Author Archives: Hayley Maranda

The Best Lights in Vancouver!

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The holidays are here! One of the most magical parts of this season is the cheerful decor that fills our streets, homes, businesses and landscapes. Beautiful, creative lights, brighten up the cold, winter season.

Outdoor lights

It’s lovely to take a drive down your street and gaze at your neighbour’s blowup Santa Claus and tree lights, but what’s really special are the light attractions all over Vancouver!

Here are some of the most entertaining, must-see light venues in the Lower Mainland!

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

250,000! That’s how many lights are used to transform the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park into a glowing winter wonderland.

Already breathtaking attractions made better:

  • Suspension Bridge: 230ft above land, stretching 450ft across the Capilano River. You can see the reflection of an illuminated rainforest in the water below (Instagram-worthy picture!).
  • Hilltop Adventure: Walk through paths lined with Douglas firs covered top to bottom with dazzling lights.
  • Cliffwalk: A series of narrow walkways along the cliff face, also decked out in festive lights.

Visit from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm! Learn more or buy tickets here.

VanDusen Botanical Garden Festival of Lights

VanDusen’s Festival of Lights is another beautiful holiday tradition, with over 1 million lights illuminating the gardens! There are 15 acres covered in lights to explore.

Features that make this place so special:

  • Dancing Lights Show: A lakeside display synchronized to music, showcased every 20 minutes.
  • Interactive Installations: For the first time this year, there are the Great Bear Rainforest-inspired displays and a fascinating mycelium-themed installation.
  • Themed Walks: Stroll through the Candy Cane Walk, Gingerbread Walk, and other light-filled trails.
  • Food and Drinks: Savor seasonal treats like hot chocolate, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and warm donuts, available from food trucks and snack vendors.

If you’re planning on attending this joyful experience, learn more and buy tickets here.

Bright Nights in Stanley Park

The Christmas train is here! As a long-standing Vancouver tradition, Stanley Park has been lit up and ready to welcome the Bright Nights Christmas Train. This event serves as the single largest fundraising event for the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund

Hope on the cart and get taken on a journey through Stanely Parks’ gorgeous trails, glimmering with Christmas lights. You’ll pass photo-worthy scenes, great for capturing your friends and family.

You can grab snacks at their on-site food vendors, offering treats like churros, pretzels, popcorn, and hot chocolate.

Learn more and grab your tickets here.

Happy holidays! Give yourself a treat. Grab some friends and family and attend one of these events. You won’t regret it.

Vancouver Christmas Market

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Christmas is coming to town! Well, it’s already in town, thanks to the Vancouver Christmas Market. This highly anticipated event has anything you could want out of a holiday-themed market.

Held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, this is the place to be for festive fun and twinkling lights!

With fantastic themed food/drinks, booths, activities, live performances and of course, beautiful decor, this is arguably the best Christmas event in Vancouver!

Attractions

  • Aeroplan Holiday Carousel: A favourite for families, offering a whimsical ride surrounded by a festive atmosphere. All ages are welcome and it’s free!
  • Christmas Pyramid: A towering, illuminated centrepiece inspired by German Christmas traditions. This is a wooden, multi-tiered structure where Toe-tapping singers perform from a flying stage.
  • Lovers’ Lane: A tunnel of lights arching over your head. This is a perfect background for romantic moments and Instagram-worthy photos!

Entertainment

  • Live music: Sing-along specials of live music and entertainers
  • Trivia and karaoke: With chances to win some prizes, stop by the Alpen Haus for some Christmas Karaoke Nights or get your friends together for some Holiday-Themed Trivia.

