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 Thursday, April 24 to Wednesday, April 30th, 2025. Please note that you can now get the Scout List – with a few extra pieces of intel included – sent to your inbox every Thursday. Sign up for your subscription here.

WINE | Patios are popping up around town! True, nights are still a bit chilly…but with a little forethought (i.e. stuff a jacket in your bag before you hit the town) you can still eke out the most of the not-rainy Spring dusk-to-dark hours. It’s an all-the-more convincing tableau with a glass of something bright in-hand – which is where Bar Tartare comes in. Their Alexander Street patio is now open, and this Friday A Sunday in August will be breezing through the Gastown wine bar, pouring glasses of their latest releases (and a few special unreleased bottles). Plus, Chef Hee-Dong Choi (of upcoming Nomo Nomo) will be there running the kitchen for the night and, if the weather is as good as the forecast predicts, it’s going to be the warmest day of the year yet! Inside and outside, this place will pack up early and stay full until close. So show up early! This is a walk-in-only situation. DETAILS

LOOK | A new group exhibition of Canadian artists experimenting with the concept of ‘hard-edge’ is opening at THIS Gallery on Friday. For those of us without an art history background: hard-edge generally refers to an adherence to formalism, which translates into “clean lines, flat colour, and an almost mechanical precision”. But that’s not what HARDedge the exhibition is. The nine participating artists simply use the term as a jumping off point to pervert and redefine it through their work with paint, fibre, and/or sculpture. Rebellious stuff. HARDedge runs from April 25th through to May 3rd only, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, April 26th, where the artists will be in attendance. DETAILS

TATTOO | The Eastside Tattoo Spring Convention is going down this weekend, kicking off with a proper party on Friday night, and continuing all day Saturday and Sunday. Swing by 1739 Venables (on the corner of The Drive), where nearly a hundred local and visiting tattoo artists will be under one roof, flexing their needling skills, and selling merch and art. The air will be buzzing with the sound of tattooing in action, and fun, creative energy. Also: a raffle, food trucks, deejays, and more. Whether you’re looking to fill up some bare flesh with fresh flash, or are just in it for the art and people-watching factors (both should be ace), this will be a good time. Tickets are $10 per day, available in advance HERE; or else take your chance on snagging any remaining ones for $15 at the door. All are welcome, no previous ink required! *Take note that, if there is a specific tattooist/tattoo you’re after, you need to reach out to the individual artists in advance. Appointments may or may not still be available. DETAILS

TENSION |  Liz Magor’s Arrange Your Face explores the eerie stillness in the eye of the storm; freezing moments of pressure, vulnerability, and strange tenderness in sculpture. With works made from cast cardboard, spiralling forms, doll parts, and unsettling nests, the exhibition captures the emotional tension beneath quiet surfaces — inviting reflection on fragility, absurdity, and the invisible forces that shape us. The opening reception takes place at the Catriona Jeffries gallery on Friday, April 25th from 6–8pm. DETAILS

EXPLORE | The sun is out and it’s a perfect time to get outside. The North 40 Park Reserve in Delta is a really cool place to explore. Once home to a signals intelligence station operated by the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, this abandoned base played a crucial role in radio communication and the gathering of intelligence during the Cold War, before it was left to nature, back in the 1970s. Though the park’s paths, once old roadways, are now lined with informational panels that offer quiet glimpses into its military past in this post-war community, it’s primarily low-lying bushes, tall grass, and old trees on open fields today. It’s a really nice location to take a dog for a walk, and is also great for spotting eagles, owls, and other birds. DETAILS

NEW | Artopia Studios is a new three-floor creative space at 550 Cambie Street, home to over 60 studios and 80+ local artists, and this Sunday they are holding an open house for the public. Drop in between 12–5pm to meet the artists, check out their work, and see what this new creative community is all about. Extra good news: there will be a coffee pop up. New (and really cool sounding) Alai Coffee will be stationed in the main floor lobby, serving espresso drinks made with their freshly roasted Indian specialty coffee. Alai is a women-led, South Asian-owned micro-roaster that is bringing bold flavours and stories from Indian farms to the Vancouver coffee game. Please note: Sunday is also Sun Run day (see below) and getting to this event will likely be a lot more enjoyable if you do it by bike or on foot. DETAILS

CITIZEN SCIENCE | Join the City Nature Challenge 2025, running April 25th–28th, that invites anyone to document local biodiversity using the iNaturalist app. It started with only two cities in 2016, but has since grown to become an annual event happening simultaneously in cities around the world – upwards of 800 cities are expected participate this year! Take part solo by downloading the app and snapping photos of plants, fungi, and wildlife anywhere in Metro Vancouver to support science, education, and our city’s global ranking. Prefer a guided experience? Nature Vancouver is hosting a Stanley Park walk on Sunday, April 27th at 2pm. Space is limited. Email [email protected] to register. Last year, Vancouver placed first in Canada out of 40 cities, with the greatest number of observations and species. Globally we ranked 45th out of 690 cities. Let’s get that number up! DETAILS

IMBIBE | Appreciate a truly good cocktail? Ever wished you could visit cocktail epicentres of innovation like Double Chicken Please (New York), Hanky Panky (Mexico), Kumiko (Chicago), Civil Liberties (Toronto), and The Cloakroom (Montreal), but couldn’t get a reservation? Good news: North America’s 50 Best Bars is unveiling its 2025 list live in Vancouver on Tuesday, April 29th! It’s the first time the awards have landed here, and along with the main event, you can expect a flurry of bar takeovers, pop-ups, and one-night-only collabs as some of the world’s best bartenders shake things up with local talent. Prepare accordingly. We’ve built a no-nonsense guide to help you navigate the action — because the cocktail world is coming to town, and you’ll want to game out the best way to experience it. DETAILS

TRAFFIC |  The 41st Vancouver Sun Run hits the streets this Sunday, April 27th, kicking off at 9am. If you’re running: respect. If you’re out there cheering, that’s equally important. Everyone else: brace yourselves. With tens of thousands of participants, downtown and surrounding areas (including parts of Kits, Olympic Village, and lower portions of Mount Pleasant) will be a bit of a mess. The Burrard Street Bridge? Don’t even bother. The Cambie Street Bridge? Forget about it. If you’re not taking part or cheering someone on, it’s best to stay put until the chaos dies down in the late afternoon. This is no joke. Find out all you need to know HERE.

VOTE! |  The 2025 Canadian federal election takes place on Monday, April 28th, determining the next members of the House of Commons and the direction of the 45th Parliament. This election matters. Not that things were perfect in Canada before Trump took office, but U.S. imposed tariffs are putting pressure on Canadian jobs, trade, and housing costs, and the next government will shape how we respond. With the economy under strain, your vote helps decide whether we face deeper challenges or chart a more stable path forward. To find out where to vote, who’s running in your riding, and what ID to bring, visit the Elections Canada website and enter your postal code: elections.ca.