Weather permitting, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse in Vancouver on Monday April 8, 2024 when it crosses North America, passing over Mexico, United States, and Canada.
3D visualization of the 2024 total eclipse is built with real science data, and shows the shadow of the Moon on Earth. NASA/JPL-Caltech/VTAD
How to View the Solar Eclipse in Vancouver
According to the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, our area will be able to observe a partial solar eclipse starting at 10:43am, when 27.8% of the sun will be covered by the Moon.
Viewers in BC are not in the eclipse’s path of totality, which means it will not be safe at any point of the eclipse to look directly at the sun without special protective eyewear. We are likely to see a crescent ‘cut out’ move across the sun peaking at 11:40am and finishing about 12:20pm.
A crowd uses handheld solar viewers and solar eclipse glasses to safely view a solar eclipse.
Credit: National Park Service
Eclipse Viewing Safety
Safety is the number one priority when viewing a solar eclipse and NASA has issues these safety guidelines – eye protection being a top priority. Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.
View the Sun through eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality.
You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the Sun’s bright face – during the brief and spectacular period known as totality. *NOTE we will not observe totality in Vancouver so do not do this!
As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright Sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the Sun.
A cool effect is to observe the shadows during the eclipse. Let the sunlight pass through something, like a colander, and you’ll see crescent shapes, instead of a circle of light. Here it is through the trees in Downtown Vancouver in 2017:
The Space Centre in Vanier Park (at 1100 Chestnut Street) will be viewing the sun through their solar filtered telescope in the observatory, and have solar eclipse glasses available at their front desk by donation. If you would like to watch a show in the planetarium after the eclipse tickets will be required.
UBC Solar Eclipse Viewing
UBC department of physics and astronomy researchers will host a public solar eclipse viewing event outside the UBC Bookstore on April 8, weather permitting, or otherwise, in the UBC Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre lobby. Members of the public can borrow eclipse-viewing glasses to safely view the eclipse. The event will also feature two solar telescopes, edible pin-hole cameras for children and a live feed of NASA’s eclipse coverage.
The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.
We have curated a list of our current and upcoming culinary favourites and notable limited edition menus, into one convenient spot for the Vancouver Foodie Friday April feature. Here are our updates for all foodies alike as we welcome spring:
Vancouver Foodie Friday – Cherry Blossom Specials, Dumpling Fest and More
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Cherry Blossom Tea, photo by: Leila Kwok
Openings
New Cocktail Bar, Prophecy, Beneath Historic Rosewood Hotel Georgia
When: Spring 2024
Where: 801 W Georgia St., Vancouver
Details: A new trendy cocktail bar, Prophecy, – opening later this spring – is opening as Vancouver’s newest historic cocktail destination. Beneath the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Prophecy will combine vintage charm and cutting-edge mixology in a space known for it’s history. The space is ready to begin its next chapter in the hands of owner-operators, At Home Hospitality. For more information or to stay up to date on all the latest news, follow @prophecybar on Instagram or learn more here.
New Indigenous Restaurant at Fort Langley
When: Now Open
Where: 23433 Mavis Ave., Fort Lagnley
Details: Drop by Tradish’s The Ancestor Cafe for some ”tradishional” nourishment for both urban Indigenous and non-Indigenous health-conscious diets. Try some of their savoury menu items such as their Bison or Elk Bannock Tacos or sweet cookies and teas infused with plant medicine. The Ancestor Cafe is located inside the Fort Langley National Historic Site. Admission fees for the site apply, there is no fee for Indigenous Peoples.
Mister Ice Cream, photo submitted
Mister Artisan Ice Cream to open Robson Street Location
When: Now Open
Where: 1193 Robson St., Vancouver
Details: The popular dessert bar popular among sweet-toothed foodies, Mister, has opened a third location. Mister is known for their signature creamy liquid nitrogen ice cream, which is available in creative and flavours that change with the seasons. They are made-to-order for each customer with pure, natural ingredients that are rapidly chilled in a cloud of liquid nitrogen mist. Check out their menu of unique scoops or sammies, with vegan options available. Mister Artisan Ice Cream Robson Street will be open daily from 2:00 to 10:00pm.
Vancouver has been called a city of many things: rain, hockey, international flavours, incredible nature and so much more. However, we’re also a phenomenal dance destination! One of the organizations that helps curate this rich cultural environment is DanceHouse Vancouver. They have just announced their 2024/2025 season productions, and you can enter to win tickets!
Le Patin Libre. Photo by Rolline Laporte
DanceHouse Vancouver 2024-2025 Season
Enjoy a season of electrifying, boundary-breaking performances from around the globe, on Vancouver stages from October 2024 through April 2025.
Six diverse companies and choreographers bring an eclectic mix of experiences whose scope includes contemporary dance, tango, circus, ice skating, live music, and more. DanceHouse’s 17th season includes two Canadian premieres, three BC premieres, one Canadian company debut, and the return of an all-time DanceHouse audience favourite. It also boasts the addition of matinee performances offering further accessibility, as well as new season ticket pricing for youth and families.
October 24-26, 2024 The BC premiere of Agustina Videla’s Social Tango Project (Argentina)
Since 2008, DanceHouse has presented vibrant and inspiring companies from Canada and around the world. In addition to the performances on stage, DanceHouse offers a suite of engagement opportunities and a chance for members of the general public and the local artistic community to engage with the presented artists and their work.
The cherry blossoms are here, the tulip festivals are opening, and there’s a whole new month of events to enjoy. Find all the fun things to do around Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, on this lovely first weekend of April, listed below:
Support community, culture, and diversity on Saturday, April 27th by shopping locally during Canadian Independent Bookstore Day in Vancouver. Engage with a variety of celebrations at Independent Bookstores across Canada by visiting stores in person or online to show your support.
Art by artist and illustrator Cornelia Li
Independent Bookstore Day in Vancouver
Canadian Independent Bookstore Day (CIBD) is the annual day when readers, writers, illustrators, publishers, and supporters come together to celebrate indie bookstores across Canada. This year’s event is taking place on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Independent booksellers are an integral part of Canadian culture as they prioritize customer service and provide unmatched value for the book-buyers. Indie bookstores are pillars for the community with staff who are actively involved in their neighbourhoods. By joining the celebration, you advocate for independent businesses, support a flourishing book-selling community, and invest in Canadian culture.
Buy books Participate in CIBD by purchasing books and other items in-person, online, or by phone to show your support and enter to win the annual Contest for Book Lovers. This years prizes include 5 gift cards with opportunity for 4 readers to win $200 each to the independent bookstore of their choice. And, 1 lucky winner will win a $1,000 gift card to their favourite indie bookstore.
Check out bookstore activities Local shops across Canada are planning celebratory activities for the big day including customer giveaways, discounts, exclusive products, author events, and more. Visit the website of each participating location and their social media accounts for details.
In 2023, IndieBookstores was launched as a place for shopping independent bookstores across Canada. The Canadian Independent Booksellers Association established IndieBookstores to strengthen the independent book-selling sector in Canada. The site helps readers find reads from the favourite or yet-unknown Canadian Independent bookstores online. Find an independent bookstores near you to support Canadian Independent Bookstore Day on April 27th – and any other day of the year!