Artisan stalls

There are over 90 stalls featuring handcrafted gifts! Find everything Christmas you need for the season including ornaments, winter clothing, candles, toys, and more! Some of these booths include:

  • Cabin 9 Naturals: Selling all-natural, homemade soaps, essential oils, bath salts, lotions and more.
  • Art Haus by Atelier 758: Made with local wood, these are one-of-a-kind works that are designed to reflect the beauty of the natural world
  • Belamy Leder Haus: They use old European techniques with attention to creating leather key fobs, wallets, bags, belts, stocking stuffers, and Christmas decor to name a few

Festive bites:

There’s too much great food! Hard to just pick a few. Here are some popular choices among visitors:

  • Das Champignon Haus, a German garlicky, savory grilled mushroom dish.
  • Das Lángos Haus, a Hungarian delicacy. Deep-fried flatbread served with your choice of sweet and savoury toppings (bacon, cheese, sour cream, garlic, chocolate spread and more!)
  • Das Kebab Haus, delicious screwers with your choice of veggie meat. Options include beef, chicken, shrimp, pork, or a veggie mix

Holiday drinks:

  • Das Apfel Haus, a German sweet and spice apple drink. For an extra special cider, you can order it “squared”, adding a shot of berentzen apple schnaps
  • Barista Brothers, an assessor bar, offered to give customers an assortment of tasty coffee drinks.
  • Ho Ho Hot Chocolate, a tasty candy cane-sprinkled drink to keep you warm while enjoying the market!

Prices:

  • Adults (18-64): Approximately $18
  • Seniors (65+): Approximately $15
  • Youth (13-17): Approximately $12
  • Children (0-12): Free (must be accompanied by an adult)
  • Family Packages: Discounts are often available for families.

Believe it or not, this spectacular market offers even more attractions than what’s listed! Click here to learn more. With all it has to offer and cheap admissions, this event is a must-see over your holidays.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket

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A new Pokémon game has been blowing up recently. Pokémon TCG (tradeing card game) Pocket! This app made by Game Freak has become the next huge game for Pokemon lovers.

Pokémon Go

the 2016 augmented reality game blew up in the world. It created a community amongst users of all ages. I can still remember hopping on my bike to meet up with friends and play for hours.

It seems that this new mobile game, while having different components, is having a similar effect. Although on a smaller scale than Pokémon Go, the pocket still allows for interactivity with other plays. Pokemon Trading Card culture has been lingering around since the 1990s, making this extremely desirable for its set demographic.

Here’s a breakdown of the game and why you should hope on the trend!

What is it?

This game’s main purpose is to open packs and battle! 

The feeling of ripping open a pack of cards and sifting through them in hopes of a rare find is entertaining, to say the least. Although it’s not as thrilling as mobile, Pocket allows you to open 2 free packs every two hours! You can even get an extra free pack if you pay for their subscription! 

Each pack holds 5 unique cards, with there being 200,000 different possible cards. There’s a certain rush you feel when opening a surprise, and with this game, you can do it all day! Oh then use these cards to create your own decks to fight opponents.

Battling with cards

You can’t sell them since they’re….you know, not real physical cards. However, you can build your deck and play the trading card game! It has been made accessible for all users, being simplified from the traditional game of Pokemon.

Players can build 60-card decks by strategically balancing Pokémon, Trainer, and Energy cards to suit their play style, whether aggressive, defensive, or combo-focused.

Highlights

Dynamic cards: Some cards have a special feature that makes them completely immersive! The artwork would expand towards your screen and pull you into the Pokemon world! 

Social and Competitive: Players can trade cards, join clubs, and participate in tournaments to climb the ranked ladder and earn rewards.

This game is PERFECT for those who want to get into the Pokemon card-collecting culture and even those who have been around the community for decades! A lovely game you have to try out!

Gotta Catch ‘Em All!

Weird Canadian Hobbies 

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When you think of Canadian Hobbies, what comes to mind? Ice hockey? Or maybe igloo building and moose riding. 

Ever heard of Giant pumpkin Kayaking? Bizarre right? That is just one of the unique hobbies that lie in Canada. 

Here is a list of some activities Canadias enjoy, that may be unheard of or sound made up!

