Inside Vancouver

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival – December 21, 2011

by Dana Lynch in Events on December 15, 2011

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival at Vancouver's Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Photo: Secret Lantern Society

Among the many holiday celebrations happening in Vancouver this December, there is one event that stands out from the rest: the 18th annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival on December 21, 2011.

Rooted in the primal celebration of nature’s rhythms, rather than any specific religion, the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival commemorates the longest night of the year—the winter solstice—and honours the return of the sun with lantern processions, drumming, music, and fire.

Organized by the Secret Lantern Society, this free festival takes place on the same day—December 21—in five different Vancouver neighbourhoods: Commercial Drive, Yaletown, Granville Island, S.E. False Creek, and Chinatown.

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Winter Solstice Lantern Festival – December 21, 2011

Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival 2011

by Dana Lynch in Events on September 10, 2011

Stilt-walkers make "fire circles" at the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival. Photo: Still Moon Arts Society

One of Vancouver’s most unique multicultural festivals happens next Saturday, September 17: the 9th annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival.

Taking place in East Vancouver, the free Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival honours diverse cultural traditions—including the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival—with a celebration of harvest abundance, renewal and environmental stewardship. Lanterns for the festival are made by family and friends in the community, and the choice of Renfrew Ravine as the venue further symbolizes community spirit and renewal: the Ravine, today a lovely nature park, was once a garbage pit, transformed through the loving care of the neighbouring community.

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Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival 2011

TaiwanFest 2011 & Vancouver’s First-Ever Street Banquet

by Dana Lynch in Events on August 23, 2011

Vancouver TaiwanFest. Photo: TaiwanFest.ca

The 2011 TELUS TaiwanFest returns to Vancouver Labour Day weekend with loads of free fun for the whole family.

A cultural celebration of all things Taiwanese, TaiwanFest aims to burst stereotypes by showcasing the rich diversity in both modern and traditional Taiwanese music, dance, film, food, and arts. This year’s festival includes fusion concerts, Techno Prince dance, Taiwanese Aboriginal artisans, inspiring documentaries, fabulous culinary shows, games for all ages, Chef Hung’s “best beef noodle on earth,” and Vancouver’s first-ever street banquet in honour of Vancouver’s 125th birthday.

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TaiwanFest 2011 & Vancouver’s First-Ever Street Banquet

Vancouver Chinatown Festival This Weekend

by Dana Lynch in Events on August 6, 2011

Streetfest at the Vancouver Chinatown Festival. Photo: Vancouver Chinatown BIA

Vancouver’s Chinatown celebrates its history and heritage this weekend with a two-day free festival in the very heart of that historic neighbourhood.

The annual Vancouver Chinatown Festival brings 50,000 spectators to Chinatown’s Columbia and Keefer Streets, making it one of the summer’s biggest multicultural festivals. This year, the festival includes an open market, historic walking tours, multicultural stage performances, a 125th anniversary photo exhibition at the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum (555 Columbia Street), Youth Talent Showdown 2011, and the fun, festive Streetfest.

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Vancouver Chinatown Festival This Weekend

10 Free Things to Do in Vancouver in August

by Dana Lynch in Entertainment on August 2, 2011

: Vancouver Chinatown Festival

Summer fun in Vancouver continues through August with loads of great, free events and activities for the whole family!

10 Free Things to Do in Vancouver in August

1. Watch the Fireworks! The Celebration of Light Fireworks Competition continues with two more nights of amazing fireworks displays on Wednesday, August 3, and Saturday, August 6, 2011.

2. Party before the fireworks at SHOREfest, the free concert series that runs from 7pm – 10pm on August 3 and August 6 at three of the best fireworks-watching spots: Vanier Park, Kitsilano Beach, and English Bay Beach.

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10 Free Things to Do in Vancouver in August

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival – December 21, 2011

Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival 2011

TaiwanFest 2011 & Vancouver’s First-Ever Street Banquet

Vancouver Chinatown Festival This Weekend

10 Free Things to Do in Vancouver in August

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