Vancouver has all kinds of festivals and events during the year, from music festivals to free outdoor concerts to international fireworks competitions.

Other events range from Dragon Boat Races and Vancouver Jazz Festival concerts in June, to Canada Day celebrations and multiple other fabulous happenings throughout the year.

Vancouver Events and Festivals

Below is a list of Metro Vancouver’s best festivals and events each year.

JUNE Festivals and Events

• Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival – from June 1 to September 23 with the plays Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, The Merchant of Venice, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
• Car Free Days – celebrations on Denman Street (June 17, 2017) and Main Street (June 18, 2017) over the Father’s Day weekend.
• City of Bhangra Festival – a festival celebrating the dance and music of the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan (June 11-17, 2017).
• Hats off Day in Burnaby – a giant street festival in Burnaby along Hastings Street on the first Saturday of June every year (so June 3, 2017).

• Greek Day on Broadway – an all-day street festival on Broadway Avenue in Kitsilano (June 25, 2017).
• Italian Day on the Drive – a celebration of everything Italian on Commercial Drive (June 11, 2017).
• Lynn Valley Day – a community festival in the Lynn Valley district of North Vancouver (June 17, 2017).
• BC Highland Games & Scottish Festival – at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam (June 17, 2017).
  
• National Aboriginal Day – celebrations include events at Trout Lake and Canada Place (June 17 & 21, 2017).
• Philippine Days – a cultural festival hosted by the local Filipino community at Waterfront Park in North Vancouver (June 10-11, 2017).
• Red Truck Concert Series – multiple concerts at Red Truck Brewery at 295 East 1st Avenue in Vancouver (June 17, 2017).
• Point Grey Fiesta – a community festival with a parade, live entertainment and carnival rides (June 23-25, 2017).
• Sasquatch Days – a small festival in Harrison Hot Springs with war canoe races, First Nations cultural performances and a salmon BBQ (June 24-25, 2017).
• Scandinavian Midsummer Festival – a festival at the Scandinavian Community Centre in Burnaby (June 17-18, 2017).
• Scotiabank Half Marathon – a 21 km run from UBC to Stanley Park (June 25, 2017).
• Seek the Peak – a race to beat breast cancer from Ambleside Park to Grouse Mountain (June 25, 2017).
• Surrey Greek Food Festival – a small community event featuring Greek food and entertainment at 13181-96th Avenue in Surrey (June 9-18, 2017).
• TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival – a music festival running from June 22 until July 2nd on the Canada Day weekend.
• Tough Mudder Whistler – a military-style-obstacle-course-type race (June 17 & 18, 2017).
• Vancouver Craft Beer Week – craft beer events presented by the Donnelly Group of pubs culminating in the VCBW Beer Festival at the PNE Fairgrounds featuring over 400 North American beers and ciders (June 3-4, 2017).
• Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival – dragon boat races in False Creek (June 23-25, 2017).
• Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a fun festival for kids at Granville Island (May 29 to June 4, 2017).
• West Vancouver Community Day – a community festival at Ambleside Park (June 3, 2017).
• YVR Food Cart Festival – dozens of food trucks, live music, market stalls and things to see at Olympic Village at 215 West 1st Avenue (June 29 to July 3, 2017).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s June Calendar.

JULY Festivals and Events

• Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival – a theatrical festival with the plays Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, The Merchant of Venice, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona (from June 1 to September 23, 2017).
  
• Canada Day Festivities – held on July 1st every year at various locations throughout the region, including in downtown Vancouver (with Fireworks in Burrard Inlet), in Cloverdale in Surrey, in Steveston Village at the Steveston Salmon Festival, and at the Canada Day at Waterfront Park festivities in North Vancouver (July 1, 2017).
• Canada Day Parade – in downtown Vancouver (July 2, 2017).
• Squamish Nation Youth Powwow – a First Nations powwow and cultural celebration on the North Shore (July 7-9, 2017).
• Car Free Day – a massive street party on Commercial Drive (July 9, 2017).
• Caribbean Days Festival – a festival in North Vancouver put on by the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC in (July 29-30, 2017).
• Carnaval del Sol – a Latin American festival in Vancouver at Concord Pacific Place (July 8-9, 2017).

