It's the first weekend of October—time to embrace all the fall activities. 🍂
But while pumpkin spice season might be in full swing, so is the ongoing pandemic. On Friday, public health officials said there are currently 1,302 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, so make sure to avoid large gatherings and keep your distance from those outside your social bubble.
That said, there are still tons of fun things to do in Vancouver this weekend. Here are 10 of them!
1. Prost to Oktoberfest 🍻
Get your lederhosen ready—Bells and Whistles is kicking off October with 11 days of celebrations. The Fraser Street establishment will transform into a Bavarian-inspired beer hall to host ‘Wünderbar: An Oktobeerfest Pop-Up.’ Executive Chef Lewis McIntosh has added a number of specials to the menu, including warm pretzels with tangy honey mustard, currywurst, an Oktoberfest platter (crispy pork schnitzel, Two Rivers bratwurst, rosemary bacon, braised housemade sauerkraut, German potato salad, mustard and pickles), pulled pork sandwich, eggplant schnitzel, pork schnitzel, and apple strudel soft serve (caramel apple compote, pie crust). At the bar, Bells and Whistles will delight fans of classic German-styled beers by featuring local and import brews like Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold, Paulaner Oktoberfest Lager, Strange Fellows 'Beldame' Pilsner & 'Ludwig' German-Style Festbier, Persephone 'Oktoberfest' Lager, Bridge Brewing Kellerbier, Four Winds 'Holz' Pilsner, and Twin Sails 'Low Life' Lager.
2. Re-visit the 'before times' at this new art exhibit
"Feels Like Only Yesterday" by David WilsonRemember January 2020? Noises Off had just started its run at Vancouver’s Stanley Theatre. When Michael Frayn’s farce wrapped a month later, it seemed as if the entire world wrapped with it.
With his newest collection, Close to Home, artist David Wilson offers a look back at those final, pre-COVID days through his vibrant acrylics. “It’s a world that, despite its many monstrosities, seems a little bit whimsical now,” says Wilson in a release. “It’s a place that, in spite of all of its shortcomings, doesn’t seem so bad.” Close to Home: New works by David Wilson runs from Oct. 1 to 22, 2020 at the Kurbatoff Gallery on Granville Street.
3. Celebrate National Taco Day 🌮
Photo courtesy Chancho TortilleriaNot that we ever need an excuse to enjoy a few tacos, but having one doesn't hurt. What better way to mark National Taco Day than with some of the city's best? On Sunday, Oct. 4, Chancho Tortilleria is offering a special edition of its popular Taco-to-Go Kit for pickup one-day-only from the Yaletown tortilleria. Featuring enough food to feed four hungry adults, each Chancho Taco-to-Go Kit offers a choice of either carnitas - Maciza (shoulder/leg), Panza (belly), Campechano (shoulder and belly), — for a special price of $69 each, or Papas Dia (potato) or Verduras Dia (veggie) varieties for $59 each, in addition to the following: Fresh-made native corn tortillas Chips and guacamole; Salsas and black beans; Choice of either Margarita (375 mL bottle of Hornitos tequila and mix) or Michelada (4 bottles of Pacifico lager and mix) kit; and Mexican Bingo game (first 30 orders). Only 60 total kits are available so don't put off putting in an order! Orders for Chancho’s Taco-To-Go Kits can be placed in advance online until Saturday, October 3 for pickup at the restaurant (560 Davie Street) between noon and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 4.
Honestly, it would be rude not to.
4. Watch spooky movies under the stars
Photo: Instagram / Kaepopp
5. Host a dinner party for a good cause
Savour: A Culinary Festival is a brand-new partnership between the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada and top Canadian chefs and restaurants aims to offer an exciting culinary experience and fundraising opportunity to support Canadians living with MS. From October 2 to 4, participants can connect in a variety of ways: From the comfort of your own kitchen, the Chef at Home Experience includes a hands-on demonstration from Canadian chefs over video. Each chef - like Vancouver's own Vikram Vij - will share the recipe and ingredients list ahead of time and then walk you through the cooking experience followed by a Q&A; or host a virtual dinner party and turn your Friday night dinner plans into a group hangout online where you can enjoy coming together over good food and good friends and ask for a small donation to go towards supporting people affected by MS.
6. Plan a trip to Hawaii 🌴
Photo: Hawaii / Getty ImagesEven if it's only in your dreams.
Vancouverites can visit Hawaii starting Oct. 15 without quarantining on arrival, but the Canadian government is still advising travellers to think twice before booking a ticket to paradise. However, on Sept. 16, Hawaiian Governor David Ige declared that the state’s pre-travel testing program will launch on Oct. 15, which will allow trans-Pacific travellers to visit the island state without quarantining upon arrival. They need to get the test prior to their arrival and show proof of a negative test no more than 72 hours in advance of travel.
7. Book your slot for this new 'wicked walkthrough' of optical illusions
Photo: Beaumont StudiosA Halloween maze full of mind-bending optical illusions is what’s to become of Vancouver’s Beaumont Studios venue, beginning Oct. 8
Participants will venture through 10,000 square feet of winding hallways, rooms, and an outdoor courtyard transformed by hundreds of lasers and soundscapes, crafted by dozens of Vancouver artists and two production companies. Time slots for groups Wednesday, and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. or Friday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. can be booked online.
8. Watch this new TSN investigation featuring former Canuck Ryan Kesler
Ryan Kesler talks about the long-term impact of his use of painkillers during his NHL career. photo: TSNA new investigative report from TSN called “The Problem of Pain” delves into the use of painkillers across the NHL and the lack of information players receive on the long-term consequences of their repeated use. Former Canuck Ryan Kesler is one of the main players interviewed in the report, detailing the issues he’s faced after using one painkiller, Toradol, repeatedly throughout his career.
9. Check out this nature-themed art and culture festival
“In the Shadow of Greatness”, 2019 AFC Exhibit. Painting by Bruce Lawes.Artists for Conservation — a Canada-based international non-profit with a mission is to support wildlife and habitat conservation and environmental education through art — is carrying on with hosting their annual series of special events in Vancouver for 2020 with some special twists.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Artists for Conservation Festival — a nature-themed arts and culture event for all ages running from October 1 to 4. Featuring a wide range of local and international artists, the festival highlights the natural and cultural heritage of the Lower Mainland through a rich program of art exhibits, live demos, musical and cultural performances, First Nations presentations, and more activities over the weekend.
10. Get your winter tires on
Photo: Snow tires / Getty ImagesOkay, we'll admit this doesn't exactly fall into the category of "fun things to do," but do you know what definitely isn't fun? Getting slapped with a $121 fine for not having snow tires. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure reminded motorists this week that winter tires and chains are required on most routes in B.C. as of Oct. 1.
- With files from Lindsay William-Ross, Elana Shepert, Sarah Grochowski and Daniel Wagner
