The dust never settles at Vancouver’s museums and galleries, curators are constantly at work to bring innovative, thought provoking and entertaining exhibits to their guests.   Check out these upcoming or recently launched exhibits, buy tickets here and save when you book two or more attractions.  Tickets are valid all year so stock up for upcoming shows as well!

Science World at Telus World of Science’s,  visiting exhibition Cats & Dogs, presented by White Spot restaurants, is the first large-scale exhibition dedicated to our furry friends, encouraging guests to discover what we know about our canine and feline companions—scientifically, sociologically and culturally.  When you visit you can take science to the next level by leaping like a cat and bounding like a dog through interactive exhibits.  As well as expanding your understanding of the loveable companions who have lived along side us for over 15,000 years.  Come immerse yourself and see, hear and feel what our furry, and not-so-furry, friends experience daily. Is it a cat’s life or a dog’s life? Cats & Dogs sniffs out the amazing facts and lets you be the judge. At Telus World of Science until January 5, available with a regular ticket that includes all 12 galleries and theatres.  Make a day of it!

The Vancouver Art Gallery, where Art Makes Us, brings leading national and international artists to downtown Vancouver all year long.  Their most recently opened exhibition, Cindy Sherman—touring from the National Portrait Gallery, London—is the first retrospective of the internationally acclaimed artist’s work to be shown in Canada in 20 years. This important exhibition explores the development of the American photographer’s work from the beginning of her career in the mid-1970s to the present day and includes selections from each of her major series, as well as new and rarely seen works.  Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading contemporary artists, Cindy Sherman manipulates her own appearance by deploying material inspired by a range of cultural sources, including film, advertising and fashion.  For almost 50 years she has consistently explored the tension between identity and persona through the creation of characters that she assumes in each of the photographs. Visit www.vanartgallery.bc.ca for more information about this exhibition and others now on view at Vancouver’s premier art gallery.

The Museum of Anthropology launches Playing with Fire, Ceramics of the Extraordinary on November 22, and will display until March 29, 2020.  This stunning group exhibition from 11 BC-based artists who defiantly and boldly challenge the notion that all things made of clay are required to be functional, offer a series of installations of extraordinary ceramic works that express opinions and offer commentary on the state of the world around us.

The collection of works is spectacular, tempting viewers to get closer, only to discover that nothing is quite as it appears. The ceramic pieces may appear to be nostalgic, humorous, fragile, beautiful or unassuming, but closer inspection reveals provocative commentary on social injustice, racism, identity and censorship. There are many layers of technical prowess and symbolic power to uncover in these sculptures, superbly demonstrating clay’s infinite artistic possibilities. 
 

Ghost stories, ghoulish sights, sounds and lots of pumpkins! It’s all Hallows time in Vancouver and some of Vancouver’s best attractions are stepping up to celebrate.

Burnaby Village Museum celebrates in style October 25 – 28 come and explore the Village in the dark of night. Dark Tales and Other Stories, witches, ghosts and all sorts of storybook and fairy tale characters come to life at this year’s Haunted Village.  Come waning moon or silver wet cloud, wear your costumes to explore the Village in the dark of night!  Peer through the windows at the Farmhouse and you may see Red Riding Hood or is it the wolf? Watch out for Alice in Wonderland throughout the Village or join the dance party at the Bandstand with the Queen of Hearts and DJ Mad Hatter at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30pm. Take a ride on the train to Neverland or be part of Frankenstein’s Monster’s wedding at the Church. There’s lots to see and do! Book tickets today.

Or explore the scary sites of Vancouver with a Haunted Trolley Tour, from Gray Line Westcoast Sightseeing, as night falls and the shadows begin to appear, jump aboard and for a two and half hour tour that will explore the haunted, murderous and paranormal history of familiar sites including Stanley Park, Gastown and Shaughnessy.  Cruise by eerie locations, and here the gruesome histories of the Seaforth Armory, the Sylvia Hotel and the Leg in Boot Square. With stops at Prospect Point in Stanley Park, where the spirits like to spend their time, and Mountain View Cemetery in East Vancouver, the resting place of many of Vancouver’s infamous characters featured on the tour, you never know who you might run into!  Tours run nightly from October 11 – 31, 2019 book through Gray Line Westcoast Sightseeing.

