Home Vancouver Monthly Calendar MAY Events in Vancouver 2021

MAY Events in Vancouver 2021

May in Vancouver

Vancouver’s May calendar features 2021 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

 

2021 May Events in Vancouver

Below is what’s happening on the different days of the month in May 2021.

(NOTE: Since the spring of last year, most Metro Vancouver events and attractions have been adversely impacted by COVID-19. As you’ll see below, many events in this calendar are marked as “to be determined” or “(TBD)”. For the most up-to-date information and statuses of events, see official event websites.)

 

Week of May 1st to 2nd

May 1-2 | May 3-9 | May 10-16 | May 17-23 | May 24-31

 

Saturday, May 1, 2021

 

Sunday, May 2, 2021

  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. There are also games you can play online. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Farmers Markets
  • Vancouver Marathon – one of the top marathon events in Canada. (Taking place as a virtual event this year from May 1 to 31.)
  • Chilliwack Tulip Festival – last day of the season for Western Canada’s largest tulip festival featuring close to 20 acres of flowers in Chilliwack.
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Darts Hill Garden – a semi-private garden park that’s open to the public in Surrey.
  • Flea Markets

 

Week of May 3rd to 9th

May 1-2 | May 3-9 | May 10-16 | May 17-23 | May 24-31

 

Monday, May 3, 2021

  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be (so long as you remain far enough away from other people).

 

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

  • May the Fourth – a day when you get to dress up like your favourite Star Wars character and say “May the Fourth be with you” to all your friends. It’s also a day with a few Star Wars-themed events around town most years. (2021 details to be confirmed.)
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. You can solve a crime, undertake a secret mission or be superheroes and save the city. They also have games you can play online. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Vancouver Art Gallery – admission is by donation from 5 to 9 pm (because it’s Tuesday). (TBD)
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Canucks Hockey – the team plays against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena. (Fans can’t attend in person, but they can watch the game on TV and at sports bars around the Lower Mainland.)

 

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

  • Cinco de Mayo – a Mexican celebration with various events around town (but likely not much in 2021 because of COVID).
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be. (Just remember though to stay far enough away from other people).

 

Thursday, May 6, 2021

  • New Westminster Farmers Market – at Tipperary Park in New Westminster from 3 until 7 pm.
  • DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival. Movies normally show at various venues around town. Because of COVID-19, however, this year the films are online.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Canucks Hockey – the team plays against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena. (Fans can’t attend in person, but they can watch the game on TV and at sports bars around the Lower Mainland.)

 

StayVancouverHotels.com

 

Friday, May 7, 2021

  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival. Movies normally show at various venues around town. Because of COVID-19, however, this year the films are online.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have games you can play online. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Darts Hill Garden – a semi-private garden park that’s open to the public from 11 am to 3 pm in Surrey. Tickets cost $5 for adults and are free for children under 12 years of age.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be. (Just remember though to stay far enough away from other people).

 

Saturday, May 8, 2021

 

Mother's Day in Vancouver

 

Sunday, May 9, 2021

 

Week of May 10th to 16th

May 1-2 | May 3-9 | May 10-16 | May 17-23 | May 24-31

 

Monday, May 10, 2021

  • DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival. Movies normally show at various venues around town. Because of COVID-19, however, this year the films are online.
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, there are also games you can play online. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature can be “best places” to be!

 

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival. Movies normally show at various venues around town. Because of COVID-19, however, this year the films are online.
  • Vancouver Art Gallery – admission is by donation from 5 to 9 pm (because it’s Tuesday). (TBD)
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be. (Just remember though to stay far enough away from other people).

 

Free May Events in Vancouver Banner

 

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

  • DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival. Movies normally show at various venues around town. Because of COVID-19, however, this year the films are online.
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature can be “best places” to be!

 

Thursday, May 13, 2021

  • New Westminster Farmers Market – at Tipperary Park in New Westminster from 3 until 7 pm.
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival. Movies normally show at various venues around town. Because of COVID-19, however, this year the films are online.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature can be “best places” to be!

