Events

Heritage Week

February 17th-23rd, 2025

Heritage Week offers a chance to explore heritage across BC and Canada and take part in programming that provides opportunities to learn and share about Vancouver’s history, diverse cultural heritage and historic places.

From February 17th to 23rd, 2025, we invite you to celebrate the theme “Pastimes in Past Times.” We encourage you to delve into the pastimes and traditions of your neighbourhood, exploring how these activities have contributed to the rich cultural tapestry of your community and beyond.

VHF will host three events during Heritage Week, each highlighting different aspects of the 2025 theme.

Places That Matter Storytelling Session – Tuesday February 18th, 2025

Join Vancouver Heritage Foundation and select community organizations for an intimate evening of storytelling and building community connections. Each community organization will share a short story with the audience that is connected to their heritage and community at large.

Walking Tours with John Atkin – Saturday, September 23rd. 10am and 1pm.

Places that Matter Community Fair – Sunday, February 23rd, 11am – 3pm

This year, Places That Matter will continue to host a family-friendly afternoon focused on the many stories and people that connect us to the Places that Matter in our communities. Our 8th annual community celebration will feature table displays from local organizations and businesses.

Visitors at the 2024 PTM Community Fair at Heritage Hall on Main Street. Credit: Kamran Safari

Pastimes and Play: Looking at Athletic Heritage in Vancouver’s West End (10am)

Saturday, February 22nd, 10am-12pm
The West End, Starting at Barclay and Denman
$30+tax

Join us for Heritage Week Walking Tours and explore the vibrant athletic history of Vancouver's West End. Delve into how pastimes such as tennis, water sports, horse shows, and hockey helped shape the community and foster a strong sense of connection and contribute to the West End’s unique cultural fabric. Please note the morning and afternoon tours will have different starting locations but cover approximately the same route. The morning tour will begin in front of King George High School and finish at Denman and West Georgia. The afternoon tour will start at Denman and West Georgia and follow the route of the mornings tour but in reverse, concluding at King George High School. Both walking tours follow a one-way route.

Register Here View Details

Details:

  • There are 2 Heritage Week walking tours – one at 10AM and 1PM. Each tour will have different starting locations but will cover approximately the same route. The afternoon tour will follow the reverse order of the morning tour.
  • Our walking tours take take place rain or shine, are two (2) +/- hours long and may take a one-way or circular route.
  • There is a maximum capacity of 20 people per tour and a minimum of 10. Registration is required in advance for all walking tours and ID must match the ticket. Unregistered people will not be permitted to join on the tour date. Do not seek out the group on the tour day in hopes of joining as this will disrupt the tour; if you are not able to attend your tour, due to liability reasons an unregistered replacement showing up in your place will not be accepted.
  • Tours take place in public spaces through Vancouver, BC. Participants will encounter a variety of terrain including uncontrolled road crossings, gravel, stairs, slopes, etc. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at mail@vancouverheritagefoundation.org.
  • Further details, including start and finish points, will be provided to registered participants.
  • Tickets will be available for purchase until 5pm the day before the tour, or until sold out.

Pastimes and Play: Looking at Athletic Heritage in Vancouver’s West End (1pm)

Saturday, February 22nd, 1pm-3pm
The West End, Starting at Denman and West Georgia
$30+tax

Join us for Heritage Week Walking Tours and explore the vibrant athletic history of Vancouver's West End. Delve into how pastimes such as tennis, water sports, horse shows, and hockey helped shape the community and foster a strong sense of connection and contribute to = the West End’s unique cultural fabric. *Please note the morning and afternoon tours will have different starting locations but cover approximately the same route. The morning tour will begin in front of King George High School and finish at Denman and West Georgia. The afternoon tour will start at Denman and West Georgia and follow the route of the mornings tour but in reverse, concluding at King George High School. Both walking tours follow a one-way route.

Register Here View Details

Photo Credit: A woman playing tennis. City of Vancouver Archives 371-609.

