How is it already the last weekend of the summer??? The seasons officially change on Friday, September 22, marking the upcoming days off as the last official hurrah for the sunniest time of the year. And lucky for you, there are plenty of events to check out.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Maestro Tausk Conducts Mahler’s Sixth

Maestro Taust will launch the 105th season of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra with the work of Anna Thorvaldsdottir.

When: September 15 and 16, 8pm

Where: Orpheum

Tickets: $26

Great Outdoors Comedy Festival

The comedy of Russell Peters, Kevin Hart, Reggie Watts, and more iconic performers will be at Stanley Park for the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival this weekend. 

When: September 15 and 16

Where: Stanley Park

Admission: $99

Pixel Sky Animations Launch Party

The Vancouver-based drone light show company will have its official launch party at Science World on Friday evening, featuring, of course, mesmerizing light shows. 

When: September 15, 5pm to midnight

Where: Science World

Admission: $38+

Barnside Harvest Festival

Delta’s Barnside Harvest Festival has quite the lineup for this upcoming weekend, including The Sheepdogs, 54-40, Orchard Sky, Blue Strange, Dear Rouge, The Zolas, and more. 

When: September 15 to 17

Where: Paterson Park Ladner

Admission: $35+

Fraser Valley Conservancy’s Fall Native Plant Sale

Check out the online sale for fall native plants from the Fraser Valley Conservancy, going on until September 24 (with plant pickup on September 30). 

When: Until September 24, pick up on September 30

Where: Online, pick up TBD

Cost: Varies

Precipice: Changing the Course of the Extinction Crisis in BC

The opening night of the new exhibition at Alternatives Gallery launches on Friday for a first look at the mixed-medium show that features seven BC-based artists. 

When: September 15 to 23

Where: Alternatives Gallery

Admission: Free

Practice as Ritual / Ritual as Practice

This exhibit reflects on the 1989 Diasporic African Women’s Art Collective (DAWA) exhibition, Black Wimmin: When and Where We Enter.

When: September 15 to November 5

Where: Libby Leshgold Gallery at Emily Carr University

Admission: Free

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Vancouver Avian Research Centre Open House

Bird-watch up close, talk with experts, and learn about the migration of the birds of our skies at this open house at Colony Farm Banding Station. 

When: September 16, 7am

Where: Colony Farm Banding Station

Admission: $15

River District Apiary Public Tours

Tour beehives, meet the bees (and their keepers), and purchase a jar of honey at this free public tour of the apiary. 

When: September 16, 17

Where: River District Apiary

Admission: Free; honey jars start at $13

Solo Exhibition by Rachelle Sawatsky

The opening reception of Rachelle Sawatsky’s solo exhibition of abstract paintings and glazed ceramic wall works is taking place this Saturday. 

When: September 16, 5pm

Where: Western Front

Admission: Free

Coastal Cleanup Day at Sunset Beach Park

Join Ocean Wise in an effort to tidy up Sunset Beach and to raise awareness about plastic pollution and how it impacts our oceans. 

When: September 16

Where: Sunset Beach Park

Admission: Free

That 70s Art Show...and SALE!

Dress in your best ’70s threads to attend (and potentially win the costume contest at) this ‘70s-themed art show and vintage sale.

When: September 16, 3pm

Where: 5649 Blenheim Street

Admission: Free

Seventeen Syllable Slam

This free poetry event will include bubbles, candy, unicorns, and, of course, poetry.

When: September 16, 2:30pm

Where: 800 Robson Street

Admission: Free

Lyse Lemieux’s Am Stram Gram

The opening reception for Lyse Lemieux’s Am Stram Gram exhibit can be found at Wil Aballe Art Projects. 

When: September 16, 2pm

Where: Wil Aballe Art Projects

Admission: Free

Intimacy and Distances Artist & Curator Talk

Tokyo-based interdisciplinary artist Maiko Jinushi, guest curator Makiko Hara, artist Akira Takaishi, and curator Steven Tong will partake in a talk in conjunction with Intimacy and Distances. 

When: September 16, 2pm

Where: Centre A

Admission: Free

Coquitlam Cultural Centre 2023-2024 Season Launch Party

Coquitlam’s Evergreen Cultural Centre is kick-starting its 27th season with a launch party on September 16. 

When: September 16, 4pm

Where: Evergreen Cultural Centre

Admission: $25

Cutie Pet Fair

Head over to Richmond’s LuLu Island Winery for their last pet carnival of the summer with contests, live music, a pony experience, and more.

When: September 16

Where: Lulu Island Winery

Admission: Free

Norman Nawrocki Book Launch

East Vancouverite-turned-Montrealer Norman Nawrocki is launching his new book/film Isabelle Walks with Angels at People’s Co-op Bookstore.

When: September 16, 7pm

Where: People’s Co-op Bookstore

Admission: Free

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

La Tana x Sumibiyaki Arashi 

Chef Phil Scarfone of La Tana and chef Pete Ho of soon-to-open Sumibiyaki Arashi are pairing up for a fusion of Japanese and Italian cuisine. 

When: September 17

Where: Cafe La Tana

Admission: Varies

EVERY BRILLIANT THING 

Catch the last weekend of EVERY BRILLIANT THING, a comedy about depression and gratitude performed by Sarah Robertson, at the Bez Arts Hub in Langley. 

When: Until September 17

Where: Bez Arts Hub

Admission: $40

Bird Walk at Cheam Lake Wetlands

Take a guided walk through the Cheam Lake Wetlands to spot the birds of the area. 

When: September 17, 7am

Where: Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park

Admission: $30

Want more? Check out our events page to find out what else is going on around the city.