Vancouver’s Just for Laughs Festival, JFL NorthWest 2019

We are so excited for this year’s JFL NorthWest, Vancouver’s Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, which returns to our city this month from February 14th – 23rd, 2019. Attendees can look forward to 10 days of stand-up, podcast, improv & hilarious sketch performances. In addition to the comedy-packed schedule, JFL NorthWest will also be hosting the 2nd edition of the Vancouver Just for Laughs Film Festival and 3-Day Block Party.

All of the venues will be easily accessible from any of our fantastic downtown hotels – so don’t delay and reserve your room at StayVancouverHotels.com before they sell out!

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Music, Food & Art: Vancouver Gears Up for the Inaugural SKOOKUM Festival

With less than a month to go, Vancouver will soon be a buzz as the SKOOKUM festival – one of the city’s most anticipated events of the year – takes centre stage in Vancouver. Held at Brockton field in iconic Stanley Park (September 7 to 9), the event will feature an epic line-up of music, food and art – all held in one of the most spectacular settings in the world. Here’s a look at the three-day event:

Image of woman dancing at concert at Skookum music Festival
Photo courtesy of Skookum Festival

Music. The line-up of contemporary artists will blow your mind. In addition to headliners The Killers and Florence + the Machine, the festival will feature performances by Metric, The Arkells, Mother Mother, Chromeo, Cold War Kids, The Zolas, St. Vincent and many, many more.

Long-table dining at music festival
Photo courtesy of Skookum Festival

Food. Celebrating the diverse culinary offerings of Vancouver, the festival’s impressive menu of food offerings will include a Long Table Dinner Series situated among the trees of Stanley Park; grab-and-go picnic baskets prepared by acclaimed Vancouver eateries like Hawksworth Restaurant and Honey Salt; plus a selection of food and drink from the city’s top restaurants, breweries, distilleries and wineries (ranging from Kissa Tanto to Vijs).

interactive art installation at Skookum Festival
Photo courtesy of Skookum Festival

 Art. In addition to a stellar line-up of music and food, attendees will be treated to a one-of-a-kind art experience. The roster is set to include large collaborative murals, interactive installations, unique sculptures, and communal art activities. View the full list of artists here.

Aerial of Stanley Park
Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver

Location, Location, Location. Held in Stanley Park, attendees can take advantage of their natural surroundings by embarking on a pre-or-post tour of the park’s many attractions and sites. Whether you take a walk along the stunning 10-kilometre seawall, bike through the park’s network of 27-plus kilometres of forested trails, or relax oceanside at one of the many sandy beaches, you’ll quickly see why it’s recognized as one of the greatest urban parks in the world.

Want to Go? Now’s your chance! From now until August 22nd, you can enter to win (2) SKOOKUM Passes & a 1-night stay at the Fairmont Waterfront by entering in our exclusive giveaway @ http://svhskookum.hscampaigns.com/. Sign-up, share with a friend & wait to hear for the winner – it’s that simple!

FREE Gifts! Check out the SKOOKUM Deal at StayVancouverHotels.com. You’ll receive a free $25 iTunes gift card; a $50 VanPass voucher for a single-night booking, or $75 for a multiple-night booking, and gain access to 20 of Vancouver’s top attractions and sightseeing tours.

We hope to see you there!

Experience Vancouver’s Cherry Pink Spring

Spring has sprung, and Vancouver’s 40,000-plus cherry trees are now blossoming throughout the city – brightening up the streets, attractions and parks with the vibrant hues of more than 35 varieties of cherry trees. From exploring the city’s array of majestic gardens to checking out the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, here are some of our favourite ways to enjoy the best of spring.

 

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from April 3 to 29. Attendees can soak up the beautiful blossoms, lively musical performances, colourful artist demonstrations, guided cherry walks and more. Highlights include the Sakura Night Gala, where Vancouver’s top restaurants come together for an evening of Asian-fusion flavours and Sakura-inspired cocktails; musical performances at the Cherry Jam Downtown Concert; and hands-on workshops on calligraphy, origami and other Japanese arts and crafts at the Sakura Days Japan Fair.

 

Image of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival's Cherry Dam Concert
Photo courtesy of Matt Brennan

 

Bike and Walk the Blossoms

Locals and visitors can decide whether they want to picnic, walk or bike under a pink canopy using the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Bloom Map. This interactive map allows viewers to find out what’s currently in bloom, where to spot their favourite blossom variety, and which of the 2,680-plus locations to choose from. For those who want to join a group bike tour, check out the Bike the Blossoms event – a free, cherry blossom bike ride taking place on April 28.

 

Image of Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver
Photo courtesy of Ms Ana Douglas

Explore Vancouver’s Gardens

Considered one of the top Japanese gardens outside of Japan, Nitobe Memorial Garden boasts cherry trees, streams, a reflecting pond and rare authentic tea garden with a ceremonial teahouse. VanDusen Botanical Garden’s tree-lined paths, vibrant flower gardens, peaceful lakes and colourful birdlife are worth a visit alone, and in spring months visitors can view a variety of cherry trees, flowering bulbs, early rhododendrons and more. Next, make your way to Vancouver’s historic Chinatown neighbourhood for Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese GardenBuilt by 52 master craftsmen from Suzhou China, this is the first garden of its kind outside of China, and features delicate blossoms intertwined in a landscape of weathered rocks, peaceful paths and a jade-green pond.

Ready to plan your trip to Vancouver? Check-in to one of our 36 downtown Vancouver hotels, and take advantage of the unique hotel offers only available here.

 

Image of Nitobe Memorial Garden bridge and pond surrounded by cherry blossoms
Photo courtesy of Ruth Hartnup | Flickr