From a downtown writers’ talk to a Richmond pirate-themed run and tower rappelling fundraiser, Vancouverites have several scheduled events to choose from this week.
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September programming in Vancouver is in full swing even as many summer traditions wind down, with multiple ticketed performances and community events slated between Sept. 15 and Sept. 20. While some previously promoted activities may have already filled up, the week’s lineup still includes concert dates, a high-profile literary conversation, and outdoor events that draw crowds from across Metro Vancouver.
Jose González, the Swedish folk singer touring after the release of his sixth studio album, Against the Dying of the Light, is scheduled to perform in Vancouver on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The show begins at 8 p.m. at The Orpheum Theatre, located at 601 Smithe St., in downtown Vancouver. Tickets start at $57 through Ticketmaster.
González is described as being known for original songs such as “Step Out” and “Stay Alive,” both of which appeared in the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. The week’s listing also notes that his well-known covers include “Teardrop” (originally by Massive Attack) and “Heartbeats” (originally by Knife), offering context for why his touring set appeals to listeners who connect with both original material and reinterpretations.
On Wednesday, Sept. 16, a major literary appearance brings Colson Whitehead to Vancouver as part of the lead-in to the 2026 Vancouver Writers Fest. Whitehead, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, is set to speak in conversation with local writer William Johnson. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Djavad Mowafaghan Cinema in the SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts at 149 W Hastings St.
The scheduled conversation is tied to Whitehead’s recent and past work, including The Nickel Boys, which was adapted into a film in 2024 and later nominated for two Oscars, including Best Adapted Screenplay. The listing also points to Cool Machine, Whitehead’s most recent novel, released this summer, and frames it as the final book in a trio of Harlem-set novels. It adds that Apple TV is developing a TV series based on the three books.
For those looking for a spectacle in the middle of the work week, “Drop Zone” is set for Thursday, Sept. 17, with a rappelling challenge planned on a downtown high-rise. While the chance to actually climb down 25 stories on the side of the Guinness Office Tower has already passed, the event still provides a way for the public to watch. The rappel is scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 1055 West Hastings St. in Vancouver.
The fundraiser is presented as supporting Easter Seals, which helps children with disabilities and their families. The listing notes that there is no cost to watch, which may make the tower-based activity a straightforward option for people who want an event they can view during a lunch break or after work without purchasing tickets.
The week’s calendar also includes “Come Toward The Fire,” described as an annual, award-winning festival focused on Indigenous culture in multiple forms. The program expands to three days this year, with each day featuring different programming elements, including concerts, hands-on workshops, and live mural painting. The festival runs from Friday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 20 at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd.
According to the schedule description, the three-day structure includes a day focused on knowledge sharing (Friday), a broader festival day (Saturday), and a closing concert (Sunday). Costs are described as varying, with some parts listed as free, which may be relevant for attendees deciding how much of the festival they plan to attend.
Rounding out the outdoor options, The Big Pirate Run is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 19, offering multiple distances, including a half-marathon. The listing emphasizes a costume component, noting prizes for the best costumes, and describes participants as showing up in pirate-themed attire along the West Dyke in Richmond.
Registration details in the listing indicate check-in at 8 a.m., with the event based at Garry Point Park, 12011 Seventh Ave., in Richmond. The cost is described as dependent on which run distance participants choose, and the event is presented as a mix of entertainment and community participation that draws spectators as well as runners, given the costume focus.
Together, the lineup offers a practical range of plans for Vancouver-area residents this week: a weekday theatre concert downtown on Sept. 15, a prominent writers’ conversation at SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts on Sept. 16, a free-to-watch tower rappelling fundraiser on Sept. 17, a three-day Indigenous culture festival at the Chan Centre from Sept. 18 to 20, and a Richmond running event built around a pirate theme on Sept. 19. For readers selecting what to attend, the shared pattern is that venues and start times are clearly set across the week, allowing attendees to choose between indoor ticketed events and public-facing activities that fit around work and commuting schedules.
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