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December 2, 2025: Hot choc pit stop

December 2, 2025: Hot choc pit stop

Plus: Fred again.., The Heat, and rising music talent

December 02, 2025

Hey there. It’s V here. How was your weekend?

I’ve finally returned from my vacation, which was less “sitting around relaxing” and more “walking 12km every day for three weeks”. In a way, being back at my laptop feels like a much-needed break from being an outdoors person: how nice it is not to have to put on sneakers to get breakfast!

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE —

How do you even review Fred again.. in Vancouver?

If you were on social media last week, you might have noticed a sudden uptick in friends, acquaintances, and small business owners you follow all immediately begging for spare tickets to the Fred again.. show. Our intrepid EIC Nathan Caddell was one of the lucky few to make it to the concert, but he was faced with his own challenges. For instance, how do you review a show with a strict no-photos policy?

VGH+ Giving Tuesday

Give your gift a plus this Giving Tuesday!

Today only, donations to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign will be matched up to $100,000. That’s twice the impact, twice the care, and twice the hope for patients across BC.

Your support funds groundbreaking research, world-class health care teams and life-saving treatments for the most complex cases across the province. Giving Tuesday gives us a chance to make an even greater difference for our dedicated medical professionals and the patients who rely on them.

Help create healthier lives in BC.

Donate Today.

— ARTS —

The Heat brings worldwide wit for round three

The Improv Centre’s international improv showcase returns for its third year of spontaneous tomfoolery, with teams this year from London, Chicago, and New Zealand.

Jack and the Beanstalk adds glee to Metro Theatre’s milestone season

A School Where Neurodiverse Learners Thrive

KGMS is welcoming applications for the 2026–27 school year. Known for its personalized learning and specialized support for K-12 neurodiverse students, the school offers a compassionate, structured environment where children grow with confidence. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2026.

Learn more and apply today.

— MUSIC —

The ELEVATE Music Project showcases rising Vancouver talent

The stakes were high coming into the first night of the ELEVATE Music Project, which throws together 24 local bands over six shows to crown one winner. Who would dazzle? Who would make a bunch of new fans? And who would suck? Check out our report on a diverse group of six musical acts.

Sinéad X Sanders’ debut tangles with cognitive dissonance
Dec 4th: Foxwarren arrives at the Vogue Theatre! Catch Andy Shauf, Dallas Bryson, and the full band - performing live for the first time in six years. Get your tickets!*

Experience the comedy and chaos!

Pony Cam’s Burnout Paradise takes an absurdly long to-do list to another level. Watch as four performers attempt cooking, filling out a grant application, quoting Shakespeare, and more in just over an hour. Is it chaotic? Definitely. Can it all be accomplished? …to be determined.

— FOOD & DRINK —

HYPE Chocolate warms up the Fairmont

Need something sweet to brighten up your Fridays? HYPE is running a weekly hot chocolate pop-up to add some delicious decadence to downtown Vancouver.

Wined Up: Jackson-Triggs Pinot Grigio 2024 is a workhorse
Victoria’s favourite culinary festival is back! Kick off the Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria season with its Gala Launch on January 22nd. You won't want to miss out-book your tickets today, here!*

*sponsored listing

— ICYMI —

Time Out Market Vancouver announces its first taste
We Tried It: The Polar Plunge brunch
Peek inside Yaletown’s new projection project
Just For Laughs Vancouver announces its 2026 lineup

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

THEATRE: Cricket on the Hearth, a new Dickens adaptation, warms your heart this festive season. (To December 21 @ Jericho Arts Centre)

PODCAST: Genome BC’s Nice Genes! podcast hosts a live recording at the Star Theatre, discussing music and life. (December 2 @ H.R. MacMillan Space Centre)

DANCE: Ileanna Sophia Cheladyn presents Field-Work: a slow dance, tracing the ethnography of Vancouver’s movement community. (December 3 @ Scotiabank Dance Centre)

MUSIC: London, ON’s Ken Yates returns with new album Quiet Talkers. (December 3 @ Fox Cabaret)

LIVING: Kick the kids out of Science World and enjoy Chillusions: Winter Magic Edition. (December 3 @ Science World)

FILM: The Whistler Film Festival adds movies to the mountains. (December 3-7 @ various locations, Whistler)

PERFORMING ARTS: Drag queen Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 swings by with A Very Alaska Christmas Show. (December 4 @ Commodore Ballroom)

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.

That’s it!

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