Vanier Park is a cultural hub that many Vancouver residents know little about. That’s about to change. On Saturday, December 3, the six cultural institutions that call Kitsilano’s biggest park home will be celebrating this hidden treasure with Winter Wander.
“Music, history, space, sea, and Shakespeare reside together in stunning Vanier Park,” says Christopher Gaze, Artistic Director of Bard on the Beach. “It is truly a Vancouver treasure.”
Vanier Park is home to the Maritime Museum, the Museum of Vancouver, the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Bard on the Beach, Vancouver Academy of Music, and the City of Vancouver Archives – offering visitors a fascinating range of cultural experiences within easy walking distance of each other.
Winter Wander in Vanier Park is a one day family-friendly event, sampling all of Vanier Park’s cultural institutions for one price and in one place (Bard on the Beach will be located at the MOV, as the tents are currently down). Adult admission will be just $5 to visit all locations; children 16 and under are free. Venues will be open from 10 am to 5 pm.
[Photo credit: bulliver on Flickr]
“Before it became Vanier Park, this area was first a First Nations fishing village, then a Royal Canadian Air Force station,” explains Simon Robinson, Executive Director of the Maritime Museum. “We are fortunate that the Vancouver Parks Board started managing the land in 1966 thereby allowing the space to become public park land and a cultural hub. It’s quite unique, but sometimes overlooked as a great destination. Today it’s a place where Vancouverite’s can spend the day enjoying the beauty of the park, visiting museums, taking in a play, learning music, or discovering Vancouver’s history.”
Winter Wander will also be able to enjoy food from visiting food trucks, performances by Vancouver Academy of Music students, and have the chance to win memberships to the three participating museums.
Inaugural Vancouver Winter Wander
Venue: Vanier Park
Date: Saturday, December 3, 10 am to 5 pm
Tickets: $5; children under 16 free
The Winter Wander is supported by Port Metro Vancouver.