5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (November 25 – December 1)

All Hail

November 26

Practice your bows: the Queen is coming. Sasha Velour is a drag artist, comedian, storyteller, magician, and my personal favourite queen of RuPaul’s Drag Race. “Smoke & Mirrors” is her first ever solo tour, and features 13 lip-synch performances (spoiler alert: she may have a wig reveal or two up her sequined sleeve), disappearing acts, and some pretty deep analyses of gender, fame, family, and loss—classic Velour. Her Vancouver show is the tour’s last stop in Canada, so snatch a ticket while you can.

When: Tuesday, November 26 8:00 p.m.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Cost: From $40
More Info: smokeandmirrorslive.com

West is Best

November 27

You’ve probably heard that West is closing at the end of this year, but not without a few final celebratory dinners honouring the folks who gave life to the South Granville restaurant. This Wednesday, executive chef Quang Dang is returning to his former kitchen to cook up a five-course dinner highlighting the “best of West.” Tickets get you dinner plus wine pairings— “whine” pairings are up to you; we suggest grumbling over the issues plaguing the local restaurant industry.

When: Wednesday, November 27 6:30 p.m.
Where: West Restaurant
Cost: $150
More Info: westrestaurant.com

Laugh Out Long

November 29-30

Put your snicker stamina to the test at local comedian Graham Clark’s 24 Hours of Stand-up. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. After performing an hour of his own material, Clarke will seek support from a team of comedians writing jokes from the front row, then read and riff all night (and all day) long. This show is inspired by Pat Thornton’s legendary stand-up marathon, but is the first time the incredible joke journey has been attempted in Canada. You can watch live or stream it from the comfort of home—either way, make sure you donate.

When: Friday, November 29 8:00 p.m. – Saturday, November 30 9:00 p.m.
Where: Havana Theatre
Cost: From $10
More Info: standupfor24hrs.com

Holiday High

Through January 5

We love celebrating all the brand-new happenings in ourcity, but this season, traditions are Vancouver’s shining stars. Make the rounds through Jack Poole Plaza for both the Vancouver Christmas Market and Fly Over Canada’s Christmas event—it’s double the festive fun with a minimal commute, and hasn’t that always been the dream? New at the Christmas market this year is turkey legs from Turkey Haus (the perfect date food) and aebleskiver, or Danish pancake balls, from Two Sweet Elves (the perfect post-flight-to-Santa’s-workshop-food). 

When: Christmas Market through December 24, FlyOver Canada Christmas event through January 5
Where: Vancouver Christmas Market and FlyOver Canada
Cost: Market $15 for adults, FlyOver from $26 for adults
More Info: vancouverchristmasmarket.com and flyovercanada.com

Sweetcity

November 30

Fill up on holiday cheer without emptying your wallet at the Candytown Winter Festival. Free outdoor winter events are hard to come by in downtown Vancouver—in fact, Yaletown has the only one. Candytown has photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a self-guided cocktail tour, plus ice sculptures and live swordplay demos. Who says you can’t be in full holiday mode in November? (Maybe your boss—we won’t tell.)

When: Saturday, November 30 12:00p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Yaletown
Cost: Free
More Info: yaletowninfo.com