• Colombian Independence Picnic – a small free community festival in Central Park that’s open to the public in July (to be confirmed for 2017).
• Columbia Street Food Truck Fest – a massive food truck street festival on Columbia Street in New Westminster (July 29, 2017).
• FVDED in the Park – a large urban music festival featuring over two dozen hip-hop, R&B, electronic and rap music artists at Holland Park in Surrey (July 7-8, 2017).
• Gastown Grand Prix – a cycling race in the heart of the old town (July 12, 2017).
• Greek Summerfest – an 11-day festival celebrating Greek food, culture and music at St. Nicholas and Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church at 4641 Boundary Road (July 6-16, 2017).
• Giro di Burnaby – a cycling race through the streets of downtown Burnaby (July 13, 2017).
• Harrison Festival of the Arts – a festival featuring an art market and performing arts performances in Harrison Hot Springs (July 8-16).
• Honda Celebration of Light – a fireworks competition and accompanying festival in English Bay on the last two Saturdays and last Wednesday before BC Day (July 29 and August 2 & 5, 2017).
• Indian Summer Festival – a multi-arts festival featuring Southeast Asian art (July 6-15, 2017).
• Khatsahlano Street Party – a major street party on West 4th Avenue, billing itself as “Vancouver’s largest free music and arts festival” (July 8, 2017).
• Kite Clash – the Canadian Freestyle Kiteboarding Championships in Squamish (June 30 to July 3, 2017).
• Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest – a community festival at the Albion Fairgrounds in Maple Ridge (July 29-30, 2017).
• Mission Folk Music Festival – a three-day music festival in Mission (July 21-23, 2017).
• New West Grand Prix – a cycling race in New Westminster (July 11, 2017).
• PoCo Grand Prix – cycling races in Port Coquitlam (July 14, 2017).
• Port Moody Ribfest – a 3-day event in Port Moody with BBQ rib competitions and live music (July 21-23, 2017).
• Powell Street Festival – a two-day festival celebrating everything Japanese-Canadian in downtown Vancouver (late July).
• Red Truck Concert Series – multiple concerts at Red Truck Brewery at 295 East 1st Avenue in Vancouver (July 15, 2017).
• SHOREFEST – a music festival at Sunset Beach and English Bay that takes place in conjunction with the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks shows in English Bay (late July).
• Sounds of Summer Music Series – FREE outdoor concerts in different Surrey parks on Wednesday evenings.
• Spirit of the People Powwow – a First Nations powwow in Chilliwack (July 28-30, 2017).
• Squamish Beer Festival – at the O’Siyam Pavilion in Squamish (July 8, 2017).
• Squamish Wind Festival – a multi-day event with art, music, craft beer, and wind and water sports in Squamish (July 27-30, 2017).
• Surrey Fusion Festival – billed as “the ultimate celebration of music, food and culture” and taking place at Holland Park (July 22-23, 2017).
• Symphony in the Park – a free performance by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby (July 9, 2017).
• TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival – a major music festival with both free and ticketed events (June 22 to July 2, 2017).
• Thai Festival – a free festival celebrating Thai music, culture and food in the North Plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery (July 22-23, 2017).
• Tour de Delta – cycling races in Delta (July 7-9, 2017).
• Tour de White Rock – cycling races and festivities in White Rock (July 15-16, 2017).
• Tsawwassen Sun Festival – a softball tournament over the BC Day Long Weekend that includes a parade and an antique car show on the holiday Monday in Tsawwassen (August 5-7, 2017).
• Vancouver Folk Music Festival – a major folk music festival at Jericho Beach (July 14-16, 2017).
• Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in Whistler – a 2-day series of outdoor concerts during the week of Canada Day (July 1-2, 2017).
• Whistler Children’s Festival – a festival focused on kids up at the ski resort town (July 7-9, 2017).
• YVR Food Cart Festival – dozens of food trucks, live music, market stalls and things to see at Olympic Village at 215 West 1st Avenue (June 29 to July 3, 2017).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s July Calendar.

