‘What’s happening Chilliwack’ is a list of some of the many community events taking place in Chilliwack. To get your event added to this list at no charge, email jenna.hauck@theprogress.com or call 604-702-5576. This list is updated regularly.
UPCOMING EVENTS (see current and ongoing events further down):
May 10, 2024 • Thrifty Boutique hosts the annual Fashionista Fashion Show in support of Chilliwack Hospice Society on Friday, May 10 at Evergreen Hall. The event starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 and available in-store at the Thrifty Boutique located at #101-7955 Evans Rd.
May 10 to 12, 2024 • The B.C. Rock and Gem Show is at Chilliwack Heritage Park May 10 to 12. The theme is ‘Treasures of the Earth: Gold, Silver and Copper Explored.’ The show, presented by the B.C. Lapidary Society, features door prizes, dealers, demonstrators, club exhibits, displays, gold panning, grab bags and more. Hours are: Friday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, and $2 for children aged six to 17. Admission is free for kids five and under. A three-day pass is $12.
May 10, 2024 • Sansei: The Storyteller is coming to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on May 10 at 7:30 p.m. Artist Kunji Ikeda uses dance, theatre, and humour to give a light-hearted look at the Japanese Internment of the Second World War. Tickets are $32 with discounts for those in the Patron Programs, and can be purchased at the Centre Box Office, online at chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, or by calling 604-391-SHOW(7469).
May 10, 2024 • Award-winning soul-and-blues artist Miss Emily is at Bozzini’s on Friday, May 10 for two shows: 6 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.), and 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.). Tickets are $29.50 at Bozzini’s or call 604-792-0744.
May 11, 2024 • The City of Chilliwack’s annual Spring City-Wide Garage Sale is on Saturday, May 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Register online at chilliwack.com. Those who sign up by May 5 will be included in the online listing.
May 11, 2024 • The Chilliwack Chess Club is hosting its ninth annual Stan Rogers Tournament, an annual Chess Federation of Canada event, on Saturday, May 11. This tournament is open to people from beginner to grand master. Email ChilliwackChess@gmail.com for more details.
May 12, 2024 • The Steller’s Jay Lions Club is hosting a Mother’s Day pancake breakfast at the Mt. Cheam Lions Club Hall (45580 Spadina Ave.) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is a by-donation event. There are also door prizes.
May 12, 2024 • The Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation and Chilliwack General Hospital are hosting the annual Run For Mom on Mother’s Day. The five-kilometre run/walk is put on to raise funds for the maternity department in support of mothers and babies and will take place on Sunday, May 12 at 9 a.m.
May 12, 2024 • Philomusica Chorus will be presenting a Mother’s Day concert on Sunday, May 12. They will entertain with golden oldies, as well as choruses from some of the best known Broadway musicals. The concert is at St. Thomas Anglican Church at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the Cultural Centre Box Office, by calling 604-391-7469, or online.
May 15, 2024 • The Chilliwack Early Years Fair, for kids up to age five, returns to the Sardis Library on Wednesday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will have free activities, free food, free transportation from two Chilliwack schools, connections to local resources for families, and more. Activities include singing, art, a scavenger hunt, outdoor play, story time, plus bannock tacos. Families with children ages 0-5 can register online.
May 16 • Dino-Light by Lightwire, an all-ages show of featuring puppetry, visual effects, and choreography, is coming to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on May 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $32 for adults, $28 for seniors and $20 for youth, and can be purchased at the Centre Box Office, online at chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, or by calling 604-391-SHOW(7469).
May 17, 2024 • The Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra presents its Piano Extravaganza on Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. The concert features 28 piano students, include five from Chilliwack. Tickets available at chilliwacksymphony.com.
May 18 and 19, 2024 • The Atchelitz Threshermen’s Association is hosting its annual Small Engine Show on May 18 and 19 at their historic farming site (44146 Luckakuck Way) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Small engines will be running throughout the grounds and most buildings will be open for viewing. Check out the museum and the engine in the back of the Canora building. There will also be a pancake breakfast until 11 a.m., burgers, fries, and more will be available at Gramma’s Grill.
May 18, 2024 • ‘When You Believe: A Cystic Fibrosis Musical Fundraiser’ will be at Evergreen Hall on Saturday, May 18 at 7 p.m. This musical theatre event will raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. There will also be a silent auction, cash bar, and more. Doors open at 6 p.m.
May 21, 2024 to Oct. 8, 2024 • Coast Valley Markets presents Market at the Coliseum every Tuesday starting on May 21, and running until Oct. 8. There will be food trucks, produce, artisans and music and it’s at 45323 Hodgins Ave. from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Tuesday. For more, go to coastvalleymarkets.com.
