The PuSh Festival is a performing arts festival that showcases local, Canadian and international artists at Vancouver theatres in January and February.
In 2024 the festival ran from January 18th until February 4th.
To see what showed in 2024 in this article, click PuSh Lineup or visit the Vancouver PuSh Festival‘s official website.
Below you’ll find information about the following topics:
Admission Rates | Festival Shows | Club PuSh | Tips & Advice | Video Trailer | About the Festival | Other Information
PuSh International Performing Arts Festival
Celebrating its 20th season in 2024, the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival featured nearly 20 original works at various venues between mid-January and early February. There was also select programming online.
The festival typically attracts over 20,000 attendees. It also includes free events in addition to its regular ticketed shows.
The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival (PuSh) delivers ground-breaking, contemporary works of dance, theatre, multimedia and music by artists from Vancouver, across Canada and around the world.
Tickets for events in 2024 started at just less than $17. To purchase tickets when this event plays again in 2025 between January 23rd and February 9th, visit the pushfestival.ca website or call the PuSh Festival Audience Services info line at 604-449-6000.
PuSh Festival Dates
In 2025, the PuSh Festival starts on Thursday, January 23rd and runs until Sunday, February 9th. This year’s dates were from January 18th until February 4th.
2024 Festival
In 2024 the festival featured 17 different works from 15 countries. This included four world premieres! On top of that, there were a few other performances at the more casual and interactive Club PuSh on Granville Island.
As always, the festival lineup is dedicated to creative risk-taking and dynamic interdisciplinary collaboration. There is an extra emphasis on Canadian artists. There are, however, works by British, American, Italian, French and other artists as well.
For tickets and full details about the performances, see the official PuSh Festival website.
Performance Admission Rates
Both individual single-performance tickets and multi-show passes are available at PuSh Festival productions most years.
Single Tickets
Single tickets are sold both online and through various box offices. In 2024 most shows ranged from about $17 to $39 per ticket. We expect prices to be similar in 2025. There were also free events.
To purchase tickets for the 2025 season, visit the pushfestival.ca website or call 604-449-6000.
PuSh Passes
In 2024 the PuSh Pass came with a 25% discount on single tickets and free admission to all Club PuSh events. A four-show pass cost $135 and the six-show pass cost $200. Youth four-show passes were available for $20. There was also a Digital Pass to four shows for $100.
For tickets and full details about the performances, see the official PuSh Festival website.
PuSh Festival Shows
The PuSh Performing Arts Festival features over 100 different performances most years. Some events are free, but most are ticketed. Many are Canadian productions, several are international, and some are from local Vancouver theatre companies.
Listed below are the details about the various performances in 2024.
(Note: Times, locations and other details were subject to change. See the official PuSh Festival website for the most up-to-date schedule of events.)
Returns (Unceded Coast Salish Territories)
Nellie Gossen
Presented with The Dance Theatre, this multimedia piece played with the standard 30-day return policy. An artist disassembled and reassembled clothes. Dancing was also involved.
The world premiere happened at Scotiabank Dance Centre Studios at 677 Davie Street in Vancouver. It ran on most (but not all) days in 2024 between January 18th and February 3rd. The performance took place from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm or from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm depending on the day.
Note: Tickets to this event were free!
To learn more about this event click Returns.
LORENZO (United Kingdom)
Ben Target, Soho Theatre
A theatre show full of storytelling and live carpentry with Ben Target. It was a funny autobiographical performance with a heartfelt message.
The Canadian premiere took place at the Annex at 823 Seymour Street. Shows started at 7:30 pm on January 18th, 19th and 20th in 2024.
For full details click LORENZO.
Ramanenjana (Romania/Madagascar/Germany)
Simona Deaconescu, Gaby Saranouffi
Presented with Inner Fish, this docufiction was about a dance in Madagascar that made history. The Canadian premiere happened at the Scotiabank Dance Centre. In-person shows ran on January 19th to 21st in 2024. It was also available online until February 4th.
To learn more about this event click Ramanenjana.
asses.masses (Canada)
Patrick Blenkarn, Milton Lim
An interactive digital theatre show created in Vancouver. It was an exploration of social change depicted in a video game about donkeys starting a revolution. Audience members got to work with each other.
