Easter fun, magical entertainment and a mesmerizing musical performance make New West the perfect place to be this long weekend.
Here are our top picks from Thursday, March 28 to Monday, April 1:
Thursday, March 28
New West Farmers Market
Start the long weekend early at the New West Farmers Market’s first event of the season – an Easter-themed block party. The market includes vendors, food trucks, live music, a “quirky farm-themed” photo booth, children’s activities, an Easter egg scavenger hunt and more. The Easter Bunny is also expected to hop by.
- When: Thursday, March 28, 3 to 7 p.m.
- Where: Tipperary Park , 315 Queens Ave. (next to New Westminster City Hall)
Thursday, March 28 to Saturday, March 30
Magic Festival
Check out this weekend’s Magic Festival in New West. Organized by magician Shawn Farquhar, owner of the Hidden Wonders Speakeasy Magic Experience in downtown New Westminster, the festival seeks to bring magic to the masses. A variety of performances for folks of all ages are taking place at various venues all weekend long, including these upcoming events:
- Thursday, March 28: The Leon Mandrake Assembly of Magicians presents An Evening of Magic, showcasing the enchanting world of illusions, mind-bending tricks, and captivating performances. A diverse lineup of magicians will take to the stage at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy.
- Friday, March 29: The Parlour Magic Show presents: Cocktail Magic at the Metro Hall. Hosted by Rob Teska, this event includes “impossible feats of magic, juggling, mentalism, circus, sideshow, and more.”
- Saturday, March 30: The Vancouver Magic Circle presents the Children’s Magician of the Year competition at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy.
More details and tickets are available online.
Thursday, March 28 to Monday, April 1
Easter fun
Have some fun this long weekend at one (or more) of the Easter-themed events happening in town. You can read about these – and more – events in another Record story, but here are a few worth checking out this weekend.
- Thursday, March 28, 3 to 7 p.m.: The City of New Westminster’s Eggciting Easter Egg Hunt, for kids aged two to 10. This free event is happening at the New West Farmers Market in Tipperary Park.
- Saturday, March 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: The City of New Westminster’s Easter Skate Eggstravaganza takes to the ice at Moody Park Arena. Admission rates apply. Register online.
- Saturday, March 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Scavenger (egg) Hunt in Uptown gives folks a chance to solve clues, discover treasures, and have a chance to win gift baskets featuring items donated by uptown businesses. Details are available online.
Friday, March 29
DakhaBrakha
Enjoy a “mesmerizing musical and visual performance” when DakhaBrakha, a world-music quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine, returns to B.C. Here’s how their show is described: “Accompanied by Indian, Arabic, African, and Ukrainian traditional instrumentation, the quartet’s astonishingly powerful and uncompromising vocal range creates a trans-national sound rooted in Ukrainian culture.”
- When: Friday, March 29, 8 to 9:30 p.m.
- Where: Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave.
- Details: Tickets and information online. (Dakhabrakha is currently on tour to raise funds and solidarity for Ukraine.)
Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30
Ukrainian Cultural Event
Attend the Ukrainian Cultural Event being organized by Ukrainian Blue Yellow Art volunteers, in partnership with Ukrainian Cultural Society. You can attend workshops/and demonstrations about topics including Ukrainian Easter egg (Pysasnka) decorating, Motanka doll magnets, authentic headwear wrapping, Ukrainian modern embroidered headkerchiefs, and a Motanka dolls collection. Ukrainian Easter bread and pastries will be available for purchase on both days:
- When: Friday, March 29 – 1 to 4 p.m.; and Saturday, March 30 – 2 to 5 p.m.
- Where: The Gallery in Queen’s Park, Centennial Lodge, Queen’s Park
- Details: For workshops, registration and prepayment is required. For presentation, entrance is by donation. Details and registration available online.
Saturday, March 30
East Columbia Eggstravaganza
After taking part in a successful trick-or-treating event for Halloween, Sapperton businesses are once again opening their doors for the East Columbia Eggstravaganza. Over 40 Sapperton businesses will welcome folks on a scavenger hunt, with the day’s fun including kid’s activities outside Cap’s Bicycle Store, photos with the Easter Bunny and a chance to win prizes from local businesses.
- When: Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: It’s happening on East Columbia Street between Braid Street and Strand Avenue. You can find the map of participating business online or you can pick up a map at Cap’s Bicycle Store during Saturday’s event.
