There’s always something to do in Vancouver...but first we eat!
If you like to make food and drink the focal point of fun, we’ve got 27 (and counting!) delicious food events happening in and around Vancouver this September.
Check back during the month to see what events we've added to the delicious line-up.
ONGOING
The Fair at the PNE
Vendors from around the region have spent the winter months perfecting the crazy genius (or sometimes just plain crazy) of their newest concoctions. Global food trends, mash-ups, and all-out over-the-top-ness are on deck for the 2018 Fair at the PNE. True, you can still get a plain hot dog, lemonade, cotton candy, and some mini-donuts (including Those Little Donuts that are celebrating a milestone 50 years as a PNE vendor), and you can also find smoothies, salads, and less gut-busting fare.
When: Through September 3
Where: PNE - 2901 East Hastings, Vancouver
Dinner in the Sky
This summer, the option to eat a meal while you’re suspended about 50 metres over Vancouver is once again on the table, thanks to the return of Dinner in the Sky. Run by WESTCOAST Sightseeing, Dinner in the Sky has brought Vancouver chef Ned Bell on board for this year’s event. The way Dinner in the Sky works is that you are safely strapped in around a communal table, with the chef and their helpers and a safety expert at the centre. Up you go into the sky, where you’ll have your food and drink while taking in a spectacular view.
When: Now through September 3, 2018
Where: Ambleside Park – West Vancouver
Cost: $149-$569 and up per person; details about all of the experience packages are available online.
Great British Tea Party
For the Great British Tea Party, Notch8 is pulling out all the stops: Vintage décor, bunting, Union Jacks, and a red telephone booth can be found in the restaurant’s Private Dining Room. There’s Coronation Chicken, roast beef and stilton, and egg salad tea sandwiches; Eton Mess; scones and Devonshire cream; and plenty of house-made UK-inspired pastries.
When: Now through September 3, 2018. Seatings at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm
Where: Notch8 – Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia Street
Cost: Adults $65, Children $32.50 (ages 12 & under). Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by phone at 604-662-1900, or online.
Richmond Night Market
Midway games, vendor booths, live entertainment, and an insane amount of food will once again draw crowds at the Richmond Night Market. The market consistently offers an impressive quantity of options for shopping and eating–they have over 100 food stalls and 200 vendors.
When: Now to October 8, 2018. 7 pm – midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 7 pm – 11 pm Sundays and holiday Mondays
Where: 8351 River Road, Richmond
Cost: $3.75 admission, free for children 10 and under and seniors 60 and up (with ID)
Shipyards Night Market
Running May 4 to September 28, 2018, the Shipyards Night Market will once again liven up Shipbuilders’ Square in North Vancouver’s lower Lonsdale with over 100 vendors, including food trucks, and a 19+ beer garden. With a “hot food alley” stacked with dozens of food trucks, the Shipyards Night Market is one of the summer’s most delicious pop-up weekend eats destinations. Plus sip on craft beer and cider in the beer garden, shop from the many vendor stalls, and enjoy live entertainment.
When: Fridays from 5 to 10 pm, now to September 28, 2018
Where: Shipbuilders’ Square – 15 Wallace Mews, North Vancouver
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
Hopcott Farms Longtable Dinner
A farm to table experience enjoyed on the Hopcott family farm featuring locally raised natural meats and ingredients prepared by Chef Jeff Massey. Available will be a selection of local beer from Foamers' Folly, local cider from Fraser Valley Cider Company, and wines from Singletree Winery. Feast while surrounded by corn and berry fields and the mountain backdrop with live music by local artist Ryan McAllister. Partial proceeds going to Alisa's Wish Child Advocacy Center for Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge.
When: Saturday, September 1 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: Hopcott Premium Meats - 18385 Old Dewdney Trunk Road, Pitt Meadows
Cost: $29-125; tickets available online
Cheese and Meat Festival 2018
There are few food partnerships that work as well as cheese and meat, so it makes perfect sense to have an entire event dedicated to them both, together. Back for its third year, the Cheese and Meat Festival returns to Vancouver with a day full of the obvious: cheese and meat. And lots of it! Multiple vendors will load up your charcuterie board (yours to keep!) with samples of meats, cheese, and accompaniments (think pickles, olives, etc) along with chocolate, all paired with wine, beer, and spirits.
When: Saturday, September 1; tastings at 3 pm and 7 pm, seminars at 1:45 pm and 5:45 pm
Where: Roundhouse Community Centre – 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
Cost: Tickets available online.
