Halloween Saturday in Vancouver: Cold, Clear, and Full of Plans

Morning, Van. It's six degrees out and mostly cloudy, so grab the warm layer before you head out, and maybe a toque if you're walking the seawall. UV is basically nothing today, so no sunscreen fuss for once. The sun sets at 5:53 this evening, which gives you nearly ten hours of daylight to get your Saturday moving, so don't let the grey sky fool you into thinking the day's already half gone.

If you're driving or taking the bus, be aware that a police incident on Highway 99 near the Lions Gate Bridge has the centre lane closed, and it was still being updated early this morning, so check before you leave if you're heading north. Transit riders should note that the 14 is on detour through the weekend. Downtown and Hastings service is rerouted via University Blvd and Blanca St until 6 PM today and again tomorrow, and the UBC Exchange run is taking a similar detour through Blanca, W 10th, and W 4th. Give yourself a few extra minutes if you're relying on the 14 to get across town. Denman and Comox southbound is back open, which helps if you're heading down toward the West End.

On the local front, Metro Vancouver's outgoing board is voting Friday on a $914 household budget, even as the mayors-elect are pushing for a delay, so that one's worth keeping an eye on. Over in Delta, people are asking whether the municipality can still hit the province's mandated housing target. And on Kingsway, a proposal for five rental towers would replace the Safeway and BC Liquor store at 3410 Kingsway, which is going to be a big conversation for anyone who shops in that stretch.

For food, there's some sad news and some good news. Hook Seabar on Denman is closing after nine years, so if it's been on your list, this weekend is your last window. Baan Lao's team is opening two concepts on Granville Island this summer, which is something to look forward to. And if you're after something fun tonight, Le Tigre and Toki Doki are reuniting for one night of Japanese street food at Torafuku on Main Street, a good call if you want to eat well before the big events.

The marquee this afternoon is the Western Semi-Final Grey Cup playoff at BC Place at 1:30 PM, so if you're a football person, that's your early-afternoon plan. Daytime also has Club Sculpt Halloween at Village Studios starting at noon if you're in a costume-and-workout mood. Then tonight is Halloween's big night, and it's packed. The Canucks game at 4 PM is one option if you want to catch hockey before the costume crowd takes over. Dooms Night at the Pacific Coliseum at the PNE starts at 6 PM with Alesso, ARMNHMR, Cosmic Gate, and more, which is the big electronic option. If you want something more intimate, Rebecca Black is playing the Hollywood Theatre at 6:30 PM, and Morgan Griffiths is at the Commodore Ballroom at 7 PM.

All the evening options are indoors, so the weather won't factor in, which is a relief on a cool October night. Dress for the cold when you walk between venues, and plan your ride home early, because the Halloween crowds will make everything slower after midnight.

Have a good one, and stay dry where you can. See you out there.