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Vancouver Adventures: Our To Do Picks For Nov. 23-29

This week: Satisfy your sweet tooth at Yaletown's Candytown event, show off your least trendy threads at the Ugly Sweater Run, scour the streets for deals on Black Friday, and more

By Heather Cameron /

Credit: Flickr / Kardboard604

Vancouver Festival of Trees – Nov. 20 to Jan. 2

The 27th annual Vancouver Festival of Trees returns to the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver and Pacific Centre Mall this week. The traditional showcase of lavishly decorated and uniquely themed Christmas trees is hosted in support of BC Children’s Hospital. Whether you’re looking for some DIY decor inspiration, need a boost of Christmas spirit or are downtown to tackle your holiday shopping, be sure to take a detour through this elaborate and festive display.



Credit: The Santaland Diaries

The Santaland Diaries – Nov. 21 to Dec. 21

Based on the essay written by comedian David Sedaris about his experience working as a mall Santa, The Santaland Diaries takes a wickedly humorous spin on the Christmas tradition. The ArtsClub will be featuring this 90-minute show until December 21, with matinee options as well. Purchase your tickets now.



Credit: Flickr / Jeff Werner

Emily Carr’s Student Art Sale – Nov.22-24

The students of Emily Carr University of Art + Design will be putting their work on display this weekend for the annual Student Art Sale. Support the next generation of artists and designers who will be showcasing and selling their paintings, photographs, prints, ceramics, sculptures, wearable works, housewares and other designs. The sale, which is free to attend, will take place at the university campus on Granville Island in the North Building’s Concourse Gallery.



Credit: Flickr / Miss604

Vancouver Christmas Market – Nov. 22 to Dec. 24

The Vancouver Christmas Market is back for its fourth year at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza. This authentic German Christmas Market provides the opportunity to shop, eat and mingle as you prepare for the upcoming holidays. Open 11 am to 9 pm every day until Christmas Eve (closing at 6 pm on the 24th), this downtown market is perfect for a convenient lunch break, a cozy evening stroll and a fun family activity. Cruise by the corner of West Georgia and Hamilton to see what has made this event a constant fixture on so many locals’ calendars.



Credit: Flickr / Yaletown BIA

Candytown – Nov. 23

Watch as Yaletown’s Mainland Street is transformed into a winter wonderland this Saturday for Candytown. The Christmas festival returns after an extremely successful launch last year. With complimentary horse drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, ice carving demonstrations, candy making, Christmas tree sales, and even a cocktail hour, this event will amp up your anticipation for the holidays. Plus, you can stop by BCLiving’s booth for a copy of our launch issue and the chance to meet our lovely marketing team!



Credit: The Ugly Sweater Run

The Ugly Sweater Run – Nov. 23

The original Ugly Sweater Run is coming to Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park. The best 5K you’ve ever run will include huge inflatables, photo stations, Christmas music and holiday-themed stations. Once you’ve worked up a sweat you can enjoy post-run hot chocolate and refreshments while you compete for prizes in categories like best mustache and worst sweater. The best part? A portion of your registration fee goes towards The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. So get some exersize, have some fun, and support a great cause.



Credit: Red Obsession: The Movie

Red Obsession Film Screening – Nov. 26

The award-winning documentary Red Obsession will be screened at the Rio Theatre this Tuesday. The Rio Theatre is hosting this Western Canadian Premiere which documents the effects of Bordeaux’s rare and expensive wines both in their native locale and in economically booming China. The screening, which begins at 8:30 pm, will be preceded by a winte tasting and followed by a Q&A with the film’s directors, Warwick Ross and Terry David Mulligan. Tickets will be available at the door, but are also available online for a discounted rate.



Credit: Flickr / Susan H

Matthew Good – Nov. 28

Burnaby born Matthew Good performs close to home this week. The Canadian rock musician, formerly associated with the self-titled alternative rock group The Matthew Good Band, has since established a successful solo career. See for yourself at The Orpheum next Thursday where he will share the stage with Gentlemen Husbands. Fun fact: the political activist is credited with coining the phrase “first-world problems”.



Credit: Flickr/ Alicia Rosello Gene

Make It! Vancouver – Nov. 28-Dec. 1

Make It! Vancouver will take on a bigger and better venue this weekend for their annual winter craft fair. The “Handmade Revolution” will set up shop at the PNE Forum Thursday through Sunday, and over 250 vendors will be selling artisan products. This year’s silent auction and coat check will support the Union Gospel Mission and Variety The Children’s Charity, so you can get your holiday shopping done early and feel good about it. Buy tickets online now to save $2 on regular admission.



Credit: Free Great Picture

Black Friday – Nov. 29

America’s favourite shopping day has migrated north of the border. Black Friday, or the day after American Thanksgiving, is comparable to our Boxing Day, when retailers apply huge markdowns and unprecedented sales in an effort to clear out merchandise. This year, 12 Vancouver area business improvement associations have united to create a local Black Friday event. Participating neighborhoods are Cambie Village, Chinatown, Commercial Drive, Downtown Vancouver, Gastown, Kerrisdale Village, Mount Pleasant, Robson, South Granville, West 4th, the West End and Yaletown, all easily accessible by the Vancouver Trolley Company, which will be offering a free shuttle service. Now you can get all your holiday shopping done (and don’t forget about the deals) without having to travel south.