 

Friday, May 14, 2021

  • Darts Hill Garden – a semi-private garden park that’s open to the public from 11 am to 3 pm in Surrey. Tickets cost $5 for adults and are free for children under 12 years of age.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival. Movies normally show at various venues around town. Because of COVID-19, however, this year the films are online.
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be. (Just remember to stay far enough away from other people).

 

Big Top Werewolf Mystery Game

 

Looking for a fun game you can play online with friends and family from a distance? Then check out Big Top Werewolf by Vancouver Mysteries.

 

Saturday, May 15, 2021

 

Sunday, May 16, 2021

 

Week of May 17th to 23rd

May 1-2 | May 3-9 | May 10-16 | May 17-23 | May 24-31

 

Monday, May 17, 2021

  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature can be “best places” to be!

 

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Art Gallery – admission is by donation from 5 to 9 pm (because it’s Tuesday). (TBD)
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be. (Just remember though to stay far enough away from other people).

 

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature can be “best places” to be!

 

Thursday, May 20, 2021

  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. In addition to live in-person games you can play with members of your household, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • New Westminster Farmers Market – at Tipperary Park in New Westminster from 3 until 7 pm.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be. (Just remember though to stay far enough away from other people).

 

Free Events and Activities in June

 

Friday, May 21, 2021

  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Darts Hill Garden – a semi-private garden park that’s open to the public from 11 am to 3 pm in Surrey. Tickets cost $5 for adults and are free for children under 12 years of age.
  • Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair – a 4-day event with bucking broncos, a midway, carnival rides and live entertainment. (CANCELLED)
  • Whistler Go Fest – a “Great Outdoors Festival” with all kinds of sporting events and live music. (Happening as a virtual event in 2021.)
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be. (Just remember though to stay far enough away from other people).

 

Saturday, May 22, 2021

 

Victoria Day in Vancouver

 

Sunday, May 23, 2021

 

Week of May 24th to 31st

May 1-2 | May 3-9 | May 10-16 | May 17-23 | May 24-31

 

Monday, May 24, 2021

  • Victoria Day – the statutory holiday features numerous special events throughout the Lower Mainland (including at Burnaby Village, Cloverdale, Fort Langley, Squamish and Whistler). Click Victoria Day for details.
  • Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair – a four-day cowboy and cowgirl event with bucking broncos, a midway, carnival rides and live entertainment. (CANCELLED)
  • Whistler Go Fest – a “Great Outdoors Festival” which includes live entertainers in the streets of Whistler Village. (Happening as a virtual event in 2021.)
  • 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. (Happening as a virtual event in 2021.)
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games where you can solve a crime, undertake a secret mission or be superheroes, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature can be “best places” to be!

 

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Art Gallery – admission is by donation from 5 to 9 pm (because it’s Tuesday). (TBD)
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be. (Just remember though to stay far enough away from other people).

 

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature can be “best places” to be!

 

Thursday, May 27, 2021

  • New Westminster Farmers Market – at Tipperary Park in New Westminster from 3 until 7 pm.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be. (Just remember though to stay far enough away from other people).

 

Friday, May 28, 2021

  • Ladner May Days – first day of the 3-day community event in Ladner’s Memorial Park with live bands, amusement rides and fastball tournament. (The in-person event is CANCELLED, but some activities may take place online.)
  • Coastal Swap Meet – an automotive-themed swap meet featuring as many as 500 vendors at the Tradex Centre in Abbotsford. (Cancelled)
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Darts Hill Garden – a semi-private garden park that’s open to the public in Surrey. Tickets cost $5 for adults and are free for children under 12 years of age.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be. (Just remember though to stay far enough away from other people).

 

Saturday, May 29, 2021

 

Sunday, May 30, 2021

  • Playland – rides at Vancouver’s favourite amusement park run from 11 am until 5 pm. (Masks are required and COVID-related safety procedures are in place.)
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. They also have games you can play online. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Ladner May Days – a 3-day community event in Ladner’s Memorial Park with live bands, amusement rides, pancake breakfast and fastball tournament. (In-person event is CANCELLED, but some activities may take place online.)
  • Farmers Markets
  • Flea Markets

 

Monday, May 31, 2021

  • 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 on Granville Island. (Taking place as an online event in 2021.)
  • Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver with members of your household. In addition to live in-person games, they also have online games. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature can be “best places” to be!

