Rugby Sevens and other things to do in Vancouver this weekend

Canada supporters react after Canada's loss to Samoa during World Rugby Sevens Series action in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, March 9, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms

Believe it or not, the last weekend of February has arrived, bringing with it Vancouver’s annual rugby sevens tournament, Fan Expo, a film festival and more. Here are some events to check out.

HSBC SVNS Vancouver

The 2025 edition of HSBC SVNS Vancouver is the tournament’s 10th at BC Place. Fans are encouraged to come in costume to what organizers call “the best party in town.”

Two dozen teams will compete in two tournaments – men’s and women’s – over three days from Friday through Sunday. Canada’s women’s team, which took home the silver medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, will play matches on all three days.

The Canadian men’s team, which is not part of the main HSBC SVNS tournament, will take part in an invitational round robin tournament happening in parallel to the main event, with matches in Friday and Saturday.

Schedule and ticket information can be found on the Vancouver Sevens website.

Fan Expo

This weekend also marks the return of Fan Expo Vancouver, which is taking place at the west building of the Vancouver Convention Centre Friday through Sunday.

“If you’re into comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming, or cosplay, come share our playground,” organizers say on the Fan Expo website.

Celebrity guests, photo opportunities and signings, panels and performances are all scheduled throughout the weekend. The full schedule and ticket information can be found online.

Mountain film festival

The 28th annual Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival begins Friday and runs through March 4 at venues around Vancouver and Squamish, and it continues online through March 23.

A total of 20 in-person shows featuring films and guest speakers are scheduled, along with workshops on filmmaking and outdoor skills.

For more information visit the VIMFF website.

VMO spring concert

The Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra will host its spring concert on Saturday at the Orpheum Theatre.

Featuring performances of Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 80 and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, the show will begin with a “pre-concert talk” at 7 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased through the VMO website.

Canvas of Light and Sound

Head to Notional Space at 1523 E. Pender St. on Saturday night for "The Canvas of Light and Sound."

Described by organizers as “an immersive, multi-sensory experience,” the event features live music, live painting, digital projections and a tea ceremony.

Doors open at 7 p.m., with the “experience” commencing at 7:30. Guests are invited to “arrive early or stay after to connect with artists and fellow attendees.”

Nuxalk Strong: Dancing Down the Eyelashes of the Sun

The Museum of Anthropology at UBC will open the world’s first ever dedicated exhibition of the Nuxalk Nation on Friday.

Co-curated by Snxakila–Clyde Tallio, the nation’s director of culture and language, and Jennifer Kramer, MOA’s Pacific Northwest curator, "Nuxalk Strong: Dancing Down the Eyelashes of the Sun" brings together more than 60 historic treasures from the MOA collections, other museums and private and family collections.

The exhibition will remain in place through Jan. 5, 2026.

• Read more: World-first exhibition dedicated to B.C.’s Nuxalk Nation to open at the Museum of Anthropology

RunGo Dash for Dogs

The 11th Dash for Dogs fundraiser for B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs will be held in Stanley Park on Sunday, with the first run starting at 9:30 a.m.

Over the years, the event – which features 2K, 5K, and 10K courses – has raised more than $175,000 to benefit the organization.

Registration closes Friday and there will be no race-day registrations, according to organizers. More information can be found on the event’s website.