Music and Movies 

Down below is a compilation of different music and movie events that are happening in the city. 

​Be sure to also check out our Arts & Culture events.

Indigenous Film Collection

  • Indigenous Film Collection: A streaming collection of film and video focused on Indigenous voices, culture, history, and contemporary perspectives.
  • Integration with World Cinema: This collection shares a platform with our World Cinema collection for a diverse viewing experience.
  • Advanced Search for Exclusive Access: To search the Indigenous Film Collection exclusively, follow these steps:
    • Navigate to Advanced Search
    • Select "Custom Videos" from the Search Options menu

"Drunk on Too Much Life" Documentary: A Journey of Discovery

"Drunk on Too Much Life" Documentary: A Journey of Discovery
  • A powerful film about the filmmaker's daughter's journey towards creativity, connection, and meaning
  • A 21-year-old's escape from locked-down psych wards and diagnostic labels
The Family's Journey
  • Begins to question the idea of mental illness as purely biological
  • Learns that madness has multiple meanings
  • Discovers recovery is not a straight path but a series of small awakenings
Highlights of the Film
  • An intimate look at a family's journey
  • A mind-opening experience
  • A challenge to the conventional understanding of mental illness
​

VIFF Centre

The finest arthouse in the Pacific Northwest has a year-round home at VIFF Centre. Each year, hundreds of screenings, discussions, and community partnerships are held at the luxurious Vancity Theatre, Studio Theatre, Media Lab, VIFF Connect streaming platform, and Education Suite.
LOCATION
1181 Seymour St
COST
VARIES

The Cinematheque

The Cinematheque, also known as Pacific Cinémathèque Pacifique, is a Vancouver-based film institute, media education facility, and film exhibitor that was established in 1972. It is a charitable and non-profit organization.
The goal of the Cinematheque is to:
  • Enhance critical thinking and intelligent education on the social effects of moving pictures and screen-based media
  • Promote appreciation of the art and legacy of cinema

LOCATION
1131 Howe Street

COST
​$14General (18+)$12Senior (65+)$10Student

Tel: 604 688 8202

Vancouver Folk Music Festival

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is a not-for-profit society that aims to build a world where folk music culture thrives. It takes place at beautiful Jericho Beach Park.
This festival features:
  • Great music
  • Fabulous food
  • Great shopping
  • A special area for Little Folks
  • Other on-site activities and amenities
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is guaranteed to create a magic-filled weekend at Jericho Beach.
DATE&TIME
July 14-16, 2023
Tel: 604.602.9798

Outdoor Movies 

Outdoor movies are back!

Please come back next year for new dates, times and locations for completely out in the open air.  If you have a car check out the button below to learn about venues and times.

Re-Opening - Live Music at the Silvia Hotel at English Bay

​LIVE AT THE SYLVIA …
Live music is back in Sylvia’s Lounge! Every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m.

Tubi - Free Streaming Movies and TV

Tubi is an ad-supported video-on-demand service with more than 35,000 movies and TV shows, 95+ local and live news channels and 250+ entertainment partners, including content from nearly every major Hollywood studio. 

Sound of the City - Music Curated by Artists During Covid
Sound of the City:
  • A new series that highlights Vancouver's diverse music scene, created in partnership with the City of Vancouver and Stir.
  • Features a different local artist or act every Friday, providing an opportunity to discover and connect with creatives and each other.
  • Celebrates local talent and emphasizes BIPOC and underrepresented artists.
  • Includes a Spotify playlist curated by the featured artist for listeners to enjoy.
  • Explores what's happening in the artist's world amid COVID-19 and what's in heavy rotation on their playlist.
The Sound of the City series is an exciting new initiative that celebrates Vancouver's vibrant music scene. Created in partnership with the City of Vancouver and Stir, the series features a different local artist or act every Friday. It provides a unique opportunity to discover and connect with creatives, while also emphasizing BIPOC and underrepresented artists. Each installment of the series includes a curated Spotify playlist by the featured artist for listeners to enjoy, and explores what's happening in the artist's world amid COVID-19.
Through the Sound of the City series, listeners can enjoy a diverse range of music and get to know local artists on a more personal level. Every Friday, the series highlights a new artist, giving listeners a chance to discover and connect with Vancouver's music scene. In addition to providing an excellent opportunity to celebrate local talent, the series also features a curated playlist on Spotify, which allows listeners to enjoy the music of the featured artist in a convenient and accessible way. Finally, the series explores what's happening in the artist's world amid COVID-19, providing a unique and intimate perspective on the creative process.

