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  • 🌮 Burning Mom, Board Games & A Free Taco: Plus 50+ Things to Do on the North Shore this Week

🌮 Burning Mom, Board Games & A Free Taco: Plus 50+ Things to Do on the North Shore this Week

The best things to do and know on the North Shore: January 8 to 14, 2026

What’s Happening on the North Shore: January 8 to 14, 2026

Good morning, North Shore Crew! Your weekly cheat-sheet to North & West Van is here. New Here? Subscribe here 

🏆 Who's your Backcountry Hero? Nominations Open for the Tim Jones Award

The Tim Jones award honours an unsung hero in B.C.’s outdoor community, recognizing individuals or organizations who’ve made a meaningful, volunteer-driven contribution to outdoor safety, education, or stewardship.

It’s is named for Tim Jones, a paramedic and longtime leader of North Shore Rescue who spent more than 25 years on the team and took part in over 1,600 rescues. Tim was a tireless advocate for preparation and respect in the backcountry, and his legacy lives on through the people who quietly help keep others safe.

If you know someone who fits the bill, nominations are open until February 6, 2026, with the recipient announced at the opening night of VIMFF February 23rd.

🔥 Burning Mom at Kay Meek Thursday & Friday

January is doing its gloomy thing on the North Shore, so why not do something different and head to the theatre for a fun (and funny) night out? The one-woman show is inspired by the real-life story of a mother who decides to take their RV on the retirement road trip they never got to take after her husband’s untimely passing. Destination: Burning Man! January 8 & 9 at Kay Meek - Tickets & More info.

🎲 Wednesday Board Games at La Cerveceria Astilleros

Wednesdays are boring, especially in January. So instead of being antisocial and binging Netflix, head over to La Cerveceria on Esplanade for some beers, tacos, margaritas and bored board games! They’ve got the games, just bring yourselves and your appetite. All day Wednesday, January 14th from noon-9:00pm. More info

Plan Ahead

🃏 52 Cards. 52 Stories. One Night Only.

One-night-only heads up: award-winning Fringe show 52 Stories is coming to Presentation House Theatre on Jan. 16. Dave Morris, who grew up in North Van, memorizes an entire shuffled deck of cards live on stage, then walks the audience through the stories and memories he’s attached to each one. It’s part mind-bending memory trick, part heartfelt storytelling, and surprisingly human. Don’t miss it! Tickets here

🎭 Secret Comedians, Secret Venue (Lower Lonsdale)

Don’t tell Comedy is back January 22nd, 6:30pm. A line up of comedians in a location that will only be revealed to ticket-holders at 8am the day of the show. Tickets and More info

🌮 La Valentina Food Truck New (Permanent) Location

The much-loved food truck has officially landed a new permanent spot on MacKay Rd right by North Shore Commissary. It’s now even easier to get your fix of bold, authentic Mexican food. Led by chef Juan Pablo and Ana Paula serve up real recipes, with real ingredients (many sourced straight from Mexico), and zero shortcuts. Open daily 11:00am - 7:00pm.

Want a free taco? Just say North Shore Now sent you! (Yes, really!)

🍺 La Cervecería Astilleros Beer Release Party

Help celebrate the brewery’s new offering at their beer release party with a DJ, rosca, pinata’s and more. Join in on the Mexican themed fun on Friday, January 9th from 6:00pm to 11:00pm at La Cerveceria (226 Esplanade E) More info

Thank you to our partners…

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Testimonial: “Your efforts contributed to our visitations being up 24% even though we were competing with the East Side Culture Crawl on the same day….Most significantly, we went from very limited presence on Instagram to 10 times more profile visits after your Reel was run.…Our website users were also up 15%.”

Note: all event times listed are North Shore Standard Time. Double check events and times before you head out.

Stuff for Kids, Teens & Families

💡 Want more events for kids and families? The North Shore Now App has more of the storytimes and day-to-day stuff that we can’t always fit in the newsletter. Get it for free on IOS or Android!

