This week in Vancouver: Victoria Day events, a new Hello Kitty Cafe, free UBC courses, and more
What's up, Vancouver? I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend.
I'm back with Narcity's weekly guide, This Week in Vancouver, to give you a breakdown of all the exciting things happening in the city.
Whether you're looking for things to do in Vancouver, new restaurants opening, or other cool events that are going on near you, we've got you covered.
Here's what's happening in the city from Monday, May 20, to Sunday, May 26, 2024.
THINGS TO KNOW
🗓️ WHAT'S OPEN & CLOSED ON VICTORIA DAY
Victoria Day falls on May 20 this year and you may be wondering what's open and closed in the city on the stat holiday. Many grocery stores are open, with some stores operating on holiday schedules. Malls, BC Liquor stores, and many Vancouver attractions are also open. Government buildings, banks, post offices, public libraries and Costco are all closed.
⭐ FREE VICTORIA DAY EVENTS
Several free events are happening in Vancouver on Victoria Day.
- It's Game 7 for the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers on May 20. There have been several Canucks viewing parties around Metro Vancouver, including in Oak Meadows Park, The Shipyards in North Vancouver and local community centres. You can check out the City of Vancouver website to find one closest to you.
- There's also the Vanyoo Market at The Pipe Shop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. where you'll find art, fashion, crafts and more.
- The Fort Langley May Day Parade starts at 11 a.m. at Glover Road in Fort Langley. The parade will be followed by a Family Fun Festival in the park.
- The Lululemon Park Royal Run is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in West Vancouver. Make sure you reserve a spot if you're planning to go.
💻 FREE COURSES AT UBC
Did you know you could take free courses at the University of British Columbia? The Canadian university offers a bunch of free classes in a variety of subjects and they can be done online. Not only are they free, but many can be done at your own pace. We put together a list of 10 free courses you can start now.
🎥 THE LAST OF US SPOTTED FILMING
Bella Ramsey was spotted filming The Last of Us Season 2 with her co-star Isabela Merced in downtown Vancouver and then again in Nanaimo. According to fans who posted photos of the two actresses, they were seen filming on horseback at Diana Krall Plaza. An overgrown tank from the video game was also spotted nearby on the set. The HBO series will continue filming in B.C. until mid-August.
🌦️ WEATHER
It's a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to the weather this week. Vancouver will see sun and a high of 16 C on Monday before it rains all day Tuesday with a high of 14 C. The sun will return with cloudy breaks on Thursday and into Friday with a high of around 15C. The weekend will see both rain and sun with a high of 17 C.
TRAVEL
🏡 MAGICAL AIRBNBS NEAR VANCOUVER
If you're planning a spring or summer trip, you may be searching for the perfect place to stay. There are plenty of Airbnbs in B.C. that range from treehouses in the forest to cabins with incredible mountain views. We have a list of 11 magical Airbnbs near Vancouver and could offer you a great location for your next weekend getaway.
🌊 BC BEACH SPOTLIGHT
B.C. is known for having some of the best beaches in Canada and Narcity's travel editor Morgan Leet says she has a favourite summer destination after living in the province for two years. The spot is a few hours away from Vancouver and offers ancient rainforests and white-sand beaches.
🏙️ PLACES IN BC CELEBS LOVE TO VISIT
Celebrities are often spotted filming projects in Vancouver, but many of these A-listers also love vacationing in this province. From Vancouver's own Ryan Reynolds to Sir Elton John, a number of Hollywood stars have visited Canada's West Coast and love to stay and visit certain spots while they're here. Check out our list if you're curious about where these hotspots are and where you could spot Reynolds next time he's in town.
FOODIE NEWS
🍽️ VANCOUVER RESTAURANT AMONG THE BEST IN CANADA
A Vancouver restaurant has been named one of the best in the country. Published on Main made the top 10 on Canada's 100 Best Restaurant List 2024. The Scandinavian upscale restaurant has an incredible menu filled with innovative dishes created into works of art. This is the third year in a row that Published on Main has made this list. So if you haven't dined here yet, this is your sign to make a reservation!
