14 Free things to do this February in Vancouver

free vancouver february

Photo by Mike Benna on Unsplash

If you thought every event in Vancouver came with an admission fee, think again! This February, make it your mission to check out all these excellent, free events happening around the city.

Whether they’re free or almost free, each of these events are unique and interesting and many are family-friendly. Check out the full list of free events in February below!

Lunar New Year at the Market

The Lonsdale Quay is hosting a Chinese New Year celebration at the Market with a variety of fun activities! Expect to see Jessica Yue, a traditional fan dancer, Lion dancers, a Fortune God and balloon twisters.

The event takes place on Saturday, February 1st, 2020, drop by to this free event to see some amazing traditional dancers!

Website: lonsdalequay.com

Lunar New Year 2020

On Saturday, February 1, 2020, Burnaby Heights will celebrate the Year of the Rat with merchants and shoppers. From 12 to 4 p.m., Lion Dancers will perform the traditional blessing ceremony at participating Heights merchants along Hastings Street (between Boundary Road and Gamma Avenue) to spread good fortune. The celebration will usher in the Year of the Rat, in accordance to the Asian Zodiac, and include giveaways for lucky shoppers.

Website: burnabyheights.com

super bowl parties free vancouver

Image sourced from the Donnelly Group | Eventbrite

Super bowl parties

Watching sporting events is just more fun when you’re surrounded by people. If you’re looking for a Super Bowl event in Vancouver that offers free entry, check out the Tavern & New Oxford, The Railway Stage or Cinema Public House.

Each of these locations is offering specials throughout the day to keep your prices down.

Independent Artist’s Market at the Waldorf

On Thursday, February 6, 2020, the Independent Artist’s Market will be taking over all 3 rooms At The Waldorf!

On display will be 50+ Vancouver artists and all types of creative products for sale. There are no fees, no commissions, no cover, and 100% of the sale goes to the artist. If you want to buy local art for yourself or as a gift, now is your chance!

Note: This event is entry by voluntary donation.

Website: Facebook event page

VCC Indigenous Arts Symposium

On Thursday, February 6th, join the first annual VCC Indigenous Arts Symposium for a one-day event bringing together Indigenous scholars and artists from VCC, Emily Carr University of Arts and Design, Native Education College, and beyond.

The symposium is a forum for showcasing Indigenous arts and discussing their role in indigenizing academic institutions in a post Truth and Reconciliation landscape. The event will feature a panel of speakers, sound and visual art installations, and musical performances. It is free and open to the public.

Where: Vancouver Community College – Broadway Campus (1120 East 7th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C)

Website: Eventbrite event page

CPAWS Vancouver

Image from CPAWS BC Snowshoe Series

CPAWS Snowshoe Event

On February 8th, join Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS-BC) on a snowshoe adventure! Learn to snowshoe while hearing about CPAWS-BC’s evolving journey of protecting vast lands and how you can take action to protect the places you love. The organizers will share snow safety tips, identify plants and signs of wildlife, reveal pro hiking tips, and tools that each of us can use to protect the ecological integrity of BC’s parks and protected areas.

Location: Dog Mountain Trail, 1700 Mount Seymour Road

Website: Event page

Woodwards Valentines Market

On February 10th, shop the Woodwards Weekend Pop-Up! A community event that brings incredible goods made from artisans, crafters and original or vintage goods.

Located at the Woodwards building in downtown Vancouver, the market is open from noon to 6pm.

Website: Facebook event page

Free Movie (incl Popcorn & A Drink) – The Lunchbox

Hosted at the Gordon Neighbourhood House in downtown Vancouver on February 13th, this free movie event will be screening The Lunchbox. In Hindi (with English subtitles) and English, The Lunchbox is set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s amazingly-efficient lunchbox delivery system. One day, this system errs and a young housewife’s note to her young husband is intercepted by an older man. What ensues is a fantasy that develops as they exchange notes through the lunchbox.

Where: Gordon Neighbourhood House (1019 Broughton Street)

Website: Event page

Family Movie Day! Modest Heroes

On Sunday, February 16th on the Family Day Long weekend, enjoy a free movie at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre. There will be three movies in a row starting from 1:30pm (doors open at 1:15pm). The first showing (1:30pm) will feature three short films in Japanese with English subtitles, and the last two showings (2:30pm and 3:30pm) will feature the same three films in English.

Feel free to enjoy one short film or stay for the three whole films! Doors will not open while films are playing.

Where: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby)

Website: Eventbrite page

knit nights yvr vancouver

Image courtesy of Knit Nights YVR | Facebook.com

Knit Nights at Strange Fellows

Looking to get into knitting or crocheting, but don’t want to do it alone? Check out Knit Nights at Strange Fellows brewing to pair your favorite craft with some crafty brews. Open to knitters, crocheters, felters and other creative minds. The beer isn’t free, but the event is!

Knit night is February 25, 2020, at Strange Fellows Brewing in Vancouver.

Website: Facebook event page

Play with Clay: Drop-In Ceramics Workshop

On February 22nd, visit the Museum of Anthropology on the UBC Vancouver campus to join ceramic artist, and past MOA artist-in-residence, Debra Sloan for an all-ages drop-in workshop that explores the narrative possibilities of clay.

The ceramics workshop is free with museum admission. Discover and experiment with a variety of clay techniques, including press molding, carving, and painting. Then, take matters into your own hands by applying these techniques onto a ceramic tile that reflects your own story.

Website: Facebook event page

Free Laughter Yoga

Would you like to learn and experience laughter in a whole new way? Join this event on February 24th for this FREE laughter yoga session led by Dr. Kasim Al-Mashat. Laughter Yoga was created by a physician from India, Dr. Madan Kataria, and has become a worldwide phenomenon.

Location: Centre For Mindfulness Canada (107-3711 Delbrook Avenue, North Vancouver)

Website: Event page

Green Drinks Vancouver

On February 26th, have some drinks and meet other environmentally-minded folks in Vancouver! Green Drinks is a casual monthly gathering for anyone interested in sustainability issues. The drinks aren’t green but the people are!

There’s no agenda or other formality – it’s just a chance to meet regularly to chat, debate, socialize and connect with others in Vancouver who are passionate about environmental and all things ‘green’.

Where: Ampersand Bistro & Bar (32 Water Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 1A4)

Website: greendrinks.org/BC/Vancouver 

Robson ice rink

Photo: British Columbia Magazine

Robson Square Ice Rink

The last bit of winter can be found at the Robson Square ice rink, which remains open until February 29, 2020! Admission to the skating rink is free if you have your own skates. Otherwise, rentals are $4.

The Robson Square Ice Rink, located at 800 Robson Street near UBC Robson Square, is open daily until February 29, 2020.

Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm; Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 11 pm.

Websitewww.robsonsquare.com

Know any more fun, free events in Vancouver for February? Let us know in the comment section!

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