Polar Bear Swim

When: January 1st 2010
Where: English Bay

Today, the swim takes place at 2:30pm on the first day of each new year. Costumes and the Peter Pantages Memorial 100 yard swim race are the highlights of this event. To be a club member you must register before the swim. Registration takes place in front of the English Bay Bathhouse from 12:30pm - 2:30pm each New Year's Day. You may also register by clipping out the coupon in the Province Newspaper and presenting it at the registration desk the day of the swim.


http://vancouver.ca/parks/events/polarbear/2008/index.htm

Push International Arts Festival

When: January 20th – February 6th, 2010
Where: Various

Vancouver — A fascinating alternative to the manic stunt work and elaborate sight gags that distinguish the films of Buster Keaton, Go West offers a rare and satisfying glimpse of his talent for more expressive comedy: charming moments of intimate humour flavoured with rich pathos.


http://pushfestival.ca

Taste B.C

When: January 19th, 2010
Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel

Taste of Vancouver's goal is to become the trusted and welcomed source for patrons who plan to eat out in the Vancouver BC area, and who depend will on it for current and new information. To date, no other online web site serving the Vancouver BC area area can match its informative style and uniqueness, penetrating the eating-out food market, easily making Taste of Vancouver the most cost-effective medium to reach the savvy recreational patrons in Vancouver, British Columbia.

We are confident that Taste of Vancouver will enhance your local "eating-out " experience to all the great tastes right here in Vancouver, British Columbia!



http://www.libertywinemerchants.com/

Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival

When: February 20th – 28th, 2009
Where: Various

http://www.vimff.org

Vancouver International Dance Festival

When: March 12-21st, 2010
Where: Various

http://www.vidf.ca

Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival

When: April 19-25th, 2010
Where: Vancouver Playhouse

Today the festival attracts some of the biggest industry names from around the world and is firmly established as the continent's premier wine event and among the biggest, best and oldest wine events in the world. It features wine tastings and pairings, gourmet dinners and luncheons, educational seminars and culinary competitions.

This is a rare opportunity to meet owners, winemakers and senior representatives from wineries around the globe. For either the experienced wine lover or the novice, the festival has something to please every palate and pocketbook.

http://www.playhousewinefest.com/

Celtic Festival

When: Festival will return in 2011
Where: Various

http://www.celticfestvancouver.com

Vancouver Sun Run

When: May 9, 2010
Where: BC Place Stadium and Downtown

Sun Run InTraining clinics have started at 70+ centres in the Lower Mainland as well as Penticton, Kelowna, Kamloops, Bowen Island, the Sunshine Coast and Squamish.


http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/sunrun/racedetails/story.html?id=%7BC7A9DA97-BF02-48A0-AC5B-E67DC

Vancouver Children's Festival

When: May 17-24, 2010
Where: Vanier Park

Jam-packed with music, theatre, dance, storytelling, puppetry, circus arts and much more, the Vancouver International Children's Festival embodies the buoyant spirit and endless curiosity of children all over the world.

http://www.childrensfestival.ca/

EAT! Vancouver - The Everything Food + Cooking Festival

When: May 28-30th, 2010
Where: BC Place Stadium

Celebrity chefs, popular local restaurants, wineries, food and beverage manufacturers, cookbook authors, retailers, artisans, and many others from the culinary world will come together for a three day public extravaganza at BC Place Stadium. EAT Vancouver encompasses unique food experiences, opportunities to learn behind-the-scenes culinary magic from professional chefs, dynamic entertainment through celebrity chef cooking demonstrations and intense culinary competitions, diverse food, beverage and cooking related exhibits; and of course fantastic shopping opportunities.


http://www.eat-vancouver.com/

DOXA Documentary Film Festival

When: May 7-16th, 2010
Where: Various

DOXA is presented by the Documentary Media Society, a Vancouver based non-profit, charitable society (incorporated in 1998) devoted to presenting independent and innovative documentaries to Vancouver audiences.

The society exists to educate the public about documentary film as an art form through DOXA – a curated and juried festival comprised of public screenings, workshops, panel discussions and public forums.




http://www.doxafestival.ca/

Bard on the Beach

When: June 3-25th 2010
Where: Vanier Park

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary Season in 2009, Bard on the Beach is one of Canada's largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare Festivals. Presented in a magnificent setting on the waterfront in Vancouver's Vanier Park, the Festival offers Shakespeare plays, related dramas, and several special events in two performance tents from June through September.

http://bardonthebeach.com

Vancouver International Jazz Festival

When: June 25th- July 4th, 2009
Where: Various

To connect, transform and nuture artists and audiences through the joy, passion and intellectual power of jazz.

http://www.coastaljazz.ca/

Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival

When: June 19-20th, 2010
Where: False Creek

Recognized as North America's biggest and best, Vancouver's Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival 20th Anniversary was a true celebration of multiculturalism, attracting over 90,000 people and more than 180 dragon boat teams from across the Lower Mainland and around the globe.

