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Free May Events in Vancouver

Free Events in Vancouver in May

There are usually many free things to do in May in Vancouver including Victoria Day celebrations, Ladner May Days, markets and other fun activities.

Most years in May there are also food truck festivals, parades, the BMO Vancouver Marathon to watch, and a number of other free fun events. See below for details.

 

COVID-19 AND FREE THINGS TO DO

NOTE: As a result of the current coronavirus pandemic, many events in the Vancouver area have been cancelled or postponed.

Before heading out to an event or venue over the next few months, check out your destination’s official website to make sure that it’s still open. Also, as much as possible, stay close to home, maintain appropriate physical distancing and follow all other public health orders. Together we can beat this virus!

For more information about the coronavirus and its impact on the Lower Mainland, see our article about Vancouver COVID-19 Closures & Cancellations. For a places you can visit, see our article about What’s Open In COVID-19 Vancouver.

 

Free Vancouver Activities in May 2021

For a list of May events including activities that aren’t free, click May Events Calendar.

For a list of FREE (and almost free) activities and events this month, see below.

 

Vancouver on a Budget

In addition to checking out all the free activities listed below on specific dates, click Vancouver on a Budget for a list of great activities that don’t cost a lot of money throughout the year.

 

Note: Schedules are subject to change, especially given the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Check official websites for exact details.

 

Saturday, May 1st (2021)

  • Talking Stick Festival – an Indigenous festival featuring free workshops, performances and other activities online.
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • CityFest – a skateboarding festival with free live entertainment and other youth-oriented activities in North Vancouver. (Not happening as a live event in 2021.)
  • Farmers Markets
  • Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
  • Free Comic Book Day – independent comic book stores often give away comic books for free on the first Saturday in May each year (but to be confirmed for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

 

Sunday, May 2nd (2021)

  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Farmers Markets
    • Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – in West Vancouver at the foot of 13th Street just inside the entrance to Ambleside Park between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. (TBC)
    • Coquitlam Farmers Market – a market at Coquitlam’s Dogwood Pavilion at 624 Poirier Street between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. (TBC)
    • Kitsilano Farmers Market – first market of the season between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm at the Kitsilano Community Centre.
    • White Rock Farmers Market – first market of the year at 15154 Russell Avenue from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in White Rock.
  • Flea Markets
    • Cloverdale Flea Market – a giant market with primarily (but not exclusively) second-hand goods between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm in Surrey. Admission is $1.50, but free for kids ages 12 and under. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)
    • Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
    • Abbotsford Flea Market – a market at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford from 6:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon. Admission is just $1.00, but free for kids under 10 years of age. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)

 

Monday, May 3rd (2021)

  • Lower Mainland Parks – on days with good weather, many of the region’s top parks are the best places to be! Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.

 

Tuesday, May 4th (2021)

  • May the Fourth – a day to celebrate everything to do with Star Wars. A number of activities happen in Vancouver most years (but not likely in 2021 because of COVID-19).
  • Vancouver Art Gallery – admission to the city’s main art gallery at 750 Hornby Street is by donation today between 5:00 and 9:00 pm.
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Canucks Hockey – Vancouver’s NHL team plays Edmonton. (It’s free to watch on TV and at sports bars around the Lower Mainland, assuming the game isn’t cancelled and bars are allowed to be open.)

 

Wednesday, May 5th (2021)

  • Cinco de Mayo – a Mexican holiday with various events around town most years (but not likely so much in 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic).
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – on days with good weather, many of the region’s top parks are the best places to be! Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.

 

Thursday, May 6th (2021)

  • New Westminster Farmers Market – a market with vendors selling fresh produce at New Westminster’s Tipperary Park at 315 Queens Avenue between 3:00 and 7:00 pm.
  • Canucks Hockey – Vancouver’s NHL team plays Edmonton at Rogers Arena. (It’s free to watch on TV and at sports bars around the Lower Mainland, assuming the game isn’t cancelled and bars are allowed to be open.)
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.

 

Friday, May 7th (2021)

 

Saturday, May 8th (2021)

  • Canucks Hockey – Vancouver’s NHL team plays Edmonton. (It’s free to watch on TV and at sports bars around the Lower Mainland, assuming the game isn’t cancelled and bars are allowed to be open.)
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Saturday Market

 

Mother's Day in Vancouver

 

Sunday, May 9th (2021)

  • Mother’s Day – an important day to remember Mom! Free ways to make her feel special include spending time with her (like at a Park or Outdoors in Nature, if the weather is good and you live in the same residence), or at least giving her a call and saying “thanks” and “I love you!”
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Farmers Markets
  • Flea Markets
    • Cloverdale Flea Market – a giant market in Surrey. Admission is $1.50, but free for kids ages 12 and under. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)
    • Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
    • Abbotsford Flea Market – a market at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford. Admission is just $1.00, but free for kids under 10 years of age. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)

 

Monday, May 10th (2021)

  • 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)! Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.

 

Tuesday, May 11th (2021)

  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – if it’s sunny, informal drumming happens at Third Beach in the evening. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)
  • Vancouver Art Gallery – admission to the city’s main art gallery at 750 Hornby Street is by donation today between 5:00 and 9:00 pm. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)

 

Wednesday, May 12th (2021)

  • 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!) Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.

 

Thursday, May 13th (2021)

  • New Westminster Farmers Market – a market with vendors selling fresh produce at New Westminster’s Tipperary Park at 315 Queens Avenue between 3:00 and 7:00 pm.
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • 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!) Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.