This event was held at the Waterfront Theatre at 1412 Cartwright Street. It ran at 1:00 pm on January 20th and 27th, and again on February 3rd.
For full details click asses.masses.
For tickets and full details about the performances, see the official PuSh Festival website.
Dear Laila (Palestine/UK)
Basel Zaraa
An intimate interactive installation in which people could take a peek at what it was like to live in the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp.
It was set up at Boca del Lupo’s Fishbowl located at 1398 Cartwright Street. Viewings were for one person at a time every 20 minutes. They were available most days between January 20th and February 3rd in 2024 from 12:20 pm to 7:20 pm.
To learn more about this event click Dear Laila.
Sound of the Beast (Canada)
Donna-Michelle St. Bernard
A show that featured stories and hip-hop by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard. It was a celebration of activism with a funny perspective about injustice.
The show took place at 7:30 pm on January 20th and 23rd. It also ran at 2:00 pm on January 21st. All performances happened on the Revue Stage, located at 1601 Johnston Street on Granville Island.
For full details click Sound of the Beast.
BLOT – Body Line of Thought (Romania/Canada)
Tangaj Collective, Action at a Distance
Two dancers performed on a set that looked like a science lab. It was a reminder of how interconnected we all are. The show was by Vanessa Goodman and Simona Deaconescu.
In 2024 the performances started at 7:30 pm on January 22nd and 23rd. They took place at Left of Main, located at 211 Keefer Street.
To learn more about this event click BLOT.
For tickets and full details about the performances, see the official PuSh Festival website.
because i love the diversity (this micro-attitude, we all have it) (India/Belgium)
Rakesh Sukesh
A dance performance by a man who became the poster boy for propaganda against immigration. Rakesh explored political issues through trance-like movement and dance, some of which was improvised.
The show took place at Performance Works on Granville Island. The venue is located at 1218 Cartwright Street. Shows began at 7:30 pm on January 22nd to 24th.
For full details click because i love the diversity.
Same Difference (Unceded Coast Salish Territories)
David Mesiha, Theatre Conspiracy
This was a mixed-media installation performance. It was a dark set with lights, mirrors, music and projections. The theme was immigration and belonging.
The event took place at 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm on January 24th to 28th in 2024. It was held at the Roundhouse Performance Centre, located at 181 Roundhouse Mews in Vancouver.
To learn more about this event click Same Difference.
Inheritances (USA)
Adam Tendler
Presented with Music on Main, this Canadian premiere featured Adam Tendler. He’s one of the most celebrated pianists in the world and the show included 16 original pieces.
The classical music show took place in 2024 on January 24th and 25th at 7:30 pm. Performances were held at the Annex in Vancouver.
For full details click Inheritances.
The Runner (Canada)
Human Cargo
A theatre production presented with SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs and Touchstone Theatre. The story followed an Orthodox jew who decided to help someone, only to have his own world crash down. The themes of the show were humanity and kindness.
In 2024 the shows were going to happen at the Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at SFU in Vancouver. Shows were going to take place at 7:30 pm on January 24th, 25th and 26th in 2024.
Note: This show was cancelled.
Deciphers (Canada/China/UK/Brazil)
Naishi Wang, Jean Abreu
A dance performance at the Scotiabank Dance Centre. The show premiered at 8:00 pm on January 26th and 27th. There was also a show on January 28th at 2:00 pm.
The performance featured a mix of Chinese and Brazilian dance. There was also some spoken word. The performers attempted to decipher each other using movement and other methods.
For full details click Deciphers.
DARKMATTER (Belgium/The Netherlands)
Cherish Menzo, GRIP
This was another dance show presented with SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs. It featured intense and innovative movements that made viewers rethink how they looked at bodies.
The show ran at the Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at SFU Vancouver. It took place at 7:30 pm from January 29th to 31st in 2024. The performance could also be viewed online on the same days, as well as between February 1st and 4th.
To learn more about this event click DARKMATTER.
NOMADA (Canada/Mexico)
Diana Lopez Soto
This was an aerial dance performance by a solo performer. Diana honours her heritage and combined Mexican Indigenous dance with aerial stunts on stage.
