Food festivals and dining events happening in Vancouver this January

by Sharon Miki

Ready to kick off the new year with a delicious bang? Start 2018 in the tastiest way by digging into these January food festivals and dining events happening in Vancouver. [Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver/Vision Event Photography]

Sip your fill in support of local theatre at Tapped 2018. Presented by Fighting Chance Productions, a non-profit theatre company, this annual fundraiser brings together the best craft beer, wine and cider from local favourites like Parallel 49 Brewing Company, Lonetree, Whistler Brewing Company and more. Your ticket gets you unlimited pours for the night, so you can always have a beverage in hand while participating in the fun silent auction.

• When: Friday January 12th at 7 pm
• Where: Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews)
• Price: $40 for unlimited tastings

Canada’s largest gluten-free event is coming to Vancouver! Explore the latest and greatest products and ideas for a tasty gluten-free lifestyle at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The Gluten Free Expo brings together hundreds of gluten-free products – including beer, bread, cookies and other treats – along with chefs, dieticians and industry experts so you can shop, sample and learn.

• When: Saturday January 13th to Sunday January 14th
• Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East (999 Canada Place)
• Price: $12–$15 for a 1-day pass, $20–$25 for a weekend pass, free for children under 10

Embrace your inner foodie and try something new with Tourism Vancouver’s Dine Out Festival. Dine Out is Canada’s largest annual dining festival, and it takes place over 17 days in late January and early February. Over the course of the festival, hundreds of local eateries – from fine dining restaurants to family-friendly faves – offer multi-course dinner options at $20, $30 and $40 price points. Want to make the most of the experience? Many of the menus also offer options to add on curated pairings of craft beer or wine. The festival also offers a variety of events, tastings, classes, culinary tours, markets and more.

• When: Friday January 19th to Sunday February 4th
• Where: Almost 300 restaurants around Vancouver
• Price: Assorted three-or-more-course prix-fixe menus for $20, $30 or $40 per person

Raise your glass: it’s time for the annual Fraser Valley Distillery Festival. With more than twenty distilleries in attendance, the festival brings together the province’s best craft gins, vodkas, liqueurs, single malt whiskeys and more – alongside scrumptious bites – for an evening to remember. Need another reason to cheers? Proceeds from the festival go towards music education in the region.

• When: Friday January 26th at 7 pm
• Where: Chilliwack Cultural Centre (9201 Corbould Street, Chilliwack)
• Price: $45

Enjoy the traditional food and music of Scotland – and honour the country’s national bard – with a fun-filled evening in celebration of Robbie Burns. This six-year-strong event takes place in the Maillardville area of Coquitlam and starts with a Scottish-inspired supper followed by a lively concert from fiddler Rosie Carver and Celtic band Blackthorn. And, if you don’t get your fill with dinner, haggis will be served at the intermission.

• When: Saturday January 27th at 6 pm (concert starts at 7:30 pm)
• Where: Place De Arts (1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam)
• Price: $41 + GST for supper and concert