Oh, What Fun! Metropolis at Metrotown Unwraps New Holiday Experiences
Bells will be ringing at Metropolis at Metrotown! BC’s biggest shopping centre is welcoming the holiday season with new festivities, beloved traditions, and plenty of merry moments. As the Met marks 40 years of holiday memories, here are six ways to get into the spirit of the season.
The Moon Martini Bar & Restaurant Opens in Gastown October 23
The Moon Martini Bar & Restaurant opens in Gastown on October 23, with two distinct experiences under one roof: a social martini bar and seasonal, borderless restaurant built around an open kitchen.
Conceived as a place to land, The Moon is an escape from the everyday, and one to return to time and time again – whether settling in for a chef-guided dinner, a few plates from the à la carte menu, or a martini to start or end the night.
From Paris, with Love: Holiday Gifting at L’Appartement
Canadian, female-founded Kitsilano boutique brings French flair to the winter season. Leave the hectic, hurried pace of holiday shopping in the past. At L’Appartement, winter carries an invitation to slow down, browse with intention, and discover beautiful things to give – and perhaps a few to keep.
Homelessness Action Week (October 11-17): Family Services of Greater Vancouver Offers a Lifeline for Youth Experiencing Homelessness
For a young person experiencing homelessness, early intervention can impact the trajectory of their life.
This Homelessness Action Week (October 11-17), Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV) is shining a light on Directions Youth Services, its 24/7/365 resource for young people who are unhoused or precariously housed in Metro Vancouver.
Splash Art Exhibition Arrives at the Pendulum Gallery this September
Arts Umbrella’s Splash Art Auction returns for its 44th year on October 3, bringing together art, culture and philanthropy for one of Canada’s most anticipated charitable art auction events. This fall, the public is invited to step inside Splash through a free month-long exhibition at the Pendulum Gallery – offering a rare, up-close opportunity to view the innovative and diverse art collection before it heads to auction.
From September 8 to October 1, the exhibition will showcase approximately 100 original works generously donated by established and emerging Canadian artists. Visitors who want to bring a piece home can place their bid online (starting September 8), with every purchase helping to fund Arts Umbrella’s transformative arts programming for young people.
Why PR Matters More Than Ever in the Age of AI
The way people discover brands is changing.
Until recently, finding a new business meant scrolling through pages of search results, reading reviews and clicking from website to website. Today, more and more people are turning to AI to do that work for them, receiving curated recommendations in seconds.
While the technology is evolving quickly, one thing hasn't changed: people still want recommendations they can trust, and that's where public relations comes in.
Unlike traditional search engines, AI doesn't simply rank websites based on keywords. It learns from trusted sources: journalists, publications, industry experts and communities to understand which brands are credible, relevant and worth recommending.
It's one more reason why PR has become more important than ever.
Get Your Summer On in Langley City: 10 Free Festivals and Events
Warmer, longer days in Langley City means live music under rainbow umbrellas, Shakespeare in the park, and juicy berries from the farmers’ market. This season, visitors are invited to discover free, family-friendly events in a community that knows the secret to a perfect summer.
A Parisian Apartment, Reimagined in Kits: L’Appartement Opens June 17
This June, a new address in Kitsilano opens its doors. L’Appartement, a boutique inspired by the feel of a Parisian apartment, arrives on June 17, 2026, bringing a curated edit of European and French womenswear, accessories, jewellery, and footwear to Vancouver.
Centering Survivors: Family Services of Greater Vancouver Recognizes Victims and Survivors of Crime Week
Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV) is recognizing Victims and Survivors of Crime Week (May 10-16, 2026) by spotlighting its free Victim Support Services and Trauma Counselling programs. For more than 40 years, FSGV has walked alongside survivors, offering care, guidance, and a safe path forward. Year-round, FSGV is with survivors, every step of the way.
Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre Raises the Bar for Pet-Friendly Travel With the Elevated Pampered Paws Package
In Whistler, where alpine adventure sets the pace, even four-legged travellers are part of the fun. At Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre, the Pampered Paws Package invites guests to bring the whole household along, with locally made treats and pet-friendly perks ensuring every Whistler moment is just as rewarding for pets as it is for their humans.
