Vancouver’s May calendar features 2020 festivals and events in the Lower Mainland including markets and Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and Victoria Day events.

JANUARY – FEBRUARY – MARCH – APRIL

MAY – JUNE – JULY – AUGUST – SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER – DECEMBER

Vancouver May Calendar of Events

May 5, 2020 – Cinco de Mayo (Mexico)
May 10, 2020 – Mother’s Day
May 18, 2020 – Victoria Day (Stat Holiday)

May Events in Vancouver

Below is what’s happening on the different days of the month in May 2020. First though, see the following note about the impact of the novel coronavirus on Vancouver and upcoming events.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Beginning in the spring of 2020, many Metro Vancouver events and attractions have been adversely impacted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. As you’ll see below, many events are marked “to be confirmed” or “to be determined” or “(TBD)”. Unless we know that an event has been cancelled or postponed, we have marked it in most cases as “(TBD)” to reflect the fact that its status may change. For the most up-to-date information, see official individual event websites.

For a comprehensive list of Lower Mainland places that have been affected by the pandemic to date, see our article about Coronavirus Closures & Cancellations.

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Members & Locals Day at Britannia Mine – the attraction up the Sea to Sky Highway is open today for members and people who live in the immediate area. On June 1st, it reopens for the general public.
Farmers Markets
- Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – in West Vancouver between 10 am and 3 pm.
- Coquitlam Farmers Market – from 9 am to 1 pm at 624 Poirier Street in Coquitlam.
- Kitsilano Farmers Market – from 10 am to 2 pm outside the Kitsilano Community Centre at 2690 Larch Street in Vancouver.
- Whistler Farmers Market – at the base of Blackcomb Mountain from 11 am to 4 pm. (POSTPONED)
- White Rock Farmers Market – at 15154 Russell Avenue in White Rock between 10 am and 2 pm.
Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at Concord Pacific Place in Vancouver. (CANCELLED)
Vancouver Turkic Festival – a free event celebrating Turkish culture with live music and market vendors at North Vancouver’s Shipbuilders’ Square in the afternoon and early evening. (CANCELLED)
Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a child-focused event featuring live performances, music and kid-friendly things to do. (CANCELLED)
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – today features the Really Gay History Tour at 10 am and the Forbidden Vancouver Tour at 4 pm. (POSTPONED until June.)
Thomas the Train – rides with Sir Topham Hatt on the classic storybook train take place at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish. Book your tickets well in advance! (POSTPONED until October.)
European Festival – a festival highlighting European culture at the Vancouver Alpen Club. (TBD, but likely cancelled.)
Bike to Work Week – a week where people are encouraged to ride their bicycles to and from work (May 25 to 31, 2020). (POSTPONED until the fall.)
Vancouver TheatreSports – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island. This evening’s show is Rookie Night. (CLOSED until further notice.)
Jazz Vespers
- At 4 pm in the salons at St. Andrews-Wesley United Church at 1018 Nelson Street in Vancouver. Admission is by donation. (TBD, but likely cancelled.)
- At St. Andrew’s United Church at 1044 St. George’s Avenue in North Vancouver from 4 to 5 pm. Music with Karin Plato. (TBD, but likely cancelled.)
- The Olde Farmhouse Market – a vintage market featuring dozens of vendors selling antiques, collectibles, jewellery, handmade goods and other home and garden treasures at Tradex at 1190 Cornell Street in Abbotsford. Admission is $7 for one day or $9 for both days. Children 12 and under are free. (POSTPONED until further notice.)
- Flea Markets
  - Cloverdale Flea Market – a large weekly flea market at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey from 6 am until 3 pm. (TBD, but likely cancelled.)
  - Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World. (TBD, but likely cancelled.)
  - Abbotsford Flea Market – a giant flea market at Abbotsford Exhibition Park from 6 am to 4 pm. (TBD, but likely cancelled.)
- Richmond Night Market – at 8351 River Road in Richmond. (POSTPONED until June.)

COUPON BOOKS ON SALE!

As of the spring of 2020 Entertainment Coupon Books are on sale for a limited time at a crazy low price (like for as little as $7 USD including free shipping)! That’s an amazing deal! True, lots of places with coupons aren’t currently open, but some are and more will be soon too. Purchase a book and you get the coupon ap for free, and it’s good until the end of 2020! With dollars tight for so many people currently, now is a good time for 2-for-1 deals!

See the Entertainment Book website for details.

