Vancouver’s May calendar features 2018 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 Event Calendar

• May 5, 2018 – Cinco de Mayo (Mexico)
• May 13, 2018 – Mother’s Day
• May 21, 2018 – Victoria Day (Stat Holiday)

May Events in Vancouver

Below is what’s happening on the different days of the month in May 2018. For a list of free (and almost free) events instead, click Free Events in May.

Note: schedules are subject to change – check official websites for exact details.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

• Vancouver Opera Festival – 9 days of opera productions around town.
• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road.
• Tulips of the Valley – Western Canada’s largest flower festival featuring 20 acres of tulips in Chilliwack.
• Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – drumming takes place at Stanley Park’s Third Beach from early evening until sunset (assuming sunny weather). Free!
• Vancouver Art Gallery – admission is by donation from 5 to 9 pm (because it’s Tuesday).
• Cheap Movie Night – at most theatres throughout the Lower Mainland.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

• Vancouver Opera Festival – 9 days of opera productions around town.
• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road.
• Tulips of the Valley – Western Canada’s largest flower festival featuring 20 acres of tulips in Chilliwack.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

• Vancouver Opera Festival – 9 days of opera productions around town.
• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road.
• Tulips of the Valley – Western Canada’s largest flower festival featuring 20 acres of tulips in Chilliwack.
• DOXA Film Festival – first day of the documentary film festival with films showing at venues around town (May 3-13, 2018).

Friday, May 4, 2018

• Car Racing – at Mission Raceway Park.
• DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival with films showing at venues around town.
• Vancouver Opera Festival – 9 days of opera productions around town.
• BMO Marathon Health & Sports Expo – a running and other heath and fitness-themed trade show at the Vancouver Convention Centre from 11 am until 8 pm. Admission is free.
• May the Fourth Family Night – special family-friendly Star Wars-themed activities at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.
• Art in the City – an art event featuring works by local artists at the West End Community Centre at 870 Denman Street from 7 until 9 pm. Free Admission.
• Garden Events
  • Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road.
  • Tulips of the Valley – Western Canada’s largest flower festival featuring 20 acres of tulips in Chilliwack.
  • Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey.
• Friday Night Live – live music, storytelling and a guest artist in North Vancouver at 3201 Mountain Highway.
  
• Shipyard Night Market – first night of the season for the evening concerts and market activities at the Lower Lonsdale waterfront in North Vancouver. Tonight’s bands are 10 Gallon Rasta and Mostly Marley.
  

Saturday, May 5, 2018

• Cinco de Mayo – a Mexican celebration with various events around town.
• CityFest – a youth-focused festival and the Lower Mainland’s largest skate competition in North Vancouver.
• White Rock Buskers Festival – featuring over 20 performers at various locations. Most shows are free.
• Nikkei Spring Bazaar – a Japanese-themed rummage sale at the Nikkei Museum and Cultural Centre at 6688 Southoaks Crescent from 11 am until 3 pm. Free admission.
• BMO Marathon Health & Sports Expo – a running and other heath and fitness-themed trade show at the Vancouver Convention Centre from 10 am until 6 pm. Admission is free.
• Wheel to Heal – a fundraising event involving fun, challenging and unique 15-km, 40-km and 100-km bike rides around the Tri-Cities. Starts at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park and funds raised benefit Eagle Ridge Hospital.
• DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival with movies showing at venues around town.
• Vancouver Opera Festival – 9 days of opera productions around town.
• Art in the City – an art event featuring works by local artists at the West End Community Centre at 870 Denman Street from noon until 5 pm. Free Admission.
• Grouse Mountain – last weekend of skiing for the 2017/18 season.
• Garden Events
  • Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road.
  • Tulips of the Valley – Western Canada’s largest flower festival featuring 20 acres of tulips in Chilliwack.
  • Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey.
• Playland – first weekend of the season for Vancouver’s summer amusement park. Open from 10 am to 6 pm.
  
