Wings Over Iona Event
2026-09-12 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver) | Iona Beach Regional Park, 5980 Ferguson Rd, Richmond, V7B 0A8
Wings Over Iona is a FREE family event that takes place on September 12th, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Iona Beach Regional Park in Richmond.
This event marks the fall migration of shorebirds, songbirds, and waterfowl as they move from northern breeding grounds to warmer habitats in the south. Watch bird banders do their work, see live raptors and try activities like measuring your “wingspan”, exploring a bird’s buffet of aquatic insects, pulling invasive plants, painting a natural landscape, bird song trivia and more.
People can drop by any time, but please leave pets at home. Look for the Regional Parks tent at the washroom building.
Sign up for a guided bird walk before the event. Register for Birding for Beginners. Participants 10 years and up can learn bird ID tips, how to use binoculars and where to find common birds. Cost associated with the walk.
Parking is limited at Iona Beach Regional Park. For the event, take the FREE shuttle from Templeton SkyTrain Station. Shuttle service runs every 30 to 45 minutes, with the first bus departing from Templeton Station at 7:45 am and the last bus departing Iona Beach Regional Park at 2:15 pm.

Picklefest Vancouver 2026
2026-09-12 11:00 - 19:00 | City Centre Artist Lodge. 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC, 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, V5T 3C6
Join us at the Vancouver location of Canada’s largest and only festival dedicated entirely to pickles. Picklefest is a celebration of food, fermentation, community and culture. This September, it’s bringing together over 40 local vendors for a day full of live music, crunchy bites, and lasting memories.

Book Launch: Left Unsaid
2026-09-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Grace Vancouver Church, 1696 W. 7th Ave., Vancouver, V5Z 3K9, Canada
Karl Petersen launches his latest novel, Left Unsaid. The event includes readings from the book, Q and A session, and book signing. Doors open 6:30. Mingle, meet the author!
Novel synopsis: Gideon’s life unravels when his father, Quaker turned evangelical pastor, uproots the family to revive a dying church. When his father coopts him to pastor the church, Gideon rebels, escaping into pop music, delinquent friends, and the arms of a Native American girl, a romance his father firmly rejects. He eventually goes back to his old home to discover unsettling truths of his past. Finally, he must face the Viet Nam draft and a choice that threatens love and life.
Can love truly survive all else? Left Unsaid confronts questions of sexuality, masculinity, race, faith, and war. A compelling, must-read story with profound significance for our times.
Book available through Amazon.
More info about this author: karlpetersen.com

VOKRA's Walk for the Kitties
2026-09-13 09:30 - 13:30 | Locarno Beach, 4445 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver
This 5K fun walk brings together VOKRA supporters, volunteers, adopters, fosters, families, and cat lovers for a day of fun—and, most importantly, fundraising for cats and kittens in need. It’s a chance to get together with fellow cat lovers and celebrate the difference our community makes for cats across Vancouver.
You can participate on your own, create a team with friends or coworkers, or get your family involved. And you don’t need to be a serious walker—the important thing is showing up for the kitties!
The need for VOKRA’s services continues to be significant, while the cost of veterinary care, food, medications, and other supplies keeps rising. Every cat who comes through our doors deserves the care they need, regardless of how sick, injured, young, or vulnerable they may be.

Richmond Farm Fest
2026-09-13 11:00 - 16:00 | Garden City Lands, 5555 No. 4 Rd, Richmond, BC, V6X 3M2
Explore Richmond’s rich farming and agriculture heritage at the upcoming Richmond Farm Fest. The event returns to the Garden City Lands on Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 11am to 4pm. Attendees of all ages can take farm wagon tours, view cooking demonstrations by Black + Blue Executive Chef Jonathan Lee, and get hands-on experiences through agriculture-related activities. For those that want to sit back and enjoy, there will be performances by local musicians Rachel Chiu, The Heels, and more at the community stage. And don’t miss out on an array of offerings from local food vendors, as well as a farmers market featuring locally grown produce. Complimentary shuttle service will be offered from both KPU Richmond Campus and Richmond City Hall.
The Richmond Farm Fest is free to attend and no registration is required. More information about this family-friendly event is available at richmondfarmfest.ca.
Address
KPU Farm at Garden City Lands
5040 Garden City Road, Richmond
Image
Courtesy of City of Richmond