For a slightly less traumatizing experience and more family friendly outing, check out VanDusen Glow in the Garden event, this festive seasonal offering includes a walk through a new light show with unique features and magical moments.  Bring the whole family and challenge everyone to help Anna, the hummingbird and her friends, lift the “hootenanny” spell that has been cast by the old barred owl!  Collect your passbook, gather your six stamps at the Glow Zones, then redeem for a small prize at the bootique in the Visitor Centre.  Tasty treats, crafts and lots more surprises await! VanDusen Glow in the Garden runs October 17 – 27, pre-purchase timed tickets available Here.  
 

See the Vancouver Art Gallery Illuminated by Art at Façade Festival

The Vancouver Art Gallery is always full of incredible art and from September 8th to 14th this year, the building itself will become a massive, dynamic artwork.

A partnership between Burrard Arts Foundation and the Vancouver Art Gallery, Façade Festival is a free, outdoor public art project and cultural event. For this festival, a selection of contemporary artists were chosen. The artists created original artworks using technology known as ‘projection mapping’, which turns any object into a canvas for video art.

For all 7 nights of the festival, the artworks will be projected over the entire Georgia Street façade of the Art Gallery building, creating an environment that feels almost like an outdoor movie screening.

Façade Festival 2019 showcases a diverse lineup includes artists working in a wide range of mediums at different stages of their careers. The artists’ areas of focus include painting, photography, film, and installation, although digital media artists were emphasized in this year’s roster.

Two nights left to enjoy a presentation of 5 complete projections. In addition, the final evening of Façade Festival will feature a special projection mapping experience by Go2 Productions. Titled ‘Ocean Ghosts’, this project will explore the devastating effects of plastic pollution.

Find the festival’s complete schedule below!

When: September 13th–14th, 2019, 8:30 PM –12:00 AM each evening
Where: Georgia Street side of the Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street   

Friday, September 13th: Encore of all artists’ works
Saturday, September 14th: Façade Festival Artist Panel: Digital Media Temporality in Public Space, 3:00 PM at the Vancouver Art Gallery, free and open to the public. Arrive early to grab your seats!
Saturday, September 14th: Special projection mapping experience by Go2 Productions and an encore of all artists’ works, 8:30 PM to 12 AM

For more info, visit: facadefest.com
 

Make plans to enjoy a day, or a week, in Vancouver this holiday season and enjoy some of these amazing attractions and Vancouver traditions part of your stay! 

Start by participating in one of Vancouver’s most enduring Christmas traditions, The Carol Ship Parade!  Dozens of private and commercial vessels decked out in their finest Christmas lights, decorations and sound systems, take to the inland water ways around Vancouver for three weeks in December every year.  All three of the Harbour Cruises vessels embrace the festivities with decorations from bow to stern and celebrate the annual tradition with nightly dinner or dinner and dance cruises that feature live Christmas Carolers to lead you in all the Yuletide favourites. 

Enjoy a spectacular holiday feast featuring slow roasted turkey, baked honey glazed ham with all the trimmings rounds out this wonderful holiday event.  Special event pricing applies to these festivities please visit boatcruises.com for availability and booking. 

Rainy Weather Doesn’t Stop Vancouverites, Don’t Let it Stop You!

Fall has arrived and winter is not far behind, shorter days and rainy weather in Vancouver means it’s time take it indoors to get active, learn a thing or two and take in some exceptional exhibits at some of our best attractions.

Families should check out Science World at Telus World of Science, for a hands-on experience where interactive displays let kids and grown-ups explore the wonder of science.  Burn a little more energy when you visit the BC Sports Hall of Fame at BC Place Stadium, dynamic exhibits tell the history of sport, and BC’s sport heroes while the participation zone lets everyone test their athletic abilities.  Add a Behind the Scenes Tour of BC Place for a truly unique experience. Book these two great family attractions now and save 20% on your admissions, add a visit to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC, BC’s only natural history museum housing over 2.1 million specimens to discover, and save 25% on each attraction.