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

 

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, 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 in this calendar are marked as “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 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

 

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

  • Chilliwack Tulip Festival – Western Canada’s largest tulip festival featuring close to 20 acres of flowers in Chilliwack. (TBD)
  • 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 (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.)
  • Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver.
  • Vancouver Art Gallery – admission is by donation from 5 to 9 pm (because it’s Tuesday). (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)
  • Chilliwack Tulip Festival – Western Canada’s largest tulip festival featuring close to 20 acres of flowers in Chilliwack. (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.)
  • Cheap Movie Night – at most theatres throughout the Lower Mainland. (TBD)

 

2021 Entertainment Coupon Book

 

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

  • Cinco de Mayo – a Mexican celebration with various events around town. (TBD)
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver.
  • Chilliwack Tulip Festival – Western Canada’s largest tulip festival featuring close to 20 acres of flowers in Chilliwack. (TBD)
  • 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).

 

Thursday, May 6, 2021

 

Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours

 

Friday, May 7, 2021

 

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 with films showing at different venues around town.
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre. (TBD)
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature can be “best places” to be!

 

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

 

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

 

Thursday, May 13, 2021

 

Friday, May 14, 2021

  • Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey. (TBD)
  • Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver.
  • DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival with films showing at different venues around town.
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre. (TBD)
  • Night Markets
    • Richmond Night Market – Vancouver’s famous weekend Asian market at 8351 River Road in Richmond. (TBD)
    • Shipyards Night Market – an evening concert and market activities at the Lower Lonsdale waterfront in North Vancouver. (TBD)
  • 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).

 

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

 

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

 

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

 

Thursday, May 20, 2021

 

Friday, May 21, 2021

 

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. (TBD)
  • Whistler Go Fest – a “Great Outdoors Festival” which includes live entertainers in the streets of Whistler Village. (TBD)
  • 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. (TBD)
  • Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre. (TBD)
  • Bike to Work Week – a week where people are encouraged to ride their bicycles to and from work. (TBD)
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature can be “best places” to be!

 

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

 

2021 Entertainment Coupon Book

 

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

 

Thursday, May 27, 2021

 

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. (TBD)
  • Coastal Swap Meet – an automotive-themed swap meet featuring as many as 500 vendors at the Tradex Centre in Abbotsford.
  • Bike to Work Week – a week where people are encouraged to ride their bicycles to and from work. (TBD)
  • Darts Hill Garden – open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey. (TBD)
  • Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver.
  • Night Markets
    • Richmond Night Market – Vancouver’s famous weekend Asian market at 8351 River Road in Richmond. (TBD)
    • Shipyards Night Market – an evening concert and market activities at the Lower Lonsdale waterfront in North Vancouver. (TBD)

 

Saturday, May 29, 2021

 

Sunday, May 30, 2021

 

Monday, May 31, 2021

 

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

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

 

2021 May Events

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.)
  • Vancouver TheatreSports – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island. (TBD)
  • 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 celebrating Turkish culture with live music and market vendors at North Vancouver’s Shipbuilders’ Square in the afternoon and early evening. (In late May.)
  • European Festival – a festival highlighting European culture at the Vancouver Alpen Club. (In late May.)
  • BC Cider Festival – a cider-sampling event at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale District.
  • British Columbia Polish Festival – a cultural event at 2253 Leigh Square in Port Coquitlam. (Formerly called Polish Culture & Heritage Day.)
  • Hyack International Parade – a parade with over 120 floats, marching bands and other entries in New Westminster. (In late May.)
  • The Pull of the Net: A Multicultural Celebration – a free family-friendly cultural event at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. (In early May.)
  • Royal Canadian Family Circus – under the big top at Richmond’s Lansdowne Centre. (To be confirmed.)
  • 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. (In mid to late May.)
  • 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. (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)

 

Markets and Trade Shows

  • BC Bike Show – a bicycle trade show featuring road bikes, mountain bikes, electric bikes and cycling equipment at the Vancouver Convention Centre. (Scheduled for May 15 to 16 but details are to be confirmed).
  • Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show – a trade show featuring adventure travel and outdoor gear at the Vancouver Convention Centre on May 15 and 16. (TBD)
  • 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)
  • 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.
  • Fort Langley Makers Market – a monthly craft fair and celebration in scenic Fort Langley. (Details to be confirmed.)
  • Steveston Village Farmers Market – in the parking lot of the Steveston Community Centre from 10:30 am until 3:30 pm on a couple of Sundays. (To be confirmed.)
  • Cloverdale Market Days – a large artisan market featuring over 100 vendors in downtown Cloverdale on 176th Street (between 56A Avenue and 58 Avenue). (TBD)

 

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. (Date to be confirmed.)

 

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 are giving out free comic books today (as are thousands of stores across the continent (on the first Saturday in May).

 

Food-Related Events

  • Spot Prawn Festival – a small 1-day festival celebrating spot-prawn season at Fishermen’s Wharf not far from Granville Island. (To be confirmed.)
  • 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!
  • Abbotsford Food Truck Festival – a food truck event at Thunderbird Square in the Abbotsford Civic Plaza at 32388 Veterans Way.
  • Cloverdale Food Truck Festival – a food truck event at Surrey’s Shannon Hall. Admission is free. (TBD)

 

Other Events

  • 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. Admission by donation. (TBD)
  • Mother’s Day Tea & Plant Sale – at London Heritage Farm in Richmond. (TBD)
  • 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 take place at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish. Book your tickets well in advance!
  • Vancouver Train Celebrations – to honor the 132nd 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. (To be confirmed.)
  • Art in the City – an art event featuring works by local artists at the West End Community Centre at 870 Denman Street. Free Admission. (In early May.)
  • Playland – Vancouver’s summer amusement park.
  • Beaty Nocturnal – UBC’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum is open by donation from 5 to 8:30 pm. (On a Thursday in mid-May.)
  • Nikkei Spring Bazaar – a Japanese-themed rummage sale at the Nikkei Cultural Centre at 6688 Southoaks Crescent in Burnaby. Free admission. (In early May.)
  • Fair in the Square – a free community event featuring a BBQ, artisan market, live music and family-friendly activities at Vancouver’s Victory Square at 200 West Hastings Street. (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!

 

 

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