May 23, 2024 • Chilliwack High School’s class of ’59 will be celebrating its 65th reunion at the Broadway Church gymnasium (46611 Maple Ave.) on Thursday, May 23. Classmates are encouraged to bring their spouse, caregiver, friend or companion. Schedule: 12:30 p.m. arrival and welcome; 1 p.m. hot catered lunch will be served; 2:30 p.m. entertainment including Elvis impersonator Steve Elliott; 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. time for visiting. The cost is $50 per person. This will be the last organized reunion for the class of ’59. It will be an opportunity for classmates to enjoy a luncheon, visit with friends, and reminisce about all the good times spent together at CHS. Organizers are calling it “The Last Hurrah for CHS - Class of ’59”. For tickets and more details phone Gail Williamson (nee Reich) at 604-791-3022.
May 24, 2024 • The Maybelles present Spring Fling on Friday, May 24 at G.W. Graham Middle Secondary School. Join the four-piece Chilliwack girl group for a soulful night of music as they celebrate the greatest hits of the ’60s and ’70s. This event will feature special guests from G.W. Graham’s theatre and music programs. The show is at 7 p.m. and tickets are $18/adults and $12/students. For more info, and to buy tickets, go to www.maybellesmusic.ca.
May 24 and 25, 2024 • Spring floral art show Enchanted Spring: A Tribute to Mother Nature by the Floral Artists of the Fraser Valley is at Cottonwood Centre on Friday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The show will be set up at the east end of the mall in the corridor west of Save-On-Foods.
May 25, 2024 • Frank Talaber, a local multi-genre, multi-published author, is having a book signing event at Dicken’s Sweets and Vintage Market (45945 Alexander Ave.) on Saturday, May 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. He’ll have his newest released novel, Autumn’s Summer with him and it will be available for $20. Talaber’s other novels will also be available to buy.
May 26, 2024 • Eagles tribute band ‘Eagle Eyes’ performs on Sunday, May 26 at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at the Centre Box Office, online at chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, or by calling 604-391-SHOW(7469).
May 26, 2024 • The Wackdis Cup charity ball hockey tournament to raise money for the Starfish Pack program is Sunday, May 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the outdoor tennis courts at Chilliwack Secondary School. Anyone wanting to help out with the event by volunteering, sponsoring, or wanting to take over organizing the tournament can contact Devin Baker at devinbaker1313@gmail.com or call 778-347-4413.
May 31, 2024 • Canadian charity Inasmuch presents an evening of inspiration called ‘Journey to Hope’ on Friday, May 31 at Chilliwack Alliance Church from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more info, or to reserve a free ticket, go to inasmuch.ca/journey-to-hope.
June 1, 2024 • The Chilliwack Spinners and Weavers Guild is having a 50th anniversary open house at their headquarters (9400 College St.) on Saturday, June 1 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This takes place at the same time as their exhibition Woven Together, which runs until June 8 at the Chilliwack Museum.
June 9, 2024 • The Fraser Valley Classic Car Show is back in Chilliwack on Sunday, June 9 on the scenic grounds of the University of the Fraser Valley and Canada Education Park. There will also be food trucks and entertainment as well as craft displays. The event raises funds for the Chilliwack General Hospital. Admission is free and parking is by donation. For more information, go to FVCCS.ca.
June 15, 2024 • The annual Ryder Lake Ramble is set for June 15. The ramble is a self-guided tour of farms and gardens in Ryder Lake, an historic farming community on the outskirts of Chilliwack nestled in the shadow of Elk Mountain. Check out ryderlakeramble.ca for more info closer to the date.
July 7, 2024 • Maryland’s Justin Lev, who performs as Eli Lev will be performing in Chilliwack on July 7 at Bricklayer Brewing starting at 4 p.m.
Aug. 15 to Aug. 17, 2024 • The annual Chilliwack Mural Festival returns to the downtown core from Thursday, Aug. 15 to Saturday, Aug. 17. The event will include guided tours, live music, and vendors. For more, go to chilliwackmuralfestival.com.
Oct. 5, 2024 • Brewhalla Chilliwack returns to Watson Glen Park, on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The beer festival includes live entertainment, more than 25 craft beverages available to sample, food trucks and lawn games. For more, go to brewhalla.ca/festivals/chilliwack-2024.
CURRENT EVENTS:
Now to May 12, 2024 • A health fair by New You Life Style runs May 5 to 12 in the gym at Chilliwack Adventist Christian School (46024 Riverside Dr.). Hours: May 5 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and May 6-10 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Topics on May 6-10 include: diabetes, cancer, diet, and more. This is a free event; RSVP by texting 604-751-4550 or by emailing team@newyoulifestyle.ca. The health fair ends with a plant-based cooking class ($20 per person) on May 12 at 2 p.m. For more, go to newyoulifestyle.ca.
