The Vancouver Group Chat: What your friends are talking about this week (March 24)

Welcome back to the Vancouver Group Chat, a weekly newsletter of sorts, minus the emails sitting in your inbox. It’s a taste of what’s going on in the city, what’s new, and what’s worth hitting “send” in your group chats.

Last week, we started things off with some new cafes opening, spring equinox events, and several fun city updates that brightened our day. This week, we’re here to dish out even more, so buckle your seatbelts, because no stone is left unturned here.

Let’s dive right in!

What’s new, Vancouver?

Hannah-versary

The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special is out, and Canadians can relive the nostalgia on Disney+. We can’t help but hope Miley Cyrus decides to go on tour!

To celebrate, The Rec Room Burnaby is hosting a special 20th Hannah-versary Drag Show and Dance Party on Saturday, April 4, 2026. Don’t forget your cowboy hats for this one.

Minimum wage increase

The federal minimum wage just went up to $18.15 per hour, which will go into effect next week on April 1, 2026. A small win is still a win.

A one-day, free FIFA event

The countdown to the World Cup is getting serious, and next week, the anticipation builds in Victoria with a one-day “test event” on the grounds of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.

According to FIFA, the free, family-friendly event will feature live international match action, official mascots, guest speakers, and on-site football activations. Radio personality Angelina Rai will host, and there will be a special appearance by Tosaint Ricketts, former Canada men’s national team player and Canada Celebrates Ambassador.

If you’re ready to get in on the action, mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 31, 2026, and consider hopping on that ferry.

Chelsea Handler is coming to Vancouver

The supremely witty and talented Chelsea Handler just announced her tour dates in Canada, and she’s officially coming to Vancouver in early December. Pre-sale tickets go on sale on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, followed by GA on Friday, March 27, 2026.

Openings to look out for

A new neighbourhood bistro and wine bar called Touski is soon opening in Chinatown.

Small-batch ice cream from Little Spoon on the Sunshine Coast is coming to West Broadway this spring.

MUJI just opened its doors in Delta at Tsawwassen Mills last weekend.

Vancouver’s best magnolia season yet

The city is shrouded in its first wave of pink cherry blossoms (specifically, Akebono cherry trees), but magnolias might be on track to steal the spotlight.

According to Douglas Justice, Associate Director of Horticulture and Collections at the UBC Botanical Garden, this might just be “Vancouver’s best magnolia season yet.”

“We’ve been very, very lucky this year. We not only had a mild winter, which means that we have early magnolias, but it stayed very cool, and that means that the flowers open slowly and last much longer.”

People are already raving about the fragrant magnolia blooms as they emerge on Reddit, with many noting how early it is.

One Reddit user even shares a pro-tip for magnolia savants; the petals are edible!

“If you didn’t already know this, you can eat the petals. They are kind of ginger-y and definitely worth trying.”

It might be time to brew a cup of magnolia tea, which apparently is great for cold and flu season and for regulating your nervous system.

While the upcoming Spring Magnolia Walk is already sold out, a visit to the UBC Botanical Garden is a great way to meet some of these fragrant beauties. On the same day as the magnolia walk (April 11, 2026), there is a live performance by dancer, poet, and award-winning educator Celeste Nazeli Snowber under the blooming trees.

Flowers in the dark

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Fest kicks off this Friday and Saturday, with two nights of Blossoms After Dark. This free-to-enjoy event illuminates David Lam Park and all of its blooming cherry trees with colourful lights. Honestly, we can’t think of a more whimsical way to kick off the season!

Plus, there will be cute themed drinks and bites to eat, as well as live DJ sets. So you don’t have to choose between a night out and an evening in nature.

If you’re more of a tulip lover, the Harrison Tulip Festival will soon open its new immersive night garden experience.

Your sign to do something random

They say “insanity” is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, so what does that make our daily routines? We all have a hierarchy of needs and wants, but sometimes the best way forward is by trying something new. You never know what you’ll discover or who you’ll meet in the process!

• Meet some new people at VPL’s “Speed Friending” event on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
• See the internationally-acclaimed Vagina Monologues onstage at Waterfront Theatre on Tuesday, March 24, 2026
• Talk to a professional figure skater about methods of creative inspiration at the Apple Store on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
• Build Legos with other singles at this fun speed date session at Slice of Life on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
• Join an adult colouring club at the Renfrew library branch on Friday, March 27, 2026.
• Check out a zine exhibition by BIPOC youth at Slice of Life on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
• Pet some adorable baby highland cows, bunnies, mini horses, and more at Maan Farms’ Bae Days this weekend.

That’s all for now, Vancouver. Soak up the spring colours and get ready to see the sun again.

We’ll be back next week with more updates.

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