photo: Vancouver Whisky Festival
The following article was written by Carly Whetter, Communications Assistant at Tourism Vancouver.
Fall in Vancouver may not be synonymous with festivals, but we think you’ll change your mind after you check out these six festivals in the city this year:
Vancouver Whisky Festival | September 16, 2017
The 2nd annual Vancouver Whisky Festival, held at the Pacific Inn Resort (1160 King George Hwy., Surrey), will celebrate Vancouver’s growing whisky culture with like-minded connoisseurs and hobbyists alike. Taste whiskys from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, USA, Japan, India and Taiwan. The festival features 12 scheduled Masterclasses and over 200 whiskys from over 30 brands. All proceeds going to the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Depending on your selected schedule, tickets range from $54.50 -$215, tax included.
Vancouver International Film Festival | September 28–October 13, 2017
Vancouver International Film Festival is a Vancouver mainstay, kicking off its 36th year in late September. The festival boasts over 300 films from 76 countries in a format encouraged to inspire, engage, and entertain through film showings, workshops, and creator talks. In a new partnership with Buffer Festival, the largest event for YouTube content and creators worldwide, this year a day of VIFF will be dedicated to screening Buffer Festival winners, and ‘Creator Day’ panels and keynotes. VIFF LIVE, another addition to this year’s line up, is a five night performance event that celebrates the relationship between sound and visual elements in film.
Apple Festival at UBC Botanical Garden | October 14-15, 2017
UBC Botanical Garden (6804 SW Marine Drive) invites guests to celebrate the Apple Festival, in its 26th year. Visit this family friendly event to purchase apples and apple trees (over 16,329 kg of apples were sold last year!), and learn more about this popular fruit at the apple tasting tent. The festival will also feature activities and displays, such as face painting, games and storytelling in the Children’s Area, grafting and cider-pressing demonstrations, and discussions with Master Gardeners about pest management and fruit tree-related diseases. Tickets are $5, and children 12 and under go free.
Vancouver International Writers Festival | October 16–22, 2017
Visit Granville Island this October for the Vancouver International Writers Festival. The seven day event will host over 110 local and international authors with over 95 events to celebrate the power of stories. Look out for internationally acclaimed authors like Canadian-American television writer Hart Hanson (known for Bones, Judging Amy and Joan of Arcadia), bestselling author of more than 80 books for children and teens, Gordon Korman, United Kingdom’s Polari First Book Prize winner Dean Atta, Italy’s foremost literary novelist Nicola Lagioia, and Mexico’s National Journalism Prize award winner Diego Enrique Osorno. Canadian authors such as Margaret Atwood and Barbara Gowdy will also be in attendance. Additional events with Louise Penny (Aug 28), Salman Rushdie (Sept 19), Jennifer Egan (Oct 25), and Alan Doyle (Nov 20) will precede and follow the festival. View the website for the full program, authors in attendance, and future events.
ISCM World New Music Days 2017 | November 2-8, 2017
Hosted by The International Society for Contemporary Music, The International Society for Contemporary Music Canadian Section, The Canadian League of Composers/La Ligue canadienne des compositeurs, and Music on Main, ISCM World New World Music Days 2017 will feature over 30 new music events, over 135 composers from around the world, and music from 50 countries performed by Canadian artists. This once-in-a-generation festival features pieces that are cutting-edge, genre-bending, and culturally diverse to celebrate this country’s contribution to contemporary music. The National Arts Centre Orchestra of Ottawa will kick off the festival on November 2nd at 7:30pm, conducted by Alexander Shelley, with “Life Reflected” presented by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Visit iscm2017.ca for a full festival schedule and information on how to support the festival.
Vancouver Tea Festival 2017 | November 4 – 5, 2017
Presented by the Vancouver Tea Society and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, the 4th annual Vancouver Tea Festival will take place at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver (50 E. Pender St.) this winter. Guests are invited to interact with other tea lovers, visit the a tea marketplace, and partake in tea tastings, presentations and workshops throughout both days. Exhibitors include Whisk Premium Matcha, The Chinese Tea Shop and JusTea, among others.