 

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

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

 

Other Possible May Events in 2021

Below are other events that may or may not also take place this month in 2021 (with some details to be confirmed).

 

Shows & Entertainment

  • The Rogue Folkies Jam – live music at Mel Lehan Hall at The St. James in Vancouver on various dates in May. (TBD)
  • Vancouver TheatreSports – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island. (TBD)
  • Family Favourites Movies – $2.99 movies at select Cineplex theatres on Saturday mornings at 11 am. (TBD, but likely not happening this month.)
  • Cheap Movie Night – on Tuesdays at most theatres throughout the Lower Mainland. (TBD, but likely not happening this month.)
  • Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – drumming takes place at Stanley Park’s Third Beach from early evening until sunset on Tuesday evenings. (TBD, but likely not happening until later in the year.)
  • Jazz in the Vine – live Jazz at a winery in Langley.
  • Jazz Vespers
    • At 4 pm on Sundays in the salons at St. Andrews-Wesley United Church at 1018 Nelson Street in Vancouver. Admission is by donation. (TBD)
    • At St. Stephen’s Anglican Church at 885 – 22nd Street in West Vancouver at 4 pm on one Sunday in the month. Admission is by donation. (TBD, but likely cancelled.)

 

Festivals and Events

  • Vancouver Turkic Festival – a free event in late May celebrating Turkish culture with live music and market vendors at North Vancouver’s Shipbuilders’ Square in the afternoon and early evening. (TBD)
  • European Festival – a festival highlighting European culture at the Vancouver Alpen Club in late May. (TBD)
  • BC Cider Festival – a cider-sampling event at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale District. (TBD)
  • British Columbia Polish Festival – a cultural event at 2253 Leigh Square in Port Coquitlam. (Formerly called Polish Culture & Heritage Day.) (TBD)
  • Hyack International Parade – a parade with over 120 floats, marching bands and other entries in New Westminster in late May. (TBD)
  • The Pull of the Net: A Multicultural Celebration – a free family-friendly cultural event at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in late May. (TBD)
  • Jurassic World Live Tour – a touring dinosaur exhibit at the Pacific Coliseum. (TBD).
  • Public Lego Exhibition – Lego toy exhibits at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond. (TBD)
  • Royal Canadian Family Circus – under big tops at Richmond’s Lansdowne Centre, Surrey’s Cloverdale Fairgrounds and Vancouver’s Concord Pacific Place. (CANCELLED)
  • Search for the Perfect Pint – a craft beer-tasting event at Port Moody City Hall at 100 Newport Drive. The event is put on by the local Rotary Club and features over two dozen breweries. Funds raised benefit various charitable organizations. (CANCELLED)
  • Surrey International Children’s Festival – a 3-day event in mid or late May featuring art activities, workshops, storytelling, and live performances at the Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park. (CANCELLED)

 

Markets and Trade Shows

  • Richmond Night Market – Vancouver’s famous weekend Asian market at 8351 River Road in Richmond. (TBD, but likely not happening in May this year.)
  • Shipyards Night Market – an evening concert and market activities at the Lower Lonsdale waterfront in North Vancouver. (TBD, but likely not happening in May this year.)
  • BC Bike Show – a bicycle trade show featuring road bikes, mountain bikes, electric bikes and cycling equipment at the Vancouver Convention Centre. (Likely cancelled for 2021.)
  • Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show – a trade show featuring adventure travel and outdoor gear at the Vancouver Convention Centre on May 15 and 16. (Likely cancelled for 2021.)
  • Eastside Flea – a bi-weekly weekend market with about four dozen vendors selling vintage, collectibles, handmade and other items at 550 Malkin Avenue in East Vancouver (about 1.2 km from Science World). (TBD)
  • Coastal Swap Meet – an automotive-themed swap meet in Abbotsford. (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. (TBD, but likely not happening.)
  • Fort Langley Makers Market – a monthly craft fair and celebration in scenic Fort Langley. (Details to be confirmed.)
  • Vancouver Marathon Health & Sports Expo – a running and other health and fitness-themed trade show at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Admission is free. (Likely cancelled for 2021.)
  • Cloverdale Market Days – a large artisan market featuring over 100 vendors in downtown Cloverdale on 176th Street (between 56A Avenue and 58 Avenue). (Cancelled for 2021.)