🍝 NEW ITALIAN RESTAURANT
A new Italian restaurant opened its doors on Pender Street in Vancouver on May 14. Locanda dell'Orso is an authentic Italian, family-style restaurant serving dishes found across Northern and Coastal Italy with ingredients sourced locally from small farms and imported from regions in Italy, according to its website.
🍰 HELLO KITTY CAFE
Vancouver is home to Canada's first Hello Kitty themed-cafe at 1274 Robson Street. The cafe has everything from Hello Kitty baked goods, to ice cream and beverages. You can also browse through themed merchandise like tote bags and T-shirts.
🍴POPULAR MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT CLOSING
A beloved Vancouver restaurant, Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill, will be closing later this year. According to The Georgia Strait, the celebrity-favourite restaurant founded by chef Pino Posteraro will close on December 21, 2024.
"The lease is up in October," Posteraro told the Straight. "After 25 glorious years, we shall close, choosing not to entertain to renew the lease."
VANCOUVER FESTIVALS AND THINGS TO DO
🎢 PLAYLAND OPENS FOR THE SEASON
Playland opened this past weekend for the 2024 season at the PNE. The Vancouver amusement park is open for select days throughout May and June before the summer. This year there will be a new roller coaster to try out called the ThunderVolt, which will become Canada's fastest electric launch coaster. The ride will open to the public sometime in July.
🎶 OUROFEST
OUROFEST is back for its 10th anniversary in Vancouver from May 25 to 28. The four-day street dance festival features dance battles and performances by local, national and young artists. The performances will be held at various locations, including at SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, Robson Square. The shows are by donation.
🥃 TEQUILA & AGAVE FESTIVAL
Discover over 150 Mexican spirits at Vancouver's first Tequila and Agave Festival. The event will be held at the Italian Cultural Centre on May 25 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will also be DJ sets, mariachi performances and delicious food. Tickets are $64 per person.
🎟️ BC WATERPARK OPENING IN JUNE
The province's biggest waterpark has announced its opening weekend on June 8 and 9. Cultus Lake Waterpark has everything from speed slides to lazy rivers and rides for thrill-seekers like the Valley of Fear. Tickets are available now.
🚗 BEST THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER
Are you planning a trip to Vancouver or are you a local hoping to make the most out of summer? If you're looking for new spots in the province to visit, there are a few towns and attractions that Narcity's editor Morgan Leet recommends adding to your B.C. bucket list.
🐐 GOATS ON THE ROOF
If part of that summer bucket list involves a trip to Vancouver Island, make sure you head to a small town famous for its adorable tourist attractions. Old Country Market is on the way to Tofino and deserves to be one of your stops. That's because you'll find at least a couple of goats roaming around the roof so you'll want to check it out and get a photo!
SPORTS
🏒 VANCOUVER CANUCKS
The Vancouver Canucks are heading to Game 7 after the Edmonton Oilers won Game 6 on Saturday. Game 7 will take place on May 20 and the time is TBD. There have been several Canucks viewing parties around Metro Vancouver, including in Oak Meadows Park, The Shipyards in North Vancouver and local community centres. You can check out the City of Vancouver website to find one closest to you.
JOB POSTINGS
💼 BC GOVERNMENT JOBS
The BC Government website has over 70 job openings listed and that's just for the city of Vancouver. One of those positions is for a Communications Analyst who will be required to provide a range of professional communications expertise in writing and editorial services, graphic design and communications planning. The position comes with a salary range between $69,760 and $79,322.
Another job posting is for an Administrative Assistant who will be responsible for providing administrative support services to the Public Guardian Trustee. The highest level of education for the role is high school or a GED and it comes with a salary range up to $56,546.
That's what is happening in Vancouver from May 20 to 26.
Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful week, everyone!
This article's left-hand cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
