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Welcome back to the Vancouver Group Chat, a weekly catch-up session with us, the city, the internet, and any pals you may choose to send this to. Last week, we dove into underrated cherry blossom spots, the start of wine tour season, and fun, quirky things to check out near you, including a green roof tour and a letter-writing club.
This week, we’re back at it with some of the city’s hottest updates, and of course, some top-notch ways to take advantage of all this warm, sunny weather while it lasts.
Let’s dive in!
If anything has felt abundantly clear these past few days, it’s that summer weather is on its way. And so are the city’s Summer Farmers Markets!
Vancouver’s Winter Farmers Markets run until the end of the month, but the Saturday summer markets at Riley Park and Trout Lake have already kicked off. So if you’re out and about this weekend, it’s worth stopping by a market for some fresh produce and some locally-grown tulips.
Our policy is typically two small bouquets: one for yourself and one for a loved one, because the only thing better than receiving flowers is watching the appreciation pour out of someone who wasn’t expecting to receive any.
Air Canada is launching a handful of new routes from Vancouver to popular destinations in Mexico and Costa Rica. Starting December (until April 2027), you can fly directly to:
Aetherhaus in the West End is officially reopening this Thursday, April 9, 2026, following a series of renovations. And if you’re looking for a spring getaway, the team is hosting a three-day yoga retreat and reset on the Sunshine Coast this May that you won’t want to miss. Early bird pricing (15 per cent off) is available until this Friday, April 10, 2026.
In other news, UBC’s engineering students—notorious for executing nonsensical pranks—have done it again. They’ve taken yet another hallowed-out Volkswagen Beetle with a giant red “E,” and somehow hung it off the Stawamus Chief, though many are unimpressed with this show of school pride.
The prank has sparked backlash from the Squamish Nation as well as the climbing community, as the mountain is considered sacred, and it’s now closed to climbers until the Bug can be safely removed.
Vancouver has transformed into its finest form. Fresh spring air, cherry blossoms galore, and trees starting to turn green again. As one Reddit user put it, the city looks straight out of a 19th-century oil painting. As such, this week absolutely calls for some quality patio-hopping, and we’re here to nudge you towards some of the best outdoor hangs in the city.
Finally, this spot hasn’t opened just yet, but it’s worth putting on your radar. We’re inching ever closer towards the opening of Burdy’s first-ever permanent location on Granville Island, and counting the days to our next chicken parm!
It’s only right. Whether you’re keen on finding your people or want to take yourself out on a solo adventure, there are plenty of fun things to check out around town this week. Start “thinking like a tree,” go on a Tantra Speed Date, or learn to bartend. The city is your oyster.
That’s all for now, Vancouver. We’ll be back next week with more updates!
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