http://dragonboatbc.ca/

Canada Day Celebrations

When: July 1st, 2010
Where: Various

http://www.canadaplace.ca/canadaday/

Vancouver Folk Festival

When: July 16th-18th, 2010
Where: Various

http://thefestival.bc.ca/

HSBC Celebration of Light

When: July 22nd, 25th, 29th, and August 1st, 2010
Where: English Bay

Since 1990, Vancouver has been home to the Celebration of Light (originally known as the Symphony of Fire). This international pyro-musical fireworks competition has attracted the world's leading fireworks designers and is seen as a highly prestigious event. The fireworks festival creates an exciting arena where spectators can enjoy each country’s representatives unveil their latest techniques and use the most innovative fireworks materials as they compete to be crowned the winner.

http://www.celebration-of-light.com/

Caribbean Days Festival

When: July 24&25, 2010
Where: Waterfront Park - North Vancouver

Each July, the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC presents the Caribbean Days Festival. This event draws a crowd of exuberant fun-lovers to North Vancouver's Waterfront Park for a weekend of parading, dining and dancing in the sunshine.

This year's Festival takes place on the weekend of July 25-26, 2009.

This is a weekend of tropical rhythm, cuisine, carnival and culture as only the Caribbean can offer. Over the years, the Festival has grown into the largest Caribbean event on the local calendar -- and with tens of thousands of attendees, possibly the largest cultural event of its type in BC, period.

http://caribbeandaysfestival.com

The Fair at the PNE

When: August 21st - September 6th, 2010
Where: Pacific National Exhibition Grounds

In 1910 Canadian Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier officially opened the first annual Pacific National Exhibition, known at the time as "The Industrial Exhibition." The Fair was seen as a showcase of British Columbia to the rest of Canada and the world, and was the second largest event of its kind in North America, behind the New York State Fair.

Since the first Fair, the annual event has become the largest annual ticketed event in the province, and continues to draw in excess of 900,000 visitors during its 17 days

http://www.pne.ca

Weekend to End Breast Cancer

When: August 14th-16th, 2010
Where: Vancouver

Be part of a life-changing, world-changing event - The Weekend to End Breast Cancer benefiting BC Cancer Foundation. During one amazing weekend, August 15-16, 2009, you will unite with thousands of women and men to walk 60km in 2 days or 30km in 1 day, in the fight against breast cancer and other women’s cancers. The money raised will go to benefit BC Cancer Foundation. In one weekend, you will do something amazing. You will make a change in yourself, in your community, and in the world.

http://www.endcancer.ca

Fringe Festival

When: September 9-19th, 2010
Where: Various

The Vancouver International Fringe Festival is North America’s most international Fringe Fest and BC’s largest theatre festival. Every year the Fringe delivers an eclectic mix of theatrical offerings consisting of over 400 performances by more than 65 different groups over 11 days. Some of our venues include Vancouver’s best theatres, such as the Granville Island Stage, Performance Works, and the Waterfront Theatre, all situated in the unique setting of Granville Island. The Vancouver International Fringe Festival was voted Vancouver’s Best Arts Festival for five years in a row by Georgia Straight readers.


http://vancouverfringe.com

Vancouver International Comedy Festival

When: September 10th- 19th, 2009
Where: Various

The Vancouver Global ComedyFest is in its 6th year of bringing contemporary, some say “alternative”, we simply say funny, comedy to the coolest city in Canada – Vancouver.


http://poweredby.10best.com/details.process/OID_1B7C85DF/MID_73/SID_21/BID_3686/

Vancouver International Film Festival

When: September 30-October 15th. 2010
Where: Various

VIFF is among the largest film festivals in North America and is one of the largest cultural events in Canada. A fall fixture on the international film festival calendar, this outstanding festival is a microcosm of its home city: cosmopolitan, innovative, friendly, culturally complex and very accessible.

More than 150,000 people are expected to attend approximately 575 screenings of 350 films from 60 countries.


http://www.viff.org/home.html

Rogers Santa Clause Parade

When: December 2010
Where: Downtown Vancouver

http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=224132

Accent Dinner Cruise

When: June 1 to May 31 2010
Where: Granville Island

As you enjoy your evening watching the sights of Vancouver at dusk, we will take you along the infamous Kitsilano 'Muscle' Beach, Jericho Sailing club, across the Harbour Howe Sound to view 'Millionaire Row' (the wealthiest region in Canada) the West Vancouver waterfront, where many Stars of film and music have 'Summer Cottages'. Our yachts cruise to Bowen Island Point Atkinson 10 miles from City Centre - Horseshoe Bay.

To complete your voyage, we will come alongside the largest urban park in North America, Stanley Park, where you will see a view of the downtown skyline that is second to none.


http://www.accentcruises.ca/

Whistler Winter Pride

When: March 1-8, 2010
Where: Whistler

March 1-8 are the official dates for GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE celebrating our 18th anniversary! This is going to be one anniversary party you will not want to miss come and experience Whistler just after the Olympics and take in the excitement of being on the world stage. We have been working on our 2010 strategy for nearly three years already and we have some very exciting events in mind of this very special year.