• Farmers Markets
  • Abbotsford Farm and Country Market – first market of the season from 9 am until 1 pm in Abbotsford.
  • Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market – first market of the season from 9 am to 2 pm in the parking lot of Burnaby‘s City Hall at 4949 Canada Way.
  • Fort Langley Village Farmers Market – first market of the season 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 – first market of the year from 9 am to 2 pm at Vancouver’s John Hendry Park.
• Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World.
  
• Family Favourites Movies – $2.99 movies at select Cineplex theatres at 11 am.

Sunday, May 6, 2018

• BMO Vancouver International Marathon – one of the top marathon events in Canada. There are multiple running races with entertainment along the various routes, as well as a street festival and Health & Sports Expo.
• DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival with movies showing at venues around town.
• May the Fourth at Toy Traders – 20 Star Wars characters will be in costume at the Lower Mainland’s most amazing toy megastore at 19880 Langley Bypass from 12:30 to 4 pm. Photo opportunities by donation in benefit of Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
• Vancouver Opera Festival – 9 days of opera productions around town.
• Battle of the Atlantic Parade – to commemorate the end of one of the most significant battles of WWII, a memorial parade and ceremonies take place at North Vancouver’s Waterfront Park beginning at 10 am.
• Art in the City – an art event featuring works by local artists at the West End Community Centre at 870 Denman Street from noon until 5 pm. Free Admission.
• Playland – first weekend of the season for Vancouver’s summer amusement park. Open from 10 am to 6 pm.
  
• Grouse Mountain – last weekend of skiing for the 2017/18 season.
• Garden Events
  • Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road.
  • Tulips of the Valley – Western Canada’s largest flower festival featuring 20 acres of tulips in Chilliwack.
  • Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey.
• Farmers Markets
  • Coquitlam Farmers Market – from 9 am to 1 pm at 624 Poirier Street in Coquitlam.
  • Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – first market of the season in West Vancouver between 10 am and 3 pm.
  • Kitsilano Farmers Market – first market of the season from 10 am to 2 pm outside the Kitsilano Community Centre at 2690 Larch Street in Vancouver.
    
  • Steveston Village Farmers Market – first market of the season in the parking lot of the Steveston Community Centre from 10:30 am until 3 pm.
    
  • White Rock Farmers Market – first market of the year at 15154 Russell Avenue in White Rock between 10 am and 2 pm.
• Flea Markets
  • Cloverdale Flea Market – a large weekly flea market at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey from 6 am until 3 pm.
  • Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World.
• Jazz Vespers – at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church at 1022 Nelson Street between 4 and 5 pm. Admission is by donation.

Monday, May 7, 2018

• DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival with movies showing at venues around town.
• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road.
• Metro Vancouver Restaurants – if not such good weather, then perhaps a good day to eat indoors and take in a movie or a show.

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

• Vancouver Art Gallery – admission is by donation from 5 to 9 pm (because it’s Tuesday).
• DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival with movies showing at venues around town.
• Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – drumming takes place at Stanley Park’s Third Beach from early evening until sunset (assuming sunny weather). Free!
• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road.
• Cheap Movie Night – at most theatres throughout the Lower Mainland.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

• Tonight for Tomorrow – Mealshare is a program where participating restaurants buy a meal for a youth in need when you purchase one of their participating dinner items. Tonight, for every $1 you spend at select restaurants $1 will be donated to Mealshare. So dine out tonight, enjoy the food and make a difference!
• DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival with movies showing at venues around town.
• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

• Ballet BC Presents Program 3 – at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
• DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival with movies showing at venues around town.
• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road.

Friday, May 11, 2018

• Art World Expo – a large art event at Science World.
• Ballet BC Presents Program 3 – at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
• DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival with movies showing at venues around town.
• Car Racing – at Mission Raceway Park.
• Vancouver Whitecaps – soccer game vs. Houston Dynamo at BC Place Stadium.
• Friday Night Live – live music, storytelling and a guest artist in North Vancouver at 3201 Mountain Highway.
• Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey.
• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road.
• Night Markets
  • Shipyard Night Market – evening concerts and market activities at the Lower Lonsdale waterfront in North Vancouver.
  • Richmond Night Market – first day of the season for Vancouver’s famous weekend Asian market at 8351 River Road in Richmond.

