Vancouver surprises: a seal made itself comfortable on a ship’s rudder, the city is gearing up for long-weekend festivals, and police dealt a blow to drug trafficking on Vancouver Island.
Lazy seal: a sea lion made a haul-out on the rudder of a giant ship in Vancouver
Vancouver’s coastal waters are home to many marine creatures, but sometimes they deliver surprises that even seasoned mariners find astonishing. That’s what happened earlier this week in English Bay, where a local resident witnessed an unusual and somewhat amusing scene.
West Vancouver resident David Raglin, who works as a ship agent and commutes daily by launch between vessels at anchor in Vancouver harbour, has seen plenty of interesting sights. He says whales and dolphins are not uncommon here. But on Monday he and his colleagues spotted something unique: a seal lounging in apparent total comfort on the rudder of a large cargo ship at anchor. Raglin had just stepped onto the launch from a grain carrier when the launch captain pointed out the unusual “stowaway.” The flippered visitor was calmly resting on a metal structure rising out of the water and, judging by appearances, seemed entirely unbothered by the attention of people watching and photographing it. As noted in a Castanet report, Raglin admitted he has no idea how or why the seal climbed onto the ship’s rudder. One can only guess whether it was a strategic move for a better vantage point, a search for a secluded resting spot, or simply a caprice of a marine mammal. For context: a rudder is a flat or profiled plate, usually located at the stern of a vessel below the waterline. Turning it controls the ship’s direction. Finding a comfortable place to lie on it is no easy task. This amusing encounter reminds us that wildlife sometimes intersects with human activity in the most unexpected ways, producing moments that are at once endearing and thought‑provoking. Such incidents also underscore the importance of maintaining a clean and safe marine environment in busy ports like Vancouver, where wild animals continue to live alongside industrial giants.
What to do in Vancouver over the long weekend: from LunarFest to Olympic celebrations
Vancouverites and visitors have a packed schedule for the long weekend from Feb. 13–16, 2026, which coincides with Family Day and Valentine’s Day. The city is offering dozens of events to suit every taste: from large cultural festivals and fan expos to intimate romantic concerts and active family outings. It’s a great time to explore the city, enjoy the arts and soak up the festive atmosphere.
One of the centerpiece events will be LunarFest Vancouver, celebrating Lunar New Year. The festival runs from Feb. 14 to 28. Attendees can expect concerts, craft workshops, storytelling and quizzes. A key feature will be the return of the “City of Lanterns” with impressive totemic light installations by well-known artists. These will be on display at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square, Pendulum Gallery, Granville Island, Robson Street and the Bentall Centre. The festival will culminate with a large concert at the Orpheum Theatre on Feb. 24 featuring Taiwan’s Fooderlon Theater and local musicians. Details and the full festival schedule are available on Daily Hive.
Pop-culture fans will flock to Vancouver Fan Expo, taking place Feb. 14–16 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The event is expected to draw thousands. The star cast includes legendary Lord of the Rings actors: Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan. Tom Welling and Kristin Kreuk (Smallville), Ron Perlman (Hellboy) and many others will also attend. A special highlight will be a historic reunion of the Twilight saga cast. It’s a rare chance for fans to meet icons and dive into the worlds of comics, sci‑fi and horror.
A romantic note will be added by Moonstruck Valentine at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre on the evening of Feb. 14. This unusual starlit date night will offer live music, signature cocktails, snacks, immersive planetarium shows, tarot readings and a photo booth. For lovers of classical music, Christ Church Cathedral will host Candlelight: Classical Romance on Feb. 13, featuring works by Puccini, Tchaikovsky and Debussy by candlelight.
The city’s cultural scene will remain lively. The Cultch is presenting the Warrior Festival through late March, focused on works by women and gender‑nonconforming artists — six productions exploring strength and humor. Just For Laughs Vancouver will celebrate its 10th anniversary from Feb. 12–22. Western Canada’s largest comedy festival will feature performances by James Acaster (The Gazer, Ghostbusters: Frozen Fright), improv from Dropout and stand‑up from Phil Rosenthal (Eat Phil). Local comedians are also staging Valentine’s Day shows, such as the Vancougar Comedy duo at the Hollywood Theatre, which humorously tackles dating after 40.
Family Day, observed Monday Feb. 16, offers many free and low‑cost activities. Grouse Mountain is offering free mountain access and lift rides for children 12 and under throughout the weekend. The schedule includes workshops, owl talks, scavenger hunts, family snowshoe walks, fireworks on Saturday and Sunday, and pancake breakfasts. Britannia Shipyards in Steveston will hold free family Lunar New Year workshops. Surrey Civic Plaza will debut a 4,000 sq. ft. outdoor skating rink, potentially starting a new city tradition. Free admission is also available for open comedy and storytelling classes at Queen Elizabeth Theatre and for an open house at Historic Stewart Farm in Surrey.
Weekend music events offer variety. In Abbotsford on Feb. 15, the Lost In Dreams electronic music festival debuts with headliner ILLENIUM, known for future bass and melodic house. In Vancouver, Music on Main will host the Big Bang Festival for kids age five and up — a day of musical adventures with interactive activities. In Whistler, the Winter Music Series continues with DJs Chris Lorenzo and Eli Brown, adding to the après‑ski vibe.
Sports fans are invited to celebrate winter sports and Olympic legacy at Jack Poole Plaza on Feb. 15–16. Visitors can try curling and hockey under the guidance of Curling Canada and Hockey Canada, and watch live broadcasts of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. Pro sports fans can cheer on the Abbotsford Canucks in American Hockey League matchups against the Ontario Reign on Feb. 14 and 16.
For those wanting to explore the city, the annual Love Your City contest, organized by business associations, encourages participants to fall in love with Vancouver again by visiting local small businesses and neighbourhoods. The grand prize is a Vancouver goods package worth more than $4,000. For an unusual date night, take an evening curator tour and drag show at the Vancouver Maritime Museum on Feb. 13.
This long weekend in Vancouver shows how the city blends large international events with intimate local initiatives, creating a unique atmosphere for residents and tourists alike. From celebrating cultural diversity at LunarFest to supporting local businesses through Love Your City, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Major blow to drug trafficking: drugs and cash seized on Vancouver Island
Police operations on Vancouver Island have achieved significant success in the fight against organized crime. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit — British Columbia (CFSEU‑BC) announced the seizure of a large quantity of drugs and cash, dealing a tangible blow to local drug trafficking channels.
During an investigation led by CFSEU‑BC, law enforcement seized a substantial amount of illicit substances and money on Vancouver Island. As reported by CTV News, the operation targeted organized crime groups controlling the drug trade in the region. While exact seizure figures were not specified in that report, such operations typically result in the confiscation of dangerous substances like fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, which are major drivers of the overdose crisis in Canada. CFSEU‑BC is a specialized police unit combining officers from the RCMP and municipal police services that focuses on investigating criminal organizations and gangs. Their work is critical in British Columbia, where overdose deaths remain extremely high due to the prevalence of potent synthetic opioids. Every successful seizure not only reduces the street supply of drugs but also yields intelligence for further arrests and disruption of criminal financial flows. Cash seizures are particularly important because they deprive gangs of resources for expansion, corruption and violence. This case on Vancouver Island highlights the relentless and challenging work of law enforcement amid a complex public‑health crisis tied to substance use.