Watch for our 2010 packages and programming coming soon. Confirmed is the first PRIDE House from Feb. 8 thru to March 25th. This will be a safe space for LGBT athletes, friends, family, fans and allies to come hang out, watch the games, trade pins and share their authentic stories.

March 12-21, 2010 Whistler plays host to some very talented and extraordinary athletes at the Paralympic Games. Come cheer on your favorite athlete as they go for Gold. The Paralympics are known to be more intimate than the Olympics and just as exciting!


http://www.gaywhistler.com/

Whistler Film Festival

When: December 1-5, 2010
Where: Whistler

The Whistler Film Festival Society (WFFS) is a charitable, not-for-profit cultural and educational organization committed to celebrating, promoting and developing a strong film industry in Western Canada, and to showcasing the best films from Canada and around the world.

WFFS produces one of Canada’s leading film festivals and plays a leadership role in offering professional development programs and opportunities for filmmakers.

Under the umbrella of the WFFS, there are two main programs: the Whistler Film Festival - Whistler's annual celebration of film, and the Whistler Filmmaker Forum - Western Canada's premier industry event.

WFFS also runs year round activities including Reel Alternatives - Whistler's monthly independent film series, Get Reel Youth Film Workshop and Outreach Program, and the CFC Go West Project Lab, a new intensive program, presented with the Canadian Film Centre, that invites six Western Canadian producers to meet with senior producers, financiers and sales agents in Whistler to help bring their projects from script to screen.





http://www.whistlerfilmfestival.com/index.php

Canadian Country Music Awards

When: September 10-14, 2009
Where: GM PLACE

In 2009, the Canadian Country Music Association is going As West As It Gets for Country Music Week! We will be heading to beautiful, Vancouver, British Columbia from September 10 -13 for four days of networking, artist showcases, workshops and of course our annual review of country music excellence, the Canadian Country Music Awards.

If you are looking for an opportunity to be heard at this year's event, the CCMA offers several opportunities for our CCMA members to showcase your talents...

The New Artist Showcase allows emerging artists the chance to show our industry what they're made of. There will be eight artists selected by a national jury comprised of music industry representatives.

The Gospel Showcase is another artist-based showcase opportunity but is reserved for those whose music comes from the Gospel family. There will be four artists asked to perform on this Sunday Showcase.

Each year the Songwriters' Café at Country Music Week attracts a lot of attention. Both established and up-and-coming songwriters play in an acoustic setting while telling the stories behind their songs. There will be 12 budding songwriters and 12 well-known songwriters selected to perform.

If you're from Vancouver and looking to get in on the Country Music Week action, visit www.countrymusicvancouver.com for more information on events available to the community.

Country Music Week 2009 - Vancouver, BC
September 10-13, 2009
As West As It Gets!

http://www.ccma.org/

Vancouver Wedding & HoneyMoon Show

When: October 4, 2009
Where: Vancouver Convention Center

Fall into Love this fall at the Vancouver Wedding & Honeymoon Fall Show. The producers of Vancouver's most successful wedding shows, Wedding Fair and the Vancouver Wedding & Honeymoon Spring Show, are pleased to present this most unique event.

On October 4th 2009, the Vancouver Trade & Exhibition Center will be transformed into everything bridal as top wedding professionals showcase the very best in Vancouver's Wedding & Honeymoon Industry. In celebration of Vancouver's multicultural flair, the Vancouver Wedding & Honeymoon Show has also invited some of the best Cultural Wedding specialists to lend their expertise and inspire your creative spirit. Fabulous grand prizes, luxurious dresses, culinary creations, delicious décor, and inspiration a plenty. There is truly something for everyone at the Vancouver Wedding & Honeymoon Show

http://www.vancouverweddingshow.ca/fall/?p=Home

UBC Art & Education Conference

When: October 22-24, 2009
Where: University of British Columbia

http://m1.cust.educ.ubc.ca/inside_out2009/Inside_Out_2009/Home.html

Circle Craft Christmas Market

When: November 10-14th, 2010
Where: Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Center

Select by Category Candles & SoapsChristmas Decor ClayClothing Clothing - Children Country Dolls and Toys Fashion Accessories Fibre Food Glass Home Decor Fashion Jewellery Fine JewelleryLeather Metal Miscellaneous Visual Arts Wood

This year's 36th annual Market will take place November 11 to 15, 2009 — once again under the sails of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. Guests will find hundreds of Canadian and BC artisans presenting their wares at Western Canada’s largest craft fair.

There’ll be fabulous fashion, fine jewellery, clay work, metal, glass, and more – individually hand-crafted items – items that make for the most special gifts for friends and family (and for oneself of course!).



http://www.circlecraft.net/page129.htm

Vancouver International Marathon

When: May 2, 2010
Where: Concorde Pacific Place

The BMO Vancouver Marathon is one of Canada's largest marathons and has an extensive history since its inaugural year in 1972. The event has had participation from athletes from around the world - 38 countries in 2008!



Fun fact!

The original 1972 "British Columbia Marathon" course went around Stanley Park five times. There were 72 entrants.



http://www.bmovanmarathon.ca/