Details:

  • There are 2 Heritage Week walking tours – at 10AM and 1PM. Each tour will have different starting locations but will cover approximately the same route. The afternoon tour will follow the reverse order of the morning tour.
  • Our walking tours take place rain or shine, are two (2) +/- hours long and may take a one-way or circular route.
  • There is a maximum capacity of 20 people per tour and a minimum of 10. Registration is required in advance for all walking tours and ID must match the ticket. Unregistered people will not be permitted to join on the tour date. Do not seek out the group on the tour day in hopes of joining as this will disrupt the tour; if you are not able to attend your tour, due to liability reasons an unregistered replacement showing up in your place will not be accepted.
  • Tours take place in public spaces through Vancouver, BC. Participants will encounter a variety of terrain including uncontrolled road crossings, gravel, stairs, slopes, etc. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at mail@vancouverheritagefoundation.org.
  • Further details, including start and finish points, will be provided to registered participants.
  • Tickets will be available for purchase until 5pm the day before the tour, or until sold out.

Places that Matter Community Fair 2025

Sunday, February 23rd, 11am - 3pm
Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street
By donation

Join us at Heritage Hall for a family-friendly community fair with table displays, items for sale, and crafts. Learn about the many stories and people that connect us to the places that matter in our communities. All are welcome to attend. By donation.

Register Here View Details

Join VHF for the 8th Annual Places That Matter Community Celebration! For Heritage Week 2025, we are continuing as we did in 2024, fostering community connections, and building conversation through a dynamic Community Fair.

Places that Matter launched with a plaque project in 2011 to recognize community-nominated sites that highlight some of the lesser-known people, places and events that have shaped Vancouver. A decade later, with 93 plaques installed, the online Community History Resource continues to grow with community contributions of personal stories and photographs for 125 sites.

One of the 2024 PTM Community Fair participating organizations – China Creek Skate Park – talking to visitors. Credit: Kamran Safari

Heritage Week 2024

From February 19th to 25th, we celebrated the theme “Layer By Layer” and invited you to dig deeper into your community’s past and explore the many layers and stories that your unique community holds. We hope you took some time this week to learn something new about the many “layers” of the place you call home.

Water, Muck and Trains: The shrinking shoreline of False Creek, February 24th
Local historian John Atkin led heritage lovers on our special Heritage Week walking tours, which explored the many layers and stories of False Creek. The morning tour showcased CPR and the early industries, such as the saw mill, which led to the development of Chinatown while the afternoon tour focused on the gas works, the old Georgia Viaduct and the filling of the eastern basin for the GNR and CNR stations.

Places that Matter Community Fair, February 25th, 11am – 3pm
Vancouver Heritage Foundation presented a family-friendly afternoon focused on the many stories and people that connect us to the places that matter in our communities. table displays, items for sale, crafts and a scavenger hunt. Our 7th annual community celebration featured table displays and items for sale from 31 local organizations and businesses, including Yosef Wosk Publication Grant recipients, the presentation of the Heritage Week Proclamation by Councillor Lisa Dominato and Councillor Mike Klassen, as well as crafts and a scavenger hunt.

We greatly appreciate the support from all of our volunteers and event sponsors, including our Gold Sponsors Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association and Terris & Company General Contractors Ltd., as well as our Bronze Sponsor Yamamoto Architecture Inc. We also want to thank our Venue Sponsor Heritage Hall, as well as Siegel’s Bagels and COBS Bread Main St for their in-kind donations. This event would not have been possible without all of our generous sponsors!

Heritage Week 2023

From February 20th to 26th, we celebrated the theme “Always in All Ways” and invited you to explore your community’s heritage in all the ways that excite you. We hope you took time during Heritage Week 2023 to celebrate the culture and heritage of the communities that make up the place you call home.

Places that Matter Community Celebration, February 22nd, 7pm – 8:30 pm
Vancouver Heritage Foundation presented a family-friendly evening of storytelling from the Places That Matter project. Our 6th annual community celebration featured community organizations and Yosef Wosk Publication Grant recipients, the reading of the Heritage Week 2023 Proclamation by City Council and special guest speakers on Vancouver’s places that matter, including Storytellers from the Militant Mothers of Raymur and Japanese Canadian Hastings Park Interpretive Centre Society, Fiona Lam, Vancouver Poet Laureate, Leona Lam, Vancouver Heritage Fairs Alumni, and Aaron Chapman, as well as music from the Annie Molesworth Quintet.

