: $5 for skate rentals
Shipyards Skate Plaza
By the same token, there’s no denying that the Shipyards Skate Plaza is one of the most festive places to hit the ice – even after the holiday season.
When: Open throughout February
Where: 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free, rental costs vary
Save it for a rainy day
On the bright side, a rainy day in Vancouver is an excuse to don your favourite cozy sweater and treat yourself to some quality self-care time in the form of cafe visits, and all the eats your heart desires.
Where: See our picks above
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Shopping & Travel
Sponsored Pick: Air Canada is offering unreal flight deals and vacation packages to these 50 hot destinations
Take a break from Canada’s cold winter and seize the sun this February with Air Canada’s hottest flights and vacation deals. With flairs starting as low as $170 and up to 40% off all-inclusive packages, you can plan less and vacation more with over 50 top sunny destinations to choose from within the US, Mexico and the Caribbean.
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
And that’s a wrap on some fun things to do around Vancouver this February. Cheers!