Now to mid-May, 2024 • The Botanica Tulip Festival in Chilliwack runs from April 12 until the middle of May. This year’s festival will include 1.5 million bulbs and 59 unique varieties of tulips, plus a Ferris wheel and the iconic pink ‘Pick-A-Part’ car. The fields are located at 41310 Royalwood Dr. and daily hours are 5 a.m. to dusk. The festival is pet-friendly. For more info, and to buy tickets or season passes, go to botanicaflowerfestival.com
Now to May 25, 2024 • ART33, a high school art show, runs April 24 to May 25 at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. Admission is free. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., and on some evenings during performance nights at the centre.
Now to May 31, 2024 • Praxis Learning International is seeking hosts to welcome international students aged nine to 14 for two-week stays during their summer camps. The dates of the camps are: June 30 to July 13, July 16-29, and July 29 to Aug. 12. Hosts need to sign up by May 31. Contact Julia Brotherston, host family co-ordinator with Praxis Learning International, at 604-316-7225 or brotherstonjulia@gmail.com. For more, go to praxislearninginternational.com/homestay.
Now to May 2024 • The Chilliwack Rhythm Reelers is offering square dancing and round dancing classes until May 2024, and the first three classes are free. The classes will take place every Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Atchelitz Hall on Lickman Road. Classes are open to people of all ages from five years old and older. After the first three free classes, cost is $8 for adults and $6 for teens. For more info, email Michelle at bcbubbles68@gmail.com or call 604-997-8548. People can drop-in, or call/email ahead.
Now to June 5, 2024 • Chat-R (Reconciliation) is a series of online chats hosted by UFV and running from Jan. 3 to June 5. People are invited to chat online about reconciliation, decolonization, Indigenization, or anything associated with reconciliation. Sessions are scheduled via Zoom for the first Wednesday of the month from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. with a different topic each week. Schedule: Jan. 3 – Ribbon Skirt Day – What does it mean and why should I know? Feb. 7 – Truths vs. Realities of Indigenous Peoples. March 6 – Systemic Racism: What can I do? April 3 – Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples/BC and Canada. May 1 – Murdered and Missing Indigenous Woman and Girls/Moosehide Campaign. June 5 – National Indigenous Peoples Day – How can I get involved? For more info and to register, go to events.ufv.ca/tlc/events/chat-r-reconciliation-5.
Now to June 7, 2024 • The inaugural Anonymous Art Show fundraiser for the Chilliwack Community Arts Council runs March 15 to June 7. The call for entry window is March 15 to May 15 and the show and auction night is June 7 at Cornerstone Custom Picture Framing. For more, read this story online.
Now to June 8, 2024 • Woven Together, an exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of the Chilliwack Spinners and Weavers Guild runs Thursday, Feb. 29 to Saturday, June 8 at the Chilliwack Museum (45820 Spadina Ave.). The museum is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors/students, $3 for youth (age 13-17), and free for children age 12 and under. Admission is free for everyone on Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Now to June 8, 2024 • Our Journey for Inclusion: 70 Years of Innovation, an exhibition highlighting the history of inclusion for people with developmental disabilities, is on display at the Chilliwack Museum from Jan. 25 to June 8. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors/students, $3 for youth (age 13-17), and free for children age 12 and under. Admission is free for everyone on Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
ONGOING EVENTS:
The Chilliwack Chess Club meets twice a week where chess aficionados can connect, learn, and engage in friendly matches. It is open to everyone from beginners to grand masters. They meet Fridays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Starbucks across from Real Canadian Superstore (45750 Luckakuck Way) and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Salvation Army Church on Brooks Avenue.
First Saturday of each month • Very Very Improv Theatre, a professional company based in the Fraser Valley, has monthly performances at CoWork Chilliwack. Scott Campbell is leading a company of talented improvisers from across the Lower Mainland including Chilliwack-based comedian Cliff Prang. The shows happen on the first Saturday of every month at CoWork Chilliwack. Tickets for all performances are available at veryveryimprov.ca/tickets.
Every Tuesday night • Corky’s Irish Pub wants you to come be a rock star as they host karaoke every Tuesday night.
Every Wednesday morning • TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 1303 Chilliwack meets Wednesday mornings at the Fairfield Scouts Hall (47130 Hope River Rd.). Weigh in is at 8:15 a.m. followed by a meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. For information call 604-316-5202 or e-mail alees45@hotmail.com.