 

Friday, May 14th (2021)

  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • 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!) Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.

 

Saturday, May 15th (2021)

 

Sunday, May 16th (2021)

  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Farmers and Other Markets
    • Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – in West Vancouver at the foot of 13th Street just inside the entrance to Ambleside Park between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. (TBC)
    • Coquitlam Farmers Market – a market at Coquitlam’s Dogwood Pavilion at 624 Poirier Street between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.
    • Kitsilano Farmers Market – between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm at the Kitsilano Community Centre.
    • Whistler Farmers Market – between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm at the bottom of Blackcomb Mountain.
    • White Rock Farmers Market – at 15154 Russell Avenue from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in White Rock.
    • Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
    • Cloverdale Flea Market – a giant market with primarily (but not exclusively) second-hand goods between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm in Surrey. Admission is $1.50, but free for kids ages 12 and under. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)
    • Abbotsford Flea Market – a market at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford from 6:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon. Admission is just $1.00, but free for kids under 10 years of age. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)

 

Monday, May 17th (2021)

  • 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!) Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.

 

Free Events and Activities in June

 

Tuesday, May 18th (2021)

  • Vancouver Art Gallery – admission to the city’s main art gallery at 750 Hornby Street is by donation today between 5:00 and 9:00 pm. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • 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!) Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.

 

Wednesday, May 19th (2021)

  • 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!) Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.

 

Thursday, May 20th (2021)

  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • New Westminster Farmers Market – a market with vendors selling fresh produce at New Westminster’s Tipperary Park at 315 Queens Avenue between 3:00 and 7:00 pm.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.
  • 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!) Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.

 

Friday, May 21st (2021)

  • Whistler Go Fest – a festival that includes free outdoor concerts in Whistler. (Taking place online this year.)
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.

 

Saturday, May 22nd (2021)

 

Victoria Day in Vancouver

 

Sunday, May 23rd (2021)

  • All-British Vancouver-Whistler Run – up to 100 classic British cars are on display at Whistler’s Creekside Plaza as part of the Whistler Go Fest event. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)
  • Whistler Go Fest – a festival that includes free outdoor concerts in Whistler. (Taking place online this year.)
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Royal Victorian Party – free Victoria Day festivities at Surrey’s Stewart Farm. (To be confirmed, but likely cancelled.)
  • Farmers Markets
  • Flea Markets
    • Cloverdale Flea Market – a giant market with primarily (but not exclusively) second-hand goods in Surrey. Admission is $1.50, but free for kids ages 12 and under. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)
    • Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
    • Abbotsford Flea Market – a market at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford. Admission is just $1.00, but free for kids under 10 years of age. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)

 

Monday, May 24th (2021)

 

Tuesday, May 25th (2021)

  • Vancouver Art Gallery – admission to the city’s main art gallery at 750 Hornby Street is by donation today between 5:00 and 9:00 pm.
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Cheap Movie Night – at most Metro Vancouver cinemas (so it’s not free, but it is extra cheap). (TBC, but likely cancelled.)
  • 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!) Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.

 

Wednesday, May 26th (2021)

  • 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!) Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.

 

Thursday, May 27th (2021)

  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • New Westminster Farmers Market – a market with vendors selling fresh produce at New Westminster’s Tipperary Park at 315 Queens Avenue between 3:00 and 7:00 pm.
  • 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!) Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.

 

Friday, May 28th (2021)

  • Ladner May Days – a community fair at Memorial Park. The amusement rides cost money, but the live music and admission to the site are free. (CANCELLED, with some activities potentially happening virtually instead.)
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • 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!) Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.

 

Saturday, May 29th (2021)

  • Ladner May Days – a community fair at Memorial Park. The amusement rides cost money, but the live music and admission to the site are free. (CANCELLED, with some activities potentially happening virtually instead.)
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Saturday Markets

 

Free Events and Activities in June

 

Sunday, May 30th (2021)

  • Ladner May Days – a community fair at Memorial Park. The amusement rides cost money, but the live music and admission to the site are free. (CANCELLED, with some activities potentially happening virtually instead.)
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Farmers Markets
  • Flea Markets
    • Cloverdale Flea Market – a giant market with primarily (but not exclusively) second-hand goods between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm in Surrey. Admission is $1.50, but free for kids ages 12 and under. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)
    • Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
    • Abbotsford Flea Market – a market at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford from 6:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon. Admission is just $1.00, but free for kids under 10 years of age. (TBC, but likely cancelled.)

 

Monday, May 31st (2021)

  • Bike to Work Week – a week of May 31st to June 6th people are encouraged to bike to work instead of driving or taking transit.
  • 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!) Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.
  • Vancouver Beaches – if the weather is warmer then go check out some of Vancouver’s best beaches! It might not be warm enough to swim in the ocean, but it might be good enough for a picnic or lying on the sand. Just remember to stay far enough away from other people.

 

Other Information

For a more complete list of things to do in May, including activities that aren’t free, see Vancouver’s May Events Calendar.

And for a list of great activities that don’t cost a lot of money throughout the year, click Vancouver on a Budget.

Other articles that might be of interest include the following:

For a list of things happening in communities within two or three hours of the Lower Mainland, see the calendars of events on the WhatToDoInWhistler.ca and VictoriasBestPlaces.com websites.

 

 

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