Saturday, May 12, 2018

• Spot Prawn Festival – a small 1-day festival celebrating spot-prawn season at Fishermen’s Wharf not far from Granville Island.
• Point Grey Spring Festival – a community event with live music, crafts and other family-friendly activities around the 4400 block of West 10th Avenue from noon until 4 pm.
• Mother’s Day Tea & Plant Sale – at London Heritage Farm in Richmond.
• West Coast Amusements – carnival rides at Guilford Mall in Surrey in the afternoon and evening.
• Clayton Community Festival – a family-friendly community event with parkour and skateboarding demonstrations, bouncy castles, crafts and other activities from 11 to 3 pm at the Hillcrest Village & Clayton Crossing Shopping Centre. Free admission.
• Ballet BC Presents Program 3 – at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
• Run for Women – 5-km, 10-km and 1-km (Little Steps for kids) runs benefiting the BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre Foundation.
• DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival with movies showing at venues around town.
• Car Racing – at Mission Raceway Park.
• Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey.
• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road.
• Chilliwack Food Truck Festival – a small food truck event at Chilliwack Heritage Park at 44140 Luckakuck Way. Chilliwack
• Saturday Markets
  • Abbotsford Farm and Country Market – from 9 am until 1 pm 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.
  • Haney Farmers Market – at 11900 224th Street in Maple Ridge from 9 am until 2 pm.
  • 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.
  • Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World.
  • Richmond Night Market – at 8351 River Road in Richmond.
• Family Favourites Movies – $2.99 movies at select Cineplex theatres at 11 am.

Sunday, May 13, 2018

• Mother’s Day – don’t forget to take her out for brunch or make her feel special some other way!
• Mother’s Day at Glades Garden – live music and refreshments for sale at the semi-private garden park at 561-172nd Street in Surrey. Cost is $5 in advance or $7 at the door.
• Mother’s Day Tea & Plant Sale – at London Heritage Farm in Richmond.
• West Coast Amusements – carnival rides at Guilford Mall in Surrey in the afternoon and evening.
• The Kathy Kallick Band – the award-winning Bluegrass group performs at St James Hall in Kitsilano at 8 pm as part of the Rogue Folk series of live Folk, Roots & Celtic Music in Vancouver.
• The Rogue Folkies Jam – a free Acoustic Old Time, Folk and Bluegrass open jamming session at Aberthau Mansion at 4397 West 2nd Avenue in Vancouver. Bring your own banjo, fiddle or other instrument!
• DOXA Film Festival – last day of the documentary film festival with movies showing at venues around town.
  
• Fairmont Mother’s Day Run – 3 km, 5 km, and 10 km runs and walks between Stanley Park and Jack Poole Plaza to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
• Car Racing – at Mission Raceway Park.
• Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey.
• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road.
• Farmers Markets
  • Coquitlam Farmers Market – from 9 am to 1 pm at 624 Poirier Street in Coquitlam.
  • Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – in West Vancouver between 10 am and 3 pm.
  • Kitsilano Farmers Market – from 10 am to 2 pm outside the Kitsilano Community Centre.
    
  • White Rock Farmers Market – at 15154 Russell Avenue in White Rock between 10 am and 2 pm.
• Flea Markets
  • Cloverdale Flea Market – at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey from 6 am until 3 pm.
  • Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World.
• Richmond Night Market – at 8351 River Road in Richmond.
• Free Jazz Vespers
  • At St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church at 1022 Nelson Street between 4 and 5 pm. Admission is by donation.
  • At Northwood United Church at 8855 156th Street in Surrey from 4 to 5 pm. Admission by donation.