AUGUST Festivals and Events

• Abbotsford Agrifair – an agricultural fair that includes a midway, amusement rides and lots of animals at Exhibition Park at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford (August 4-6, 2017).
• Abbotsford Airshow – Western Canada’s largest airshow (August 11-13, 2017).
• Arts Alive Festival – a community arts festival in Langley (August 19, 2017).
• Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival – a theatrical festival with the plays Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, The Merchant of Venice, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona (from June 1 to September 23, 2017).
  
• Brigade Days at Fort Langley – three days of celebrations featuring folk in period costume over the BC Day Long Weekend (August 5-7, 2017).
  
• Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival – a music festival at Deer Lake in Burnaby (August 12, 2017).
• Honda Celebration of Light – a fireworks competition and accompanying festival in English Bay (July 29 and August 2 & 5, 2017).
• Chilliwack Fair and Rodeo – the 145th annual fair and small town rodeo in Chilliwack (August 11-13, 2017).
• Deep Cove Daze – a small community festival with music, food and beverages at Panorama Park in North Vancouver’s Deep Cove (August 27, 2017).
• Dîner en Blanc – the 5th annual outdoor dinner where thousands of participants dress in white and bring their own chairs, table, food, cutlery and dishware (August 24, 2017).
• Fun City Festival – a two-day Car Free Day event in North Vancouver that features lots of live entertainment and a giant water slide (August 12-13, 2017).
  
• Harmony Arts Festival – in West Vancouver (August 4-13, 2017).
• India Live – a free event celebrating Indian Culture on Granville Street (late August and to be confirmed for 2017).
• Lakeside Car Show – a free event at Harrison Hot Springs (August 26, 2017).
• KitsFest – a sports festival on the beach at Kitsilano featuring yoga, tennis, volleyball, water polo, basketball and other sports, as well as lots of DJ music (August 4-6, 2017).
• Korean Cultural Heritage Festival – a free festival celebrating Korean food, music and culture at Swangard Stadium at 3883 Imperial Street in Burnaby (August 5, 2017).
• Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival – a 2-day festival at the Maple Ridge Fairgrounds (August 5-6, 2017).
• Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) – Vancouver’s annual fair (August 19 until September 4, 2017).
• Red Truck Concert Series – multiple concerts at Red Truck Brewery at 295 East 1st Avenue in Vancouver (August 12, 2017).
• Richmond Maritime Festival – a free maritime festival at Britannia Shipyard in Steveston Village (August 12-13, 2017).
• Sounds of Summer Music Series – FREE outdoor concerts in different Surrey parks on Wednesday evenings.
• Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival – a parade, bed races, ax-throwing contests and other logger competitions in Squamish (August 3-7, 2017).
• Steveston Dragon Boat Festival – in Steveston Village (August 26, 2017).
• TD Vancouver Chinatown Festival – a small cultural festival in Vancouver’s Chinatown between Columbia and Keefer Street (August 12-13, 2017).
• Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival – celebrating Vancouver’s LGBTTQ community (August 6, 2017).
• White Rock Sea Festival – a torchlight parade, live entertainment, fireworks and family-friendly activities (August 4-6, 2017).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s August Calendar.

SEPTEMBER Festivals & Events

• Bands on the Beach – two days of FREE music at Harrison Hot Springs (September Long Weekend).
• Fiesta Mexicana – a Mexican festival at the Roundhouse in Yaletown (in early September).
• Polish Festival – a small Polish festival in North Vancouver’s Lynn Valley (in early September).
• Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival – a theatrical festival with the plays Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, The Merchant of Venice, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona (from June 1 to September 23, 2017).
• BC GranFondo Whistler Bike Race – a bike race in Whistler (September 9, 2017).
• Coho Festival – a salmon festival on the North Shore in (September 10, 2017).
• Vancouver Street Food Festival – a food truck festival at Concord Pacific Place near False Creek (September 10, 2017).
• Country Celebration – a small town country fair with live entertainment at Campbell Valley Regional Park in Langley (September 16-17, 2017).
• Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) – Vancouver’s annual summer fair (August 19 to September 4, 2017).
• Richmond World Festival – a free multicultural event at Minoru Park in Richmond (September 1-2, 2017).
• Nikkei Matsuri – a Japanese festival in Burnaby (September 2-3, 2017).
• Taiwanese Cultural Festival – a festival taking place along Granville Street on the Labour Day long weekend (September 2-4, 2017).
  
