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!

Family-friendly Vancouver

Families visiting Vancouver with young children can rest easy. With hundreds of year-round events, popular and lesser-known attractions, interactive museums and fun-filled parks to choose from, there’s no shortage of things to do to entertain kids and parents alike. So let’s take a look at some of our favourite family-friendly experiences, and start planning your itinerary:

 

Image of False Creek and Science World

 

Science World. Located in False Creek, the Telus World of Science’s silver geodesic dome has been attracting families since it first opened for Expo ‘86. Families can take advantage of a wide-range of offerings, including interactive displays (like playing a life-size piano with your feet), rotating exhibits and live science demonstrations. And don’t forget to catch a show at the larger-than-life OMNIMAX Theatre. At five storeys high and 27 metres in diameter, the theatre boasts a sensational wrap-around sound system – leaving movie-goers feeling like they’re right in the middle of the action.

 

Bloedel Conservatory. This huge glass bubble is is one of the best kept secrets for escaping from a rainy Vancouver day, and it’s also one of the largest domed greenhouses in the world to boot. The indoor attraction is located at Queen Elizabeth Park, and is home to 120 exotic birds, 500-plus tropical plants, and a beautiful network of fountains, gardens and sculptures. Afterward, take a walk through the 52-hectare park and soak up the gorgeously landscaped gardens, or stop for a bite to eat at Seasons in the Park.

 

 

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. A quick 25-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, Capilano Suspension Bridge boasts a number of attractions throughout the park, including the iconic suspension bridge (towering 230-feet high and 450-feet long above the Capilano River), Treetops Adventure (a network of suspension bridges amidst the coastal rainforest), and Cliffwalk (a cantilevered walkway jutting out from a granite cliff face). History, culture and nature are presented in unique and thrilling ways throughout the park, making it a must-see stop for family members of all ages.

 

Brittania Mine Museum. Take off with the kids for a trip along Highway 99, and soak up the Sea to Sky Highway’s majestic mountain and waterfront views. Along the way, you’ll pass by Shannon Falls and a number of top visitor attractions, including the Brittania Mine Museum. Here, kids and wannabe kids of all ages can hop aboard the underground train and uncover authentic mining tunnels, explore 10-acres of historic buildings, or take a fun and interactive guided tour to learn about mining and the history of Britannia. While you’re at it, roll up your sleeves and head to the gold panning station – you never know what you’ll find! For those who want to continue their Sea-to-Sky journey, don’t miss the scenic Sea to Sky Gondola for panoramic views and a network of hiking trails before making your way back to Vancouver.

 

Visitors who book through Stay Vancouver Hotels between now and May 15th will receive a $50 VanPass voucher for a single night booking, or $75 for a multi-night booking – gaining access to 20 of Vancouver’s top attractions and sightseeing tours. To book a stay with us, or view the full list of featured attractions, click here.