Giant Pumpkin Kayaking

Have you ever carved a pumpkin? Rowed in a boat? Well, the people of Windsor, Nova Scotia combined these activities through the Annual Windsor Pumpkin Regatta! 

They grow MASSIVE pumpkins, often exceeding 1,000 pounds. They then hallow them out, decorate and transform them into buoyant boats. The race is half a mile, taking place on Lake Pesaquid in Windsor!

Existing since 1999, this tradition is one that looked forward to every October and has become a festive community event, celebrating both the quirky sport and the local agricultural heritage!

Canine Freestyle Dancing

That’s right, doggie dancing! Owners perform choreographed routines with their dogs to music, showcasing their pet’s obedience, agility, and coordination. 

Originating around 40 years ago in Canada, this sport became something really special. The first official musical freestyle group, Musical Canine Sports International, was founded in British Columbia, Canada, in 1991.

How does this sport work?

Choreography: The furry friends learn spins, weaves, jumps, and even human gestures like walking backward.

Costumes: Although not always necessary, many teams will dress up in matching outfits with props to add to their chosen theme.

Two Main Styles: 

  • Heelwork to Music: In this style, the dog is glued to the owner’s side, following the owner’s steps in a fluid motion. The purpose of this technique is to demonstrate strict discipline and precision in movement.
  • Musical Freestyle: This style is where creativity lies. The dog performs a variety of tricks and other obedience talents such as dancing in place, spinning, jumping through and over objects etc.

This whimsical activity is welcomed by canines of all breeds and sizes, existing as a fun way to celebrate the bond between dogs and their humans.

Maple Syrup Taffy on Snow

Of course, it’s related to syrup, the classic Canadian stereotype. 

This is where syrup is boiled and poured on snow. Then, taking a stick, it’s rolled into a tasty frozen dessert. This is a classic tradition for Canadians! It’s so loved that it has evolved into competition. Some communities showcase creative shapes and flavours, adding their own twists to this sweet cultural activity!

Polar Bear Dips

Also known as cold plunges, this is a popular winter tradition where people submerge themselves in ice-cold waters.  Read Cold Plunging for more information on the benefits of the activity.

This is a celebrated activity in BC commonly done by university students at the beginning of their second semester or need of their first!

I encourage you to partake in one of these activities. Embrace the Canadian in you! And, next time someone asks “What’s unique about Canadian culture, don’t you just say ‘eh’ and talk to beavers all the time?”, you have a few interesting answers to give.

Cool Cafes in and Around Vancouver

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There’s something so sweet and exciting about going to a new cafe. Comparing one caramel macchiato to the next, trying random specialties, and getting a sweet treat to eat! What’s not to love?

In the diverse, creative city of Vancouver, there are some extra unique spots. Ones that have exciting features beyond a tasty menu. 

Here’s a list of cafes you should bring your friend to the next study outing or gossip sesh!

Catfe

Need I say more? This is truly every cat lover’s dream. This cafe works to rescue cats, housing and selling them to great homes!

“Catfe offers up catpuccinos, cat-themed treats, cat supplies and meowchandise, all in the company of adoptable rescue cats.” 

With 20 to 25 cats in the lounge at any time, this is the perfect place to look for a new furry companion or come in for some temporary animal therapy. Since opening in 2015, Catfe has found homes for 1500 cats!

Book a visit here 

The Bunny Cafe

Not a fan of cats? How about rabbits? This company, designed by the same owners at the Catfe, has created a similar situation for rabbits. 

“Paving the way for a whole new concept of rabbit rescue, adoption and advocacy”

They sell coffee, treats and everything you need to take care of a rabbit. One visit will ease your stress and make you want to buy one so badly! 

Book a visit here 

Boardwalk Cafe & Games

There are over 250 different games to choose from! This cafe offers tasty drinks from coffee and milkshakes to mixed drinks and beer. 

