Things to do in Vancouver this weekend as spring break begins

Vancouver's Canada Place is seen in spring 2019. (Pete Cline / CTV News Vancouver)

A home and garden show, a board game convention and an early St. Patrick’s Day celebration highlight this weekend’s festivities in Metro Vancouver. Here’s what’s happening.

BC Home and Garden Show

The BC Home and Garden Show has taken over the west building of the Vancouver Convention Centre this weekend, with more than 400 booths showcasing home-related products and services.

The event also features multiple daily presentations across two stages, one of them dedicated to cooking demonstrations.

The show opened Thursday at 11 a.m. and will be open daily at that hour through Sunday. It runs until 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and closes at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Ticket information is available on the show’s website, along with a list of exhibitors and schedules for both stages.

Terminal City Tabletop Convention

Also at the convention centre this weekend is Terminal City Tabletop Convention, which organizers say is “Canada’s largest tabletop game convention.”

Featuring a board game library of more than 700 games, a room for role-playing games, scheduled and free play sessions, a marketplace and more, the convention welcomes both seasoned players and those new to the hobby.

The venue is open from 9 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, though the exhibitor hall and bistro have more limited hours. Visit the TCTC website for more information.

CelticFest Vancouver

A series of concerts, performances and events celebrating Irish culture is scheduled for this weekend at various venues across the city.

CelticFest Vancouver begins Friday night with Ceilidh at the Helenic Centre, and continues with performances at Christ Church Cathedral, the Hollywood Theatre and the Rio Theatre on Saturday.

On Sunday, CelticFest takes over šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, the north plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery, promising “music and Irish dancing, face painting, bouncy castles, (a) Celtic market and more.”

Hoppy Heights

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park’s Easter-season event "Hoppy Heights" begins Saturday.

Featuring special Easter-themed activities, foods and photo opportunities, the celebration coincides with the start of spring break for most B.C. school districts, and continues through April 6.

Hoppy Heights offerings are included in the cost of park admission.

At the theatre

A variety of one-time and ongoing performances are happening around Vancouver this weekend. Follow the links for more information about each one.

• Arts Club Theatre presents: Franklinland: Thursday through April 5 at the Lindsay Family Stage, 1585 Johnston St. on Granville Island
• The Chan Centre presents: Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita SUBA Trio: Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Telus Studio Theatre, 6265 Crescent Rd. at UBC
• Ame Henderson Projects plus Provincija: Friday and Saturday at Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St. in Vancouver
• Morgan Jay - The Goofy Guy Tour: Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton St. in Vancouver

For the sports fans

The Canucks, Whitecaps and Goldeneyes all have home games this weekend, as do the minor league clubs.

The Goldeneyes get things started at noon on Saturday when they host the Ottawa Charge at the Pacific Coliseum.

The Canucks take on the Seattle Kraken at Rogers Arena at 7 p.m. that night, and the Whitecaps host Minnesota United FC at B.C. Place on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

The Vancouver Giants host the Victoria Royals on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Langley Events Centre, while the Abbotsford Canucks have back-to-back games against the Henderson Silver Knights at 7 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.