Milk, Suitcases and Vegetables: A Stroll in Upper Mount Pleasant, February 25th
Local historian, author and seasoned walking tour guide, John Atkin, celebrated Heritage Week by exploring the little known agricultural and industrial heritage of upper Mount Pleasant, which was home to a couple of dairies and a number of Chinese wholesale and retail vegetable dealers. Along with food, this area is a delightful mix of old and new development.

Heritage Week 2022

From February 21st to 27th, we celebrated the theme “altogether inclusive” and explored the many ways that heritage engagement requires creativity, as well as unique solutions and actions to encourage broad participation. Heritage can and must foster best practices in diversity and accessibility. By reducing the many different types of barriers that keep people from enjoying heritage and feeling safe, then lives will be enriched. When heritage responds to diversity and accessibility challenges, it becomes inclusive. This is possible for even the smallest of heritage organizations and is reason to celebrate.

Places that Matter Community Celebration, February 23rd, 7pm – 8:30 pm
Vancouver Heritage Foundation presented an evening of storytelling from the Places That Matter project, hosted virtually through Zoom. Our 5th annual community celebration featured Musqueam community members, the reading of the Heritage Week 2022 Proclamation by City Council and special guest speakers on Vancouver’s places that matter.

Altogether Inclusive: A Heritage Week Virtual Stroll, February 23th, 7pm – 8pm
Local historian, author and seasoned walking tour guide, John Atkin, celebrated Heritage Week by visiting some of Vancouver’s unique heritage spots – like Mole Hill – on this virtual walk!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Heritage Week 2021!

From February 15th-21st, we explored the theme “Where do you find heritage?” Gathering virtually with our community, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Places that Matter program, discovered some of Vancouver’s lesser known heritage spots and got inspired to go outside and sketch our favourite local heritage buildings and places.

  • Places That Matter Community Celebration: 10th Anniversary Year!

    Tuesday, February 16th, 7pm – 8pm

    We launched Heritage Week 2021 with an evening of storytelling and a look at the first 10 years of the Places That Matter project. The program included: Musqueam Welcome with Alec Guerin and the story of Musqueam with Mack Paul, Heritage Proclamation by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Carr, stories directly from Collingwood Neighbourhood House, the family of Nellie Yip Quong and family-owned East India Carpets about the First Sikh Gurdwara on West 2nd Avenue.

    Places That Matter launched with a plaque project in 2011 to recognize community-nominated sites that highlight some of the lesser-known people, places and events that have shaped Vancouver. A decade later, with 88 plaques installed, the online Community History Resource continues to grow with community contributions of personal stories and photographs for the 125 sites.

  • Urban Sketching Workshop

    Thursday, February 18th, 12pm – 1pm

    Author and illustrator of Hand Drawn Vancouver, Emma FitzGerald, led participants in learning how to sketch with confidence. We explored how drawings can be a prompt for storytelling and got inspired to go outside to sketch favourite neighbourhood spots or local heritage buildings and places. Emma also shared tips for drawing on location, including intimidating architecture.

  • Discovering Heritage Places: A Virtual Stroll

    Saturday, February 20th, 10am – 11am

    Heritage is all around us – sometimes you just need to look closely! Local historian, author and seasoned walking tour guide, John Atkin, explored some of Vancouver’s lesser-known heritage spots and shared the history of some of the buildings that make our neighbourhoods unique on this virtual walk.

Heritage Week 2020

In 2020, the theme of Heritage Week was “2020 Vision: Bringing the Past into the Future”. The restoration and adaptation of heritage buildings is key to a sustainable future, preserving community and cultural spaces, retaining affordable retail and residential spaces and keeping usable building materials from landfills, all while enriching our streetscapes and neighbourhoods. The future also includes reconciliation with Indigenous communities and a more inclusive telling of the stories of the past for all communities. Across three events, we explored the role of heritage in our future throughout Heritage Week, February 17th – 23rd.

We created a short video with some highlights from the week. You can view other VHF videos on our YouTube channel.

Heritage Week Proclamations

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020