fml: funny, my life
2026-09-13 13:30 - 14:30 | Little Mountain Gallery, 110 Water Street, Vancouver
Award winning Lilix Media presents FML: Funny, My Life, a comedic storytelling show inspired by real experiences. Hosted by Sarah Alma Angelle, each show features a diverse lineup of artists sharing stories from all walks of life. Think “The Moth” meets Mike Birbiglia.
Since debuting in January 2025, FML has become a resident hit at Vancouver’s Little Mountain Gallery comedy club, consistently drawing sold-out crowds.

Vancouver Donation Days Dance Classes
2026-09-14 18:00 - 22:30 | Famee Furlane of Vancouver, 2605 E Pender Street, Vancouver, V5K 2B6
Bring a friend, try something new, and enjoy a full week of adult-only classes while connecting with our amazing community through a small monetary donation. We’ll also be accepting non-perishable food items to give back locally.
With tons of exciting weekly classes — from Tap to Ballet, Jazz to Heels, Burlesque to Drag, Chair, and more — there’s truly something for everyone! Dance now, shine later! Many classes will take the stage in our Halloween show on October 24, 2026!
Got questions? Email: vancouver@passionandperformance.com

Human-Centered Journalism: An Evening with Megaphone Editor Paula Carlson and The Shift Peer Newsroom
2026-09-15 18:00 - 19:30 | vancouver public library central branch, 350 W Georgia St, Vancouver, V6B 6B1, Canada
Join Megaphone Editor Paula Carlson and members of The Shift peer newsroom for an engaging conversation on the ethics of journalism, with a particular focus on reporting from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The evening will also explore the evolving role of print media in 2026 and offer a behind-the-scenes look at Megaphone’s peer newsroom and the collaborative process behind its reporting.
After the event stay for a Q & A with the Megaphone team!
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In partnership with Megaphone Magazine.
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For nearly three decades, Paula Carlson has worked as an editor and reporter at various newspapers throughout the Lower Mainland, contributing stories and stick-handling special projects that have won more than 50 industry awards for news, feature and opinion writing, page layout and design. Her work has appeared across B.C. and Canada. She’s fairly certain a good cup of coffee improves almost anything.

anaiis
2026-09-16 19:30 - 21:00 | Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver, V6T 1Z1, Canada
anaiis makes the kind of music that speaks to an innate sense of wonder. Her songs explore transformation, connection, and the possibilities that emerge when we embrace change with curiosity and grace.
Her latest album, Devotion & The Black Divine, named one of the top Albums of the Year by both BBC and Apple Music, is a meditation on the natural world, our inner selves, and the power of recognizing one’s own divinity. Recorded live-to-tape in London, the work is deeply influenced by anaiis’ new experience as a mother. She embraces softness as strength, and the self as ever-changing. With her “gorgeous voice” that “expertly shifts from a restrained falsetto to a deep, rich alto” (Pitchfork), anaiis explores what it means to be unabashedly human.
Born in Toulouse and raised between Dakar, Dublin, and Oakland, anaiis brings a distinctly global perspective to her music. With each new release, she traces a lineage of diasporic collaboration and cross-cultural kinship. She arrives at the Chan Centre for her Canadian debut with gentle, powerful music, creating a world where the ego is left outside and fear gives way to possibility. Step inside, there’s room for all of us.