Monday, May 14, 2018

• Tony McManus – the accomplished guitarist entertains at 8 pm at St. James Hall at 3214 West 10th Avenue as part of the Rogue Folk series of live Folk, Roots & Celtic Music in Vancouver.
• Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be!
• Metro Vancouver Restaurants – if not such good weather, then perhaps a good day to eat indoors and take in a movie or a show.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

• Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – drumming takes place at Stanley Park’s Third Beach from early evening until sunset (assuming sunny weather). Free!
• Vancouver Art Gallery – admission is by donation from 5 to 9 pm (because it’s Tuesday).
• Cheap Movie Night – at most theatres throughout the Lower Mainland.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

• Music on the Bow – free live music at the community centre at 3360 Victoria Drive at John Hendry Park between 7 and 9 pm.
• Vancouver Whitecaps – soccer game vs. San Jose Earthquakes at BC Place Stadium.

Thursday, May 17, 2018

• Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey.
• Stars on Ice – the show at Rogers Arena includes performances by 8 Olympic medalists including Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir, Kaetlyn Osmond, Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford, Javier Fernández, Patrick Chan and Gabrielle Daleman.
• Pharis & Jason Romero – the Juno Award-winning duo performs at St James Hall at 3214 West 10th Avenue as part of the Rogue Folk series of live Folk, Roots & Celtic Music in Vancouver.
• Beaty Nocturnal – UBC’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum is open by donation tonight from 5 to 8:30 pm. Guided tours are at 7 pm.
• Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be!

Friday, May 18, 2018

• Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey.
• Whistler Go Fest – a “Great Outdoors Festival” with all kinds of sporting events and evening concerts (May 18-21).
• Car Racing – at Mission Raceway Park.
• Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair – a 4-day cowboy and cowgirl event with bucking broncos, a midway, carnival rides and live entertainment (May 18-21, 2018).
• Pharis & Jason Romero – the Juno Award-winning duo performs for their second night at St James Hall at 3214 West 10th Avenue at 8 pm.
• Friday Night Live – live music, storytelling and a guest artist in North Vancouver at 3201 Mountain Highway. (To be confirmed.)
  
• Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey.
• Night Markets
  • Richmond Night Market – Vancouver’s famous weekend Asian market at 8351 River Road in Richmond.
  • Shipyard Night Market – evening concerts and market activities at the Lower Lonsdale waterfront in North Vancouver.

Saturday, May 19, 2018

• Vancouver All British Field Meet – a car show featuring hundreds of British-built vehicles at VanDusen Garden.
• Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey.
• Whistler Go Fest – a “Great Outdoors Festival” which includes all kinds of sporting events and live evening concerts.
• Fort Langley Beer & Food Festival – at the Fort Langley National Historic Site from noon until 6 pm.
• Dinner by Starlight – an early Indian Summer Festival event at a secret location with dinner by Chef Vikram Vij. Tickets are $800 for a pair! SOLD OUT!
• 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!
• Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair – a four-day event with bucking broncos, a midway, carnival rides and live entertainment. Today the parade takes place starting at 10 am.
• Vancouver Comic Arts Festival – comic workshops, presentations, games and children’s activities at the Roundhouse in Yaletown. Free admission.
• Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey.
• Saturday Markets
  • Abbotsford Farm and Country Market – from 9 am until 1 pm 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.
  • Haney Farmers Market – at 11900 224th Street in Maple Ridge from 9 am until 2 pm.
  • 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.
  • Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World.
  • Richmond Night Market – at 8351 River Road in Richmond.
• Family Favourites Movies – $2.99 movies at select Cineplex theatres at 11 am.

Sunday, May 20, 2018

• Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey.
• Whistler Go Fest – a “Great Outdoors Festival” which includes all kinds of sporting events and live evening concerts.
• All-British Vancouver-Whistler Run – a continuation of the May 19th show at VanDusen Garden where cars meet at Park Royal Mall in West Vancouver before driving up to Whistler for display there at the Creekside Plaza.
  