Monday, June 1, 2020

Camping at BC Parks – British Columbia is scheduled to start reopening provincially-run campgrounds today. Not all Lower Mainland BC Parks’ facilities will reopen, nor all campgrounds, but some will (unless conditions deteriorate).
Britannia Mine Reopens – after being closed for several weeks due to COVID-19, the attraction up the Sea to Sky Highway reopens to the general public as of today.
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – a variety of different walking tours around downtown Vancouver. Today features the Art Deco and Chocolate Tasting Tour at 10 am, the Forbidden Vancouver Tour at 7 pm and the Lost Souls of Gastown at 8 pm. (CANCELLED)
Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be!
If miserable weather, then also a good day to seek refuge at one of Vancouver’s best places on a rainy day.

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Nikkei Centre Reopens – the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby reopens today (although with various extra precautionary measures in place).
Vancouver Art Gallery – admission is by donation from 5 to 9 pm (because it’s Tuesday). (TBD)
Seniors Day at MOV – admission to the Museum of Vancouver is just $5 today for anyone age 65+ (because it’s the first Tuesday of the month). (TBD)
Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – drumming takes place at Stanley Park’s Third Beach from early evening until sunset (assuming sunny weather). Free! (TBD)
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided evening tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Lost Souls of Gastown and Forbidden Vancouver Tour routes. Both begin across the street from the Holy Rosary Cathedral, which is located at 646 Richards Street. (CANCELLED)
Cheap Movie Night – at most theatres throughout the Lower Mainland. (CANCELLED)

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Main Street Farmers Market – first market of the season from 2 to 6 pm in front of Vancouver’s Central Pacific Station.
BC Ferries Resumes Services to Nanaimo – passenger ferry service between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo was suspended due to COVID-19. Today, though, four sailings a day are scheduled to resume (although at just half capacity).
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – today features the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour at 10 am, the Forbidden Vancouver Tour at 7 pm and the Lost Souls of Gastown at 8 pm. (CANCELLED)
Vancouver TheatreSports – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island. Tonight’s performance is likely Classic TheatreSports. (TBD)
Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be!
If miserable weather, then also a good day to seek refuge at one of Vancouver’s best places on a rainy day.

ARTS GROUPS ARE HURTING

Forced to close their doors temporarily, and thus unable to earn revenue as they usually do, arts and cultural organizations are struggling in this world of COVID-19. We all are too. If you have the resources though, and want to support the arts, consider donating to your favourite theatre, cultural or other non-profit group.

Vancouver TheatreSports, for example, has a “Donation Show” campaign. Instead of asking fans of live improv theatre to buy a regular ticket to see a show, they are encouraging people to donate the value of tickets to help them stay afloat and cover their expenses. Every little bit counts, and every contribution is so gratefully appreciated. Thanks for supporting the arts if you can! Together we can beat this pandemic!

Thursday, June 4, 2020

Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. (CANCELLED)
Thursday Farmers Markets – in New Westminster and Granville Island. (To be confirmed.)
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – today features the Art Deco and Chocolate Tasting Tour at 10 am, the Forbidden Vancouver Tour at 7 pm and the Lost Souls of Gastown at 8 pm. (CANCELLED)
Vancouver TheatreSports – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island. (TBD)

Friday, June 5, 2020

Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. (CANCELLED)
Vancouver TheatreSports – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island. Tonight’s performances are likely Classic TheatreSports and Frisky Friday. (TBD)
Surrey Greek Food Festival – a multi-day community event featuring Greek food and entertainment at 13181 96th Avenue in Surrey. (To be confirmed.)
West Vancouver Bridge Festival – a 2-day community event at Ambleside Park. (CANCELLED)
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – today features the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour at 10 am, the Forbidden Vancouver Tour at 7 pm and the Lost Souls of Gastown at 8 pm. (CANCELLED)
BC Lions Football – Canadian professional football at BC Place Stadium. Today it’s the BC Lions vs Calgary at 9 pm. (Note: it’s a pre-season game). (CANCELLED)
Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey. (TBD)
Night Markets
- Shipyard Night Market – market stalls, food trucks and an evening concert at Shipbuilders’ Square in North Vancouver. (TBD)
- Richmond Night Market – Vancouver’s famous weekend Asian market at 8351 River Road in Richmond. (POSTPONED until later in the season.)