They have many special events including but not limited to:

  • Trivia night
  • Pairs puzzle challenge
  • Drop in DND
  • Lorcana nights

A popular event is their open mic night, inviting local, smaller artist to showcase their talent! This joint is always buzzing with activity and is a great choice for a fun day/night out!

See more

Hello Kitty Cafe

This spot may be the most unique cafe in all of the Lower Mainland. As you enter, you are blasted with pink, pink, pink! Hello Kitty may be targeted at kids, but this show has become a popular aesthetic that people still enjoy well into their adulthood! This is a photo-worthy spot.

The venue combines a cafe with a retail space, offering themed desserts, drinks, and exclusive merchandise like tote bags, accessories, stuffied and drinkware. Some favorites include:

  • Strawberry, cookies & cream and mango coconut cakes
  • Flavored iced teas with pearls
  • Soft serve ice cream 

A truly magical two-story cafe for fans or people who like good food and pretty decor!

Learn more here!

Happy sipping, eating, playing and petting!

Dating App Culture

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Dating apps! The playground for experimentation. If you’re looking for that special someone or just a fun Friday night, there’s some insider knowledge you need to know. You may think all apps are the same! Just a way to find love. I’m here to tell you it’s more complicated than that. 

Here is a breakdown of the most popular dating apps for young adults, what they have to offer, and where to be for your goals! 

Tinder

Hookup central! If you want a good time with little commitment, you’ll probably steer this way.

The format of Tinder highlights more superficial traits. It’s all photos with small bios. This gives little opportunity to show personality. People will base you solely on your broad hobbies and the way you look.

It also has a swiping feature for liking and disliking, making it easy to swip through 10 profiles in 10 seconds. Don’t get me wrong, some wonderful relationships come out of Tinder dates, but…I wouldn’t bank on it.

Hinge

Hinge has a softer nature than Tinder. It is still used among a younger audience who enjoys hook-up culture.

The major difference is you have more room for expression. Users can choose from an extensive list of prompts, replying with text answers, voice memos and videos! There is an opportunity to show your humour, talking style and overall vibe.

This is the app that is “designed to be deleted”, marketing successful relationships. If you’re in search of a partner, download Hinge!

Bumbling

The key feature of this app is women make the first move!

If you’re on Bumble for a heterosexual relationship, the woman must make the first move. For some, this may be appealing, empowering women and fostering respectful interactions. For others, this is the worst nightmare 

Honourable Mentions

The apps that have their unique purposes but don’t make the big three:

  • Eharmony: For the people seeking a husband or wife. Eharmony has a science-based compatibility matching system, adding desirability for its audience, which is often an older crowd. 
  • Christian Mingle: The #1 app for those targeting a partner who shares their faith.
  • Grindr: This is a highly hookup-based app that is exclusive to the LGBTQ+ community.

With all this said, remember, love seekers, stay safe out there! Make sure they have at least four different photos to prove it’s the real them. Maybe add them on other socials to fact-check identity, we don’t want any catfishes. Be honest with your intentions, and most importantly, have fun!

Extreme Stress Releasers in Vancouver

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Life gets so AHHH! You know? Annoying people, tedious jobs, tiring school. You deserve a release of tension. A place to free yourself of the feelings you may tend to bottle up.

Here are some recommended options and locations to avoid therapy and being violent.

Rage Rooms

Rage rooms! Don’t they seem nice? A place to get out your anger. Somewhere to make returning, faking being calm and okay with all of life’s disturbances, a little easier. 

Benefits beyond the obvious?

  • Physical activity! Breaking a lot of stuff takes effort which increases endorphin levels, lowering stress, anxiety, and higher mood.
  • Connection! Do this friends or family! This is an empowering activity and doing it alongside your trusted person builds relationships.
  • Entertaining! Breaking stuff? Need I say more?

Okay, so now that I have convinced you, here is a rage room we have right here in Vancouver

Anger Room 

Based in Richmond, the Anger Rooms supplies everything you need to release that anger! Their motto is

“you smash stuff, and we take care of the rest”.

