‘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 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. One of the goals of this musical theatre event is to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and raise awareness for a drug called Trikafta which is currently not approved for cystic fibrosis patients with rare mutations. At the event, 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 22 to 25, 2024 • Ignite Theatre presents Willy Wonka May 22 to 25 at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. The actors are all students in Grades 5 to 12 from Chilliwack and Abbotsford. Show times are 7 p.m. each night, with a 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday, May 25. Tickets are $27 for adults and $22 for students/seniors. They are available at ignitetheatre.ca and at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre box office.
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 • The inaugural Chillith Fair, presented by Chillsounds, is set for Friday, May 31 at the Vineyard Centre at 7 p.m. The all-women fundraiser concert will feature performances by Aorangi (Ariana Smith), Desiree Walde, and trio Brittany Sovereign, Alexis Beer, and Katrina Barson. This is a 19+ show and tickets are $20 and available at eventcreate.com/e/chillith. This event will raise money for Wilma’s Transition Society.
May 31, 2024 • The Tayos band tour fundraiser concert is taking place at Bricklayer Brewing (101-46126 Yale Rd.) on Friday, May 31 from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. This concert will raise money to help the band take their show on the road. Tickets $17.31 and available online.
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.
May 31 to June 2, 2024 • Yarrow Days returns for three days of entertainment and activities from May 31 to June 2. The weekend includes a farm market, parade, fun run, pancake breakfast, live music, a show and shine, brunch, church service and more. For more info, go to yarrowcommunity.com/yarrow-days-2.
June 1, 2024 • The 26th annual Gwynne Vaughan Park Plant Sale is on Saturday, June 1 at 46181 Hope River Rd. Head over to Gwynne Vaughan Park where there will be more than 30 vendors selling everything from plants and seeds to art and ornaments. There will also be food, a silent auction and live music. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more, go to gwynnevaughanpark.ca/plant-sale.
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 1, 2024 • Celebrate National Lawn Bowls Day during an open house at the Chilliwack Lawn Bowling Club on June 1. All ages are welcome to come for an introduction to this fun summer game. Free lessons and bowls are available for newcomers. The open house is at 9350 Edward St. and goes from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more, go to chilliwacklawnbowlingclub.com.
June 1, 2024 • Amethyst Books and Essence presents ‘Greetings from the Spirit Realm’ on Saturday, June 1 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 8989 Young Rd. Join empowerment medium Tara Diana as she invites participants’ loved ones, guides and helpers to come through and provide meaningful messages of encouragement, healing and enlightenment. Please note that this evening is considered a group demonstration and not everyone is guaranteed a message. Tickets $42 and must be purchased in advance. For more, call 604-792-3730.
June 7, 2024 • The inaugural Anonymous Art Show fundraiser for the Chilliwack Community Arts Council is on June 7 at three locations on Mill Street: Cornerstone Custom Picture Framing, Flashback Brewing and Harvest Café. More than 125 local artists have anonymously painted eight-inch-by-eight-inch canvases that will be on display that night and for sale as part of a three-hour silent auction from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door, or online.
June 7, 2024 • The Steller’s Jay Lions Club is having a Spring Dinner and Dance fundraiser on Friday, June 7 at Mt. Cheam Hall (45580 Spadina Ave.). There will be a silent auction and a dessert raffle. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 and available by contacting Carol Gillette at 604-858-5716 or text/call 604-793-3209. All proceeds will benefit Heather’s Hope Chest.
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 14 to 16, 2024 • The Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven is holding its first ever online silent auction, starting on Friday, June 14 at 9 a.m., June 14. It’s a 48 hour auction, ending at 9 a.m. on June 16. The Lower Mainland community has provided more than $20,000 worth of items to bid on. Check out the auction at: auctria.events/chilliwackanimalsafehaven. Bidders must register online in order to participate. All proceeds will go to ensuring the Safe Haven can continue looking after as many cats and kittens as possible by paying for vet bills (such as for spaying and neutering), and supplies like cat boxes, toys, dishes and food.
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.
Sept. 13, 2024 to June 2025 • The Chilliwack Rhythm Reelers, a non-profit modern social square dance group, are starting beginner classes on Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at Atchelitz Hall. Classes take place every Friday from September 2024 to June 2025. The lessons are filled with fun, fitness and friendly people. Having a partner is not necessary. The group is made up of a diverse age range of dancers. Teens are welcome, but they must be accompanied by an adult.
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 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 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.