Thursday, January 8

  • Simbrix Fun | West Van Library | 3:45pm to 4:45pm: Create pixel art with Simbrix in The Lab for kids in grades 3-5. More info

Friday, January 9

  • Treetop Tales | Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre | 11:00am to 11:30am: Nature stories for ages 2+, no registration needed. More info

  • Kids Chess Club | Lynn Valley Library | 3:30pm to 5:30pm: Play chess with other kids at the library. Bring your set. No formal instruction. More info

Saturday, January 10

  • Pottery wheel clay workshop | Edgemont Art Studio | 4:00pm to 5:30pm: Spin clay and craft a masterpiece, ages 8+. More info

Sunday, January 11

  • Open gaming: Minecraft | North Van City Library | 2:00pm to 3:30pm: Build and battle in Minecraft at open gaming session. More info

  • Mouse House Fairy Door Clay Workshop | Edgemont Art Studio | 2:00pm to 3:00pm: Sculpt a cute fairy mouse door from clay. More info

Monday, January 12

  • Make a monster windsock | North Van City Library | 3:15pm to 4:15pm: Craft a monster windsock, supplies provided. For ages 5-10. More info

Tuesday, January 13

  • Kids' chess and board game club | North Van City Library | 3:30pm to 5:00pm: Play chess and other board games with kids 8-13. Drop-in, limited space. More info

Wednesday, January 14

  • Escape Room: Trapped in the Upside Down | Grades 5-7 | West Van Library | 3:45pm to 5:00pm: Decode messages, solve codes, and rescue Will from the Upside Down. More info

  • Pottery wheel clay workshop | Edgemont Art Studio | 5:30pm to 7:00pm: Spin clay and craft a masterpiece, ages 8+. More info

Even More North Shore Now

Download the (FREE) North Shore Now app on IOS or Android for even more events and North Shore happenings. Filter by age, interest, or day. Save favourites, set reminders, and add events straight to your calendar.

Stuff for Adults

🐺 Why are wolves so important?

Join a hands-on look why wolves matter so much, how researchers track them, and head out for a guided forest walk and trail camera demo with an expert! Register here

🗓️ January 31st, 2:30pm to 4:00pm

📍 Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre

Thursday, January 8

  • Burning Mom | Kay Meek | 7:30pm: A hilarious and touching journey with Dorothy to Burning Man. More info

  • Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba Intimate & Cozy Latin Night | King Pins Bowling | 6:30pm to 9:30pm: Singles and couples dance, connect, and bowl. Limited spots available. More info

  • Choreography Film Series | The Polygon | 10:00am to 9:00pm: Film series exploring bold choreography in unique settings. More info

Friday, January 9

  • Burning Mom | Kay Meek | 7:30pm: A hilarious and touching journey with Dorothy to Burning Man. More info

  • Dandelion Glass Fusing Workshop | Bella Ceramica | 6:30pm to 8:30pm: Beginner-friendly workshop to create fused-glass dandelion art, BYOB 19+ More info

  • Dance//Novella × The Polygon 2026 | The Polygon | 10:00am to 3:00pm: Emerging artists rework, deconstruct, and rebuild a vibrant multimedia dance work. More info

  • Painting Workshop | Edgemont Art Studio | 6:30pm to 7:30pm: Paint an 8×8 canvas using stencils, metallic pens, and gold leaf. More info

  • Clay Planter Workshop | Edgemont Art Studio | 7:00pm to 8:00pm: Create unique and silly clay planters. More info

Saturday, January 10

  • Sip Sans Buzz: The Dry January Discovery | Everything Wine | 1:00pm to 2:30pm: Learn about sophisticated non-alcoholic wines. More info

  • Magnesium bath workshop | Mila Earth | 6:00pm to 7:30pm: Create custom magnesium bath blends and wellness jars at a guided workshop. More info

  • Sip and Paint | Bella Ceramica | 6:30pm to 8:30pm: Sip and paint a serene winter scene. Bears, birds, and snowy forests, BYOB 19+. More info

  • Dance//Novella × The Polygon 2026 | The Polygon | 10:00am to 3:00pm: Emerging artists rework, deconstruct, and rebuild a vibrant multimedia dance work. More info