Activities offered include:

  • Angry  – $36 – 10 breakable items 
  • It’s Personal – $30 – Bring your own items to smash! (10 items max)
  • Pissed Off – $10-$100 – Bigger items ie: TVs, computers, printers etc.

Wear covering clothes to stay safe, and smash away!

Places to Scream

When was the last time you let out a good scream? Maybe it was when you were a kid. Sometimes a good scream is just what you need to relieve stress.

  • Top of the Grouse Grind: Yes, you would need to complete this hike, but what better reward for your efforts than a secluded scream? 
  • A sports game: No, a deafening screech isn’t the most appropriate thing to do, but yelling and cussing are allowed and encouraged among major sports fans!
  • Random parking garage: Someone may assume you’re being murdered, but a parking garage is a great, echoey space to get out all that anger.
  • Sounds proof booths: Rather self-explanatory, no? They have sound booths to use for free at The Vancouver Library!

I truly encourage you to get in a good blood-curdling scream when you’re in a socially acceptable location!

Happy raging!

Cold Plunging 

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What could be more relaxing than taking a dip in a body of ice-cold water!? Probably most things…but yet this is a sought out activity for many Vancouveries.

Cold plunging is a practice where people submerge themselves in cold water (usually below 59°F or 15°C) for a short period, typically for a few seconds to a few minutes. There are a lot of ways to partake such as ice baths, cold tubs, natural bodies of cold water, or using a dedicated cold plunge setup.

The benefits are great and worth it for the temporary discomfort:

Physical 

  • Relieved joint pain and inflammation (done by athletes for this reason)
  • Helps with recovery by increasing blood flow after exiting the cold 

Phycological 

  • Stress relief 
  • Releases endorphins which can improve mood
  • Activates the parasympathetic nervous system increasing relaxation

Make sure if you do a cold plunge, you’re safe! Here are some tips:

  • Don’t do it if you have cardiovascular conditions, as the cold shock can increase heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Always listen to your body! If you feel dizzy, faint, or weak, hope out! Hypothermia is real!
  • Perform plunges in a safe, controlled environment, ideally with someone nearby.

Okay, so if you’re still reading, you must be interested in participating. That or you’re just super bored…but for those of you ready to freeze your butt off, here’s a list of popular, nature spots to cold plunge in Vancouver!

Kitsilano Beach

Kitsilano Beach 2016

This is a lovely choice with its sandy entry and view of the North Shore Mountains. Kits is a hub for good food and drinks, so you can reward your healthy sacrifice of warmth and comfort with a coffee from KAHVE (said to be the best coffee in Vancouver) or if you want an alcoholic treat with a bite to eat, Batch Kitsilano 5 star bar will be your friend.

30 Foot Pool at Lynn Canyon

Lynn Canyon 30ft Pool

The 30 Foot Pool at Lynn Canyon looks like it’s out of a movie! This spot is genuinely beautiful, and perfect if you’re into hiking and forest vibes. The water is emerald green, and the pool is surrounded by cliffs and flora. A huge bonus is that to get here, you cross the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, which is a bucket list activity in itself!

Buntzen Lak

This place gives you chills, in two ways I guess? The view of the lake surrounded by mountains is stunning. The way the mountains reflect in the water makes it a perfect place to snap a pic before, during and after your cold plunge! 

Give cold plunging a try. Even just once, who knows, maybe it will change your life!

Candlelight Concerts 

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They call it “music in a whole new light.” Haha, get it…a whole new light! Because it’s candlelight? Anyway…

Candlelight Concerts concerts are designed to create a serene, magical atmosphere where talented musicians play a variety of genres. The concept has grown in popularity worldwide and is often adapted to celebrate special occasions or holidays.

Fever: Candlelight concerts is a globally popular series of live music performances that take place in venues lightened up by hundreds of flickering LED candles. These concerts are designed to create a magical, immersive experience, combining the ambiance of candlelight with world-class musical talent.

