The Britannia Plaza Market is back with an outdoor summer market in the plaza outside Britannia Community Centre. The market kicks off Wednesday July 3rd at 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm and will continue every 2 weeks until September 25th. You can expect to find lots of local vendors showcasing handmade artisanal items as well as fresh produce. We can also expect to find some great eats such as Nonna’s Biscotti who will be on hand for the first market of the summer on July 3rd. Stop and support your local makers. If you are interested in participating as a vendor, contact artbritannia@gmail.com.
We popped into the newly opened Mocktails on Commercial Drive this weekend. If you want some alcohol free refreshments for yourself, or to serve your guests, this is the place to be. This boutique style shop, created by Angela Hansen, features a wide variety of alcohol free offerings including wine, spirits and beer. You can also expect to find a great variety of non-alcoholic mocktails including bellinis, margaritas, whiskey cola, gin and tonic. They do offer tastings on select products in store which was well underway when we stopped in Saturday afternoon. Mocktails is located at 1250 Commercial Drive across the street from Grandview Park. They are open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 am into the evening most days. Next time you are on The Drive, pop in and check out all the refreshments that we are sure will make for great sipping on the patio and beach this summer.
You are invited to the Bunny Café Vancouver on February 26th for Bunny Bliss Meditation. An experienced instructor will take you through a series of gentle movements and share techniques to connect you with your breath. The event will also feature bunny snuggles and feeding veggies to the bunnies on hand. Over the course of the hour, you will meditate for 30 – 45 minutes. The event kicks off at 7:00 pm. Beginners are welcome. Cost is $30 and you can book your spot online at Bunny Cafe Vancouver.
As part of the Dine Out Vancouver Festival, Vancouver Foodster aka Richard Wolak, invites you to join him on a self-guided tour to experience some delicious dumplings. The East Van Dumpling Fest Crawl is set for January 17, 2024 with a starting point at Grandview Park at 6:00 pm. From there you will visit a variety of restaurants and be offered a Tasting Plate of dumplings at each stop. They have quite the variety of eats lined up including Chinese dumplings, Italian gnocchi, Nepalese momos, Mexican tamales, Japanese gyoza and more. This is a great way to check out a variety of different spots with other like minded folks. Tickets for this event are now available with early bird pricing available until December 24, 2023 at $69 per person. After that, tickets are available for $79 per person until January 14, 2024. Not only would this be a delicious event to attend, it would make a great gift of experience for the food lover in your life. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
Got Craft is back for another year with their Winter Holiday Market at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, November 18 and 19, 2023. The event will feature over 95 makers, designers, creative entrepreneurs showcasing ceramics, clothing, body + skincare, jewelry, food, homewares, greeting cards, art and much more. This year expect to find a newly expanded Mini Makers Market with kidpreneuers aged 16 years plus. Got Craft Winter Market is a great chance to get a jump on your holiday shopping while at the same time supporting a diverse community of independent artists, many that are BIPOC and women owned. There will also be a selection of food trucks on hand if you get hungry while you shop. Tickets are $5 and available online which cost lets you shop all weekend long Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
For those that wish to shop local without heading outside, you can shop online at the Got Craft Holiday Virtual Market which kicks off Wednesday, November 22nd and runs till Sunday, December 3rd. Their virtual market features 70 creative entrepreneurs from across Canada and this is the last one so if you wish to shop in your PJs, this is your chance.
Car Free Days return for another year. In East Vancouver, they will be happening September 9thon Commercial Drive (North Grandview Highway to 1st Avenue) and September 16th on Main Street (10th Avenue to King Edward Avenue). Both festivals kick off at Noon and run till 7:00 pm. Car Free Days is a chance to experience the City with more space for pedestrians. Expect to find activities for all ages, locally-based vendors in each neighbourhood. This is a free family friendly event in which walking, cycling and taking transit to the event is encouraged. If interested in volunteering for this event, visit Car Free Vancouver.
The Britannia Plaza Market returns this summer. This is an outdoor market that takes place just outside of the Britannia Community Centre. The market runs every Wednesday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm from June 28th to October 4th. You are invited to stop by and check out some local producers, artists and makers which will showcase a variety of items each week including fresh produce, homemade treats, artisanal goods and much more.
If you are interested in being a vendor, you are invited to reach out to the organizers at artbritannia@gmail.com.
After 3 years without the Italian Day Festival due to the pandemic and other gathering restrictions, Italian Day returns to The Drive Sunday, June 11th. This 14 block vibrant street party will take place on The Drive from the Grandview Cut to Venables. Italian Day is filled with food, entertainment, and loads of things to do, see and experience. Grab some friends and stop at one of the many outdoor patios set up for the day, or take in one of the many food trucks lined up and down Commercial Drive. You will certainly not go hungry while you wander and take in all the sights and sounds.
Italian Day kicks off at Noon and the party runs till 8:00 pm. Just a reminder that vehicle traffic on Commercial Drive is blocked off, so it is best to take transit, walk or cycle in. For those cycling to Italian Day, we expect a Bike Valet will be set up again at 1st Avenue & Commercial, but this hasn’t been confirmed yet. We invite you come out and celebrate all things Italian. Italian Day represents the largest one day cultural street festival in Vancouver. Stop by and see some of the magic of this great street festival. For more information about Italian Day, visit them online at www.italianday.ca.
If you love gardening and are looking to get inspired by checking out the creative projects gardeners have undertaken in East Van, you will want to grab your ticket(s) for the upcoming East Van Garden Tour. This is a self-guided tour that happens Sunday, June 18th between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. This is a great way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon.
The East Van Garden Tour is a fundraiser for the volunteer group Britannia Neighbours. All proceeds from ticket sales go towards maintaining the Napier Square Greenway at Napier & Commercial Drive. Once you’ve secured your spot for the garden tour, show up on June 18th at Figaro’s Garden Centre the morning of the event and obtain your map. After that you head off to tour the gardens map in hand at your leisure until 4:00 pm. Stop for coffee before, during or after and go at your own pace.
Drop in at Figaro’s Garden Centre, 1896 Victoria Drive (at 3rd Avenue) cash only purchase;
Call Britannia Community Services Centre, 1661 Napier Street, in person or by phone 604-718-5800.
Tickets are $20 each. Note: People who attend the tour will also get a one-time discount 15% discount at at Figaro’s Garden Centre starting on the day of the tour until July 1st. This is a very walkable tour, but it is not wheelchair accessible and pets are not allowed. This event does sell out thus if interested, we do recommend purchasing tickets in advance.
Eastside Flea is back hosting a vintage pop up this weekend at 1739 Venables Street (at Commercial Street). If you are looking for that one-of-a-kind vintage piece or collectible, this is the place to be. Lots of great local vintage vendors on hand as well as a few food trucks. Event happens this Saturday, April 15th and Sunday, April 16th from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
ILiveInEastVan.com 