• TEDxEastVan – an independently-organized mini version of TED featuring local inspirational speakers (September 16, 2017).
• Vancouver Zombie Walk – a parade of people dressed up like zombies (in mid-September).
• Agassiz Fall Fair and Corn Festival – a community fair with a parade, midway, lawn mower races, horse show and crowning of the Corn King and Queen in Agassiz (September 15-16, 2017).
• Whistler Village Beer Festival – celebrating everything to do with craft beer up at Whistler (September 13-17, 2017).
• Vancouver Fringe Festival – a live theatre festival in (September 7-17, 2017).
• Surrey Fest Downtown – a small community festival with live entertainment at Surrey’s Holland Park (September 9, 2017, but to be confirmed).
• Riverfest – a community festival at the Quay in New Westminster (late September).
• Harvest Haus – a mini-Munich Oktoberfest event in downtown Vancouver (late September until early October).
• Vancouver International Film Festival – a prestigious film festival (September 28 – October 13, 2017).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s September Calendar.

OCTOBER Festivals and Events

• Harvest Haus – a large Oktoberfest event in the Queen Elizabeth Plaza at the corner of Georgia Street and Hamilton (late September to early or mid-October).
• Fort Langley Cranberry Festival – a family-oriented event celebrating the cranberry harvest. Special events take place at both the Fort and in the town, including a pancake breakfast and giant market place. This is Fort Langley’s biggest event of the year, attracting over 50,000 people annually (October 7, 2017).
• Vancouver International Film Festival – a prestigious film festival (September 28 – October 13, 2017).
• Vancouver International Improv Festival – a festival featuring theatre-sports-style performances at Granville Island theatres (October 10-14, 2017).
• Diwali Fest – an East Indian festival with events throughout the Lower Mainland (mid-October to late November).
• Apple Festival – a fundraising festival featuring live entertainment and 50,000 lbs of apples for sale at the UBC Botanical Garden (mid-October).
• Harrison Beer Fest – a two-day celebration of craft beers and everything Octoberfest in Harrison Hot Springs (October 27-28, 2017).
• Thrill the World Vancouver – a zombie dance event inspired by Michael Jackson’s hit video Thriller at the Olympic Village Square (late October).
• Fright Night at the PNE – Haunted houses, rides and other Halloween attractions at Vancouver’s Playland.
• Vancouver Halloween Parade – a parade along Howe Street and Granville between Drake and Smithe (mid-October).
• Oktoberfest – festive German beer celebrations take place at various places during the month, including the Harvest Haus event downtown at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza.
• Parade of Lost Souls – a parade and Halloweenish celebrations around Commercial Drive (on the Saturday before Halloween).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s October Calendar.

NOVEMBER Festivals & Events

• RMHBC Boundary Bay Marathon – a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Boston-qualifying Marathon and 4-Person Marathon Relay starting at Boundary Bay Park’s Centennial Beach (early November).
• Remembrance Day – with ceremonies at various locations around the Lower Mainland, including at Victory Square in Vancouver (November 11).
• Circle Craft Market – one of Vancouver’s largest and most impressive Christmas craft fairs taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre (mid-November).
• Diwali Fest – an East Indian festival with events throughout the Lower Mainland (mid-October until mid to late November).
• Surrey Tree Lighting Festival – the official the official tree lighting and free festivities at the Plaza at City Hall in Surrey (mid-November).
• Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival – a low key celebration in the Fraser Valley of one of the largest migratory gatherings of bald eagles anywhere (late November).
• Lights of Hope Celebration – Christmas lights lit and fireworks displays at St. Paul’s Hospital (late November).
• Candytown – an outdoor Christmas market on Mainland Street in Yaletown (late November).
• Vancouver Historic Half – a 5K, 10K and half marathon around Stanley Park’s seawall (late November).
• Various Christmas Attractions start up in late November including the Dundarave Festival of Lights, North Vancouver’s Holiday Hi-Light Festival, Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village, Vancouver Christmas Market, Bright Nights at Stanley Park and Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s November Calendar.