Heist
2026-09-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Stanley BFL CANADA Stage, 2750 Granville St., Vancouver, V6H 3J3, Canada
The team: four brilliant thieves—the conman, the hacker, the cat burglar, the muscle—and the mastermind who brought them together. The target: a multimillion-dollar ruby. The plan: orchestrate the perfect crime. But when the job goes awry, will a daring second-chance scheme put them back on top? As the stakes rise, the crime family members must calculate who they can trust…and who will stab them in the back. Packed with snappy dialogue, high-tech theatrics, and more thrills per minute than even Ocean’s Eleven can deliver, this is one heist for the ages

Richmond Culture Days
2026-09-18 | Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, V6Y 1R8, Canada
Richmond Culture Days returns this fall from September 18 to October 4, offering visitors a unique opportunity to engage with the city’s diverse arts and culture scene. This two-week event features free or pay-what-you-may activities, including hands-on workshops, open studios, behind-the-scenes tours, and demonstrations led by Richmond’s vibrant artists and cultural organizations.
The festivities will kick off with an Open Studios & Launch Event on Sept. 18 at the Richmond Cultural Centre, hosted by Mayor Malcolm Brodie. The evening event offers an opportunity to explore the centre’s arts studios and creative spaces.
Consistently ranked among the top 10 participating communities in the country, Richmond has long been recognized for its exceptional community engagement and has offered more than 1,200 free events since the event’s inception in 2010.
Culture Days provides a barrier-free environment for everyone to explore and share in creative practices, with more than 9.5 million people attending more than 5,000 events across the country last year.

ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl Come Toward the Fire Festival
2026-09-18 | The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver, V6T 1Z1
The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts and Musqueam, with support from the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund, present the 5th annual ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl – Come Toward the Fire Festival, a soul-stirring celebration of Indigenous cultures, creativity, and community, from September 18–20, 2026 at the Chan Centre and venues across the UBC campus, on unceded Musqueam territory.
The festival opens on Friday, September 18 with a Day of Knowledge Sharing — featuring workshops, cultural tours, film screenings, and an Indigenous artisan market. Saturday, September 19 brings a full day of family-friendly programming with live music — featuring the Vancouver debuts of LOV and Kalyn Fay — workshops, dance, authors, live mural painting, film screenings including Gord Downie’s The Secret Path, and food trucks. The festival closes on Sunday, September 20 with a ticketed mainstage concert hosted by Reservation Dogs star Dallas Goldtooth and headlined by two-time JUNO Award-winner Aysanabee, alongside Boslen and Logan Staats. The evening also features the Vancouver debut of JUNO-nominated singer Siibii.
Friday and Saturday admission is free — a wristband is required for entry. Full festival details, wristbands, and tickets to the September 20 closing concert at cometowardthefire.com.

BC Culture Days
2026-09-18 08:00 - 2026-10-04 17:00
Culture Days takes place from September 18 to October 4, 2026!
Thousands of free events are presented in hundreds of communities across Canada, welcoming millions of participants to create, share, and celebrate a life enriched by arts and culture.
Culture Days encourages the public to discover and champion the importance of arts, culture, and heritage in their communities, and to inspire year-round support for local artists, creators, and organizations.
Anyone can organize an event and participate in Culture Days! From grassroots community volunteers, public libraries, and independent artists and collectives to major arts, culture, heritage institutions, specialty festivals, and municipalities—everyone is invited to join the celebration!
Find free, hands-on arts and culture activities and events in your community on the Culture Days website! https://culturedays.ca/en/bc
September 18 – October 4, 2026