 

Sports and Sporting Events

  • Vistas Run – a 5 km walk/run and 10 km race event benefiting the Ridge Meadows Hospice Society at Kanaka Creek Regional Park.
  • Vancouver Whitecaps – soccer game against various teams at BC Place Stadium. (TBD)
  • Run for Women – 5 km, 10 km and 1 km (Little Steps for kids) runs benefiting the BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre Foundation. Starts at Wesbrook Village at UBC. (Happening in July in 2021.)
  • Survival of the Fittest – 18 km and 35 km runs on rugged trails in Squamish. (Postponed until November 14, 2021.)

 

Free Stuff & Free Admission Days

  • Museum of Vancouver – admission is by donation from 5 pm to 8 pm (on the last Thursday of the month, but to be confirmed for 2021.)
  • Seniors Day at MOV – admission to the Museum of Vancouver is just $5 today for anyone age 65+ (on the first Tuesday of the month, but to be confirmed.)
  • Roedde House – admission to the historic museum in Vancouver’s West End is by donation on the last Friday of the month (but to be confirmed for 2021).
  • Free Comic Book Day – a number of independent comic book stores give out free comic books on the first Saturday of May. (TBD)

 

Food-Related Events

  • Spot Prawn Festival – a small 1-day festival celebrating spot-prawn season at Fishermen’s Wharf not far from Granville Island. (Happening as an online event on May 29th in 2021.)
  • 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. When it happens, for every $1 you spend at select restaurants $1 is donated to Mealshare. So dine out on whatever day it happens, enjoy the food, and make a difference! (TBD)
  • Abbotsford Food Truck Festival – a food truck event at Thunderbird Square in the Abbotsford Civic Plaza at 32388 Veterans Way. (Happened on April 3rd and 4th at the Tradex Centre.)
  • Cloverdale Food Truck Festival – a food truck event at Surrey’s Shannon Hall. Admission is free. (Scheduled for late April in 2021 at the Cloverdale Rodeo Grounds.)
  • Fort Langley Beer & Food Festival – at the Fort Langley National Historic Site. (TBC)

 

Other Events

  • Glades Garden Open House – a beautiful garden in Surrey that’s open to the public only a small number of days. In 2021 it’s open on Saturdays between May 1st and June 5th. Guests must register in advance and admission.
  • Mother’s Day at Glades Garden – live music and refreshments for sale on Mother’s Day at the semi-private garden park in Surrey. (TBD)
  • Mother’s Day Tea & Plant Sale – at London Heritage Farm in Richmond. (TBD)
  • Restaurant Brunch Buffets – most years a number of restaurants put on fancy brunch events where people can spoil their moms on Mother’s Day. (To be confirmed, but likely not happening this year.)
  • Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. (They normally happen in May, but not likely until at least June in 2021.)
  • Vancouver Comic Arts Festival – comic workshops, presentations, games and children’s activities at the Roundhouse in Yaletown. Free admission. (To be confirmed for 2021.)
  • Thomas the Train – rides with Sir Topham Hatt on the classic storybook train at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish. (Cancelled for 2021.)
  • Vancouver Train Celebrations – an event honoring the anniversary of the arrival of Engine 374 as the first passenger train in Vancouver over 130 years ago. There are usually speeches, cake and brass band music at the Roundhouse. (To be confirmed, but likely cancelled.)
  • Art in the City – an art event featuring works by local artists at the West End Community Centre. Free Admission. (TBD)
  • Beaty Nocturnal – UBC’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum is open by donation on a Thursday evening in mid-May. (TBD)
  • Nikkei Spring Bazaar – a Japanese-themed rummage sale at the Nikkei Cultural Centre in Burnaby. (TBD)
  • Fair in the Square – a free event featuring live music and family-friendly activities at Vancouver’s Victory Square. (Details to be confirmed.)

 

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.

  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. Head over to Victoria on Vancouver Island for the May Long Weekend and take in the Victoria Day Celebrations over there.
  3. 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.
  4. 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!

 

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

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

 

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here