DECEMBER Festivals & Events

• New Year’s Eve Celebrations – free fireworks and concerts in downtown Vancouver.
• Yule Duel: Caroling for a Cause – a fundraising event featuring close to two dozen choirs in the streets of Gastown (the first day or so of December).
• Vancouver Santa Claus Parade – family-friendly activities in the morning and the parade at noon along Georgia Street, Howe Street until Davie (the first Sunday of December).
• Bright Lights at Stanley Park (all month).
• Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge (all month).
• Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden (early December until the beginning of January).
• Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain (all month).
• Christmas at Canada Place (mid-December until around December 30th).
• Vancouver Christmas Market (all month).
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival at Park and Tilford mall (North Vancouver) (all of December).
• Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum (all of December).
• Dundarave Festival of Lights – decorated Christmas trees in West Vancouver with free concerts on Saturday afternoons up until Christmas.

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s December Calendar.

JANUARY Festivals and Events

• Polar Bear Swims
  • Icy cold dips in the ocean to celebrate the New Year take place at English Bay as well as in North Vancouver’s Deep Cove and by the pier in White Rock (January 1st).
• Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants (late January to early February, 2018).
• PuSh Festival – performing arts shows at various locations (mid-January, 2018).
• Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town (mid-January until February 14, 2018).
• Shen Yun – an amazing Classical Chinese dance performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (2018 dates to be confirmed).
• Vancouver International Boat Show – at both BC Place Stadium and the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina (mid-January, 2018).
• LightWaterDrums Festival – a free family-friendly winter lantern festival at Hastings Park (mid-January, 2018).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s January Calendar.

FEBRUARY Festivals and Events

• 24 Hours of Winter – a two-day winter sports event at Grouse Mountain (February 11-12, 2017).
• Hoobiyee 2017 – celebrations of the Nisga’a First Nation’s New Year with traditional storytelling, singing and dancing at the PNE Forum (early February).
• Winter Wander – a day when you can visit the Museum of Vancouver, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and Maritime Museum plus enjoy live entertainment at Vanier Park all for just $5 (early February).
• Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town (mid-January until February 14, 2018).
• Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants (late January until early February, 2018).
• Northwest Comedy Fest – a comedy festival celebrating stand-up, improv and other funny stuff with performances taking place at various venues around town (mid-February, 2018).
• Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival (mid-February to mid-March, 2018).
• Vancouver International Wine Festival – the week of February 24 to March 4, 2018.
• BC Family Day – a statutory holiday with special family-friendly activities at various locations the weekend of February 10-12, 2018.
• Talking Stick Festival – a First Nations festival featuring indigenous art and performances (2018 details to be confirmed).
• Chinese New Year parade and celebrations – February 18, 2018 (date to be confirmed).
• Chinese New Year’s Eve – celebrations at the International Buddhist Temple in Richmond on February 15, 2018.
• Vancouver Lunarfest – Chinese New Year activities at the Queen Elizabeth Plaza (mid-February, 2018).
• Winterruption – a weekend of dance, theatre, music, film, art and crafts at Granville Island (mid-February, 2018).
• Coastal First Nations Dance Festival – by the Dancers of Damelahamid at the Museum of Anthropology (late February and/or early March).
• BC Home and Garden Show – a trade show featuring over 400 exhibitors at BC Place Stadium (late February, 2018).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s February Calendar.

MARCH Festivals and Events

• Vancouver International Wine Festival – the week of February 24 to March 4, 2018.
• TEDxStanleyPark – a TEDx event featuring prominent local speakers at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (March 3, 2018).
• Coastal First Nations Dance Festival – by the Dancers of Damelahamid at the Museum of Anthropology (early March).
• Magnificent You Women’s Conference – a business conference for women (March 3, 2018).).
• Festival du Bois – BC’s largest francophone festival, held annually in Coquitlam (early March).
• CelticFest Vancouver – a festival celebrating everything Celtic (mid-March).
  • Celtic Village – market stalls and entertainment at Robson Square (mid-March).
• Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival (mid-February to mid-March).
• PlayDome – amusement rides and midway games at the indoor carnival at BC Place Stadium (mid-March, but to be confirmed).
• Spring Break – two weeks of public school holidays (mid-March).
• Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival – at Westwood Plateau Golf Club in Coquitlam (early to mid-March).
• Persian New Year Fire Festival – at Ambleside in West Vancouver (mid-March).
• Brewski Fest – a one-day event featuring free beer samples for adults with Cypress Mountain day ticket and season passes (late March).
• Vancouver International Auto Show – at the Vancouver Convention Centre (late March).
• Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival – a variety of events celebrating spring and cherry blossoms (late March).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s March Calendar.

