February 2012 is a month full of annual favourites and new, fun activities. Get ready for the LunarFest, Valentine's Day, Illuminate Yaletown and more!
Ongoing through February 4
PuSh International Performing Arts Festival 2012
What: One of Vancouver’s signature festivals, the PuSh Festival is 20 days of groundbreaking work in the live performing arts: theatre, dance, music and other, hybrid forms of performance.
Where: Various sites around Vancouver; see site for details
Cost: Various; see site for details
Ongoing through February 5
Dine Out Vancouver 2012
What: Vancouver's annual restaurant promotion from Tourism Vancouver has 200+ participating restaurants offering discount menus for $18, $28 and $38.
Where: Various locations throughout Vancouver; see site for details
Cost: Set menus of $18, $28 and $38 per person
Ongoing through February 29
Robson Square Ice Skating
What: Vancouver's only outdoor ice rink is open for free ice skating all winter.
Where: 800 Robson St., across from the Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver
Cost: Free; skate rentals are $4
Wednesday, February 1 - Sunday, February 5
CIBC LunarFest Vancouver
What: The free LunarFest arts-and-lunar-new-year festival returns for its fourth year with exhibitions, Taiwanese puppet theatre, kids' activities, and the famous lantern art installation Lantern Aquarium.
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Sunday, February 5 - Sunday, February 12
WinterPRIDE 2012
What: Whistler's annual winter Pride event, promoted by Gay Whistler, includes parties, dances, tours, "apres ski" events, comedy shows, and--of course--skiing and snowboarding.
Where: Whistler, B.C.
Cost: Various; see site for details
Thursday, February 9 - Sunday, February 12
City and Slope Festival 2012
What: Vancouver's newest winter festival includes music events in downtown Vancouver, arts exhibitions, and special winter sports activities and events at our three local mountains: Mount Seymour, Cypress Mountain and Grouse Mountain.
Where: Various sites in downtown Vancouver, Mount Seymour, Cypress Mountain and Grouse Mountain; see site for details
Cost: Various; see site for details
Friday, February 10 - Saturday, February 11
Illuminate Yaletown
What: Recapturing its party spirit after the first Illuminate Yaletown lit up the neighbourhood during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, this year's two-day event is an entertainment-filled street party featuring spectacular light installations from local artists.
Where: Mainland and Hamilton Sts., between Davie and Nelson, Yaletown, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Tuesday, February 14
Valentine's Day
Your Guide to Valentine’s Day in Vancouver
Wednesday, February 15 - Saturday, February 25
Vancouver ComedyFest
What: The 8th annual ComedyFest brings comedy performers from across Canada and the US to Vancouver for a week of some of the best comedy around. Performers include Betty White, Margaret Cho, David Cross, and Carol Burnette.
Where: Various locations in Metro Vancouver; see site for details
Cost: Various; see site for details
Monday, February 20 - Sunday, March 4
Talking Stick Festival 2012
What: The 11th annual Talking Stick Festival is a celebration of Aboriginal performance and art, featuring music, dance, theatre, visual art and storytelling.
Where: Various locations around Vancouver; see site for details
Cost: $12 - $29
Thursday, February 23
Take a Hike Foundation: Moonlight Snowshoe 2012
What: Take a guided moonlit snowshoe on Mount Seymour with great people, warm soup, hot apple cider and chocolate fondue to raise money to support youth at risk in Vancouver.
Where: Mount Seymour, 1700 Mount Seymour Rd, North Vancouver
Cost: $20 Registration fee
Friday, February 24 - Sunday, February 26
Winterruption 2012 Festival on Granville Island
What: The 7th annual Winterruption Festival is an all-ages arts festival that includes theatre, live music, food, and local and international arts. The mix of free and ticketed events include kids' theatre, art walks, open art studios, and live music from Coastal Jazz and Blues Society .
Where: Granville Island, Vancouver
Cost: Various; see site for details; many events are free
Monday, February 27 - Sunday, March 4
Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival 2012
What: Back for its 34th year, this incredibly popular wine festival includes multiple tasting events, wine seminars, and gala evenings.
Where: Various locations around Vancouver; see site for details
Cost: Various; see site for details
