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tourismvancouver.com 21 DAVID COOPER (CHRISTOPHER GAZE), TWO PEAS PHOTOGRAPHY (VCBW FESTIVAL), TVAN/MICHAEL SONG (PRIDE PARADE), TVAN/CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE PARK The main events If you're in town during the following months, check out these can't-miss festivals and happenings Christopher Gaze LOCAL INTEL JUNE Who's thirsty? Vancouver Craft Beer Week hosts its ninth annual Vancouver Craft Beer Festival at the Pacific National Exhibition fairgrounds May 25–June 3. More than 100 craft breweries and cideries serve samples of their best wares alongside live bands, DJs and food trucks. Smart value? Purchase VIP tickets in advance for perks like private washrooms, a VIP Stage and more. The British-born actor and director and founding artistic director of Vancouver's Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival shares a few of his favourite haunts. • WINTER ESCAPE: I love snowshoeing with my wife, Jennifer, and our grandchildren at Cypress Mountain in the evening when the city lights glimmer and the snow crunches beneath our feet. Hungry and thirsty, we end up at the Hollyburn Lodge for fries and hot chocolate for the kids, and burgers and beer for the adults! • REFRESHING DIP: In the summer, I start my mornings at 7:00 a.m. with a mile-long swim at Kitsilano Pool. I love going here because it's the biggest outdoor pool I know and it has a stunning view of English Bay. It's perfect for hours of safe family fun from May to September. • CLASSICAL MOTIF: The city is home to a huge variety of gifted performers – musicians, actors and more. If you can, catch the Grammy Award-winning Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. They perform everywhere from the historic Orpheum Theatre to their annual summer concerts at Deer Lake and Bard on the Beach. SUMMER Spotting the white tents every summer in beachside Vanier Park can only mean one thing – the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival has returned. This year it runs from June 6–Sept. 22, with the BMO Mainstage's new production of As You Like It set in Vancouver to Beatles music alternating with the classic drama Macbeth. JULY Now in its 40th year, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival returns to Jericho Beach Park July 13–15. Bringing together an international mash-up of musical artists, from roots to modern folk and more, expect to dance under the sun or stars with about 38,000 other music fans. This year's lineup includes Neko Case, Alex Cuba, Donovan Woods and loads of others. AUGUST One of the largest LGBTQ2+ community festivals in the world, The Vancouver Pride Society hosts its annual Vancouver Pride Parade & Festival August 5th in Vancouver's West End. Also in its 40th year, highlights include the Sunset Beach Festival and the Pride Parade. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an appearance in 2017. NOVEMBER Nothing kickstarts the holiday season quite like Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Running from Nov. 22–Jan. 27, 2019, this North Vancouver treasure dazzles with lights and a magical atmosphere amongst the rainforest. Live music, a winter craft tent and much more. JANUARY Canada's largest food and drink event, Dine Out™ Vancouver Festival returns Jan. 18–Feb. 3, 2019. More than 300 restaurants offer a fixed- price menu deal ($20, $30 or $40), plus culinary events are planned throughout the duration. Dining your way through Vancouver's best eateries has never been more fun or affordable, but keep in mind that reservations go fast. Canyon Lights Vancouver Pride Parade