Jimmy Carr 2026 Laughs Funny Tour
2026-09-18 20:00 - 22:00 | Rogers Arena, 800 Griffiths Wy, Vancouver, BC, V6B 6G1
Outback Presents and Chambers Touring are proud to announce that global comedy superstar Jimmy Carr is returning to Canada with his biggest national tour ever. The brand-new show, Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny, will hit an unprecedented 31 cities across the country, a first for an international comedian. The tour will play coast to coast kicking off in Victoria on September 16, 2026 with 5 additional British-Columbia stops including Abbotsford for the first time on September 17, Vancouver on September 18, Kelowna on September 19, for the first time in Kamloops on September 20 and Prince George on September 21. Tickets go on-sale Friday, December 5 at 10 AM at jimmycarr.com.
Known worldwide for his lightning-quick wit, dark one-liners and unmistakable laugh, Jimmy Carr remains one of the most successful and best-selling comedians on the planet. A master of razor-sharp humour, he has toured to over 40 countries, sold millions of tickets, and continues to be one of the most streamed stand-ups of the last decade. His most recent tour, Terribly Funny 2.0, surpassed one million tickets worldwide and saw him perform 293 shows across 145 cities in a single year—cementing his reputation as one of the hardest-working acts in comedy.
Following his sold-out 2023 tour, Jimmy Carr returns to Canada with his fifth and most ambitious Canadian tour yet, Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny. Alongside time-honoured cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Calgary, Ottawa, Halifax and Winnipeg, this tour will bring Jimmy to new markets he has never performed in before, expanding his Canadian footprint further than ever.
“A comedy hero for our times.”
The Guardian
“Jimmy Carr is a world-class comedian.”
The Independent
A dominant force in UK television, Jimmy has fronted some of the country’s biggest comedy institutions, including Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and The Big Fat Quiz of the Year, as well as Comedy Central’s Roast Battle UK and Your Face or Mine. He is a staple on QI and A League of Their Own, has performed at The Royal Variety Performance three times, and was a judge on all series of BBC1 entertainment series I Can See Your Voice. Most recently, Jimmy hosted the first UK series of Last One Laughing, which has been a viral hit for Amazon and is in production on series 2. His latest series, Jimmy Carr’s Am I The A**hole?, is currently airing weekly on Comedy Central and Paramount+.
In North America, Jimmy is one of the most recognizable UK comedy voices. He became the first British comedian to sign a Netflix stand-up deal, releasing four hit specials—Funny Business, Best Of Ultimate Gold Greatest Hits, His Dark Material on HBO, and Natural Born Killer. The latter debuted in 2024, reaching the Top 10 in 29 countries and earning 2.3 million viewing hours in its first week. He also created the Netflix panel show The Fix and has appeared on The Tonight Show, The Late Late Show, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
Jimmy is also a bestselling author whose memoir Before & Laughter was praised for its honesty, insight, and humour, following his earlier book The Naked Jape.

The Big Pirate Run
2026-09-19 09:00 - 13:00 | Garry Point Park, 12011 Seventh Ave, Richmond, V7E 4X2
This themed run offers a 5km/10km/15km AND 21.1km (half marathon) Big Pirate Run/Walk (8:30/9am) along The West Dyke and Middle Arm Trail, as well as a 1-3km Little Pirate Run/Walk (10:00am) around scenic Garry Point Park. Run with your ship mates, enjoy door prize giveaways, vendors and more.
Starting at Garry Point Park, the course makes it way North, passing sights including Terra Nova Park, The Richmond Olympic Oval and you may even catch some planes landing at YVR! With minimal inclines and stable gravel trails, everyone is assured a beautiful and stress-free run/walk.
The route is for all ages and abilities. Pet & Stroller Friendly!

Bigger Ideas Conference™ | Vancouver Women’s Conference
2026-09-19 09:00 - 18:30 | Microsoft, 725 Granville St, Vancouver, V7Y 1G5
Odihi’s Bigger Ideas Conference™ returns to Vancouver on September 19 for a powerful day of ideas, inspiration and connection. Headlined by acclaimed writer and speaker Ijeoma Oluo, the event brings together a diverse lineup of leaders across entrepreneurship, technology, finance, wellness and the creative industries. Attendees can expect thought-provoking conversations, interactive workshops, practical takeaways and meaningful networking designed to turn ambition into lasting impact.

