In November, the days in Vancouver are getting shorter and colder. Winter is coming. But there is no reason to be sad, burying yourself under a pile of blankets and spending nights watching Netflix. There are so many exciting things going on in the city! Here are just some ideas of things to do in Vancouver in November 2023.
Festivals and Lights
The Lumière Light Art Festival returns to Vancouver from November 2-6. 30+ illuminated artworks and light-based projections, accompanied by dynamic performances will enliven downtown Vancouver. The map and details of the event are here.
Christmas is just around the corner, and so is Vancouver’s traditional Christmas Market. Mulled wine, a carousel, live music, Christmas gifts and holiday cheer will be waiting for you at Jack Pool Plaza from November 16 to December 24. Tickets and details.
Chutzpah Festival – will be held in Vancouver from November 2-23. Music, theatre, dance, comedy, and storytelling through the lens of Jewish experience, values and heritage. The Festival guide is here.
Get the holiday spirit in a garden wonderland with one million lights! VanDusen Festival of Lights will be held from November 24 to January 7, 2024. Tickets must be booked online.
Another sponsor of early Christmas cheer is Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Its annual festival “Canyon Lights” in an old rainforest will be open from November 17, 2023 – January 21, 2024. This one is my favourite. Buy tickets upfront! And don’t miss the free shuttle from Canada Place.
Art
Eastside Culture Crawl Visual Arts, Design & Craft Festival – festival of visual arts, design and crafts in which artists in Vancouver’s Eastside open their studios to the public – November 16-19, 2023. Find out more about the Eastside Culture Crawl and explore the event map.
Tips: After a cultural crawl around the eastside, linger and sample the tasting offerings of some of the city’s best breweries. Read more about pub crawling in Vancouver and why I quit drinking orange juice
Art Battle Vancouver – unforgettable evening of live art – November 18, 2023 in The Red Room. Tickets are here.
A new exhibition at Vancouver Art Gallery – DENYSE THOMASOS: JUST BEYOND from November 10. It brings together more than 70 paintings and works on paper, many rarely seen. Also, don’t miss the spectacular Emily Carr: room of her own. Tickets are here. Friday, November 3 from 4pm till 8pm entrance to the Gallery is free.
Bill Reid Gallery – is a terrific place dedicated to the art of Bill Reid and indigenous peoples. Exhibitions: Bright Futures – till January 14, 2014 and 13 Moons Around the Lake (new!) – till January 28, 2024.
Food & Drink
Fall Food Festival – is a special event for local foodies. Happening now until November 12th, self-guided. More info.
Winterlust at the H Tasting Lounge – iconic outdoor domed dining experience – End of October until Mid February. Book here.
Pleasant company, delicious food, a glass of your favorite drink and cool live music are the perfect tandem for a perfect fall evening. Read more – Vancouver: restaurants and bars with live music
Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week – November 3-15, 2023, Shipyards District. Read more
Beauty And The Beast Cocktail Experience – till Dec 31st, Vancouver Alpen Club, tickets are on the explorehidden
Karen’s Diner – Vancouver – till Dec 31st, secret location, tickets are on the explorehidden
Afternoon Tea: Salvador Dali – till Dec 31st, secret location, tickets are on the explorehidden (waiting list)
Read more: Traditional Afternoon Tea in Vancouver
Kids-Friendly Performances
Disney on Ice presents Frozen & Encanto – show on ice – November 22nd-26th, Pacific Coliseum. Tickets
ELF: THE MUSICAL – November 2–December 31, 2023, Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage. Tickets
Wizard of Oz – November 3-12, 2023, Granville Island Stage. Tickets
Musical Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas – November 4-18, 2023, Centre for Performing Arts, 777 Homer Street. Tickets
Cirque du Soleil Kooza – October 21 – December 31, 2023. Tickets
Download Itinerary: Vancouver and Vancouver Island in 2 weeks
Maps, restaurants, activities, time for each location and other helpful travel tips
Concerts & Theatre
Half Moon Run – Canadian indie rock band based in Montreal – November 2nd and 3rd, Commodore Ballroom. Tickets
Opening Ballet BC’s 2023/24 season in Queen Elizabeth, November 2nd – 4th. Tickets
Nikolay Khozyainov – Russian classical pianist – November 4th, Hycroft Manor. Tickets
The Bright Light Social Hour – American psychedelic rock band – November 5th, Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets
FIREBIRD AND RACHMANINOFF’S PIANO CONCERTO NO. 2 – November 5th, Kay Meek Arts Centre. Tickets
Hadestown love-story musical – Nov 7 – 12, Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets
Burna Boy – Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer – November 7th, Rogers Arena. Tickets
ATMOSPHERE – American hip-hop duo – November 7th, Commodore Ballroom (sold out on the official site). Ticketmaster
Kiss – American rock band, 1973 – November 8th, Rogers Arena. Tickets
The Hives – Swedish rock band – November 9th, Rickshaw Theatre (sold out on the official site)
Polyrhythmics – Seattle-based progressive funk, psychedelic rock and modern afro-beat – November 10th, Wise Hall. Tickets
Barns Courtney is an English singer, songwriter, and musician, – November 10th, Rickshaw Theatre. Tickets
Jonas Brothers – American pop rock band – November 11th, Rogers Arena. Tickets
Five Alarm Funk – the Vancouver-based band – November 11th, Commodore Ballroom. Tickets
Miserable Faith – one of the most prestigious rock bands in China – November 12th, Vogue Theatre. Tickets
Shania Twain – Canadian singer-songwriter, one of the best-selling music artists of all time and the best-selling female artist in country music history – November 14th, Rogers Arena. Tickets
Royal Blood – English rock duo – November 14th, Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets
Ramy Youssef – American comedian and actor – November 16th, Vogue Theatre. Tickets
Armin van Buuren – Dutch DJ and record producer – November 17th, PNE Forum. Tickets
The Cat Empire – Australian jazz/funk band – November 20th, 21st, Commodore Ballroom. Tickets
Splean – Russian rock band – November 22nd, Vogue Theatre. Tickets
Skinny Puppy – Canadian electro-industrial band formed in Vancouver – November 23rd and 24th, Commodore Ballroom. Tickets
Kaveh Yaghmaei – award-winning Iranian-Canadian musician – November 25th, Enso Event Centre. Tickets
Katatonia – Swedish heavy metal band – November 25th, Rickshaw Theatre. Tickets
The 1975 – English pop rock band – November 29th, Rogers Arena. Tickets
VSO – several concerts in November, check out its official website
A Series of Concerts by Candlelight until December 31, 2023, tickets are on Fever
Sofar Sounds – secret concerts – every week in Vancouver. Ticket
Sports
It’s time to pull your jerseys out of the closet and support your favourite team at the stadium! There will be several hockey battles at Rogers Arena in November. Schedule and tickets
Fans of Canadian football won’t want to miss out BC Lions v Calgary Stampeders on November 4th and Vancouver Whitecaps FC v Los Angeles Football Club on November 5th.
Vancouver’s ski season is about to begin! 11 Ski Resorts Near Vancouver
Other
The Infinite: An Immersive Space Experience – November 15, 2023 – January 17, 2024. Immersive VR experience inspired by NASA missions aboard the International Space Station. On this unique journey, you will have access to never-seen-before 360-degree videos captured in space using advanced technology. Location: Rocky Mountaineer – Vancouver Station, 1755 Cottrell St, Vancouver. Tickets
Lantern Festival parade on Christmas Market – November 29, 2023 at 5 pm. The parade celebrates St. Martin, a German tradition carried out since the 19th century. Registration is a must. Children 0-17 years of age will receive free admission to the market and apple cider.
