10 Things to Do Outdoors in Vancouver for BC Day Long Weekend 2023

Kayaking near the Burrard Street Bridge in Vancouver

Kayaking in False Creek. Photo credit: Destination Vancouver / Rishad Daroowala

BC Day long weekend is the perfect time to soak up our beautiful province’s nature, culture, and history. In 2023, check out festivals, hikes, parades, beaches and more on the August 5-7th long weekend.

Continue reading:
10 Things to Do Outdoors in Vancouver for BC Day Long Weekend 2023

Soak Up the Sun at Outdoor Festivals Across Vancouver This Summer

Mountain Stage, Photo: Ambleside Music Festival

Festival season in Vancouver is in full swing. From local music to car-free street festivals and block parties, there’s something for everyone across Metro Vancouver’s many neighbourhoods, parks, and outdoor spaces.

Continue reading:
Soak Up the Sun at Outdoor Festivals Across Vancouver This Summer

Eat, Drink, and Shop at Lively Vancouver Markets this Summer

Photo: Richmond Night Market

This summer promises to be an amazing one in Vancouver, with popular events returning and new ones in the works. Going to a market promises so much fun: happy people milling about, artisan goods to browse, and great food and drink to enjoy.

Continue reading:
Eat, Drink, and Shop at Lively Vancouver Markets this Summer

Five acts to see at this year’s Powell Street Festival

Seishun Youth Academy, a Vancouver version of a Japanese idol group, returns for a second year.

This year’s Powell Street Festival takes place Aug 3 and 4, from 11:30 am – 7:00 pm. The street festival celebrates Japanese-Canadian culture and takes place in the historic Japanese-Canadian neighbourhood known as Paueru Gai (literally translated as Powell Street area). This area is centred at Alexander Avenue and Jackson Street, while the festival spans six city blocks.

The festival features sumo wrestling and martial arts demonstrations, theatre, dance, calligraphy, food (including yakisoba, takoyaki, sushi, matcha ice cream, ramen, and Japanese style hot dogs), music, and taiko drumming—lots and lots of taiko drumming. All events are free.

Here are five acts worth checking out.

Continue reading:
Five acts to see at this year’s Powell Street Festival

BC Day Long Weekend includes a FREE Japanese Culture and Food Festival

powell street festival vancouver 2018

Katari Taiko at the Powell Street Festival Photo credit: [stu-di-o] by jeanie

In a BC Day Long Weekend packed full of major events, including the Pride Festival and the Celebration of Light, the Powell Street Festival might get overlooked. However, the Powell Street Festival is actually the largest event of its kind in Canada and the longest running community arts festival in the Lower Mainland – since 1977.

This free, family-friendly event is held both indoors and out around the Powell Street area within Vancouver’s historic Japanese Canadian neighbourhood, on the traditional unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil- Waututh First Nations. Influenced by typical Japanese summer festivals or matsuri, PSF has developed into a unique Vancouver event. Over the course of the 2-day event, nearly 17,500 people participate in the event.

Continue reading:
BC Day Long Weekend includes a FREE Japanese Culture and Food Festival

Five fun things to do at this year’s Powell Street Festival

George and Nariko

George and Nariko, from Australia, perform two sets at this year’s Powell Street Festival.

Each year, the Powell Street Festival celebrates Japanese culture and Vancouver’s Japanese community. Back for its 41st year, the festival has some fan favourites along with some new acts and events. There’s plenty of opportunity for participation, including walking tours, an amateur sumo wrestling competition, and suika wara (where blindfolded contestants try to hit a watermelon). There are also film, music, theatre and literary events; and just about everything, outside of the food, is free.

Here are a few suggestions of what to check out at the Aug. 5 & 6 Powell Street Festival, which takes place in and near the 400 block of Powell, including Oppenheimer Park.

Continue reading:
Five fun things to do at this year’s Powell Street Festival

Highlights of this weekend’s annual Vancouver celebration of Japanese culture

Koto player Miyama McQueen-Tokita performs with Chordophone at this year's Powell Street Festival.

Koto player Miyama McQueen-Tokita performs with Chordophone at this year’s Powell Street Festival.

Every summer, Canada’s largest celebration of Japanese Canadian arts and culture held in Vancouver’s historic Japanese Canadian neighbourhood. The annual Powell Street Festival features live music, Japanese food, sumo wrestling, martial arts, dance, film, crafts, theatre, Taiko drumming, anime and children’s activities – all free.

This year, the festival takes place July 30-31, from 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Oppenheimer Park (400 Block, Powell Street), as well as participating venues Firehall Arts Centre (280 East Cordova Street), Vancouver Japanese Language School (475 Alexander St), and Vancouver Buddhist Temple (220 Jackson Avenue). See some highlights below.

Continue reading:
Highlights of this weekend’s annual Vancouver celebration of Japanese culture