In 2024, Vancouver proved once again that it's not just Hollywood North in name, but in spirit too.
From surprise celebrity sightings to the city turning into a playground for the famous, this year was packed with moments that had us starstruck.
The Rolling Stones made headlines off-stage with their low-key but lively nights on the town, while certain restaurants solidified their reputation as celebrity haunts.
And, of course, there was no escaping the tidal wave of Swift-mania that swept through Vancouver during Taylor Swift’s final blockbuster Eras Tour stop.
Here’s a look back at the star-powered stories that made this year in Vancouver unforgettable.
Legendary rocker Daryl Hall leaves Vancouver stage mid-performance
Usually, when a musician walks off the stage in the middle of a show something has gone very wrong. In the case of Daryl Hall, it was because he was not feeling well.
Hall, 77, made it through just three songs as part of his August 21, 2024 PNE Summer Nights concert before he made a swift exit - with no explanation to the crowd.
"He left the stage because he was not well and couldn't return," explained a PNE spokesperson the next day.
Prince Harry and Meghan dine at a legendary Vancouver restaurant during visit
British royalty collided with Canadian restaurant (and music!) royalty in a most delicious way this year, when visitors Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, dined at one of Vancouver's legendary restaurants during the couple's visit to the city in February.
The high-profile couple enjoyed a dinner at Michelin Guide-recommended Vij's, which is one of the city's most beloved and enduring modern Indian restaurants.
Harry and Meghan didn't dine alone, though. The royals were joined by a member of Canadian music royalty, Burnaby's own Michael Bublé, and his wife, Luisana Lopilato. Among the dishes landing on the table were Vij's signature lamb popsicles, one of the restaurant's most popular dishes.
'Thank you, Mick, for gracing us': Rock legend stops by famed Vancouver restaurant
Did Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger get Vancouver dining tips from Prince Harry? We'll never know. But we do know Jagger, 81, dined at Vij's on July 6.
Jagger posed for a photo with Vij's chef/owner Vikram Vij, who thanked the rocker on social media for coming in for a meal.
"Thank you, Mick, for gracing us with your presence," reads the post.
Signs of/for Taylor Swift in Vancouver
Did you hear that pop icon Taylor Swift spent a few days in Vancouver recently?
The world was watching as Swift brought her nearly two-year-long Eras Tour to its conclusion with a three-night run of epic shows at BC Place in Vancouver.
To mark her arrival, and to give the staggering hordes of bejewelled fans decked out in friendship bracelets and tour merch from the city and abroad something fun to do, the city kind of sort of went bonkers in getting Swift-ified. We actually created an entire site category for stories about Swift and the end of the Eras Tour in our fair city.
The top story involved a set of 13 illuminated signs set up around downtown, each shouting in cheery all caps names of Swift songs, like "Anti-Hero" and "Willow." The one that went up first and was taken down last was the one reading "Swiftcouver," set up along the waterfront.
While Swift didn't hang out in town (she jetted off from YVR within the hour of her final bow at BC Place on December 8), her being here had a quite an impact on Vancouver.
Here are a couple more big stories from V.I.A.'s Taylor Swift Eras era:
- A love letter to Swifties: Taylor Swift's first Eras Tour show in Vancouver was everything (and more)
- Watch: Vancouver's iconic Gastown steam clock now plays Taylor Swift song
Video: Rolling Stone guitarist declares 'the streets are rocking in Vancouver'
Mick Jagger may have appreciated being indoors in Vancouver, but the Rolling Stones' guitarist Ronnie Wood was living it up driving around the city after the show.
In a video posted on Wood's Instagram, the rock legend can be seen enjoying himself in the car, clapping to music and singing.
"It's nice to see them all rolling out of the concert, I think they had a good time tonight," Wood says in the video. "We love Vancouver."
The car window is rolled down and Wood is clapping, but few people seem to notice the global rock star rolling past them.
"The streets are rocking in Vancouver tonight," he sings loudly in the clip.
Seth Rogen and Bowen Yang spotted at award-winning Vancouver restaurant
You've probably picked up on a trend: Stories about where famous folks eat in Vancouver get lots of attention. Over the summer, one award-winning East Van spot got a double shot of attention (and an end-of-year callback, see below) from a couple of stars, including a hometown legend.
Both Vancouverite Seth Rogen and SNL star Bowen Yang visited The Lunch Lady.
A Lunch Lady employee shared group photos of the staff with each of the stars on her Instagram stories, noting that meeting celebs is a "work perk."
The Lunch Lady reshared pics of Rogen's visit on its social media via Instagram stories.
Rogen, who is one of Vancouver's most high-profile celebs, returns to Vancouver often for work and play. This year, he was part of a CBC competition show about pottery that was filmed here at Granville Island.
Yang was in Vancouver filming a remake of the film The Wedding Banquet. At the end of June, he shared on his Instagram that the project had wrapped, and shared his love for the city: "Vancouver rules!!!"
Gracie Abrams thanks Bowen Yang for Vancouver restaurant recommendation
And here we come full circle.
Singer Gracie Abrams was the opening act for Taylor Swift, thrilling crowds in Vancouver at BC Place with a set showcasing her musical prowess and popular songs for each of the three nights of the Eras Tour.
While in Vancouver, Abrams seems to have enjoyed at least one great local meal, showing off her takeout bag from Commercial Drive's The Lunch Lady with a big heart around it on her Instagram stories.
The singer also posted a slide on her stories thanking SNL star Bowen Yang for recommending the spot.
Owen Wilson eats and plays like a real Vancouverite
Actor Owen Wilson landed in Vancouver for work this spring and pretty much made himself at home.
The Wedding Crashers star was here filming a new Apple TV golf comedy about an ex-professional golfer who gets fired from his job. Before the shoot got going, Wilson donned his trademark Cheshire cat grin (and a Canucks jersey) for the camera at Rogers Arena during a tense final game in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 20.
While exploring the city, Wilson made some stops to eat at a couple of local restaurants. He enjoyed casual Mexican eats on Main at Maizal and modern Afghani fare at nearby Zarak.
Wilson was spotted several times in and around Vancouver, from showing up to a set in Richmond on a bike and giving a nearby crowd a friendly "Kachow," to catching the BC Lions' home opener.
Jessica Biel meets namesake rescue 'Jessica Seal'
Jessica Seal has long been a resident of the Vancouver Aquarium, but until this year actress Jessica Biel, who Jessica Seal was (sort of) named after hadn't been able to stop by.
It finally happened this year.
"I was lucky enough to meet her and explore the wonderful place she now gets to call home," wrote Biel, the human, on Instagram.
With files from Brendan Kergin and Elana Shepert
