Vancouver’s May calendar features 2024 festivals and events in the Lower Mainland including markets and Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and Victoria Day events.
Highlights of the month include tulip festivals, Royal Canadian International Circus shows, Playland amusement park rides, the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair, All British Field Meet car show, Hyack Parade & Festival, Shipyards Night Market, Ladner May Days and so much more!
JANUARY – FEBRUARY – MARCH – APRIL
MAY – JUNE – JULY – AUGUST – SEPTEMBER
Vancouver’s May Calendar of Events
- Sunday, May 5, 2024 – Cinco de Mayo
- Sunday, May 12, 2024 – Mother’s Day
- Monday, May 20, 2024 – Victoria Day (Stat Holiday)
2024 May Events in Vancouver
Below is what’s happening on the different days of the month in May 2024.
(NOTE: Event dates and other details are subject to change.)
Week of May 24th to 26th
Friday, May 24, 2024
- Ladner May Days – first day of the 3-day community event in Ladner’s Memorial Park with live music, amusement rides and a fastball tournament.
- pARTy@PdA & Concert – an adults-only event with music, drinks and art activities at Place des Arts in Coquitlam.
- The Improv Centre – live comedy Theatresports shows at Granville Island. Today’s shows are Theatresports and Camp What’s-It-Called.
- Shipyards Night Market – market vendors, food trucks, beer garden and live entertainment at the Shipyards in North Vancouver.
- Richmond Night Market – Vancouver’s famous weekend Asian market in Richmond.
- Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be.
Featured Attractions & Activities
- Guided Tours at the FRDC – tours can be booked for today at New Westminster’s Fraser River Discovery Centre.
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – a family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!)
- WildPlay Element Park – ropes courses and ziplines at the outdoor adventure facility in Maple Ridge. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
- Britannia Mine – the historic mining museum at Britannia Beach (which is half an hour north of Horseshoe Bay on the way to Squamish and Whistler).
- Chinese Canadian Museum – a museum that’s full of information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
- FlyOver Canada – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience at Canada Place. Today also features the films Legendary Iceland: Landscapes and Lore and Windborne: Call of the Canadian Rockies.
- Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Lost Souls of Gastown and Forbidden Vancouver tours.
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% when booking online.)
- Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. (TIP: Save 10% when you book your game with the promo code VBP2024.)
- Capilano Suspension Bridge – the world-famous attraction is a great place to visit. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
- Fort Langley – the national historic site in Fort Langley is a great place to explore (and children ages 17 and under get in for free).
- Museum of Surrey – the museum in Cloverdale is an interesting place with free admission.
Saturday, May 25, 2024
- Ladner May Days – a community event with live music, amusement rides, beer garden, family-friendly activities and a fastball tournament.
- West of Main Art Walk – an open studio tour and art sale at artist’s studios between Main Street and Point Grey, and from 41st Avenue to Granville Island.
- Hyack Parade & Festival – a large parade with floats, marching bands and other entries in New Westminster.
- Big Jungle Run – family fun 1 km, 5 km and 10 km runs at Burnaby Lake. Leashed dogs and strollers are welcome!
- Thomas the Train – rides with Sir Topham Hatt on the classic storybook train at the Railway Museum of BC in Squamish.
- Playland at the PNE – the rides at Vancouver’s favourite amusement park run from 11 am until 5 pm.
- Super Saturday at FRDC – the Fraser River Discovery Centre hosts a special activity at its venue in New Westminster. The event is specially designed for families with children ages 6 and older, but everyone is welcome. Guided tours are also available in the afternoon.
- The Improv Centre – live comedy Theatresports shows at Granville Island. Today’s shows are Theatresports and Camp What’s-It-Called.
- Orpheum Tours – guided tours of Vancouver’s iconic theatre happen today.
Featured Attractions & Activities
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – a family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!)
- FlyOver Canada – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience at Canada Place. Today also features the films Legendary Iceland: Landscapes and Lore and Windborne: Call of the Canadian Rockies.
- Fort Langley – the national historic site in Fort Langley is a great place to explore (and children ages 17 and under get in for free).
- Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. (TIP: Save 10% when you book your game with the promo code VBP2024.)