Owl Hoot-enanny
2026-09-19 11:00 - 14:00 | Campbell Valley Regional Park, 20285 8 Ave, Langley Twp, V2Z 1V6, Canada
Join the party and have a real hoot! Dance to live music, munch at a food truck, and see a live owl.
Uncover the mysterious lives of owls and other grassland creatures through fun activity stations. Hunt for prey like a coyote through a grass maze or jump like a mouse into a giant straw pile.
Park at 20285 8th Ave, Langley
Free
All Ages
Drop by anytime

Bits + Bobs Samples and Seconds Sale
2026-09-19 11:00 - 16:00 | Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver, BC, V5T 3G7, Canada
Got Craft Markets is bringing back its Bits + Bobs Samples and Seconds Sale on Saturday, September 19, giving Vancouver shoppers one day to dig through a curated collection of samples, seconds, discontinued goods, studio extras, and one-of-a-kind finds – with discounts of up to 80% off.
Taking place at the historic Heritage Hall on Main Street, the one-day event will feature incredible deals from 40 local brands bringing a mix of clothing, ceramics, paper goods, art, jewelry, homewares, candles, yarn, vintage, seasonal stock, supplies, and more. Whether you are a bargain hunter, handmade enthusiast, fellow maker, or simply sometime who loves a good deal, the Bits + Bobs SALE is an opportunity to shop small, discover something unexpected and give perfectly good things a second life.
For more info and to buy tickets, visit the website.

Festivibe 2026: North Vancouver's Multicultural Family Festival
2026-09-19 12:00 - 22:00 | The Shipyards, 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, V7L 0B3
Celebrate the diversity of Metro Vancouver at Festivibe 2026, produced by Vibehouse, a free multicultural family festival at The Shipyards Waterfront District.
Experience a full day of multicultural performances, international cuisine, artisan shopping inside the Pipe Shop Venue, community organizations, family-friendly activities, and live entertainment on North Vancouver’s beautiful waterfront. Festivibe brings together communities from across Metro Vancouver through live music, dance, cultural performances, interactive experiences, and a vibrant Kids Village.
Discover local artisans, international flavours, and cultural experiences while enjoying one of the North Shore’s signature waterfront destinations.
Admission to the festival is free, with Kids Village admission supporting Kids Life Foundation.

Cultivate & Create | Mushroom Cultivation & Polymer Clay Earring Workshop
2026-09-20 11:00 - 14:00 | Asahi Mushrooms, 25141 19 Ave, Langley, V4W 2E6
Hands-on mushroom cultivation & polymer clay earring workshop in Langley — farm tour, grow kit, and keepsake earrings included.
Root & Craft x Asahi Mushrooms | Cultivate & Create
An immersive afternoon of mushroom cultivation, creativity, and connection.
Calling all mushroom lovers! Join Root & Craft and Asahi Mushrooms for a one-of-a-kind experience that brings together the fascinating world of fungi with the joy of creating by hand.
Mushroom Growing Experience
Step behind the scenes at Asahi Mushrooms for an up-close look at the incredible journey from spore to harvest.
You’ll learn about the mushroom growing process from start to finish, including:
– Spore collection
– Germinating into living mycelium
– Colonization
– Triggering fruiting conditions
– Harvesting gourmet mushrooms
Then, you’ll inoculate your very own mushroom grow kit to take home. Choose from a selection of gourmet varieties including:
Coral Tooth
Lion’s Mane
Pink Oyster
Golden Oyster
King Oyster
Shiitake
Pioppino
Whether you’re completely new to mushroom cultivation or already obsessed with fungi, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for these remarkable organisms and your own grow kit to continue the experience at home.
Polymer Clay Mushroom Earrings
While the other half of the group explores the mushroom farm, you’ll join Root & Craft to create your own pair of woodland-inspired polymer clay mushroom earrings.
You’ll learn simple sculpting techniques before designing and assembling your own wearable keepsake.
No experience is necessary; just bring your creativity.
Your earrings will be baked during the workshop and ready to take home before you leave.
Your Experience Includes:
– Guided mushroom farm tour
– Hands-on mushroom cultivation workshop
– Your own inoculated mushroom grow kit
– Polymer clay mushroom earring workshop
– All materials and tools
– Small group experience with plenty of one-on-one guidance
– Refreshments