The performances ran at 7:30 pm on February 1st and 2nd. There was another performance at 2:00 pm on February 3rd. All shows took place the Annex in Vancouver.
For full details click NOMADA.
For tickets and full details about the performances, see the official PuSh Festival website.
The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes (Australia)
Back to Back Theatre
A theatre production presented with The CULTCH and Neworld Theatre. It was about how we make decisions in a civic society. The witty show was a staged community hall meeting.
The performances were held at the York Theatre at 639 Commercial Drive. They started at 7:30 pm on February 1st and 2nd, and then at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm on February 3rd. The shows were also available to watch online.
To learn more about this event click The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes.
Pli (France)
Inbal Ben Haim, Domitille Martin, Alexis Mérat
The Canadian premiere of a circus artist moving through a set made entirely of paper. It was a visually appealing performance that represented strength and vulnerability.
The shows took place at 7:30 pm on February 2nd and 3rd at the Vancouver Playhouse. The venue is located at 600 Hamilton Street.
For full details click Pli.
L’Amour telle une cathédrale ensevelie (Haiti/France)
NOUS Théâtre
Presented with SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs, this theatre production was about exiled Haitian families and immigration in general. There was opera, guitar and more.
The production showed at the SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. There were performances at 7:30 pm on February 3rd and at 2:00 pm on February 4th.
To learn more about this event click L’Amour telle une cathédrale ensevelie.
For tickets and full details about the performances, see the official PuSh Festival website.
Club PuSh
On top of the above shows, festival-enjoyers can spend time at Club PuSh. Held at Performance Works on Granville Island on January 26th and 27th in 2024, this venue is home to a casual party for those who want to keep enjoying PuSh in the evenings. There are musicians, DJs, dancers and more providing a fun atmosphere.
Admission to Club PuSh is free for PuSh pass holders. You can still enter if you didn’t go to any other PuSh shows, but it costs $10 at the door.
See below for more details about each evening.
Talking Stick (Canada)
This Club PuSh event happened on January 26th, 2024. It featured lots of genres including Indigenous music mixed with modern dance tunes. The event started at 9:00 pm.
The Frank Theatre Company (Canada)
This Club PuSh event took place at 9:00 pm on January 27th. It was a celebration of queer art with musical acts, drag queen performances and more.
To learn more about the above two events click Club PuSh in 2024.
Tips & Advice
Below are some suggestions to help you make the most of your experience at the PuSh Festival in more normal years.
TIP #1: Book your PuSh pass early, before they sell out.
TIP #2: Arrive at your show well before start time. In all but a few cases, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
TIP #3: The Dine Out Vancouver Festival conveniently runs during similar dates as the PuSh Festival most years. Combine your night out for a show with a fabulous and affordably-priced three-course dinner. Click Downtown Dine Out Venues for a list of some of the best festival restaurants in Vancouver’s downtown core, or Dine Out Vancouver for a list of some of the top participating restaurants in the Lower Mainland.
For tickets and full details about the various shows, see the official PuSh Festival website.
2024 PuSh Festival Trailer Video
To give you a rough idea of what to expect at the festival, check out the following 2024 trailer video.
About the PuSh Festival
The PuSh Festival has grown to become a signature performing arts festival in Vancouver since its humble beginnings in 2003.
Today the mission of the organization is to “engage and enrich audiences with adventurous contemporary works in a spirit of innovation and dialogue.” The festival showcases local, Canadian and international contemporary artists and performances, and it works in partnership with other organizations to develop new and ground-breaking artistic work.
According to the festival’s website, the organization values “transformative experiences, risk-taking, respectful collaboration and dialogue, … inspiration, innovation, and diversity in arts and peoples.” Consequently, you can expect shows that are amazing, unique, cross-cultural and both traditional and different.
Other Information
To learn more about the series of performances, see the PuSh Festival website.
For a list of other major Lower Mainland festivals throughout the year, click Vancouver Festivals & Events Calendar.
For ideas on other things to do this time of year, check out any of the following:
- January Calendar of Events
- February Calendar of Events
- Vancouver Winter Activities
- Lower Mainland Rainy Day Activities
- Vancouver Shows & Entertainment
