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Free May Events in Vancouver

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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.

 

Free Vancouver Activities in May

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.

(Note: Schedules are subject to change. Check official websites for exact details.)

 

Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festivals

 

FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL EVENTS

The Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival hosts a couple of events in May this year. The Richmond Community Block Party happens on the weekend of April 29 to May 1 and the Coquitlam Community Block Party happens on May 7 and 8. Both events feature food trucks, market vendors, music and free admission.

 

Sunday, May 1st (2022)

  • Community Block Party – a food truck event featuring more than twenty food vendors, an artisan market and live entertainment in Richmond. Admission to the venue is free.
  • City Nature Challenge – nature-related activities as well as free guided walks at Minnekhada Regional Park in Coquitlam. (This event is hosted by the Fraser River Discovery Centre and spaces for the walk are limited).
  • Navy Fleet Weekend – seven Canadian Navy ships are at Shipbuilders’ Pier in North Vancouver for people to see. At 10 am there is a ceremony at Waterfront Park to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic which took place during the Second World War.
  • 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.
    • 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.
  • Jazz Vespers – from 4:00 to 5:00 pm at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church at 1022 Nelson Street in Vancouver. Admission is by donation. This week features music with Brazilian Flavours.

 

Monday, May 2nd (2022)

  • 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.

 

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.

 

Tuesday, May 3rd (2022)

  • 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.
  • Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – if it’s sunny, informal drumming happens at Third Beach in the evening.
  • Cheap Movie Night – at most Metro Vancouver cinemas (so it’s not free, but it is extra cheap).
  • Lower Mainland Parks – on days with good weather, many of the region’s top parks are the best places to be!

 

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

 

Wednesday, May 4th (2022)

  • May the Fourth – a day to celebrate everything to do with Star Wars. A number of activities happen in Vancouver most years (although not so much in past recent years because of COVID-19).
  • 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.

 

Thursday, May 5th (2022)

  • Cinco de Mayo – a Mexican holiday with various events around town most years (although most of them aren’t free).
  • Cinco de Mayo Party – celebrate the Mexican holiday with friends and Latin music at Vancouver’s Bar None nightclub in Yaletown.
  • 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.

 

Friday, May 6th (2022)

  • 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.

 

Saturday, May 7th (2022)

  • Community Block Party – a food truck event featuring more than twenty food vendors, an artisan market and live entertainment at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam. Admission to the venue is free.
  • CityFest – a skateboarding festival with free live entertainment and other youth-oriented activities in North Vancouver.
  • Hug the Mountain – an anti-pipeline protest takes place where people plan to join hands and circle Burnaby Mountain between 1:00 and 4:00 pm.
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
  • Art in the City – an art event featuring works by local artists at the West End Community Centre. Free Admission.
  • Free Comic Book Day – independent comic book stores often give away comic books for free on the first Saturday in May each year (but not so much in the past couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
  • Saturday Markets

 

Mother's Day in Vancouver

 

Sunday, May 8th (2022)

  • 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), or at least giving her a call and saying “thanks” and “I love you!”
  • Community Block Party – a food truck event featuring more than twenty food vendors, an artisan market and live entertainment at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam. Admission to the venue is free.
  • Art in the City – an art event featuring works by local artists at the West End Community Centre. Free Admission.
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
  • Farmers Markets
  • Flea Markets
    • Cloverdale Flea Market – a giant market in Surrey. Admission is $1.50, but free for kids ages 12 and under.
    • 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.

 

All British Field Meet

 

Monday, May 9th (2022)

  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “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.

 

Tuesday, May 10th (2022)

  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
  • Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – if it’s sunny, informal drumming happens at Third Beach in the evening.
  • 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.
  • Cheap Movie Night – at most Metro Vancouver cinemas (so it’s not free, but it is extra cheap).

 

Wednesday, May 11th (2022)

  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be. 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.
  • 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.

 

Thursday, May 12th (2022)

  • 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.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “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.

 

Friday, May 13th (2022)

  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “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.

 

Saturday, May 14th (2022)

  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
  • Granville Island Brewing – the brewery celebrates its 38th birthday with an outdoor event with food trucks, games and live entertainment from noon until 9:00 pm. Admission is free and so are some of the samples.
  • ExplorASIAN Festival – the month-long festival celebrating Asian culture features a spring flower show today at the Roundhouse Community Centre and TJ Fest with a  community market at the Tian Jin Temple.
  • TJ Fest – a free community event with Taiwanese food, market vendors and live entertainment at the Taoist Tian Jin Temple in Burnaby.
  • Saturday Markets

 

Sunday, May 15th (2022)

  • Spot Prawn Festival – an event celebrating spot-prawn season at Fishermen’s Wharf in False Creek. Admission to the venue is free, but you have to pay for the prawns and any other food you purchase.
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
  • ExplorASIAN Festival – the month-long festival celebrating Asian culture features a spring flower show today at the Roundhouse Community Centre and TJ Fest with a  community market at the Tian Jin Temple.
  • TJ Fest – a free community event with Taiwanese food, market vendors and live entertainment at the Taoist Tian Jin Temple in Burnaby.
  • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.

 

West of Main Art Walk

 

Monday, May 16th (2022)

  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “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.

 

Tuesday, May 17th (2022)

 

Wednesday, May 18th (2022)

  • West of Main Art Walk – previews of the types of art that will be on display in artist’s studios around Vancouver on May 28th and 29th. Today’s exhibition is at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown from 10:00 am until 9 :00 pm.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be. 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.
  • 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.

 

2022 Vancouver Wine Festival

 

Thursday, May 19th (2022)

  • West of Main Art Walk – previews of the types of art that will be on display in artist’s studios around Vancouver on May 28th and 29th. Today’s exhibition is at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown from 10:00 am until 9 :00 pm.
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
  • Beaty Nocturnal – admission to UBC’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum is by donation this evening between 5:00 and 8:30 pm.
  • 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.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be. Other great areas to enjoy include Best Places to Walk, Jog and Cycle.

 

Friday, May 20th (2022)

  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 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.
  • 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.

 

All British Field Meet

 

Saturday, May 21 (2022)

 

Victoria Day in Vancouver

 

Sunday, May 22nd (2022)

  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
  • Royal Victorian Party – free Victoria Day festivities at Surrey’s Stewart Farm. (TBC)
  • Engine 374 Anniversary – a party at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown celebrating the anniversary of the first passenger train to arrive in Vancouver 135 years ago.
  • Vancouver Comic Arts Festival – a comic-themed event at the Roundhouse in Yaletown.
  • 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.
    • 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.

 

Monday, May 23rd (2022)

 

Tuesday, May 24th (2022)

 

Wednesday, May 25th (2022)

  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
  • Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “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.

 

Thursday, May 26th (2022)

  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
  • 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. 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.

 

Friday, May 27th (2022)

 

Saturday, May 28th (2022)

 

Free Events and Activities in June

 

Sunday, May 29th (2022)

  • West of Main Art Walk – numerous art studios around Vancouver are open to the public today between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm.
  • 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.
  • BC Polish Festival – an event with music, dancing and food in Port Coquitlam at Leigh Square from 1:00 until 9:00 pm.
  • Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
  • 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.
    • 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.

 

Monday, May 30th (2022)

  • Bike to Work Week – the week of May 30th to June 5th 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. 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.

 

Tuesday, May 31st (2022)

 

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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