Reflections

Here is a breakdown of what Fever offers:

Location

Religion

They’re held in significant spaces that add to the already enchanted atmosphere from the lights. I had the pleasure of seeing a tribute by this organization at my local church. This Being in a place of spiritual sanction added to the tone of the music and show.  Beyond churches, these shows are commonly held at cathedrals, art galleries and local community buildings. Each venue is purposefully chosen for its ability to enhance sound through its structure and sound equipment. 

Chosen Tunes

The music itself is diverse, offering shows that appeal to almost any audience. 

  • Classical Music: They perform Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, and Vivaldi.
  • Modern Music: They play complete acoustic covers of popular artists and bands such as Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Queen or my favourite! ABBA!
  • Specialty Music: For special occasions, this company offers special concerts featuring movie soundtracks (e.g., Harry Potter, Star Wars), anime scores, or seasonal music like Christmas carols.

Performers

Adding to the enchanting experience is the professionalism of the performers. Each instrumentalist is genuinely breathtaking to listen to, and together, their perfectly timed and rehearsed melodies and harmonies are genuinely a gift to the ears. This includes string quartets, pianists, or ensembles, ensuring high-quality music. Some performances include vocalists or specialized instruments, depending on the theme.

Accessibility 

These concerts are highly accessible, being located in casual venues for affordable prices. These shows are meant to bring high-quality music to all levels of music lovers, not excluding those who can’t afford to pay 100 dollars for a concert. Their tickets are tiered for a selection of budgets, but with these concerts, the venues are intimate enough, that any seat is still great and very enjoyable. 

It may sound cliche, but these performances truly let you forget the world, and forget yourself, it’s just your face to talent. It is a gift to your ears. Go online to Candlelight Fever Up to check out their upcoming shows. 

 

Hot Spots For Comic Book Geeks

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Listen up to all the comic book fanatics. The electric feeling of entering a store filled with all your beloved reads, from vintage classics to new and upcoming stories, is unique and fulfilling. It truly gives you life! Let me help make the search for that feeling easier.

Here’s a rundown of Vancouver’s best comic book stores, to help you navigate your next big find. 

Comics obtained at the Asbury Park Comicon 4

Golden ages collectibles 

Alive since 1974, this store is considered the ancient hub for comics and more. It carries an extensive selection of books, collectibles, and graphic t-shirts and receives new material each week! Stop by Granville Street and let yourself geek out!

Lucky Books and Comics

This store, located on Maine Street is a must-see! The store has a friendly, kind atmosphere, right as you enter through the door.

There are shelves lined with a selection of graphic novels, comic books, used and rare books, and unique gift items.

Luckys has everything from popular series to niche, indie titles. They frequently host events, including book launches, artist signings, and other community gatherings. 

Tasmanian Comics

A dope name for a dope store located at Boundary and Hastings. This shop offers an extensive selection of comics, graphic novels, collectibles, manga and more!

They’re known for being very spacious, beginning as a smaller 400 square foot space to an open playing gym for fans to browse their favourite stories. Beyond this being great for the everyday shopper, this store acts as a hub for the local comic book culture.

Tazmanian Comics hosts events such as Free Comic Book Day and has welcomed notable comic artists like Chip Zdarsky for signings. Whether you’re a collector searching for a rare comic or a newcomer looking for recommendations, the staff is knowledgeable and eager to help.

Speed Metal Comics

Located at Woodland Drive, this store specializes in rare and vintage comic books. The store is both a destination for collectors looking to buy comics and a place for individuals wanting to sell their own collections.

Speed Metal Comics is known for buying comic collections of all sizes, from personal estates to individual comics, with a particular interest in valuable older issues, including key books from the 1970s and earlier.

With how diverse Vancouver is, it truly is a comic book lover’s dream. Happy shopping, searching, reading, buying. I know you can find the perfect products to scratch that itch by sticking to these choices.