Recipes for Connection
2026-09-20 11:00 - 17:00
Recipes for Connection is a free, drop-in neighbourhood event hosted by Vancouver Design Nerds at Fraser x 27th Plaza on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 11am to 5pm. See recipe demonstrations by community members and businesses in the neighbourhood: Yare’s Mexican Butchery and Little Kitchen Academy.
Share your own at the recipe-card-making table, play in the kid-friendly mushroom area or just hang out. Everyone welcome!

Vancouver Coffee Crawl
2026-09-21 09:00 - 17:00
The Vancouver Coffee Crawl is a week long self guided crawl through 24 participating cafes in Vancouver from September 21-27th. This event aims to bring together coffee lovers from all over the city to explore new cafes, connect with the community, and celebrate the vibrant coffee culture in Vancouver.
The week will feature guest barista takeovers, 2 guided crawls on the weekend and a wrap party to celebrate together on September 27th at Funk. Coffee Bar (1025 Dunsmuir St)
Start your trek at any participating cafe, grab your stamp card and collect a stamp per cafe (any drink or food purchase). The more stamps, the more chances of winning prizes at the wrap party! Hope you join us this year as we celebrate fun coffee culture, make new friends and support local.

Eating Globally: Chinese Cuisine
2026-09-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, V6B 6B1
Authors Cheuk Kwan (Have you Eaten Yet?) and Linda Lau Anusasananan (The Hakka Cookbook: Chinese Soul Food from around the World) reunite to share tales of scouring the world for good eats – and just a taste of home – as they recount stories from the Amazon to the Arctic including Peru, Malaysia, Madagascar and Iceland. Kwan and Lau Anusasananan will be in conversation with comedian and actor Ali Hassan (Is There Bacon in Heaven?). Judy Lam Maxwell, culinary-heritage tourism entrepreneur, will lead with introductory remarks.
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Cheuk Kwan grew up in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. His fifteen-part Chinese Restaurants (2005) documentary braids his personal experiences with his love of travel and appreciation for Chinese culture worldwide. Kwan’s personal memoir, Have You Eaten Yet? (2002), draws out a global narrative of the Chinese diaspora by linking together personal stories of chefs, entrepreneurs, laborers and dreamers who populate Chinese kitchens world-wide. The book is the 2023 Gold Winner of Taste Canada Awards (Culinary Narrative).
Linda Lau Anusasananan wrote The Hakka Cookbook: Chinese Soul Food from around the World (University of California Press, 2012). The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards named it “Best Chinese Cuisine Cookbook of the World 2012.” The book weaves together history, personal stories, and recipes of the Hakka, China’s “guest people.” For 34 years, she served as a recipe editor and food writer at Sunset Magazine. She also presents Chinese cooking videos and recipes on the subscription site Grokker.com.
Ali Hassan is a stand-up comedian, author and former chef. He is the host of Laugh Out Loud on CBC Radio, as well as Canada Reads – CBC’s “battle of the books”. In 2023, Ali began touring his latest one man show based on his decade in the food industry, entitled Does This Taste Funny? His comedic memoir Is There Bacon in Heaven? was described by Rick Mercer as “perhaps the funniest and most heartfelt Canadian memoir yet.”
Judy Lam Maxwell is a culinary-heritage tourism entrepreneur based in Vancouver. She is the owner of Historical Chinatown Tours which offers guided walking tours and traditional dumpling classes. Ms. Lam Maxwell, who is of mixed Chinese European heritage and has a UBC Master’s degree in History, also specializes in Chinatowns around the world. She is currently on the City of Vancouver Chinatown Advisory Committee and is a City Heritage Commissioner.
In partnership with Asian Canadian Writers’ Workshop.