• Royal Victorian Party – old fashioned celebrations at Stewart Farm in Surrey.
• 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!
• Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair – a four-day cowboy and cowgirl event with bucking broncos, a midway, carnival rides and live entertainment. TIP: Arrive at the pancake breakfast between 9:30 and 9:59 am and get free admission to the fair (with minimum $3 donation for your pancakes)!
• Vancouver Comic Arts Festival – comic workshops, presentations, games and children’s activities at the Roundhouse in Yaletown. Free admission.
• Vancouver Train Celebrations – to honor the 131st anniversary of the arrival of Engine 374 as the first passenger train in Vancouver, there is birthday cake, speeches and brass band music at the Roundhouse from noon until 3 pm.
• Martin Harley – the acoustic Roots and Blues singer and guitarist plays at St James Hall at 3214 West 10th Avenue at 8 pm. Presented by Rogue Folk and the Cap Global Roots Series.
• Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey.
• Sunday Markets
  • Coquitlam Farmers Market – from 9 am to 1 pm at 624 Poirier Street in Coquitlam.
  • Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – in West Vancouver between 10 am and 3 pm.
  • Kitsilano Farmers Market – from 10 am to 2 pm outside the Kitsilano Community Centre at 2690 Larch Street.
  • Steveston Village Farmers Market – outside the Steveston Community Centre from 10:30 am until 3 pm.
    
  • Whistler Farmers Market – at the base of Blackcomb Mountain from 11 am to 4 pm.
  • White Rock Farmers Market – at 15154 Russell Avenue in White Rock between 10 am and 2 pm.
  • Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World.
  • Richmond Night Market – at 8351 River Road in Richmond.
• Jazz Vespers – at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church at 1022 Nelson Street between 4 and 5 pm. Admission is by donation.

Monday, May 21, 2018

• Victoria Day – the statutory holiday features numerous special events throughout the Lower Mainland (including at Burnaby Village, VanDusen Garden, Cloverdale, Fort Langley, Squamish and Whistler). Click Victoria Day for details.
• Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey.
• Whistler Go Fest – a “Great Outdoors Festival” which includes live entertainers in the streets of Whistler Village.
• Victoria Day at Trout Lake – a free event for young children at the Trout Lake Community Centre featuring a bouncy castle, crafts and games between 10 am and 12 pm.
• Fort Langley Parade and Fort Events – historic demonstrations at the fort and a community fair in the park following the Fort Langley May Day Parade.
• Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair – a four-day cowboy and cowgirl event with bucking broncos, a midway, carnival rides and live entertainment.
• 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!
• Playland – Vancouver’s summer amusement park is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Richmond Night Market – at 8351 River Road in Richmond.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

• Vancouver Art Gallery – admission is by donation from 5 to 9 pm (because it’s Tuesday).
• Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – drumming takes place at Stanley Park’s Third Beach from early evening until sunset (assuming sunny weather). Free!
• Cheap Movie Night – at most theatres throughout the Lower Mainland.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

• Music on the Bow – free live music at the community centre at 3360 Victoria Drive at John Hendry Park between 1 and 3 pm.
• Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be!
• Vancouver Climbing Centres – if not such good weather, then fabulous places to escape the rain include the Lower Mainland’s various indoor climbing facilities.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

• Surrey International Children’s Festival – first day of the 3-day event featuring art activities, workshops, storytelling and live performances at the Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park.
• Ellis Paul & Radoslav Lorković – the musical duo entertain at St. James Hall at 3214 West 10th Avenue as part of the Rogue Folk series of live Folk, Roots & Celtic Music in Vancouver.

