Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for November

Safely enjoy spooky strolls, meet baby goats and more this November in and around the city

1. Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – Ongoing

Looking for socially-distanced, outdoor adventures? Forbidden Vancouver’s historical walking tours take in the Lost Souls of Gastown, The Dark Secrets of Stanley Park, or The Really Gay History Tour, with one-and-a-half to two-hour jaunts in the city. 
Details online

2. Heart of the City Fest – Until November 8

‘This Gives Us Strength’ is the theme of the annual arts and cultural festival that focuses on the downtown eastside. Check out more than 100 events at the Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival, by watching from home, or at one of the screening rooms or viewing outposts. Look out for in-person pop-up Art in the Streets activities, including music, poetry, writing, reading and opera. 
Details online

3. Victor Vasarely – Until April 5

Take your mind off 2020 and head to the Vancouver Art Gallery for some Op Art (Optical Art). Hungarian-French artist Victor Vasarely (1906 – 1997) is internationally renowned for colourful abstract patterns and playful pop aesthetic. Stimulating the eye, his vibrant paintings, prints and sculptures produce the optical illusion of dynamic movement: they appear to pulse, shimmer and vibrate. This exhibition showcases Vasarely’s artistic production primarily from the 1960s and ’70s, at the peak of his popularity. 
Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver; Details online

4. Hall of Flame Rocky Mountain Chocolate – Sunday, November 1 to Monday, November 30

Rocky Mountain Chocolate is turning up the heat ahead of the holiday season by teaming up with Vancouver Firefighter Charities to create a limited-edition ‘Hall of Flame’ inspired chocolate bar. The custom-made, four ounce, solid milk chocolate bar is adorned with colourful flames of cocoa butter drizzle topped with sparkling crystalized sugar. Chocolate bars are $10, with $5 from each sale donated to the B.C. Burn Fund, Lifeline for Seniors and Snacks for Kids community programs benefiting at-risk groups in Vancouver. The chocolate bars are not only a sweet treat for a special someone, but also a great way to give back to communities in need. 
Various locations; Limited bars available in-store or online

5. Cornucopia – Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 29

Celebrate booze and fine food when Cornucopia returns for a month of physically-distanced events such as educational drink seminars, chef’s lunches and demonstrations, and delicious winery dinners every weekend, as well as special dining experiences at Whistler’s participating restaurants. 
Details online

6. Canadian Online Jazz Festival – Sunday, November 8 to Sunday, November 15

Snap your fingers and nod your head at home with the inaugural Canadian Online Jazz Festival. Jazz festivals across Canada (including the Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival), have collaborated to create a virtual event that showcases artists in a digital format for local, national and international audiences, with two festival presentations each evening. 
Details online

7. Granville Island Festive Lights – Thursday, November 12 to January 3

Get in the festive spirit and explore Granville Island at night. Whether you’re strolling under the stars (or an umbrella!), the 40 acre site will be illuminated with lights. Head there earlier to visit the shops or enjoy the lights after an evening out at a bar or restaurant. 
4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily; Free; Details online

8. 24th Annual Eastside Culture Crawl – Thursday, November 12 to Sunday, November 15 & Thursday, November 19 to Sunday, November 22

Good news! The annual Eastside Culture Crawl is still taking place this year, with two weekends of  interactive virtual programming, combined with a new digital appointment scheduler for controlled, in-person engagement at open studios. Enjoy a sneak peek of crawl festivities during an exclusive Virtual Preview Week (November 2nd to 9th), featuring a curated selection of artist workshops, demonstrations, and talks, as well as the seventh annual Moving Art exhibition.
Details online

9. A Taste for Charity – Saturday, November 14

Dig into dinner in the name of charity! Rotary Club of Lions Gate invites North Shore residents to participate in the inaugural virtual culinary experience A Taste for Charity, in support of the Boys and Girls Club of North Vancouver.  Participants will receive a meal kit in the morning and then can enjoy cooking with beautiful local B.C. produce while connecting virtually with Chefs Jonah Joffe and Jon Merrill to glean tips on how to create mouth-watering dishes. 
$75 per person; Details online

10. Festive Goat Yoga Wine and Dine – Tuesday, November 24

We all need some baby goats in adorable Christmas pajamas this year! This festive fun time includes one hour of hatha goat yoga, a glass of Maan Farms wine, a bowl of butter chicken or chickpea curry and sides, a festive treat and cuddles and Christmas photos with the goats. 
Maan Farms, 790 McKenzie Road, Abbotsford; $75; Details online