Taste of Lebanon
2026-09-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Alliance Française Vancouver, 6161 Cambie St,, Vancouver, V5Z 3B2, Canada
Join Chef Nada for a welcoming evening inspired by the generosity of Lebanese hospitality! During this hands-on workshop, learn to prepare labneh, traditional tabbouleh, kafta skewers, and a pistachio and orange blossom dessert. Take home the recipes to recreate these flavors yourself!

Interior Design Show Vancouver 2026
2026-09-24 - 2026-09-27 | Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, V6C 0C3
The must-attend event for West Coast design returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre this September.
IDS Vancouver brings together Canada’s leading architects, interior designers, makers, manufacturers and design enthusiasts for four days of exhibitions, installations, keynote talks and networking. Showcasing the latest in architecture, interiors, furniture, lighting and materials, IDS Vancouver celebrates both local talent and international design innovation.
Highlights:
Central Bar
Designed by Synthesis Design in partnership with naturally:wood and Western Forest Products, the 2026 Central Bar celebrates British Columbia’s forestry industry through a dramatic installation constructed entirely from BC wood. Featuring soaring 12-foot interlocking arches, the space serves as both a gathering place and an exploration of contemporary mass timber design.
Entrance Feature
Award-winning firm STARK returns to IDS Vancouver to design the show’s entrance feature, Reflection, which will establish the first spatial experience of the fair and set the tone for the exhibitions beyond.
Landscape Feature
Landscape architect Andrew van Egmond of Designing Landscape debuts a new feature installation exploring circularity, climate adaptability and the relationship between contemporary architecture and the natural environment.
How We Work
Returning for its second year, How We Work invites leading design firms to reimagine the future workplace through immersive, conceptual installations. Participating studios include Kasian and Holland Design in partnership with Loop Phone Booths. Built by Reotech Construction.
Keynotes
The 2026 keynote program, presented by Vicostone, features leading voices from architecture, business, hospitality and design, including:

Michael Sørensen, Global Market Director, Henning Larsen

Mandy Farmer, Chair, Hotels Canada and CEO, Accent Inns Inc.

Nancy Bendtsen, Inform Interiors

Tommy Smythe in conversation with Kelly Deck

May Globus, live recordings of The Craft podcast

James Nexw’Kalus-Xwalacktun Harry artist

WHEN

Thursday, September 24 (IDS Party for trade and consumers) 7pm – 10pm

Friday, September 25 (Trade Day) 9am – 6pm

Saturday, September 26 (Trade and Public Day) 10am – 5pm

Sunday, September 27 (Public Day) 10am – 5pm

Mid-Autumn Festival at the Museum
2026-09-26 10:00 - 17:00 | Chinese Canadian Museum, 51 E Pender St, Vancouver, V6A 1S9
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with a weekend of family-friendly activities at the museum! This cherished Chinese holiday brings families together to share meals, enjoy mooncakes, light lanterns, and admire the full moon. Discover its traditions through storytelling, crafts, and food.
On Saturday, enjoy Mid-Autumn storytimes by Five Blessings Collective with performances in English and Cantonese of The Legend of the Whooshhh.
Join Chef Christopher Leow on Sunday for a family-friendly mooncake workshop and learn to make mango sticky rice and blueberry chocolate snowy mooncakes.
Drop in all weekend to sample mooncakes, craft a mooncake out of playdough clay, and make a Chinese knot to decorate your own Mid-Autumn Festival lantern at home!
These events will be conducted in English and Cantonese.

