Dine Out Vancouver
Break out your stretchy pants! Now in its 16th year, the annual restaurant and food festival is back to tantalize locals and visitors to Vancouver with its array of special menus and event programming all around the city. More than 300 participating restaurants around Metro Vancouver are offering special fixed price menus at three price points ($20, $30, $40), including many with optional add-on wine pairings. Try something new, or revisit an old favourite.
Jan. 19 to Feb. 4
Various restaurants in Metro Vancouver
dineoutvancouver.com
Hot Chocolate Festival
This month-long event is undoubtedly the sweetest way to count down to Valentine’s Day, as restaurants, cafes and treat shops around town come up with original cocoa concoctions and specials to please your sweet tooth. Some 35 participating “choc stars” have dreamed up more than 74 hot chocolate creations, from the more traditional to some pretty wild inventions including ingredients like donkey’s milk, popcorn, beets and more.
Jan. 20 to Feb. 14
Participating locations
hotchocolatefest.com
VSO New Music Festival
For their fifth annual New Music Festival, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is putting an array of fresh talent at centre stage. The various performances find anything from a full orchestra to a baroque-sized ensemble, and chamber works and an intimate cabaret, including some exciting world premieres. The five shows reflect the diversity of modern composition, as well as how often it touches on notes of the past.
Jan. 18 to 22
Various venues
vancouversymphony.ca/festivals/17NMF/
Fundamentals of Beekeeping Course
If you’re curious what all the buzz is about beekeeping, what are you waiting for, honey? Hives for Humanity and Urban Bee Supplies/Urban Bee Honey Farm are teaming up to run an innovative, entertaining and highly practical course in beginner beekeeping. The two-day course takes place downtown at the Fairmont Waterfront, which is also hosting an evening event called “A Beekeepers Journey,” on workshop day.
Jan. 20 and Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fairmont Waterfront, 900 Canada Place
hivesforhumanity.com/courses
Adam Sandler with Special Guests David Spade and Rob Schneider
Comedian, actor, and former Saturday Night Live cast member Adam Sandler is set to tickle funny bones mid-week when he takes the stage at Vancouver’s historic Orpheum. While he probably won’t sing the “Hanukkah Song,” Sandler will certainly have with him some very special guests to round out the evening’s laughs. A word of caution, the show contains adult content, so get a sitter and leave the kids at home.
Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m.
Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe St.
vancouvercivictheatres.com
For more events, go to vancouverisawesome.com.