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% when booking online.)
- Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Lost Souls of Gastown, Hidden History & Sweet Treats, Dark Secrets of Stanley Park, and Forbidden Vancouver tours.
- Chinese Canadian Museum – a museum that’s full of information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge – the world-famous attraction is a great place to visit. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
- Museum of Surrey – the museum in Cloverdale is an interesting place with free admission.
- WildPlay Element Park – ropes courses and ziplines at the outdoor adventure facility in Maple Ridge. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
- Guided Tours at the FRDC – tours can be booked for today at New Westminster’s Fraser River Discovery Centre.
- Britannia Mine – the historic mining museum at Britannia Beach (which is half an hour north of Horseshoe Bay on the way to Squamish and Whistler).
- Railway Museum of BC – a large museum with trains and railway artifacts in Squamish.
Saturday Markets
- Abbotsford Farm & Country Market – in Abbotsford.
- Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market – in the parking lot of Burnaby’s City Hall.
- Fort Langley Village Farmers Market – in Fort Langley.
- Haney Farmers Market – at the Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge.
- Richmond Night Market – Vancouver’s famous weekend Asian market in Richmond.
- Riley Park Farmers Market – near Nat Bailey Stadium.
- Squamish Farmers Market – in downtown Squamish.
- Trout Lake Farmers Market – at Vancouver’s John Hendry Park.
- West End Farmers Market – at 1100 Comox Street.
- Vancouver Flea Market – at 703 Terminal Avenue.
Sunday, May 26, 2024
- VAM Symphony Orchestra – the New World Symphony & Rhapsody in Blue concert takes place at the Orpheum Theatre.
- West of Main Art Walk – an open studio tour and art sale at artist’s studios between Main Street and Point Grey, and from 41st Avenue to Granville Island.
- BC Polish Festival – food, dancing and other activities celebrating Polish culture in Port Coquitlam.
- Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History – fundraising events in Pitt Meadows and Burnaby. Money raised benefits Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
- Ladner May Days – a community event in Ladner’s Memorial Park with live music, amusement rides, pancake breakfast and fastball tournament. Today is also the day of the May Day Parade!
- Thomas the Train – rides with Sir Topham Hatt on the classic storybook train at the Railway Museum of BC in Squamish.
- Brookswood Community Car Show – a car show where funds raised benefit Brookswood Secondary School in Langley. Admission to see the cars is by donation.
- Playland at the PNE – the rides at Vancouver’s favourite amusement park run from 11 am until 5 pm.
- Walk for Alzheimer’s – a fundraising event benefiting the Alzheimer Society of BC. The walk takes place in a number of communities including at Creekside Community Recreation Centre at Olympic Village.
- Spot Prawn Festival – a 1-day festival celebrating spot-prawn season at Fisherman’s Wharf not far from Granville Island.
- Richmond Night Market – Vancouver’s famous weekend Asian market in Richmond.
- Jazz Vespers in Surrey – at Northwood United Church at 8855 156th Street in Surrey. Admission is by donation. Today features the Caribbean rhythms of Sweet Pan.
- Youth Concert Showcase Series – free live music presented by the Fort Langley Jazz Festival at the Fort Langley Heritage CNR Station in the afternoon.
Featured Attractions & Activities
- FlyOver Canada – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience at Canada Place. Today also features the films Legendary Iceland: Landscapes and Lore and Windborne: Call of the Canadian Rockies.
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – a family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!)
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% when booking online.)
- Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Forbidden Vancouver, Lost Souls of Gastown, Hidden History & Sweet Treats, and Really Gay History tours.
- Chinese Canadian Museum – a museum that’s full of information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
- Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. (TIP: Save 10% when you book your game with the promo code VBP2024.)
- Capilano Suspension Bridge – the world-famous attraction is a great place to visit. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
- Fort Langley – the national historic site in Fort Langley is a great place to explore (and children ages 17 and under get in for free).
- Museum of Surrey – the museum in Cloverdale is an interesting place with free admission.
- WildPlay Element Park – ropes courses and ziplines at the outdoor adventure facility in Maple Ridge. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
- Guided Tours at the FRDC – tours can be booked for today at New Westminster’s Fraser River Discovery Centre.