Serbian Days
This is the the oldest and most attended Serbian gathering in the Greater Vancouver area. Lots of family fun, performances, art, vendors and, of course, food. The traditional Serbian barbecue food will be prepared by hardworking barbecue experts, and there will be a variety of delicious desserts fresh baked by the Serbian Ladies Auxiliary.
When: September 1-2, 2018
Le Burger Week
It’s back! Le Burger Week, the Montreal-based week-long celebration of the best and most outrageous burgers, returns to Vancouver for seven days of deliciousness. Launched in 2012, the annual event has brought burger lovers together in numerous Canadian cities, who head to participating local restaurants to sample their special creations just for the fest, and vote on their favourites.
When: September 1-7, 2018
Where: Participating Vancouver restaurants
TAIWANfest
This free all-ages Taiwanese festival on Labour Day weekend features storytelling, crafts, performances, films, exhibits, and food. TAIWANfest is highlighting the culture the Philippines this year, celebrated in the opening party and concert, and in fun events like Jeepney rides. Live cooking demos, music, dance, and lots to eat await.
When: September 1-3, 2018
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza - 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Cost: Free
SKOOKUM Festival
Vancouver’s inaugural SKOOKUM festival is promising to be a culinary feast. Several of Vancouver’s top restaurants are participating in the food portion of the three-day event. In addition to on-site food vending, restaurants and chefs are coming on board for all sorts of tantalizing events as part of the festival, with something special happening each night of the fest.
When: September 7-9, 2018
Where: Stanley Park, Vancouver
Cost: Varies by event
Pie in the Plaza
Celebrate Agriculture Week at Central City Plaza (right outside Central City Shopping Centre) for this fun family event and see the creation of B.C.'s largest blueberry pie. Watch the pie being assembled and stay for a slice after the ceremonial pie cutting. There will also be other free, family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon.
When: Saturday, September 8, from 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Central City Shopping Centre Plaza, 10153 King George Blvd
Cost: Free
24th Annual Metro Vancouver Feast of Fields
Feast of Fields are FarmFolk CityFolk’s annual local food celebrations and signature fundraising events, held each year on a different farm in the Okanagan Valley, in Metro Vancouver and on Southern Vancouver Island. Since 1994 FarmFolk CityFolk has celebrated more than 50 Feasts. This year they will be hosted again by UBC Farm in Vancouver.
When: Sunday, September 9 from 1 to 5 pm
Where: UBC Farm - 3461 Ross Drive
Cost: $15-950; tickets available online
Polish Festival Vancouver
Polish music, dance, food and an array of local vendors await at the 6th annual Polish Festival. It's a free event, too.
When: Sunday, September 9 from 1 to 9 pm
Where: Pipe Shop – 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free
Beer and a Curry X Faculty Brewing Co.
One Sunday a month, Beer and a Curry teams up a local brewery with delicious curry.This month it's Faculty Brewing Co. There will be two seatings this time around, one at 6pm and one at 8pm with the appetizers and curry served family style on a big ol' table.
When: Sunday, September 9 (seatings at 6 and 8 pm)
Where: Faculty Brewing Co. - 1830 Ontario Street, Vancouver
Cost: $35; tickets available online
Whistler Village Beer Festival
6 days of beer-fuelled fun. The big beer gathering, though: The Main Event on Saturday and Sunday (September 15-16), which will feature 65+ breweries pouring 130+ styles of beer and cider. Oh, and you're in beautiful Whistler. Yes!
When: September 11-16, 2018
Where: Whistler Village (various venues)
Cost: $59-99; tickets available online
Punjabi Market Tours
How well do you know Vancouver’s storied Punjabi Market? Go on a guided tour hosted by a passionate local who will introduce you to the market’s sights, sounds, and tastes. Give bhangra dancing a go, and get a temporary henna tattoo during the tour. You’ll also get shown some lesser-known gems, and taste some delicious eats.
When: Saturdays from 11 am to 1 pm
Where: Punjabi Market - 6655 Main Street, Vancouver
Cost: $34; tickets available online
Tasting Plates South Granville
Explore the South Granville neighbourhood (between 6th - 16th Avenues on Granville Street) and tantalize your taste buds at several restaurants and cafes. Pick up your tasting passport and head to participating venues to get a bite of what they've got going on.
When: Wednesday, September 12 from 6-10 pm
Where: Starting point is at Jak's - 2658 Granville Street, Vancouver
Cost: $35-60; tickets available online
Market Mexico
Experience Mexican culture through food, drinks, music, arts, crafts and shopping at a one-day pop-up event in September. Experience market staples including tacos, tortas and elotes (Mexican corn). Try horchata, pastries, and churros; and sip on aguas frescas, agave spirits, and micheladas.
