Wondering what to do in Vancouver this weekend? There’s a lot happening in the Lower Mainland including a number of festivals and other events.

This Weekend in Vancouver

Given the state of the world and the impact of the coronavirus, not so much is happening this weekend. Still a small number of things, and parks and wide open outdoor spaces, will likely still be open. For the most part, though, at home or out in your garden will be best places to be.

For a list of cancelled Lower Mainland festivals and events see our article about Vancouver Events Impacted by COVID-19.

Highlights of the April 3rd to 5th weekend were going to include O Hanami at Nikkei Place, the Cherry Jam Concert, International Pillow Fight Day, The Olde Farmhouse Market and numerous other events. All those events, however, have now been cancelled. Activities that are still taking place, as far as we know, include a number of farmers markets.

Note: Event details are subject to change (but most cancelled activities will likely not re-open).

Friday, April 3, 2020

• O Hanami at Nikkei Place – a Japanese festival celebrating cherry blossom season at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre at 6688 Southoaks Crescent in Burnaby. Today’s event runs from 6 until 10 pm. (CANCELLED)
• Cherry Jam Concert – a free performance outside the Burrard Street SkyTrain Station from noon until 1:30 pm. (CANCELLED)
• FlyOver Iceland – a special feature Icelandic-themed film shows at the multi-dimensional theatre at Canada Place in addition to the regular FlyOver Canada show. (CANCELLED)
• BC Rock & Gem Show – presented by the BC Lapidary Society and featuring over 40 rock and crystal artists and vendors at the Abbotsford Ag-Rec Building at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford. (CANCELLED)
• 5th Annual A Night in the Life – a fundraiser in support of Directions Youth Services, this is an event that involves a 3-hour, daytime immersive experience of youth homelessness. (POSTPONED)
• Strike for a Green New Deal – a climate strike organized by students outside Vancouver City Hall starting at noon. (CANCELLED)
• Art World Expo – a large art event at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver. (POSTPONED)
• Bill Reid Gallery – free admission at the Indigenous art gallery from 2 until 5 pm (because it’s the first Friday of the month). (CANCELLED)
• Darts Hill Garden Park – a semi-private garden park that’s open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey. (CANCELLED)
• Friday Night Live – live music and guest artists in North Vancouver at Lynn Valley United Church at 3201 Mountain Highway. Tonight features the Songscape Duo of Madeline Miskie-Jaege and Frank Chu. (CANCELLED)
• Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. 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 performances are Classic TheatreSports and Frisky Friday. (CANCELLED)

Saturday, April 4, 2020

• O Hanami at Nikkei Place – a Japanese festival celebrating cherry blossom season at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre at 6688 Southoaks Crescent in Burnaby. Today’s event runs from 11 am until 4 pm. (CANCELLED)
• Art World Expo – a large art event at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver. (POSTPONED)
• BC Distilled – an artisan distillery festival spirits-tasting event at the Croatian Cultural Centre. (CANCELLED)
• International Pillow Fight Day – a mass pillow fight takes place in the plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street at 3 pm sharp. (CANCELLED)
• FlyOver Iceland – a special feature Icelandic-themed film shows at the multi-dimensional theatre at Canada Place in addition to the regular FlyOver Canada show. (CANCELLED)
• BC Rock & Gem Show – presented by the BC Lapidary Society and featuring over 40 rock and crystal artists and vendors at the Abbotsford Ag-Rec Building at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford. (CANCELLED)
• Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Art Deco & Chocolate Tasting Tour and 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. Today’s performances include Classic TheatreSports and The Late Show. (CANCELLED)
• Darts Hill Garden Park – a semi-private garden park that’s open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey. (CANCELLED)
• Vancouver Whitecaps – a soccer game vs. Real Salt Lake at BC Place Stadium. (CANCELLED)
• Saturday Markets
  • Riley Park Farmers Market – at Riley Park and Vancouver’s Nat Bailey Stadium (at 4601 Ontario Street) from 10 am until 2 pm. (TBD)
  • New Westminster Winter Farmers Market – in the 600 block of Belmont Street in New Westminster from 11 am until 3 pm. (CANCELLED, but now taking place at Tipperary Park on Thursday evenings instead.)
  • Burnaby Farmers Market – in the north parking lot at Burnaby City Hall between 10 am and 2 pm. (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. (POSTPONED until May 30 & 31.)

• • Squamish Farmers Market – first market of the season at the corner of Victoria Street and Cleveland Avenue in Squamish from 10 am to 3 pm. (CANCELLED)
  • Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World.(CANCELLED)
  • East Side 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). (CANCELLED)
• Family Favourites Movies – $2.99 movies at select Cineplex theatres at 11 am. (CANCELLED)

Sunday, April 5, 2020

• Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival – a free event at Gary Point Park near Steveston Village. Activities include Japanese dancing, Taiko drumming, kite flying and other cultural activities and entertainment. (CANCELLED)
• Vancouver TheatreSports – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island. This evening’s show is Rookie Night. (CANCELLED)
• FlyOver Iceland – a special feature Icelandic-themed film shows at the multi-dimensional theatre at Canada Place in addition to the regular FlyOver Canada show. (CANCELLED)
• Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Really Gay History Tour at 10 am and the Forbidden Vancouver Tour at 4 pm. (CANCELLED)
• Art World Expo – a large art event at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver. (POSTPONED)
• BC Rock & Gem Show – presented by the BC Lapidary Society and featuring over 40 rock and crystal artists and vendors at the Abbotsford Ag-Rec Building at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford. (CANCELLED)
• Darts Hill Garden Park – a semi-private garden park that’s open to the public by donation from 11 am to 3 pm at 1633-170th Street in Surrey. (CANCELLED)
• Sunday Markets
  • Hastings Park Farmers Market – from 10 am to 2 pm at Hastings Skatepark by the PNE. (TBD)
  • Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – from 10 am until 2 pm at Port Moody’s rec centre at 300 Ioco Road. (CANCELLED.)
  • Cannery Farmers Market – at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery at 12138 Fourth Avenue in Steveston Village from 10 am until 3 pm. (CANCELLED)
  • Cloverdale Flea Market – a large market at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey from 6 am until 3 pm. (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 May 30 & 31.)

• • Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World. (CANCELLED)
  • East Side 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). (CANCELLED)
  • Abbotsford Flea Market – a giant flea market at Abbotsford Exhibition Park from 6 am to 4 pm. (CANCELLED)
• Free Jazz Vespers
  • At 4 pm in the salons at St. Andrews-Wesley United Church at 1018 Nelson Street in Vancouver with Jamie Croil performing. Admission is by donation. (CANCELLED)
  • At West Vancouver’s St. Stephen’s Anglican Church at 885 22nd Street at 4 pm. (CANCELLED)

 UPCOMING EVENTS

In case you were interested, a number of events that were scheduled for the weekend of April 10th to 13th (but which have now been cancelled) include the Big Picnic, FlyOver Iceland, River District Golden Easter Celebration and various other Easter-related activities.

Other Information

For a list of things to do on other days this month or next, check out Vancouver’s April calendar of events.