- Britannia Mine – the historic mining museum at Britannia Beach (which is half an hour north of Horseshoe Bay on the way to Squamish and Whistler).
Sunday Markets
- Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – in West Vancouver.
- Coquitlam Farmers Market – at 624 Poirier Street in Coquitlam.
- Kitsilano Farmers Market – outside the Kitsilano Community Centre in Vancouver.
- Whistler Farmers Market – near the base of Blackcomb Mountain.
- White Rock Farmers Market – at 15154 Russell Avenue in White Rock.
- Cloverdale Flea Market – a large weekly flea market in Surrey.
- Vancouver Flea Market – at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World.
Week of May 27th to 31st
Monday, May 27, 2024
- Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a child-focused event featuring live performances, music and kid-friendly things to do on Granville Island.
- Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature can be “best places” to be!
- Lower Mainland Golf Courses – check out our list of top places to hit a ball around outdoors in the fresh air.
Featured Attractions & Activities
- Fort Langley – the national historic site in Fort Langley is a great place to explore (and children ages 17 and under get in for free).
- Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. (TIP: Save 10% when you book your game with the promo code VBP2024.)
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% when booking online.)
- FlyOver Canada – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience at Canada Place. Today also features the films Legendary Iceland: Landscapes and Lore and Windborne: Call of the Canadian Rockies.
- WildPlay Element Park – ropes courses and ziplines at the outdoor adventure facility in Maple Ridge. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
- Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today’s tour is the Lost Souls of Gastown.
- Britannia Mine – the historic mining museum at Britannia Beach (which is half an hour north of Horseshoe Bay on the way to Squamish and Whistler).
- Capilano Suspension Bridge – the world-famous attraction is a great place to visit. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
- Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a child-focused event featuring live performances, music and kid-friendly things to do on Granville Island.
- Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – drumming takes place at Stanley Park’s Third Beach from early evening until sunset on Tuesday evenings. (TBC)
- Vancouver Canadians Baseball – the team plays Tri-City at Nat Bailey Stadium.
- Cheap Movie Night – on Tuesdays at most theatres throughout the Lower Mainland.
- Improv Centre Theatre – live comedy theatre at Granville Island. Today’s show is Choose Day.
- Lower Mainland Golf Courses – check out our list of top places to hit a ball around outdoors in the fresh air.
- Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be.
Featured Attractions & Activities
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% when booking online.)
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – a family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!)
- Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge – the world-famous attraction is a great place to visit. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
- FlyOver Canada – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience at Canada Place. Today also features the films Legendary Iceland: Landscapes and Lore and Windborne: Call of the Canadian Rockies.
- Fort Langley – the national historic site in Fort Langley is a great place to explore (and children ages 17 and under get in for free).
- Museum of Surrey – the museum in Cloverdale is an interesting place with free admission.
- Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. (TIP: Save 10% when you book your game with the promo code VBP2024.)
- WildPlay Element Park – ropes courses and ziplines at the outdoor adventure facility in Maple Ridge. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
- Britannia Mine – the historic mining museum at Britannia Beach (which is half an hour north of Horseshoe Bay on the way to Squamish and Whistler).
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
- Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a child-focused event featuring live performances, music and kid-friendly things to do on Granville Island.
- Vancouver Canadians Baseball – the team plays Tri-City at Nat Bailey Stadium.
- Improv Centre Theatre – live comedy theatre at Granville Island. Today features the Date Night show.
- Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature can be “best places” to be!
Featured Attractions & Activities
- Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today’s tour is the Lost Souls of Gastown. There’s also the Secrets of the Penthouse special event.
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% when booking online.)
- FlyOver Canada – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience at Canada Place. Today also features the films Legendary Iceland: Landscapes and Lore and Windborne: Call of the Canadian Rockies.
- WildPlay Element Park – ropes courses and ziplines at the outdoor adventure facility in Maple Ridge. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – a family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!)
- Chinese Canadian Museum – a museum that’s full of information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge – the world-famous attraction is a great place to visit. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
- Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. (TIP: Save 10% when you book your game with the promo code VBP2024.)
- Fort Langley – the national historic site in Fort Langley is a great place to explore (and children ages 17 and under get in for free).
