Summer is the perfect time to go somewhere else—which means everyone and their cousin is having that exact same thought. That’s how we end up trapped in tailbacks on the Lions Gate Bridge, or stuck at Tsawwassen with nary a ferry in sight, or enjoying a supposedly peaceful campsite surrounded on all sides by increasingly drunk bros and screaming children. 

Fortunately you don’t have to go far to spice up your summer palate, as there are plenty of sweet happenings in the city. 

BC Dumpling Fest celebrates dumplings from momo to mandu

The second annual BC Dumpling Festival is taking place on August 12 in Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park. From 11am to 8pm, enjoy every type of dough-wrapped-around-a-filling you can conceive of, brought to you by the Asian Arts and Culture Society. It’s the perfect place to have philosophical discussions (like: “Is a hot dog a taco?”) while eating your way through a global smorgasbord of tasty lil’ treats.

There’s more than just an endless variety of dumplings on offer, too, with a huge variety of food trucks and stalls, a kids’ zone, live performers, and art. Plus, dogs are welcome—so long as they don’t try to scarf down your plate of gyoza. 

BC Dumpling Festival 

Where: Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

When: August 12, 11am to 8pm

Instagram: @bcdumplingfest

Think pink at the Rosé Disco 

If you bought a whole new pink ensemble for the Barbie movie and are now desperately looking for more occasions to wear it, never fear: the Rosé Disco at the PNE is here to save the day. With wine. The event, taking over the fairground on July 30 from 1pm to 6pm, offers more than two dozen rosés for your sipping enjoyment, along with live DJ sets and plenty of places to buy picnic-ready food. Participating wineries are coming from across North America, with plenty of BC establishments (including Joie Farm and Mt. Boucherie) available, too. 

And we weren’t kidding about the outfits: pink and white attire is required. Although the event is sold out, eager patrons can join the waitlist for last-minute tickets here. 

Rosé Disco

Where: PNE Festival Grounds, 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver

When: July 30, 1pm to 6pm

Website: rosedisco.com 

Kitchen Table offers la dolce vita in the city 

Imagine… eating some of the best Italian food in the city… and getting rewarded for it? Kitchen Table Restaurants is offering exactly that, spotlighting 10 local spots in its summer program, Summer Like An Italian. Running until September 21 (the first official day of fall), the promotion sees participating restaurants (including Ask for Luigi and Di Beppe) distributing dining passports that can be stamped with each visit. Each stamp is an entry into a raffle, and if you gather more than five stamps you’re eligible for some major prizes: a $500 Kitchen Table gift card, or an overnight stay at the Shangri-La Vancouver. Gather all 10 stamps and you could win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy.

Kitchen Table's Summer Like An Italian

Where: Ask for Luigi, Bacaro, Carlino, Di Beppe, Farina a Legna, Giovane Caffè (West Cordova Street and West Georgia Street locations), Mercato di Luigi, Motoretta, Super Veloce, and Pizzeria Farina

When: Until September 21

Instagram: @kitchentablerestauants