Welcome to November, Vancouver. It might not be the prettiest or most energizing time of year, but there’s plenty to do in the city that will pull you off your couch, if you know where to look. From a 12-day art festival to a croissant crawl, here are 10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this week (Nov. 3-7).
Now in its 22nd year, the Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival brings together some of the brightest local artists and community members for an unforgettable series of 100+ events, nearly all of which are completely free to attend.
The celebrated festival takes place over 12 days and includes a variety of live music, dance, theatre and visual art performances, film screenings, poetry readings, neighbourhood walks, and so much more.
When: Friday, Oct. 31 to Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025
Time: Times vary per event
Where: Locations across the Downtown Eastside
Cost: Free admission
The Vancouver Rise FC kicks off its first-ever Northern Super League (NSL) playoff match this week, and fans won’t want to miss it!
When: Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: 6100 Boundary Rd., Burnaby
Cost: $28+
The Canucks might have more injuries than wins right now, but that’s all the more reason to cheer them on this week as they face off against the Chicago Blackhawks. Maybe all they need is a little more crowd energy, and you could be the missing piece.
When: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Where: 800 Griffiths Way
Cost: $104+
Presented by Powell Street Festival Society, the Canadian premiere of TOW features an unreal series of three performances by the acclaimed acoustic duo from Tokyo. They’re bringing their blend of voice, guitar, accordion, and visuals to the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre this week, followed by two later performances at Burnaby’s Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre and Mission’s Clark Theatre, respectively.
When: First concert on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1100 Chestnut St.
Cost: Free admission
For the first time in Canada, Harry Potter fans of all ages can visit the “Forbidden Forest” at Stanley Park. Visitors follow an illuminated path filled with magical creatures like unicorns and hippogriffs to a themed village, where they’ll find nostalgic bites and sips, souvenirs, and bespoke Harry Potter merch.
When: Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, to February 2026
Time: Slots available between 5:30 and 10:15 p.m.
Where: 690 Pipeline Rd.
Cost: $43+
A new exhibit opens at The Polygon this week! A Photographer at Work explores the diverse work of American photographer Lee Miller, who was a renowned portrait photographer between 1932 and 1945, as well as a New York studio owner, and photographed for perfume and cosmetic brands, and a war correspondent for the British edition of Vogue (1939-1945). Needless to say, the scope of their work and this exhibit is breathtaking!
When: Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, to Feb. 1, 2026
Time: 7 to 9 p.m. on opening night
Where: 105 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
The Whitecaps are up against FC Dallas this week at BC Place, which could mean big things for the team this season if they do well. Don your blue and white for another thrilling game.
When: Friday, Nov. 7, 2025
Time: 8 to 9 p.m.
Where: 777 Pacific Blvd.
Cost: $46.25+
Beer crawls are not just for summer. The North Shore Craft Beer Fest is back and kicks off on Friday, featuring something for every kind of beer lover. Each day will highlight a different local brewery, cidery, or distillery, with plenty of collaborative, innovative brews to sample.
The fun starts at the Pipe Shop on Friday, Nov 7, 2025, with food trucks, a selection of craft beverages, and live music.
When: Nov. 7 to 20, 2025
Time: 5 p.m.
Where: 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: $43.93+
Looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth? Check out some tasty, limited-edition croissants at this year’s crawl across Metro Vancouver.
When: Nov. 1 to 16, 2025
Time: Varies per location
Where: Three participating locations in Metro Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
Featuring 50 artists and their postcard-sized art pieces of what currently haunts them, Spooky Postcard Show 2 is worth checking out this week if you enjoy perusing local art and want to extend spooky season. All pieces are priced at $25 if you feel like taking one home!
When: Until Nov. 15, 2025
Time: On display now
Where: 2111 Main St.
Cost: Free admission
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