Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for February 14 to 20

7th Annual Parksville Uncorked Wine & Food Festival – February 19-22

Foodies and wine lovers should head to the island for a four-day weekend hosted by the Beach Club Resort and Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa resort. What can you expect at the Parksville Uncorked Wine & Food Festival?  A series of events that showcase a bevy of craft bears, ciders and wines – all with a with a B.C. bent.

Events will include:

Parksville Untapped: On Feb. 19, suds takes centre stage as beers from around the province are paired with local fare. $55 per person

Swirl: Over 100 varieties of B.C. wine – including Blasted Church Winery, Black Sage Vineyard and more – will be poured next to, you guessed it, local dishes created by regional chefs. $75 per person

Winemakers’ Dinners: On Saturday, wine is once again at the forefront of the experience as a specially prepared 6-course dinner will be hosted by See Ya Later Ranch’s senior winemaker Dave Carson. $129 per person

Bubbles & Brunch: Exactly as it sounds, this yummy Sunday brunch is the perfect way to cap off the weekend, and the glass of champagne might be exactly what you need to ease a slightly swollen head.

#popupcupid – February 13 and 14

Found yourself a last minute Valentine? Or maybe you just forgot that the big day is coming up? The #popupcupid Valentine’s Day Pop Up features a super team of local vendors who can fullfil all your romance needs in one easy stop. Grab sweet treats from Sweet Bake Shop and PetitePuf, some stunning flowers from Celesia Floral, and then commemorate the day with a pic in their kissing booth. Stop by Sweet Bake Shop between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to get in on the fun.

Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival – February 13 to 21

Vancouverites love their gorgeous, (occasionally) snow-capped mountains. The 18th annual Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival is celebrating mountain adventures from all corners of the map. Climbing, biking, boarding, and beyond are all on display in over 60 exciting films. There will also be a selection of inspiring speakers and storytellers. You can check out the program and buy tickets online. 

VanDusen Garden Valentine’s Day Picnic – February 14

Celebrate a stress-free Valentine’s Day with the help of VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Valentine’s Day Picnic. The 55 acres of picturesque garden are already romantic, but throw in a delicious picnic and mood-setting music and you’ve got yourself a date that you’ll never forget. For $40, you’ll get admission to the garden and a catered meal for two with sandwiches from Truffles Café, drinks, and chocolate covered strawberries for dessert.

Riverton In Print Photo Exhibition – February 19

Find a new world perspective at the Riverton in Print Photo Exhibition. Non-profit foundation Fundamentals for Change travelled to Jamaica and gave disposable cameras to 15 inner-city youths from Riverton Meadows, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Kingston. The event will have live music, canapés, door prizes, drinks for sale, and the best photos from the exhibition will be up for sale to raise money for a school in Riverton Meadows. You can buy tickets online. 

Whose Live Anyway? – February 19

Lighten up your February with a ticket to Whose Live Anyway? at the Hard Rock Casino. Vancouver Theatresports veteran Ryan Stiles returns home with comedians Greg Proops, Jeff Davis and Joel Murray to perform the improve games featured on their hit TV show, Whose Line Is It Anyway? Tickets are sure to go fast, so buy get them now so that you don’t miss out on the side-splitting hilarity.

B.C. Home and Garden Show – February 18 to 22

Home renovations are a big job, but you don’t have to do it alone. The B.C. Home and Garden Show has all the tools you need to spruce up your home and so much more! Over 425 exhibitors will be showing off their solutions to all your design problems, and a program of industry experts will be on hand to share their wisdom. Have a free consultation with local design experts at Ask a Designer, shop striking art at their M(ART)KET, and even catch some culinary demonstrations. This event has it all!

Winterruption – February 19 to 22

Granville Island has the solution to grey winter days: a colourful festival that’s perfect for the whole family. The 10th annual Winterruption is descending upon the island for four days of music, art, acrobatics and more. Take a Meet Your Maker tour to see and taste how local beer, liquor, and sake are made. For the younger ones, pay a visit to the Kids’ Zone to see thrilling acrobatics, make carnival masks, and play games. 

LunarFest – February 20 to 22

LunarFest is back and bigger than ever to celebrate the Year of the Sheep. The Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza will be transformed into a lantern-filled wonderland, featuring a New Year’s market, fortune-telling, drum performances, kid-friendly crafts and activities, and even a dumpling-making competition. Be sure not to miss the Jhuo Lan Dragon Dance Team in the first Canadian performance of their glow-in-the-dark dragon dance. 

Vancouver International Wine Festival – February 20 to March 1

Sip your way around the world at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. There is a plethora of events for amateur wine enthusiasts and expert sommeliers alike taking place all around the city. The International Festival Tasting brings together 170 wineries to offer up samples of over 770 different wines. If you’re looking to learn more about wines, then stop by one of their informative seminars or one of their conference events. Tickets and event programs can be found online. 

Joe Fortes Brunch Bonanza – Until March 1

Start off your weekends right with Joe Fortes’ Brunch Bonanza. Back by popular demand, Vancouver’s famous seafood and chophouse is serving up tasty brunch for a steal until March 1st. For just $9.95, you can get a Chorizo Bowl, Egg any style, or Eggs Benedict any time between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.