When: Saturday, September 15 from 11:30 am to 8 pm
Where: UBC Robson Square - 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Ferment Fest Vancouver
After a successful debut in October 2017, Vancouver’s only festival dedicated to fermented foods will return this year for another day of food and fun. Attendees can expect to meet and mingle with many fermented food enthusiasts and local artisan producers. We’re talking everything from kraut to kombucha, with much to sample and buy.
When: Sunday, September 16
Where: Pipe Shop – 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: TBD
Vancouver Chefs Present ‘A Night at the Museum’
Four of Vancouver’s top chefs are teaming up for a Night at the Museum- themed pop-up dinner at Mak N Ming. During this creative culinary mash-up, Ian McHale (Wildebeest), Sean Reeve (Mackenzie Room), Jeremy Kersche (Fable) and Brian Luptak (Acorn) will work in tandem to prepare a special six-course tasting menu inspired by the works of famous artists, including Salvador Dali, Van Gogh and Andy Warhol. Colourful and creative dishes will be paired with featured wines from Kelowna’s Hatch Winery.
Where: Mak N Ming
Cost: Tickets are priced at $185 per person and are available via Eventbrite
Top Latte Artist Vancouver Competition
And you thought it was no biggie to get those swoops and hearts in the foam on top of your latte. Nope, it's a whole thing. There's been a heated latte artist battle waging this summer, and the Top 16 qualifiers from previous heats will compete for $2,500 at the Live Finals.
When: September 21 at 6:30 pm
Where: Kafka's Coffee - 577 Great Northern Way, Vancouver
The True MOONCAKE NOSHDown
A social gathering with Snow Skin Mooncakes in honour of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Celebrate by learning how to make snow skin mooncakes from scratch--and sugar-free. Learn some Chinese words, and the history of the mooncake.
When: Saturday, September 22 from 2:30 to 5 pm
Where: The True NOSH Kitchen - 2200 Ontario Street, Vancouver
Cost: $27; tickets available online
Slowfish Dinner 2018
Following a reception, during which sparkling wine will be served along with canapes prepared by the students, eight chefs will be serving exceptional tasting dishes in the 8 kitchens at PICA. Grazing through the kitchens, you will have a chance to talk to the chefs and winery representatives about their passion for what they do. On the menu: Sustainable seafood.
When: Sunday, September 23 from 6 to 9 pm
Where: Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts - 1505 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver
Cost: $99-109; tickets available online
Barbarian's Feast
The evening will be devoted to robust feasting and drinking. Legendary whiskies, Old Forester, Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniels will be in full display as you will get to indulge in generous samples of some of America's finest brown spirits. The dinner, presented buffet-style in the age-old tradition of the groaning board, will feature a 120 lb. whole roasted pig from Gelderman Farms in Abbotsford, in addition to irresistible offerings from Two Rivers Specialty Meats, including sausages, roast beef, turkey wings, game hens, and pork ribs.
When: Sunday, September 23 from 6 to 11 pm
Where: The Cascade Room - 2616 Main Street, Vancouver
Cost: $99; tickets available online
Passions 2018 Gala
Vancouver foodies can sample culinary creations from the city’s top restaurants, bakeries and caterers alongside wines hailing from New Zealand at the 2018 edition of the annual Passions Gala in support of the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. This year’s list of participating restaurants includes Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar, Joe Fortes, CinCin and Maenam. The elegant fundraising event takes place at Performance Works on Granville Island.
When: Wednesday, September 26. VIP Reception at 5:30 pm, general admission at 6:30 pm
Where: Performance Works - 1218 Cartwright Street, Granville Island
Cost: $225-300
H2 Rotisserie & Bar Does Oktoberfest
Guten tag! Head to H2 Rotisserie & Bar at The Westin Bayshore for brews, bites, games and a live performance by Siegel Entertainment's The Alpiners Oompapa band. You'll be indulging in Red Truck Brewing Company craft beer, traditional German fare, (menu below), and all of the Deutsch-style shenanigans you can dream of on our garden-side terrace. Dress in your best lederhosen and dirndls. Tickets include entry, one complimentary beer ticket, take-home stein, and grub for the night (aka all the schnitzel you can eat!).
When: Friday, September 28 from 6-9 pm
Where: H2 Rotisserie & Bar - 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver
Cost: $60; tickets available online