Vietnam Festival 2026
2026-09-26 10:00 - 20:00 | Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby St, Vancouver, V6Z 2H7
Vietnam Festival 2026 brings together the traditions, flavours, creativity, and community spirit of Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam. Visitors are invited to experience authentic Vietnamese cuisine, live music, cultural performances, fashion, traditional arts, interactive activities, and a community marketplace.

Vancouver Cheese and Meat | Artisan Food & Beverage Festival
2026-09-26 12:00 - 21:00 | The Pipe Shop, 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, North Vancouver, V7L 0B2, Canada
Taste 150+ pairings in one place. One ticket covers it all.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the specialty food section or a farmers market? What do I buy? Will this work with my dinner party? That’s where the Cheese and Meat Festival comes in. Walk the Festival at your own pace, creating pairings with our all inclusive tickets while learning directly from the artisans behind each product. With over 150 curated pairings, it’s a chance to taste, learn, and connect with the best in artisan food and drink all under one roof. This Festival showcases a full spread of artisan food and beverage. Not just cheese and meat but everything you would find on a grazing platter and the drinks that pair with it.

The Canine Library
2026-09-26 13:00 - 15:00 | John Hendry (Trout Lake Park) Near the Community Centre, 3300 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, V5N 4L9
We’re back for the 2026 Canine Library at John Hendry Trout Lake Park. Borrow a St. John Ambulance certified therapy pup and read them poetry. Sign-ups start at 12:30 pm—spots go fast, so don’t be late! The event takes place in the park at Victoria Drive on East 19th Ave. behind the community centre on the east side along the path.
Enjoy books, barks, and fun at this rain or shine party in the park. Stop by and get a library card, check out a book, explore VPL’s digital library, and ask about library related services.
*Please note, you can only register for The Canine Library in person at the park. Kids 14 & under must be accompanied by an adult. Once you’ve registered to receive your bark-code, you can check out a pup for a 10 minute session. The pup lineup will be announced as soon as they calm down from all of the excitement.
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This program has been graciously funded by the Vancouver Public Library Foundation. The Vancouver Public Library Foundation was established in 1997 as a registered charity to raise funds to enhance the collections, programs, services and community spaces of the Vancouver Public Library beyond what is supported by municipal funding. Working cooperatively with the Library, the Foundation helps the Library achieve a level of service that would not otherwise be possible.
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Presented in partnership by Vancouver Public Library Foundation, St. John Ambulance BC/Yukon and Trout Lake Community Centre.

Moon Palace Mid-Autumn Festival | Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
2026-09-26 14:00 - 21:00 | Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Classical Garden, 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver, V6B 5K2, Canada
Make a wish, light a lantern, enjoy the festivities. Celebrate Mid-Autumn with two days of cultural traditions, performances, and family-friendly activities.
Step into the Moon Palace and experience the Mid-Autumn Festival amid the peaceful beauty of a classical Chinese garden. Write a wish to be placed on a floating lantern on the Garden’s Jade Pond. As evening falls, watch the lanterns light up and reflect across the water. Visitors can also discover the traditions and stories behind mooncakes through special demonstrations.
A festival favourite, the Lion Dance will bring lively energy and festive spirit to the Garden, offering visitors a vibrant celebration of this beloved cultural tradition.
Take part in a Mid-Autumn riddle challenge, create your own Jade Rabbit and mooncake fans, and enjoy Guqin music, face painting, dance performances, Sugar Art featuring bunny and moon designs, and Clay Mooncake Demo & Keepsake activity. These hands-on activities and performances offer visitors of all ages and backgrounds a chance to experience and learn more about Mid-Autumn traditions.
Gather family and friends and celebrate Mid-Autumn traditions in the Garden’s tranquil surroundings as the Garden marks its 40th anniversary.
Event Dates & Hours:
September 26 & 27: 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K2
Website: Please visit vancouverchinesegarden.com/events for the latest activity details and schedule.
Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.ca/e/40th-annual-mid-autumn-festival-moon-palace-tickets-1999046228081
