A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

The Scout List, Vol. 535

An agenda of the things we are doing, wishing we could do, or are conspiring to do in Vancouver from Aug. 28 to Sept 3, 2019.
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The Scout List, Vol. 535

From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver from August 28 to September 3, 2019. Note that you can also get the Scout List – with a few extra pieces of intel included – sent to your inbox every Thursday. Sign up for your subscription in the sidebar.

CULTURE | The Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre holds their annual Nikkei Matsuri Festival this weekend. Hustle out to Burnaby for plenty of food and drink — think sushi, oden, yakisoba, yakitori, tebasaki chicken, edamame, beer and sake) as well as festivities such as martial arts demos, kimono dressing, Japanese crafts, a game zone, more food and many live performances. Find out more.

Sat, Aug. 31 + Sun, Sept. 1 |  11am-7pm | Nikkei Cultural Centre 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC V5E MAP

SCORE | Vancouver Special is holding their annual warehouse sale this week. Word has it there will be design-forward and sexy looking sofas, tables, chairs, lighting, accessories and books – all at 25-75% off. That much off of anything at Vancouver Special is worth getting out of bed for. Find out more.

Mon, Sept. 2 | noon-5pm | Van Special Wareouse 200 East 20th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada MAP

SCORE MORE | Already thinking about the inevitable shift in seasons? Ready for some fall clothing? The mother of all warehouse sales is under way (and continues all weekend long)! Aritzia’s massive, once-a-year sale is so big that it’s taking over the Vancouver Convention Centre. Expect 50-90% off of everything from denim to cocktail dresses (items refreshed daily). Get in there and update your wardrobe on the cheap! Find out more.

Now – Mon, Sept. 2 | 7am-9pm (7pm Sun/Mon) | Vancouver Convention Centre 999 Canada Place MAP

FESTIVAL DEL MAIZE | The Canada El Salvador Action Network and the Grandview Woodland Food Connection come together to put on a one day, all-out, super tasty celebration of corn this weekend. Focusing on Latin American culture, food and the central role corn plays in both, the annual Festival del Maize is an awesome way to load up on tamales, pupusas, riguas, elote loco, atoles, nachos, pasteles and burritos while listening to some live music, catching some traditional dancing and cultural performances, and generally enjoying the culture of corn.  Find out more.

Sun, Sept. 1 | noon-5pm | Britannia Community Centre (Gym D) | Free Admission  1661 Napier St, Vancouver MAP

SWIM | Sun, cloud, rain…the forecast is calling for a little bit of everything this long weekend. Even under tame summer showers, temperatures are warm enough for an outdoor swim. Kits Pool closes for the season next month (September 15th), so it’s important that you make the most of the remaining days to splash about in the beautiful, 137 metre salt water pool. With soft sand and beach volleyball close at hand and plenty of great food options an easy flip-flop across the street, Kits Pool makes for a solid day of fun. Find out more.

Now through Sept. 15 | 7am-ish-7pm | Kits Pool 2305 Cornwall Ave Vancouver BC MAP

SO LONG SUMMER | This is it, the final weekend of August – the unofficial last weekend of summer! Don’t be bummed. Say “Ciao!” properly by heading over to Luppolo for their Endless Summer party (beer will be flowing, Big Day BBQ will be there with serving up freshly smoked goodness, local accordionist and ‘chanteuse’ Ana Bon Bon will providing the live and lively background tunes). Find out more.

Sat, Aug. 31 | 1 - 9pm | Luppolo Brewing 1123 Venables St. MAP

TAIWAN FEST | Taiwan Fest is happening! This family-friendly event takes place on Granville (between Pender and Robson) and will involve food, art, dance and music. For more details about the festival (like when you can catch The Robot Princess, where you can find The Friendship Kitchen or what Island Scream is all about), visit the Taiwan Fest website here. It takes place in a number of locations including Granville Street (between Pender and Robson), the Vancouver Art Gallery “Plaza” and The Annex at The Orpheum. Float back and forth between all three all weekend.

Aug 31 - Sept. 2 | 11am–9pm (6pm Mon) | Various locations, incl. The Plaza at VAG 750 Hornby St. MAP

CHILL | It’s summer on a long weekend. Your primary objective should be to kick back and do as much relaxing as possible. You know what else you should be doing? Eating all the ice cream, that’s what! Can’t decide where to begin? Consider yourself an ice cream expert and want to weigh in on who makes the best? Check our Guide To Vancouver’s Best Ice Cream here. Vote for your fave, let us know who we missed.


EXPLORE | As summer begins to give way to fall, the sun is dipping below the horizon earlier and earlier. Make a point of spending some time on a beach to enjoy a sunset. Not into the crowd or parking nightmare that might come with an English Bay sunset? Iona Beach Regional Park (just north of the Vancouver International Airport) in Richmond is a chill alternative. Iona is a beautiful stretch of sandy shoreline that spreads toward the sea at the mouth of the Fraser River. In addition to walking the beach (when the tide is out it goes on forever), there’s also a walkable breakwater, raised boardwalks, and a crazy network of unmarked trails. To get there, cross the Arthur Laing Bridge on your way to the airport but turn right at the first traffic light (Grauer Road) and follow the signs. Find out more.

Iona Beach 900 Ferguson Road, Richmond, BC V7B 1W7 MAP

COMMUNITY | CiTR & Discorder and Music Waste Festival join forces to bring The Victory Square Block Party to Gastown this Sunday. Expect things to get loud. Talent taking the stage include tonk; Oblomov; lucid; Sylvia Wrath; Sunrise Social; Luvgoon; Biawanna and Kimmortal. There will also be food trucks and generally good vibes. Proceeds go to support Megaphone, a magazine sold by local homeless and low income vendors to generate personal income. Find out more.

Sun, Sept. 1 | 2-9pm | Victory Square Block Party (Cambie & W. Hastings) 200 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1G8 MAP

EAT LOCAL |  A long weekend is a great time to connect with farmers and friends at the Farmers Market. Grab your best reusable shopping bag and fill it to the brim with tasty salad greens, fresh blueberries, perfect plums, pears, nectarines and as many apples as you can handle… this month is brimming with fresh fruits and vegetables (not to mention cheeses, artisan breads, preserves, honey, wild salmon, cookies, pies, eggs and pickles. Support the people who grow our food! Find out more.

Wednesday | 2pm - 6pm | Main Street Station | Main Street Station Farmer's Market MAP
Thursday | 3-7pm | šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn Square | 630 Hamilton St. MAP
Saturday | 9am-2pm | Trout Lake | East 13th & Lakewood Dr., Vancouver, BC, Canada MAP
Saturday | 9am-2pm | West End West End Farmers Market, Comox Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada MAP
Saturday | 10am-2pm | Riley Park | Riley Park, East 30th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada MAP
Sunday | 10am-2pm | Kits Community Centre | Kitsilano Community Centre, Larch Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada MAP
Sunday | 10am-2pm | Mount Pleasant | Dude Chilling Park 2390 Brunswick St. MAP

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From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver, from now until January 8th, 2024.

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From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver, right now.

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From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver, from March 30th to April 5th, 2023.

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From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver over the days and weeks ahead.