city

5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (December 14-20)

By Alyssa Hirose /

1. See the Vancouver Turkish Film Festival

December 16 to 21

We can’t visit Turkey, but we can get a look into contemporary Turkish cinema and culture through film. This year’s virtual Turkish Film Festival features four award-winning movies you can watch from home, including La Belle Indifférence (pictured above), a story tackling unaffordable housing— it may be a foreign film, but it’s a pretty relatable issue, amiright?
When: Wednesday December 16 to Sunday December 21
Where: Online
More Info: vtff.ca

2. Buy This Adorable Dessert

Through December 31

‘Tis definitely the season for sweets, and Yuwa has crafted a dessert that’s almost too cute to eat (almost). The ‘Winter Scenery’ box is only $8 and has three mini desserts: uirou (a steamed rice cake with raspberry and white bean paste),  a kokuto and cacao yokan square, and a kinako (roasted soybean powder) cookie. They come in a decorative wooden box that’s perfect for regifting.
When: Available until Thursday December 31
Where: Yuwa Japanese Cuisine
More Info: yuwa.ca

3. Sing Along to Home for the Holidays

Opens December 18

A huge plus side of online musicals: singing along is encouraged. Join in to Gateway Theatre’s Home for the Holidays show virtually and sing along to songs from Annie, The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, and more. It’s a variety show-style program that has everything from behind-the-scenes extras to drink recipes (one adult version and one kid-friendly mix).

When: Friday December 18 to Friday January 1
Where: Online
Cost: from $25 per household
More Info: gatewaytheatre.com

4. Swim with Scuba Claus

December 20

It’s been a difficult year for the Vancouver Aquarium, but rest assured, there will still be a big guy in a red suit bringing holiday cheer to our neighbours below sea level. The virtual Scuba Claus show will challenge viewers to help save Christmas by helping Scuba Claus search for the missing key to Santa’s toy cupboard. If you tune in during the premiere, there’s prizes from the aquarium gift shop up for grabs.

When: Premieres Sunday December 20 11:00 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: $10 per household
More Info: vanaqua.org

5. Watch IndieFest’s VR Time Capsule

Opens December 21

Okay, this is technically a thing to do next week. Speaking of time: here’s a virtual time capsule event you don’t want to miss. For Indie Fest 2020, re:Naissance Opera commissioned 12 new digital works that will all be available in 3D (with a VR set) or 2D (with a good ol’ computer). The multidisciplinary projects are inspired both by the impact of the pandemic and the artists’ hopes for the future.

When: Monday, December 21 4:00 p.m.
Where: Online
More Info: linktr.ee/renaissanceopera