I don’t know about you but this week flew by for me. Like what are you saying it’s already Friday?! This is what usually happens for me the week after a long weekend. You start off a little out of sync on Tuesday, trying to shake off that long weekend mode, and then by the time Thursday rolls around, you’re finally finding your rhythm and getting into the groove of things. And just when you think you have a handle on the week, bam! It’s already Friday. It’s like the universe just fast-forwards time as soon as you start feeling productive. But hey, I’m not complaining, bring on the weekend! But the only problem with this is you were probably so focused on getting back on track this week that you had no time to plan out your weekend! But don’t hit the panic button just yet, lucky for you, I’ve got this weekend in Vancouver covered with some awesome ideas, spots, and plans I think you should hit up this weekend.
Vancouver Sevens
Starting off with a bang, guess what starts today. The Vancouver Sevens better known as the Rugby 7s. This isn’t just your average rugby tournament. It’s a rugby party. If you were wondering why you’ve been seeing people walking around Vancouver in wild costumes, this is why. These games are basically just sped up intense rugby games with only seven players per team (instead of the usual 15) and in short 14-minute matches. This makes for jaw dropping action the whole time. Off the field, BC Place kinda turns into a zoo. The drinks flow hard and fans are known to get a little bit rowdy. You can expect a little bit of everything, it’s a mix of die-hard rugby fans, casual sports lovers, and people who just love a good excuse to party. The energy inside BC Place is unmatched, you’ve got fans singing, dancing, and making friends with complete strangers. The famous “South End” of the stadium is where things get particularly rowdy, with fans bringing the chaotic energy you love to see all day long. This year, teams from around the world, like New Zealand, Fiji, and South Africa, will be battling it out for the title. Canada will also be hitting the field, hoping to make some noise in front of the home crowd, (hopefully our good Canadian energy from last night’s Four Nations win will carry on into Rugby). To be honest I’m actually not sure where the costumes come from but all I know is that it’s just the dress code, so if you’ve got that old group Halloween costume collecting dust in your closet this could be the perfect time to pull it out. The Rugby 7s start today and will continue on through Sunday. You can buy 1 day passes into BC Place but if this sounds right up your alley and you want to spend the whole weekend partying it up while watching some rugby, 3 day passes are available too.
Bowen Island Day Trip
Rugby and partying not really on your ideal itinerary this weekend? No problem. I think a lot of Vancouverites forget just how close to Bowen Island we are, and if you got a free day this weekend it could just be the perfect opportunity for you to escape the city and go be an Island dweller for a day. You can hop on the ferry from Horseshoe bay and in 20 minutes you’re there. No car needed, you can explore the island by foot. If you’re in the mood to hike and explore the outdoors Bowen has so much to offer, but if you want to avoid the rain there are so many cute shops and coffee shops that you can pop in and out of. It really is the perfect day trip if you’re looking to have a mellow weekend away from the craziness that Vancouver brings.
The Art Of Banksy: “Without Limits” Exhibition
If art is your thing, then you should 100% check this out. I went last year and I thought it was one of the coolest art shows I’ve ever been to. It’s an impressive street art exhibition of Banksy’s greatest works, with over 200 pieces! You can see original artworks, prints, photographs, sculptures, installations, murals, and more. Located right in Gastown, this is something you don’t want to miss and it’s also the perfect thing to do with this rainy weekend ahead of us.
Guilt and Co
Keeping in the Gastown area (hint: maybe this is something you do after the Banksy exhibit) head over to Guilt and Co to catch a live music show. This cozy underground joint offers 2 early shows a night, (an earlier act and a later act). They serve up delicious food and drinks making it the perfect late night Friday or Saturday spot. I will point out that there are no reservations and it’s all first come first serve so make sure you’re prepared to either wait in a line or head over earlier to save your spot.
Granville Island Market
Nothing screams a Vancouver weekend morning to be more than the Granville Island public market. This market is a food lover’s dream. You can grab everything from fresh produce and seafood, to delicious pastries and donuts, and even some awesome sit down restaurants. Local vendors offer everything from handcrafted cheeses and charcuterie to fruit and veggies, even handmade art pieces and jewelry. And let’s not forget the coffee, because every great market adventure needs a solid caffeine boost. The views are stunning too, overlooking False Creek and if you want to get to the other side of town you can hop on the Aqua Bus for under $10 and it will take you straight Downtown.
Jerry Sienfeld
The Sunday scaries are real, and whether you’re dreading going back to work or hitting the books after a great weekend of fun, there’s no reason to stop the weekend flow Sunday morning because of a little case of the scaries! Jerry Sienfeld will be doing 2 shows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre! This show presented by Just For Laughs Vancouver is the perfect way to close off the weekend and get your mood right for the week ahead.
No matter what you’re into or what you’re feeling up for this rainy weekend, Vancouver has something fun going on for you. Whether you decide to catch a couple of games and get the party vibes going at Rugby 7s, or want to explore Granville Island’s food scene, or maybe even feel like a calming day on Bowen is the move, there’s no shortage of things to do. So grab your friends and make the most of it! And hey, if all else fails, there’s always a good coffee shop or brewery waiting for you. Whatever you choose, enjoy the weekend, Vancouver never disappoints!