Friday, May 25, 2018

• Ladner May Days – first day of the 3-day community event in Ladner’s Memorial Park with live bands, amusement rides and fastball tournament. (TIP: Ride tickets today cost just $2. Little kid rides take just one ticket and major rides take two, but for today only).
• Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at Tsawwassen Mills near the BC Ferries Terminal.
• Surrey International Children’s Festival – art activities, workshops, storytelling and live performances at the Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park.
• Vancouver Craft Beer Week – various beer-related events around town during the week of May 25 to June 3rd.
• Car Racing – at Mission Raceway Park.
• Friday Night Live – live music, storytelling and a guest artist in North Vancouver at 3201 Mountain Highway. (To be confirmed.)
  
• Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey.
• Night Markets
  • Richmond Night Market – Vancouver’s famous weekend Asian market at 8351 River Road in Richmond.
  • Shipyard Night Market – evening concerts and market activities at the Lower Lonsdale waterfront in North Vancouver.

Saturday, May 26, 2018

• Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at Tsawwassen Mills near the BC Ferries Terminal.
• Ladner May Days – a 3-day community event in Ladner’s Memorial Park with live bands, amusement rides and fastball tournament.
• Surrey International Children’s Festival – a 3-day event featuring art activities, workshops, storytelling and live performances at the Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park.
• European Festival – a festival highlighting European culture at Swangard Stadium. (CANCELLED!)
• Hyack International Parade – a parade with over 120 floats, marching bands and other entries in New Westminster. Starts at 11 am.
• Cloverdale Market Days – a large artisan market featuring over 100 vendors in downtown Cloverdale on 176th Street (between 56A Avenue and 58 Avenue) from 10 am until 3 pm.
• Uptown Street Fest – a street party on Belmont Street in New Westminster from 11 am until 5 pm.
• 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!
• Vancouver Craft Beer Week – various beer-related events around town during the week of May 25 to June 3rd.
• Coquitlam Food Truck Festival – a food-focused event featuring around 30 or so food trucks and artisan vendors at Town Centre Park between 11 am and 5 pm.
• Sporting Events
  • Vancouver Whitecaps – soccer game vs. New England Revolution at BC Place Stadium.
  • Car Racing – at Mission Raceway Park.
  • Survival of the Fittest – 18-km and 35-km runs on rugged trails in Squamish.
• Playland – Vancouver’s summer amusement park is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Glades Garden Open House – a beautiful garden in Surrey at 561-172nd Street that’s open to the public only a small number of days including today from 10 am until 3 pm. Admission by donation.
• Darts Hill Garden – open house and plant sale from 10 am to 4 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey.
• Saturday Markets
  • Abbotsford Farm and Country Market – from 9 am until 1 pm 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.
  • Haney Farmers Market – at 11900 224th Street in Maple Ridge from 9 am until 2 pm.
  • 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 – first market of the season 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.
  • Richmond Night Market – at 8351 River Road in Richmond.
• Family Favourites Movies – $2.99 movies at select Cineplex theatres at 11 am.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

• Ladner May Days – a 3-day community event in Ladner’s Memorial Park with live bands, amusement rides, a pancake breakfast and fastball tournament.
• Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at Tsawwassen Mills near the BC Ferries Terminal.
• Vancouver Turkic Festival – a free cultural event with live music and market vendors at North Vancouver’s Shipbuilders’ Square from noon until 8 pm.
• European Festival – a festival highlighting European culture at Swangard Stadium. (CANCELLED!)
• 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!
• Vancouver Craft Beer Week – various beer-related events around town during the week of May 25 to June 3rd.
• Dano-Korean Festival at Trout Lake – a small free event featuring cultural performances and Korean food for sale at the Trout Lake Community Centre from 11 am until 1 pm.
• The Gallery Singers – Sing We at Pleasure concert at Holy Trinity Anglican Church at 1440 West 12th Avenue. Tickets are $18 for adults and $9 for students with ID.
• Car Racing – at Mission Raceway Park.
• Vistas Run – a 5-km walk/run and 10-km race event benefiting the Ridge Meadows Hospice Society at Kanaka Creek Regional Park.
• Playland – Vancouver’s summer amusement park is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey.
• Farmers Markets
  • Coquitlam Farmers Market – from 9 am to 1 pm at 624 Poirier Street in Coquitlam.
  • Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – in West Vancouver at the foot of 13th Street just inside the entrance to Ambleside Park between 10 am and 3 pm.
  • 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.
  • White Rock Farmers Market – at 15154 Russell Avenue in White Rock between 10 am and 2 pm.
• Flea Markets
  • West End Flea Market – a special one-day flea market at the West End Community Centre from 10 am to 3 pm. Admission is $1.
  • Cloverdale Flea Market – a large weekly flea market at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey from 6 am until 3 pm.
  • Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World.
  • Richmond Night Market – at 8351 River Road in Richmond.
• Free Jazz Vespers
  • At St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church at 1022 Nelson Street between 4 and 5 pm. Admission is by donation.
  • At Northwood United Church at 8855 156th Street in Surrey from 4 to 5 pm. Admission by donation.