APRIL Festivals and Events

• International Pillow Fight Day – celebrated by hundreds of people and flying feathers outside the Vancouver Art Gallery (beginning of April).
• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road (early April until early May).
• Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival – a variety of events celebrating spring and cherry blossoms (end of March until the third week of April).
  • Spring Lights Illumination – free cherry blossom viewing and light displays at Queen Elizabeth Park (mid-April).
  • Sakura Days Japan Fair – a Japanese spring festival celebrated at VanDusen Botanical Garden as part of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (early April).
• Vancouver International Auto Show – at the Vancouver Convention Centre (late March to early April).
• Easter – a weekend of egg hunts and other holiday celebrations (March 30 to April 2, 2018).
• Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade and Surrey Vaisakhi Parade – East Indian cultural festivities that attract up to 300,000 participants (April 14 & 21, 2018).
• Vancouver Sun Run – a 10-km race that attracts as many as 40,000 participants (late April).
  
• Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival – an annual 10-day event at Whistler (early to mid-April).
• Harrison Uncorked – a wine festival at Harrison Hot Springs (mid to late April).
• Public Lego Exhibition – public viewings of LEGO displays as part of a multi-day Adult LEGO Fan Convention at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond (mid to late April).
• Party for the Planet – free Earth Day celebrations in Surrey (April 21, 2018).
• TED2017 – the annual world TED Conference (late April).
• Tulips of the Valley – Western Canada’s largest flower festival featuring 20 acres of tulips in Chilliwack (between early and late April depending on the season).
• Vancouver Opera Festival – 16 days of opera productions (late April until mid-May).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s April Calendar.

MAY Festivals and Events

• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford (mid-April to early May).
• Vancouver Opera Festival – 16 days of opera productions (end of April until mid-May).
• BMO Vancouver International Marathon – a Boston-qualifying marathon starting in Queen Elizabeth Park and finishing in downtown Vancouver (early May).
• Cinco de Mayo – Mexican holiday celebrations on and around May 5th each year.
• CityFest – a youth-focused festival and the Lower Mainland’s largest skate competition in North Vancouver (early May).
• DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival taking place at various venues (early to mid-May).
• Ships to Shore Festival – a maritime festival in Steveston Village (early May).
• Mother’s Day – a special day for mothers and for letting them know how much we love them (May 13, 2018).
• Whistler Go Fest – the ski resort’s “Great Outdoor Festival” which includes all kinds of sporting events and live evening concerts (mid-May).
• Vancouver All British Field Meet – a car show at VanDusen Garden featuring over 500 British-built vehicles over the May long weekend (May 19, 2018).
• Vancouver Comic Arts Festival – comic workshops, presentations, games and children’s activities at the Roundhouse in Yaletown (mid-May).
• Fort Langley May Day Fair and Parade – a community festival and parade in Fort Langley (May 21, 2018).
• Royal Victorian Party – old-fashioned celebrations at Stewart Farm in Surrey on the Victoria Day weekend (May 20, 2017).
• Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair – amusement rides and rodeo shows in Surrey (May 18-21, 2018).
• European Festival – a festival at Swangard Stadium highlighting the best of European culture (late May).
• Surrey International Children’s Festival – at the Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park (late May).
• Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a fun festival for kids at Granville Island (end of May until the beginning of June).
• Ladner May Days – a community event in Ladner’s Memorial Park with live bands, a parade, petting zoo, amusement rides, pancake breakfast and fastball tournament (late May).
• Hyack Festival – a 9-day community event that includes a parade in New Westminster (end of May).
• Victoria Day – the statutory holiday on the May Long Weekend when various events take place around town (May 21, 2018).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s May Calendar.