Kanopy - Free TV & Movies with Your Library Card

Vancouver Public Library cardholders can access Kanopy, a streaming service that offers over 20,000 documentaries, classic, independent, and international films, including selections from the Criterion Collection and PBS.
  • Kanopy is a streaming service available to Vancouver Public Library cardholders
  • The service offers over 20,000 films, including documentaries, classic, independent, and international films
  • The selection includes movies from the Criterion Collection and PBS
To use Kanopy, Vancouver residents must create an account and have 7 play credits per month. Once a film is selected, it can be played as many times as desired within a three-day period.
  • Vancouver residents must create a Kanopy account to use the service
  • Each user is given 7 play credits per month
  • Once a film is selected, it can be played an unlimited number of times within a three-day period
Kanopy also features a Kids area with unlimited access to movies, TV shows, and animated picture books.
  • Kanopy has a dedicated Kids area
  • The Kids area features unlimited access to movies, TV shows, and animated picture books
During Covid-19, we suggest you call or email the programs below to ensure they are still running.

Free Movies at the Vancouver Public Library

When:  Monday-Friday
Time: Various
Where: Various libraries
Cost: Free
​
Film Screenings
​
We show a variety of popular feature films and documentaries that spark ideas and conversation. Our film selection is designed to appeal to a wide range of audiences.
In addition to the films themselves, we often pair them with exciting discussions from film critics, knowledgeable guests, and directors. These discussions provide an opportunity for audience members to join the conversation and engage with the content in a deeper way.

Join in!  Free Drop-in Community Choir
Together Singing

When:   Thursday evenings 
Time:    6:00pm-7:30pm
Where:  312 Main
Cost:      Free

EVERYONE DESERVES MUSIC:
​COME RAISE YOUR VOICE WITH US FOR A DOSE OF COLLECTIVE JOY!
​
  • Together Singing is a free, drop-in, non-auditioned community choir that invites all voices to join in singing.
  • The choir sings music from gospel, folk, popular, and contemporary traditions in an informal, fun, and playful setting.
  • The choir is comprised of welcoming people who live or work in the area, go to school at SFU, or come from around the city.
  • Together Singing began in 2009 and runs most Thursday evenings throughout the year.
  • There are usually 25 to 35 singers each week, and new singers are always welcome to join.
  • No experience or auditions are required to participate, and there is no cost or obligation to join.
  • Participants are welcome to come, listen, and drink a cup of tea.
  • Updates about the choir can be found on their Facebook page.
  • Participants are also welcome to come with a friend or make new ones.

Live Music Pay-What-You-Can in Gastown

When:  Dates vary; doors usually open at 8pm
Where: 1 Alexander Street, Gastown
Cost:  Pay-What-You-Can

Love live music but find the cover charges too much to afford?  Willing to queue early?  

​Guilt & Co. offers pay-what-you-can at their funky club in Gastown.  See below for upcoming bands.

Cineplex Saturday Morning $2.99 Movies

Every Saturday at 11am, at select cinemas in many cities you can see a specific movie for just $ 2.99.  

In Vancouver, that cinema is Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas (Address: 88 West Pender, 3rd Floor). Another easy-to-get-to location is the Cineplex Cinemas Metropolis in Burnaby (Address: 4700 Kingsway).

​See the dates and movies via the button below!

Free ​Friday Night at the Movies
When:  Monthly on Friday evenings 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
            6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Mount Pleasant Branch Library
             1 Kingsway                                             
Cost:     Free

Another exciting find...
Join us for Friday Night at the Movies on our big screen!

Frames of Mind - A Monthly Mental Health Film Series
Where:  Pacific Cinematheque Cinema
            1131 Howe Street at Helmcken
When:   3rd Wednesday of every month
Cost:     $11 adult; $9 student/senior
​The monthly mental health film series is a unique opportunity to watch interesting and relevant films about mental health issues, followed by a talk or panel discussion on the film and related issues in Vancouver.
  • The content of the series is highly informative and engaging.
  • The films are not necessarily low-cost, but they offer value for the price.
To learn more about the series, you can visit the link provided.
  • The website provides details on upcoming films, screening dates, and locations.
  • You can also find information on the topics and themes covered in the films.
To stay informed about future films and events, you can join their mailing list.
  • The mailing list is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest screenings and discussions.
  • You'll receive regular updates on upcoming events, including information on special guests and speakers.
By joining the mailing list, you can see if the monthly films are of interest to you and plan accordingly.

St. Andrews’s Wesley – Jazz Vespers

RE-OPENED POST-COVID

Location:
Note that during renovations, the location for Jazz Vespers is: 
  • First Baptist Church - 969 Burrard Street, Vancouver. (Formerly at St Andrew’s Wesley across the street.)
Date: Every Sunday, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
​
Where Jazz meets the Spirit! Spend an hour listening to the area's finest jazz musicians, plus a chance to reflect on life's mysteries and beauty through spoken word. Admission is free. 

See the link below to discover which musicians are playing each upcoming date.

Note:
Starting in May, through to the end of July, the church has opened its doors for a lunch-hour every Thursday from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Bring your lunch and enjoy! Updated details here.
Interesting links to consider:
Movie times in Vancouver