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, August 14th, to Wednesday, August 20th, 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.

RAIN | Yep, it’s going to be a wet one this weekend — and that’s a good thing. Farmers, forests, and wildlife benefit from the rain, which means we all benefit… So pull on a jacket, lace up some sturdy shoes, and head for the trails at Pacific Spirit Regional Park to embrace it. The scent of pine needles after a good rain is reason enough; but if you’re in the mood for berry-picking, North 40 Park Reserve in Delta is loaded with ripe blackberries, freshly rinsed by raindrops and ready to pop in your mouth.

COLLAGE | Coming in hot on the heels of the Perseid meteor shower’s peak performance, The Polygon is hosting one of their collage parties tonight – and this one is on-theme “out-of-this-world”. The two-hour-long collage-making event (6-8pm) is led by Michael Unger, Director of Programming at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. After you’ve gotten your fill of cutting-up and art-making with other fun and creative people, you can keep the space-y theme going by shifting yourself outside onto Cates Deck for a screening of the 1982 sci-fi cult flick, directed by Nicholas Meyer, Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan (8:45pm). Kick back, and forget that it’s a Thursday. The long summer nights are waning – and finding ways to make the most of them should be a priority! Both the collage party and film screening are free to attend – but a donation in the area of $10-20 is nice, if you can swing it, and so is an advance RSVP. DETAILS

MOTO | Time to get revved up: the Midnight Moto Show is back in East Van this Saturday, August 16th. You don’t have to own a sweet ride – or even ride at all – to enjoy this motorcycle show and swap. (But if you do, then you’re strong encouraged to “Ride em dont hide em”!) Just roll up, admire, ask questions, and get talking: curiosity can take you to interesting places. Expect bikes, merch, and vendors that will draw a crowd (expect some damn good people-watching) to this all-day gathering of chopper enthusiasts. Bonus: Vennie’s is right there (11am-6:30pm), and DownLow Chicken Shack will be doing their fried chicken thang around the corner until 9pm. DETAILS

FEAST | The second half of August calls for one last outdoor push, and Dachi is obliging with a one-night-only long table on the patio led by Chef Eva Chin (Yan Dining Room, Toronto), Katy Cheung (Burdock & Co, Vancouver), and Jiwon Seo (Dachi). Expect Asian flavours mingling with Southern barbecue, with smoke (yessss!), spice, and short-grain rice doing the heavy lifting. This event goes down rain or shine — but the good news is that Monday is expected to shine! Yes, it’s a little pricey ($267ish), but we’re talking about some major talent, and a very nice wine and sake pairing (zero-proof option available) with your very tasty food. So if you’re in a position to splurge, this would be a good place to do it. DETAILS

COCKTAILS | This Sunday, Botanist Bar is teaming up with Victoria’s Humboldt Bar and Calgary’s Missy’s This That for a one-night-only takeover showcasing some of Western Canada’s top bartenders. From 5–9pm, guests can slip into the award-winning bar to sample two signature cocktails from each participant – Grant Sceney (Botanist), Brant Porter (Humboldt Bar), and Thomas Dahlgren (Missy’s This That) – alongside Botanist restaurant’s late-night menu. Expect the refined, nature-driven style of the Botanist; Humboldt’s creative, exploratory edge inspired by 19th-century naturalist Alexander von Humboldt; and Missy’s confident, in-the-know energy that makes you feel part of the scene. No reservations; first come, first served. So stoked. DETAILS

CHINATOWN FESTIVAL | Rain or not, ‘Light Up Chinatown‘ is set to turn the 500 block of Columbia Street into a two-day celebration of food, music, and culture this weekend. Expect Hawkers Lane stalls with loads of tasty food from the likes of Torafuku, Street Hawker, Potluck Hawker, Golden Smell Mee, Holy Duck Chili x Ember HK BBQ, DD Mau, Lee’s Donuts, and Hype Chocolate. Meanwhile, the entertainment spans from Chinese opera to DJ sets, with a Saturday night After Glow afterparty at Fortune Sound Club. Don’t take your car. DETAILS

PNE | What is summer if not rollercoaster rides, mini doughnuts, and target practice on rubber ducks? The PNE Fair kicks off this weekend (Counting Crows and Lynyrd Skynyrd will be on stage) and carries on until Labour Day (Monday, September 1st). DETAILS

GARLIC | Celebrate sustainable agriculture and local garlic at Richmond’s The Sharing Farm on August 16th. Meet growers, pick up fresh vegetables, enjoy live entertainment, and try garlic-themed dishes like garlic pizza, pickled scapes, and even garlic ice cream. Other highlights include planting and cooking demos, plant dyeing and garlic growing workshops, a pollinator walk, birds-of-prey demonstrations, and a talk about eagles. Free shuttles will be running from Public Works Yard and City Hall. It’s a suggested $5 donation to attend; but if you can swing more, do it. Proceeds support The Sharing Farm’s work providing sustainably grown produce for community members facing food insecurity — and that is important work. DETAILS

SCORE | Victoria Drive’s Georgia General is throwing a big summer clear-out sale – and turning it into a party. This day-long market will be packed with racks of discounted vintage and pre-loved designer clothing, hundreds of $1-and-up records spanning decades and genres, plus homeware, books, quilts, collectibles, jewellery, plants, and more. Multiple sellers will join in, with fresh stock pulled from storage, and sidewalk sale prices slashed to move. Throw in a spot of live music and drop-in crafting workshops, some food, and maybe even drinks, if the city signs off [knock on wood]. We like it when the city signs off. DETAILS

SLOW | If you’re torn between spending your Sunday getting out of the city, eating well, getting exercise, or slowing down, Slow Food Cycle Sunday in Pemberton is your answer. The day kicks off with a pancake breakfast, followed by a ride around as much or as little of the 40km round trip through Pemberton Meadows, stopping at farms to meet growers, sample produce, and take in the views. Self-paced, with food, music, and handmade goods along the way. DETAILS

SECRET | The 7pm seating is gone, but there are still a few spots left at the 5pm Mæst Food Secret Dinner on Saturday, August 23rd — so plan ahead and grab one while you can. At an undisclosed location in South Granville (revealed once you book), chef Tomoko Tahara will serve a five-course, plant-based dinner inspired by the Japanese sekki calendar’s Shosho, and her recent Scandinavian travels. Ceramicist Janaki Larsen has created bespoke plates for the evening, plus a small cup for each guest to take home. The $140.08 ticket includes all courses, snacks, petit four, gratuity, tax, and the takeaway cup. Natural wine and seasonal soft drinks will be for sale at the table. DETAILS

Sat, Aug. 23rd | 5pm | Secret South Granville location (shared after booking) | $140.08