Monday, May 28, 2018

• Bike to Work Week – a week where people are encouraged to ride their bicycles to and from work (May 28 to June 3, 2018).
• Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a child-focussed event featuring live performances, music and kid-friendly things to do (May 28 to June 3, 2018).
• Vancouver Craft Beer Week – various beer-related events around town during the week of May 25 to June 3rd.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

• Bike to Work Week – a week where people are encouraged to ride their bicycles to and from work.
• Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a young-family-oriented event featuring live performances, music and kid-friendly things to do.
• Vancouver Craft Beer Week – various beer-related events around town during the week of May 25 to June 3rd.
• Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – drumming takes place at Stanley Park’s Third Beach from early evening until sunset (assuming sunny weather). Free!
• Vancouver Art Gallery – admission is by donation from 5 to 9 pm (because it’s Tuesday).
• Cheap Movie Night – at most theatres throughout the Lower Mainland.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

• Bike to Work Week – a week where people are encouraged to ride their bicycles to and from work.
• Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a young-family-oriented event featuring live performances, music and kid-friendly things to do.
• Vancouver Chamber Choir – a fundraising dinner with live entertainment and a silent auction at the Italian Cultural Centre.
• Vancouver Craft Beer Week – various beer-related events around town during the week of May 25 to June 3rd.
• Sounds of Spring – a free music event at Blackie Spit Park at Surrey’s Crescent Beach from 6:30 until 8 pm.

Thursday, May 31, 2018

• Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at Lansdowne Centre in Richmond.
• Bike to Work Week – a week where people are encouraged to ride their bicycles to and from work.
• Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a child-focused event featuring live performances, music and kid-friendly things to do
• Museum of Vancouver – admission is by donation from 5 pm to 8 pm (as it’s the last Thursday of the month).
• Vancouver Craft Beer Week – various beer-related events around town during the week of May 25 to June 3rd.

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

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

2019 May Events

Here are events scheduled for May 2019 (with details to be confirmed):

• Cinco de Mayo in Aldergrove – the Think Generously Society is planning a Mexican-themed fundraising event at Del Pollo at 27248 Fraser Highway in Aldergrove (May 4th, 2019).
• Alexandra Festival – a community event at Alexandra Neighbourhood House at 2916 McBride Avenue in Crescent Beach, Surrey. It takes place on the last Saturday in May each year and as many as 3000 people attend (May 25th, 2019).
• Fort Langley Beer + Food Festival – a craft beer festival (mid-May.).
• Vancouver Chamber Choir – Youth & Music 2019: Music’s Future concert featuring winners and finalists from the 14th Annual Young Composers’ Competition at Shaughnessy Heights United Church (May 10, 2019).

Top Things to do in Vancouver

Below are the top six things to do in Vancouver in May.

1. 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.
2. Visit Fort Langley – over the May Long Weekend will be one of the best times to visit the fort as they celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday.
3. Head over to Victoria on Vancouver Island for the May Long Weekend and take in the Victoria Day Celebrations over there.
4. 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.
5. 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!