The new year is here and thankfully, many of the city’s most celebrated events are already in the works. From the highly-anticipated return of the PuSh Festival’s in-person programming to this year’s Honda Celebration of Light, here are 11 of the largest events happening in and around Vancouver in 2023.
Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
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It’s no secret that cold weather and hot cocoa go hand-in-hand. And if you’re a chocolate lover, make it two cups! A staple experience in the Greater Vancouver area for over a decade, the beloved annual hot chocolate fest brings together some of the best cafes, bakeries, and dessert spots in the city, and by extension, the best cups of cocoa.
When: January 14th to February 14th, 2023
Where: Locations around Vancouver, TBA
PuSh International Performing Arts Festival
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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
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
The Harlem Globetrotters at the PNE
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That’s right, the OG Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Vancouver this month, and tickets start as low as $25 apiece. Experience the innovative ball spins, slam dunks, and exciting on-court action that will make any audience member a basketball fan.
When: January 28th
Where: 2901 East Hastings
Cost: $25 to $402+
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
HSBC Canada Sevens
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Rugby lovers, take note. Tournament passes for this year’s HSBC Canada Sevens event are currently on sale, so snag some before the craze begins. The 2023 tournament will mark the 8th time that the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series has visited Vancouver, and the first time full men’s and women’s series tournaments will run simultaneously! Guests can expect 28 teams to play 79 total matches, and two Cup Champions to be crowned.
When: March 3rd to March 5th
Where: BC Place
Cost: $149 for tournament passes, single tickets available January 2023
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
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Every spring, Vancouver transforms into a beautiful sea of pink, and the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival returns to celebrate the special time of year with tree walks, tasty treats, and an open-air Japanese fair. Mark your calendars for early April, because this event is a must-visit!
When: March 31st to April 23rd
Where: Locations around Vancouver
Vancouver International Wine Festival
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In just a few short months, the Vancouver International Wine Fest is returning to the city for its 44th installment. Running for an entire week this April and often attracting tens of thousands of visitors, the festival is easily one of the largest of its kind in Canada. It’s not without good reason, as it attracts producers from all over the world, both big and small.
When: April 22nd to April 30th
Where: 1055 Canada Place
Cost: $109+ (varies per event)
Jurassic World Live Tour
Love dinosaurs? You’ll definitely want to mark your calendars for the Canadian premiere of the Jurassic World Live Tour this May. Guests can expect to see over 24 film-accurate, life-sized dinosaurs, including fan-fave Velociraptor Blue and a 40-foot-long T.rex.
The dinos will be operated by animatronics and performers, so visitors are definitely in for an exciting show. Fans of the popular Netflix series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous will also recognize Bumpy, the friendly, food-motivated dino, according to the release.
When: Friday, May 19th to Sunday, May 21st, and Friday, May 26th to Sunday, May 28th
Where: 100 North Renfrew Street
Cost: Sign up for pre-sale tickets here
Honda Celebration of Light
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It’s easily one of the most spectacular events in the city, and it’s back in Vancouver to light up the skies and delight spectators from all around. Fun fact: The Honda Celebration of Light is both BC’s largest live event and the longest-running offshore fireworks festival in the world. Since 1990, the event has hosted dozens of countries for international exhibitions and competitions.
When: July 22nd, July 26th, and July 29th
Where: English Bay
Cirque du Soleil – Kooza
Cirque du Soleil has been entertaining audiences around the globe for decades now, so it’s only right that we get properly excited for their return to Vancouver this year. This October, the world-famous show, Kooza, will be debuting at Concord Pacific Place. According to a release, Kooza pays tribute to the traditional circus with bold comedy and acrobatics that will have you on the edge of your seat.
GA tickets are now on sale starting at $55 each.
When: October 21st to December 31st
Where: Under the Big Top, Concord Pacific Place
And that’s a wrap on some of the largest events coming to Vancouver this year. We’ll keep you in the loop as more organizers release their 2023 info!