40 Years at the Met: Celebrating a Burnaby Landmark
For 40 years, Metropolis at Metrotown has been where Metro Vancouver gathers – from weekend shopping trips and movie nights to first jobs and immersive experiences. This spring, the centre is celebrating the community that has supported it every step of the way with a nostalgia-inspired anniversary event running April 13 to June 14.
Pathways Clubhouse Announces Opening of Rio Vista: 80 New Affordable Homes in Richmond
Pathways Clubhouse is pleased to announce the opening of Rio Vista, a six-storey affordable housing development located at 5491 No. 2 Road in Richmond. Opening on March 6, 2026, Rio Vista offers 80 high-quality rental homes for individuals living with mental illness, as well as low- and middle-income households. Housing options include a range of junior one-bedroom to three-bedroom units, with several accessible homes designed for people with disabilities.
6 Lucky Ways to Welcome the Year of the Horse at Metropolis at Metrotown
Metropolis at Metrotown invites the community to ring in the Year of the Horse with month-long family-friendly Lunar New Year festivities, beginning February 2. From immersive cultural exhibitions and hands-on creativity to electrifying performances, time-honoured rituals, and lucky shopping rewards, this year’s lineup puts heritage in motion – while celebrating the connections that bring cultures together.
6 Lucky Ways to Welcome the Year of the Horse at Metropolis at Metrotown
Remarkable Achievements Begin with Recognition: BC Achievement Foundation Invites Nominations for 2026 Award Programs
Remarkable achievements are happening every day in communities across British Columbia. The BC Achievement Foundation invites British Columbians to help bring these stories to light by nominating outstanding individuals, organizations, and businesses for its 2026 award programs.
Family Services of Greater Vancouver Launches Caring Neighbours Campaign this Holiday Season
As the festive season approaches, the spirit of giving is in the air – yet the holidays can be a particularly difficult time for those facing challenges. Whether it’s a family worried about making ends meet, a survivor seeking support, or a youth without a safe place to sleep, many individuals and families are doing their best to get by without the resources they need. That’s why Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV) is calling on everyone in the community to show compassion and become a Caring Neighbour.
Pathways Clubhouse Earns Awards for Impact, Announces New Housing Project in Richmond
Pathways Clubhouse, a Richmond-based non-profit supporting mental health recovery, is celebrating a milestone year of national recognition and local impact. Named among Canada’s top impact charities of 2025 by Charity Intelligence Canada, the organization is also preparing to open an 80-unit affordable housing development in early 2026. Together, these achievements elevate Pathways’ mission to empower individuals living with mental illness through inclusive, recovery-focused programs that prioritize housing, employment, education, and social connection.
Arts Umbrella and Emily Carr University Launch Entry Program for the Next Generation of Artists
Arts Umbrella and Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) – two of Canada’s leading arts educators – are joining forces to offer a new admissions pathway for emerging creatives who wish to continue their arts education through post-secondary studies.
Effective this year, the Arts Umbrella Intensive Program with ECU Pathway Option offers eligible students advanced standing and a streamlined application process into the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program at ECU.
Metropolis at Metrotown Welcomes West Coast Santa, Launches First-Ever Outdoor Holiday Hive Market
Sleigh bells are ringing, and the spirit of the season has arrived in festive force at Metropolis at Metrotown! Starting November 12, BC’s biggest shopping centre invites visitors to step into a cozy, coastal holiday celebration – complete with a brand-new outdoor market, live performances, and the magical return of the Santa Experience, with West Coast Santa making waves as the newest addition to this cherished tradition.
Financial Literacy Month – November 2025: Family Services of Greater Vancouver Offers the Community Free Financial Help Services
November marks the 15th anniversary of Financial Literacy Month (FLM) in Canada – a nationwide campaign led by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada to support financial wellbeing across the country. This year’s theme, “Talk Money,” encourages people in Canada to break the silence around their finances and have open, empowering conversations about money.
Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV) is proud to support this mission through its Financial Empowerment Program, which offers free one-on-one coaching, tax clinics, and workshops. These services help individuals and families across the Lower Mainland build financial skills, access government benefits, and feel more confident navigating their financial future – all delivered through a trauma-informed, non-judgmental approach.
Arts Umbrella’s 2025 Splash Art Auction Raises $1.73M for Youth Arts Education
Arts Umbrella, Canada’s leading not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to youth arts education, is proud to announce the success of its 43rd annual Splash Art Auction, which raised $1.73M in support of young creatives.