Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for August 8 to 14

This week: Stuff yourself with mouth-watering dumplings, get nostalgic at White Spot, learn all about the beers and the bees at VanDusen Garden + more

KitsFest – August 7 to 9

Kitsilano Beach already abounds with sun, surf, and the athletic masses, which makes it the perfect setting for a festival of sports and healthy living. KitsFest features a range of sports including yoga, tennis, volleyball, Zumba, and more. The event will offer plenty to see and do, whether it’s taking part in a game, or just taking it all in from the sidelines. There will even be things for the kids to do, including face painting, games, and other activities, making it the perfect outing for the whole family.

Times vary. Check the schedule online.
Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver

Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival – August 8

The Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival is a one-day music extravaganza that’s been rocking Burnaby for the past 16 years. The festival is a family-friendly event that boasts a diverse lineup of musicians. It will be taking over Deer Lake Park with three different stages and 12 bands, including headliners The Sheepdogs, Lee Fields and the Expressions, and Ruthie Foster. Tickets are available online in advance for $60 or at the door for $75.

1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Deer Lake Park, Burnaby

Salt Spring Garlic and Music Festival – August 8 and 9

Salt Spring Island has cooked up an appetizing recipe for its newest festival: a healthy dose of garlic mixed in with some tasty musical treats. The Salt Spring Garlic and Music Festival may seem like an odd combo, but the event brings together two of the island’s proudest attractions. Performers include local musicians from a variety of genres such as rock band Chilliwack, indie-soul band The Boom Booms, singer-songwriter Shari Ulrich, and many more.

10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Musgrave Farm, 225 Musgrave Road, Salt Spring Island

Chinatown Festival – August 8 and 9

Enjoy Vancouver’s famous Chinatown in one of the biggest and best cultural festivals of the year. The TD Vancouver Chinatown Festival is jam-packed with the exotic and exciting. Shop the street market on Keefer Street for souvenirs and treats. In the Culture Corner, you can experience a slice of various multicultural experiences like calligraphy, origami, and more. And of course there will be no shortage of live entertainment, including a talent show, martial arts demonstrations, and a stellar lineup of traditional dancers.

Saturday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Columbia and Keefer Street, Vancouver

Golden Dumpling Cook-off – August 9

Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie is throwing its own celebration of Chinatown by hosting the Golden Dumpling Cook-off. This competition is a cutthroat throwdown between 17 Vancouver eateries to see who can bring home the coveted prize, the Golden Dumpling trophy. Competitors include some surprising local restaurants like Wildebeest, Bestie, La Mezcaleria, and Pidgin, to name a few. Buy a ticket online to taste the entries, see who wins, and maybe even take part in the dumpling eating competition.

1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Food Cart Festival, 215 West 1st Ave, Vancouver

Pirate Pak Day – August 12

White Spot has been a West Coast staple since Nat Bailey first opened its doors in 1928, so there are plenty of Vancouverites who remember their childhood Pirate Pak days fondly. Relive the nostalgia on Pirate Pak Day, the one time a year that adults can grab their very own Pak (complete with the cardboard boat). There are four different meal options, including a vegetarian burger and the popular Legendary burger. Two dollars from every meal sold goes to Camp Zajac, a B.C. summer camp for kids with serious medical conditions.

All day, dine in and takeout at White Spot restaurants.

Summerdine – August 12

Speaking of food for a cause, it’s time again for Les Dames Summerdine, an event where dozens of restaurants from around the province host dinner parties all at the same time. Tickets for each are $79 a seat, which includes a meal and wine. Participating restaurants includes local favourites like Vij’s and Blacktail in Vancouver, The Terrace at Mission Hill Winery in the Okanagan, Spinnakers Brew Pub in Victoria, and many more. Tickets for many of the events are sold out, so get yours before they’re gone. Proceeds got to Les Dames d’Escoffier, a culinary organization that supports professional and aspiring female chefs.

6:30 p.m.
Various times and places. Check online for tickets. 

The Botany of Beer – August 12, 19, and 20

Beer has always been more than just a beverage, and for VanDusen Botanical Garden it’s the star of their newest collaboration with Bomber Brewing. The Botany of Beer is a two-part class, the first half takes place on August 12 and guests can choose to take the second half on either August 19 or 20. The first part is held at VanDusen and is an interactive talk about the plants behind the brews. They’ll even be giving out beer samples made with ingredients grown right there in the garden. The second half of the class is a “tour and tasting” hosted by Bomber Brewing showing how the beer is made.

VanDusen: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Bomber Brewing: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
VanDusen Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Bomber Brewing, 1488 Adanac Street, Vancouver

Munsch Upon a Time – August 12 to 15

Experience some of Canada’s most beloved children’s stories in the perfect summertime setting. Munsch Upon a Time is based on the works of Robert Munsch and will be performed by Beach House Theatre in a tent on Surrey’s Crescent Beach. The play will feature well-known stories like Give Me Back my Dad, It’s My Room, and of course, The Paper Bag Princess. Catch a matinee that’s sure to delight children and adults alike.

Doors at 10:30 a.m.
Crescent Beach, Surrey

Vancouver Queer Film Festival – August 13 to 23

If you missed the Pride Parade, don’t worry, there are still plenty of chances to get in on the spirit of Pride Week. The Vancouver Queer Film Festival is a celebration of LGBTQ2+ cinema that not only entertains, but also breaks down barriers. The festival will show over 70 different films from 21 different countries, including seven feature-length films and 33 short films by Canadians.

Various times and places. Check out the schedule online.