Mood Swing (January 22, 2026)
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Catch the western canada premierE of Everything Has Disappeared at the push festival for international performing arts. image courtesy of push festival.
We all know too well that Vancouver is an expensive city. That’s why it’s a crucial part of Mood Swing for all the events I feature be affordable — so you can spend your hard-earned cash on the things that matter, like rent, groceries and Sonny Angels. I strive to show that you don’t have to shell out the big bucks to have fun, meet new people and unleash your creativity.
This week’s list features five events where you can do just that, with community ticket options, free entry or a guilt-free price tag. Putting on events like these obviously takes time and resources, but dedicating that energy to making our city more accessible, vibrant and artistic (like I aspire to by writing this list each week for you dear readers) — now that’s priceless.
If you’re feeling inspired, make sure to subscribe to the Mood Swing newsletter to get my list of low-cost arts and culture events straight to your inbox every Thursday!
PUSH FESTIVAL ☆ The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival returns with a stacked program of fresh, fearless and fantastical performances from around the world. With free community tickets and discount passes for youth 24 and under, don’t miss your chance to catch a world-class, genre-bending act before the fest ends Feb. 8!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 ☆ VARIOUS LOCATIONS ☆ TICKETS
QUEER ART SHOW ☆ Catch the opening of SUM gallery’s first exhibition of the year this Thursday, Jan. 22, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Gender Mutual displays work from six trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming artists whose work explores living beyond and reimagining the gender binary. If you can’t make the opening, the exhibition will be on display until Feb. 27.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 ☆ SUM GALLERY, 268 KEEFER ST ☆ FREE!
LITTLE WEIRD WEEKEND ☆ Comedy venue powerhouse Little Mountain Gallery is hosting a full lineup of new and experimental shows this weekend as part of their annual Weird Little Weekend festival! Each show breaks traditional concepts to offer something totally unique, like an improvised Boy Band reality show or a try-not-to-laugh challenge where the winner claims a $200 prize!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 - SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 ☆ LITTLE MOUNTAIN GALLERY ☆ TICKETS ($15+)
CAFE CRAFT SOCIAL ☆ Fellow Vancouver event aggregator hotmothertruckers is hosting a cafe and craft social this Sunday, Jan. 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Forecast Coffee on Main. Meet new friends, sip a warm drink and make some 2026 punch cards — all supplies provided!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 1PM - 4PM ☆ FORECAST COFFEE, 2980 MAIN ST ☆ FREE! (RSVP)
CLAY CLUB ☆ I featured this affordable drop-in clay club on one of my first lists last year, but it’s since rebranded to Pomelo Pottery Club and added an extra night every week. Swing by Slice of Life every Monday and Thursday night to play with 2 pounds of clay for only $20! All pieces are fired for you and you can return within 3 weeks to glaze on the perfect design before taking your masterpiece home.
EVERY MONDAY AND THURSDAY ☆ SLICE OF LIFE, 1636 VENABLES ST ☆ TICKETS ($20)