- Museum of Surrey – the museum in Cloverdale is an interesting place with free admission.
- Britannia Mine – the historic mining museum at Britannia Beach (which is half an hour north of Horseshoe Bay on the way to Squamish and Whistler).
Thursday, May 30, 2024
- Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a child-focused event featuring live performances, music and kid-friendly things to do on Granville Island.
- Improv Centre Theatre – live comedy theatre at Granville Island. Today’s show is Turn it Up!.
- Vancouver Canadians Baseball – the team plays Tri-City at Nat Bailey Stadium.
- New Westminster Farmers Market – at Tipperary Park in New Westminster.
- Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be.
- Lower Mainland Golf Courses – check out our list of top places to hit a ball around outdoors in the fresh air.
Featured Attractions & Activities
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – a family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!)
- Britannia Mine – the historic mining museum at Britannia Beach (which is half an hour north of Horseshoe Bay on the way to Squamish and Whistler).
- WildPlay Element Park – ropes courses and ziplines at the outdoor adventure facility in Maple Ridge. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
- Fort Langley – the national historic site in Fort Langley is a great place to explore (and children ages 17 and under get in for free).
- Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. (TIP: Save 10% when you book your game with the promo code VBP2024.)
- Chinese Canadian Museum – a museum that’s full of information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% when booking online.)
- Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour.
- FlyOver Canada – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience at Canada Place. Today also features the films Legendary Iceland: Landscapes and Lore and Windborne: Call of the Canadian Rockies.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge – the world-famous attraction is a great place to visit. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
- Museum of Surrey – the museum in Cloverdale is an interesting place with free admission.
Friday, May 31, 2024
- West Vancouver Community Cultural Fest – a community event at Ambleside Park. (Note: This event used to be called the West Vancouver Bridge Festival up until a couple of years ago.)
- Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a child-focused event featuring live performances, music and kid-friendly things to do on Granville Island.
- Shipyards Night Market – market vendors, food trucks, beer garden and live entertainment at the Shipyards in North Vancouver.
- Richmond Night Market – Vancouver’s famous weekend Asian market in Richmond.
- The Improv Centre – live comedy Theatresports shows at Granville Island. Today’s shows are Theatresports and Camp What’s-It-Called.
- Vancouver Canadians Baseball – the team plays Tri-City at Nat Bailey Stadium.
Featured Attractions & Activities
- FlyOver Canada – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience at Canada Place. Today also features the films Legendary Iceland: Landscapes and Lore and Windborne: Call of the Canadian Rockies.
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% when booking online.)
- Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Lost Souls of Gastown and Forbidden Vancouver tours.
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – a family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!)
- WildPlay Element Park – ropes courses and ziplines at the outdoor adventure facility in Maple Ridge. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
- Guided Tours at the FRDC – tours can be booked for today at New Westminster’s Fraser River Discovery Centre.
- Chinese Canadian Museum – a museum that’s full of information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
- Britannia Mine – the historic mining museum at Britannia Beach (which is half an hour north of Horseshoe Bay on the way to Squamish and Whistler).
- Fort Langley – the national historic site in Fort Langley is a great place to explore (and children ages 17 and under get in for free).
- Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. (TIP: Save 10% when you book your game with the promo code VBP2024.)
- Museum of Surrey – the museum in Cloverdale is an interesting place with free admission.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge – the world-famous attraction is a great place to visit. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
To return to the top of the page, click May Calendar.
To see what’s happening next month, click June Calendar of Events.
Typical May Vancouver Weather
Summer is close and the beautiful weather is finally here, at least normally. May is typically one of the nicest months of the year in Vancouver – definitely in the top five.
The days in May are long, the temperature is getting warm, and the sun seems to shine more often than not. It still rains, but less than eight of the other months of the year.
Average high temperatures in May are 16 degrees C (or 61 F) and the lows are in the range of 8 C (or 46 F). It usually only rains about 60 mm (or less than 2.5 inches), which in Vancouver is something to celebrate.
Oddly, the weather almost always seems to be nicer in May than in June – nobody really knows quite why.
To return to the top of the page, click May Calendar.
To see what’s happening next month, click June Calendar of Events.