Sunday, January 11

  • Hike Eagle Bluffs via Black Mountain Trail: Intermediate | Black Mountain Lodge | 9:00am to 2:00pm: Intermediate hike. Prepare with essential gear. More info

  • Tropical Glass Terrarium Workshop | Gardenworks | 11:00am to 12:00pm: Create a tropical terrarium in a glass sphere. Beginner-friendly. More info

Monday, January 12

  • Wing Chun practice | Mila Earth | 7:00pm to 8:30pm: A practical self-defence and moving meditation. Beginners welcome. More info

  • Clay Candle Vessel Workshop | Edgemont Art Studio | 7:15pm to 8:15pm: Create a cozy clay candle vessel. More info

Tuesday, January 13

  • Creative Writing Open Mic Night | Shaketown Brewing | 6:30pm to 9:00pm: Poetry, storytelling, or simply some musings and thoughts from local creatives. More info

  • Opening Reception: The Familiar Unfamiliar | West Van Art Museum | 6:00pm to 8:00pm: Meet artist Fei Disbrow at her exhibition opening reception. More info

  • Archives Drop-in Day | MONOVA | 12:30pm to 4:30pm: Look through historic maps, family records, and photos. More info

Wednesday, January 14

  • Stamp Club | Mollie Nye House | 1:30pm to 3:30pm: Connect with fellow stamp enthusiasts. More info

  • Create a Digital Colouring Page | West Van Library | 10:30am to 12:00pm: Design and print your own digital colouring page using Procreate. More info

  • Discover Digitization | Lynn Valley Library | 12:00pm to 1:00pm: Learn how to convert photos, VHS tapes, and more into digital formats. More info

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Events for Seniors

  • Thursday, January 8th | Mat-Cutting | Silver Harbour Seniors' Centre | 1:00pm to 3:00pm: Custom-cut mats for your artwork! Bring frames, choose colours, and upgrade your pieces. More info

  • Friday, January 9th | Friendly Fridays | Mollie Nye House | 10:30am to 12:30pm: Stitch, chat, and connect at Friendly Fridays with coffee, tea, cookies, and casual conversations. More info

  • Sunday, January 11th | North Shore knitters | North Van City Library | 2:00pm to 3:30pm: Knit, crochet, and socialize. Newcomers welcome. More info

  • Monday, January 12th | Monday Walking Group | Mollie Nye House | 10:00am to 11:30am: Explore North Shore on foot. Drop-ins welcome. More info

  • Tuesday, January 13th | Advance care planning | North Van City Library | 10:00am to 11:30am: Discuss advance care planning with seniors. Register 604-998-3450. More info

  • Wednesday, January 14th | Pins and Needles | Parkgate Library | 6:30pm to 8:00pm: Craft, knit, sew, crochet, and chat. More info

Concerts, Live Music, Dancing & Pub Events

Thursday, January 8

  • Music Bingo | Wildeye Brewing | 8:00pm: More info

  • Poker Thursdays | West Van Legion | 6:30pm: More info

Friday, January 9

  • Ocean & Fire | Eagles Club Lounge | 8:00pm: More info

  • Oliver and the Elements | Squarerigger Pub | 8:00pm: More info

  • Mark Hildebrand | Wildeye Brewing | 7:00pm: More info

  • Karaoke | Sailor Hagars | 9 pm to 2am

Saturday, January 10

  • Alan James Band | West Van Legion | 7:30pm: More info

  • Sean Symons | Eagles Club Lounge | 8:00pm: More info

  • Karaoke | Squarerigger Pub | 8:00pm: More info

Sunday, January 11

  • Ian Parker & Kerson Leong | Kay Meek | 3:00pm: More info

Monday, January 12

  • Poker Mondays | Sailor Hagar’s | 6:30pm: More info

Tuesday, January 13

Wednesday, January 14

  • Board Game Night | La Cerveceria Astilleros | All day: More info

👉 That’s all for this week! If you enjoyed it, forward us to a friend! You can also copy this link and send it to anyone who would enjoy North Shore Now 👉 https://northshorenow.beehiiv.com/subscribe

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