The PuSh Festival is a performing arts festival that showcases local, Canadian and international artists at various Vancouver theatres in January.

PuSh International Performing Arts Festival

Celebrating its 21st season in 2021, the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival features more than 100 performances at 20 or so venues between mid-January and early February. It attracts up to over 20,000 attendees each year and includes free events in addition to its regular ticketed shows.

PuSh Festival in 2020 and 2021

In 2020 the PuSh Festival run from January 21st until February 9th. In 2021 it’s scheduled to go from January 20th until February 7th.

Below you’ll find information about the following topics:

Admission Rates | Festival Shows | Tips & Advice | About the Festival | Other Information

Performance Admission Rates

Both individual single-performance tickets and multi-show passes are available at PuSh Festival productions.

Single Tickets

Single tickets are sold through various box offices and prices range from free to about $80 plus online fees. Especially with free shows and major ones, advanced reservations are recommended.

Prices for most shows range from about $20 to $40.

Some venues offer just one price option. Others, including the most expensive shows, offer different price categories. With some shows everyone pays the same price. Others, however, offer reduced rates for children.

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

PuSh Passes

PuSh Passes come in 4 and 6-ticket packages and provide pass holders a 30% discount when purchasing tickets for additional shows.

The 4-Show Pass costs around $119 (including taxes) and the 6-Show Pass costs around $176 (so about $30 per performance). There is also a Youth 4-Show Pass which costs just $20 or so, which is a fantastic deal and good for folk ages 16 to 24.

In some years PuSh Passes sell out so if you want one make sure to buy yours early.

Important Notes:

Some premium performances require a surcharge in addition to the use of a PuSh Pass, and some shows are not eligible for use with a PuSh Pass at all. Also, the number of seats for PuSh Pass holders at specific shows is limited, so book early – and a minimum of 3 days in advance – to avoid disappointment.
All tickets and PuSh Passes are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Tickets to performances purchased with a PuSh Pass can be cancelled with 72 hours notice and an alternative show booked with payment of a $2.25 exchange fee. Tickets purchased without a PuSh Pass cannot be exchanged
Most performances offer general admission with first-come, first-served non-assigned seating (so arrive early to get a good seat).
Most but not all venues are wheelchair accessible.
Except for in cases where there is the option to have tickets e-mailed for printing at home, PuSh Pass holders need to present photo identification when picking up their tickets at the venue box office.

Click How to Attend PuSh for more information about how tickets work, or click PuSh Calendar for the lineup of shows in 2019 and to buy tickets.

PuSh Festival Shows

The PuSh Performing Arts Festival features over 100 different performances. Some events are free, most have a cost, many are Canadian productions, many are international, and some are from local Vancouver theatre companies.

For a full list of shows click PuSh Festival Calendar.

February 6th, 2020

- A User’s Guide to Authenticity Is a Feeling – by PME-ART at Western Front at 6 pm. Tickets are available for $15 each.
- Anywhere But Here – by Electric Company Theatre at the Vancouver Playhouse at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available for $20 each. This show also features a Pre-Show Conversation.
- CUTLASS SPRING – Dana Michel performs at the Scotiabank Dance Centre at 8 pm. Tickets are on sale for $37 each.
- Footnote Number 12 – this thought-provoking performance takes place at Performance Works at 8 pm and tickets are available for $39.
- KISMET, things have changed – taking place at Historic Theatre at 7:30 pm and tickets are $26 each.
- Monday Nights – a basketball/theatre show at Anvil Centre at 8 pm. Tickets are $39 each.

February 7th, 2020

Critical Ideas: On Commitment – a free event taking place at SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts at 10:30 am.
Anywhere But Here – by Electric Company Theatre at the Vancouver Playhouse at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available for $20 each.
CUTLASS SPRING – Dana Michel performs at the Scotiabank Dance Centre at 8 pm. Tickets are on sale for $37 each. There is a post-show talkback taking place tonight.
Footnote Number 12 – this thought-provoking performance takes place at Performance Works at 6 pm and tickets are available for $39.
KISMET, things have changed – taking place at Historic Theatre at 7:30 pm and tickets are $26 each.
Monday Nights – a basketball/theatre show at Anvil Centre at 8 pm. Tickets are $39 each.
The DJ Who Gave Too Much – a show by PME-ART at Western Front at 7 pm. Tickets are available for $15 each.

February 8th, 2020

Anywhere But Here – by Electric Company Theatre at the Vancouver Playhouse at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets are available for $20 each.
Bring Your Own Record/Listening Party – a free event at 7 pm at Central Studios.
CUTLASS SPRING – Dana Michel performs at the Scotiabank Dance Centre at 8 pm. Tickets are on sale for $37 each.
Footnote Number 12 – this thought-provoking performance takes place at Performance Works at 6 pm and tickets are available for $39.
KISMET, things have changed – taking place at Historic Theatre at 7:30 pm and tickets are $26 each.
Monday Nights – a basketball/theatre show at Anvil Centre at 8 pm. Tickets are $39 each.
Things I Shouldn’t Tell You/Portrait of My DNA – takes place at Central Studios at 8 pm. Tickets are on sale for $25 each and there is a free after party starting at 10 pm.

February 9th, 2020

Monday Nights – a basketball/theatre show at Anvil Centre at 2 pm. Tickets are $39 each.

Tips & Advice

Below are some suggestions to help you make the most out of your experience at the PuSh Festival.

Book your PuSh pass early, before they sell out.
Arrive at your show well before start time. In all but a few cases, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Dine Out Vancouver Festival conveniently runs during similar dates as the PuSh Festival. Combine your night out for a show with a fabulous and affordably-priced 3-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.

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 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.