Saturday, June 6, 2020

Saturday Markets
- Abbotsford Farm and Country Market – from 9 am until noon in Abbotsford.
- Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market – from 9 am to 2 pm in the parking lot of Burnaby’s City Hall at 4949 Canada Way.
- Fort Langley Village Farmers Market – between 10 am and 3 pm at 9025 Glover Road in Fort Langley.
- Lonsdale Quay Farmers Market – a small artisan market at Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver between 10 am and 3 pm.
- Riley Park Farmers Market – a small to medium-sized market from 10 am until 2 pm at Riley Park near Nat Bailey Stadium.
- Squamish Farmers Market – at the corner of Victoria Street and Cleveland Avenue in Squamish from 10 am to 3 pm.
- Trout Lake Farmers Market – from 9 am to 2 pm at Vancouver’s John Hendry Park.
- West End Farmers Market – at 1100 Comox Street from 9 am to 2 pm.
- Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World. (TBD)
- Richmond Night Market – at 8351 River Road in Richmond. (POSTPONED until later in the season.)
Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. (CANCELLED)
Vancouver TheatreSports – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island. Today’s performances likely include Classic TheatreSports and The Late Show. (TBD)
Surrey Greek Food Festival – a multi-day community event featuring Greek food and entertainment at 13181 96th Avenue in Surrey. (To be confirmed.)
Coquitlam Food Truck Festival – a food truck event with live music at Town Centre Park at 1299 Pinetree Way from 11 am to 6 pm. (POSTPONED until September.)
West Vancouver Bridge Festival – a 2-day community event at Ambleside Park. (CANCELLED)
Pitt Meadows Day – a community event with activities at both Harris Road Park and the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre, plus fireworks at Pitt Meadows Athletic Park. (POSTPONED)
Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey. (CANCELLED)
Family Favourites Movies – $2.99 movies at select Cineplex theatres in the Lower Mainland. (CANCELLED)
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – today features the Art Deco & Chocolate Tasting and the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tours in the morning, with both the Forbidden Vancouver and Lost Souls of Gastown Tours in the evening. (CANCELLED)

Sunday, June 7, 2020

Farmers Markets
- Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – in West Vancouver between 10 am and 3 pm.
- Coquitlam Farmers Market – from 9 am to 1 pm at 624 Poirier Street in Coquitlam.
- Kitsilano Farmers Market – from 10 am to 2 pm outside the Kitsilano Community Centre at 2690 Larch Street in Vancouver.
- Whistler Farmers Market – at the base of Blackcomb Mountain from 11 am to 4 pm. (POSTPONED)
- White Rock Farmers Market – at 15154 Russell Avenue in White Rock between 10 am and 2 pm.
Richmond Night Market – at 8351 River Road in Richmond. (POSTPONED until later in the season.)
Flea Markets
- Cloverdale Flea Market – a massive market at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey from 6 am until 3 pm. (TBD)
- Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World. (TBD)
- Abbotsford Flea Market – a giant flea market at Abbotsford Exhibition Park from 6 am to 4 pm. (TBD)
Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. (CANCELLED)
Surrey Greek Food Festival – a multi-day community event featuring Greek food and entertainment at 13181 96th Avenue in Surrey. (To be confirmed.)
Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey. (CANCELLED)
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – today features the Really Gay History Tour at 10 am and the Forbidden Vancouver Tour at 4 pm. (CANCELLED)
Vancouver TheatreSports – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island. This evening’s show is likely Rookie Night. (TBD)
Jazz Vespers – at 4 pm in the salons at St. Andrews-Wesley United Church at 1018 Nelson Street in Vancouver. Admission is by donation. (TBD, but likely cancelled.)

To return to the top of the page, click May Calendar.

To see what’s happening next month, click June Calendar of Events.

Top Things to do in Vancouver

Below are the top five things to do in Vancouver in May (in years when there is no COVID-19 pandemic.

Treat Mom out to brunch, lunch or dinner for Mother’s Day at any of Metro Vancouver’s best restaurants, and combine it with a family walk at one of Vancouver’s Best Places in Parks and Nature, or just make it a picnic.
Head over to Victoria on Vancouver Island for the May Long Weekend and take in the Victoria Day Celebrations over there.
Go camping on the May Long Weekend at Alice Lake, Rolley Lake, Alouette Lake, Porteau Cove or Cultus Lake, but make your reservations months in advance and take your rain gear just in case.
Go for a bike ride, especially during Bike to Work Week towards the end of the month. Also, check out Vancouver’s Best Places for a Jog, Walk or Cycle for suggestions on leisurely cycling routes.

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.

Recommended May Activities

Spring flowers are in full bloom around Vancouver in May, and all the trees finally have their leaves. This, plus the increasingly sunny weather and all the snow still usually on the mountain peaks, means that Vancouver is visually at its most spectacular.

May is a great time to check out Vancouver’s beautiful gardens, especially those at Stanley Park, VanDusen Garden, Queen Elizabeth Park and Sun Yat-Sen Garden, or any of Vancouver’s sandy beaches or other best places for nature.

The Cleveland Dam and Capilano River Regional Park in North Vancouver can be especially picturesque this time of the year, with all the green everywhere, but still snow-covered peaks on the Lions mountain peaks in the background.

With the snow-melt run off, Shannon Falls (not far from Squamish) and Bridal Veil Falls in the Fraser Valley can also be especially large and spectacular. If it’s a sunny day, then May is a good month to be almost anywhere outside!