April 2012 in Vancouver is packed with big events: Vancouver Easter Egg Hunts & Events, Whistler's TWSSF, the annual Vaisakhi Parade, the Vancouver Sun Run, and more!
Thursday, April 5 - Saturday, April 28
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival 2012
What: Celebrate spring in Vancouver with this annual festival that includes cherry blossom tours, dances, foodie events, and the Cherry Jam Downtown.
Where: Various; see site for details
Cost: Various; many events are free; see site for details
Thursday, April 5 - Monday, April 9
Vancouver Easter Egg Hunts & Easter Events
Saturday, April 7 - Sunday, April 8
Sakura Days Japan Fair
What: Part of the 2012 Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, Sakura Days celebrates modern and traditional Japan through the tea ceremony, festival food, origami, ikebana (flower arranging), sake tastings, guided hanami tours (flower viewing), and Haiku Invitational.
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver
Cost: $10, $8 for seniors & youths, $6.50 for kids 3 -12
Tuesday, April 10 - Thursday, April 12
ECO Fashion Week
What: Open to the public, Vancouver’s eco-friendly fashion event includes two, free public events--a vintage catwalk show and a panel talk with eco-conscious designers--as well as fashion events at Robson Square.
Where: Robson Square, Vancouver
Cost: Various; two events are free; see site for details
Friday, April 13 – Sunday, April 22
TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival
What: Whistler’s annual TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival (TWSSF) is a world famous 10-day celebration of snow sports, music, arts, and mountain life, and includes the biggest free outdoor concert series in North America.
Where: Whistler Blackcomb and Whistler Village, Whistler, BC
Cost: Free
Saturday, April 14
Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade
What: Vancouver's annual Vaisakhi Parade and festivities include music, food, singing and dancing.
Where: The Parade begins at the Sikh Temple at 8000 Ross Street; get route details here
Cost: Free
Sunday, April 15
Vancouver Sun Run
What: The largest community 10K in Canada, the scenic, annual Sun Run is both a competitive race for runners and wheelchairs and a fun run for anyone who wants to participate.
Where: Starts on W Georgia St. in downtown Vancouver
Cost: $40 - $50; must register by April 14
Tuesday, April 17, Wednesday, April 18 & Monday, April 30
Arts Club Theatre California Wine Fair
What: Sponsored by the Arts Club Theatre, the annual California Wine Fair includes three events that sell out fast: the 2012 California Wine Fair Ballroom Tasting, Vintage Corks & West Restaurant California Dreaming, and the Francis Ford Coppola & Q4 Food, Wine & Adventure.
Where: Various, see site for details.
Cost: Various; see site for details.
Friday, April 20 - Sunday, April 22
Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Svengali
What: Created by Mark Godden, who also created RWB's hugely-successful Dracula, Svengali adapts the famous novel about a man who could control women (and thus creates the greatest ballerina in Germany) into an intense, incredible ballet of creative genius.
Where: The Centre for the Performing Arts, Vancouver
Cost: $44 - $96
Saturday, April 21
Surrey Vaisakhi Parade
What: The annual Vaisakhi Parade is one of Surrey's biggest events, attracting over 80,000 spectators. Vaisakhi is one of the most important festivals in Sikhism, and celebrates the Sikh New Year and the establishment of Khalsa in 1699.
Where: 12885 85 Avenue, Surrey; get route details here
Cost: Free
Saturday, April 21 - Sunday, April 22
Fan Expo Vancouver
What: Fans of sci-fi, comics, anime and more converge on the Vancouver Convention Centre for two days of 700 exhibits, loads of celebrities, and more.
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver
Cost: $20
Sunday, April 22 - Sunday, April 29
National Dance Week & International Dance Day at The Dance Centre
What: The Dance Centre presents a week of dance performances celebrating National Dance Week, including free outdoor performances at Vancouver Biennale sculptures throughout the city, as well as a full day of free performances on April 29, in honour of International Dance Day.
Where: The Scotiabank Dance Centre & various locations throughout Vancouver; see site for details
Cost: Various; see site for details; many events are free
Ongoing through September 23, 2012
Art Deco Chic: Extravagant Glamour Between the Wars at MOV
What: This exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver (MOV) showcases fashion from the 1920s - 30s, including gowns worn to historical Vancouver events.
Where: Museum of Vancouver, Vancouver
Cost: $12; $10 for seniors/students; $8 for youth
