Mother's Day in Vancouver

Mother’s Day takes place on the second Sunday in May each year, so on May 12th in 2024. It’s a day to celebrate mothers everywhere, including in Vancouver.

For a list of top restaurants to treat your mom at see our article about Mother’s Day Buffet Brunch Venues. To learn about events and activities that take place on the weekend of the special day most years, see below or check out our May Calendar of Events.

Or, for ideas on things to give your mom (or grandma or mother-in-law), see our article about Mother’s Day Gift Ideas.

Click on any of the following links to skip to Mother’s Day events in a specific region:

For information about restaurants that offer brunch click Take Mom Out for Brunch.

Mother’s Day in Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland

There are lots of great ways to spend the Mother’s Day weekend in the Lower Mainland.

Below we’ve listed events that take place on the Mother’s Day weekend in 2024 and in previous years. Highlights for 2024 include the Royal Canadian International Circus in Surrey and the Food Truck Festival at BCIT.

Just before Mother’s Day this year there are also a couple of concerts that your mom might like to see. The Chor Leoni Choir performs its Earth & Aether – the Archaeology of Soul and Sky concerts on May 11th at St. Andrew’s Wesley.

For sports fans, there are also Vancouver Canadians baseball games at Nat Bailey Stadium. All weekend long, there are flower festivals in the Fraser Valley as well.

TAKE MOM & THE FAMILY TO THE CIRCUS

The Royal Canadian International Circus is at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey from May 2nd until the 12th, 2024 (so on the Mother’s Day weekend)! The circus is also in Richmond the week after (from May 16th until the 20th). The show is beloved by all who attend, but especially so on Mother’s Day! And it’s very affordable, especially if you use the promo code VANSBESTPLACES to get two general admission tickets for the price of one when buying tickets online.

Visit the royalcanadiancircus.ca website to book your tickets.

Events on Mother’s Day

Below are some of the events that happen on or close to Mother’s Day weekend most years.

Mother’s Day in Vancouver

Vancouver Canadians – the baseball team plays Everett at Nat Bailey Stadium on May 7th to 12th in 2024. Before the game on the Sunday, there’s also a Mother’s Day brunch buffet to enjoy.
The Improv Centre – the Granville Island-based theatre company has a special Moms & Margaritas event on Mother’s Day this year.
Buffet Brunches – a number of downtown Vancouver restaurants offer fancy Mother’s Day brunch buffets on the Sunday. Participating restaurants most years include those at the Westin Bayshore, Pinnacle Waterfront and other hotels.
Mother’s Day Cruise – there is a cruise with Vancouver Boat Parties for moms and their families on May 12th in 2024. Tickets include dinner and three hours of sailing.
Pacific Arts Market Events – the art gift store and art gallery on West Broadway has a couple of events on the Mother’s Day weekend. On Friday, May 10th, there is the Last Day of the 2nd Floor farewell party in the afternoon (from 1:00 until 6:00 pm). This marks the end of the 5 years of the venue operating both upstairs and downstairs. After this date, only the ground level of Pacific Arts Market will remain open. Also, on April 12th, the venue has its Mother’s Day Floral Fantasy Neon Painting event in the evening (from 7:30 until 9:00 pm).
Chor Leoni Choir – the well-known and respected choir has its Earth & Aether – the Archaeology of Soul and Sky concert at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church in downtown Vancouver on Saturday, May 11th.

Mother’s Day in Burnaby

Food Truck Festival – over 20 food trucks are at BCIT on May 11th and 12th for the food truck festival-style event. There are also artisan vendors and live entertainment. Admission is free.

Mother’s Day in Coquitlam

Places des Arts – in 2023 a concert took place at the arts centre in Coquitlam on Saturday, May 13th (so the day before Mother’s Day). The concert featured traditional Chinese, folk and chamber music with the Goldenpearl Ensemble. 2024 details are to be confirmed.

Mother’s Day in the Fraser Valley

A number of places host special Mother’s Day activities in the Fraser Valley most years including the following:

Kilby Historic Site – the historic farm in Harrison Mills near Harrison Hot Springs has special Mother’s Day activities.
Haney House – the museum and heritage site offers a special event full of fun activities, sometimes with an Alice in Wonderland theme. 2024 event details are to be confirmed.
Maan Farms – the family-friendly farm in Abbotsford hosted a Mother’s Day Superhero Brunch last year.
Sweet Spring at Greendale Acres – flowers to admire and family-friendly activities at a farm in Chilliwack. It runs from April 4th until May 5th in 2024.
Abbotsford Tulip Festival – May 14th was the last day of the season for the flower festival at Lakeland Flowers in Abbotsford last year. This year’s closing date may be similar.
Harrison Tulip Festival – the flower displays in Chilliwack closed on Mother’s Day Sunday last year. In 2024 the festival takes place at a new location and is scheduled to run until May 5th.

ROPES COURSE ADVENTURES!

For an extra fun activity to do with mom, consider treating her (and the rest of the family) to a day out at WildPlay in Maple Ridge. The ropes courses and ziplines there are amazing (and even your mother will be able to do them)! Take her there on the Mother’s Day weekend, or, buy your tickets now, give them to her as a gift, and then enjoy the adventures on a later date. (TIP: If you use the promo code VBP15 you’ll save 15% off your adventure.)

Mother’s Day in Richmond

Mother’s Day Tea & Plant Sale – the annual plant sale and Mother’s Day Tea takes place at London Heritage Farm in Richmond most years. The historic site isn’t far from Steveston Village. 2024 event details are to be confirmed.
Richmond Night Market – at 8351 River Road in Richmond. The market runs every weekend between late April and early October.

London Farm Plant Sale — Mother’s Day at London Heritage Farm

Mother’s Day on the North Shore

Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – the market in West Vancouver at Ambleside Park is open on the Mother’s Day Sunday in 2024.
- TIP: After shopping when attending the market, go for a nice stroll along the waterfront. On a sunny day, the entire region is spectacular! The beach is also a lovely place for a picnic!
Mother’s Day Brunches – arguably the best Mother’s Day brunch buffet on the North Shore is the one at the Lobby Restaurant at the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier.

Mother’s Day in Surrey

Glades Garden Mother’s Day Event – the garden at 561 172nd Street in Surrey has a special event on the Saturday and Sunday of the Mother’s Day weekend most years.
Royal Canadian International Circus – one of the best places to be on the Mother’s Day weekend in 2024 is at Guildford Town Centre. That’s where the circus will be! It’s in Surrey between May 2nd and the 12th, and then later, in Richmond at Lansdowne Centre, between May 16th and the 20th.

Other Mother’s Day Activities

There are lots of other ways to thank moms and make them feel special in the Lower Mainland, including in the following ways:

Take Mom Out for Brunch

Regardless of your age and that of your mother, a Canadian Mother’s Day tradition is to take mom out for brunch. Many restaurants across the Lower Mainland offer special brunch menus on Mother’s Day (or at least they do in years without pandemics). This includes some of the region’s finest establishments as well as some of the most reasonably priced

See our article about Top Mother’s Day Brunches for a list of places to treat mom! Top brunch buffets include ones at the H2 Kitchen & Bar at the Westin Bayshore Hotel, P2B Bistro at the Pinnacle Waterfront Hotel, and Pinnacle at the Pier in North Vancouver, plus various other Lower Mainland restaurants.

TIP: Restaurants offering Mother’s Day buffet brunches often fill up well in advance. Book early if you want a spot!

BRUNCH AT THE WESTIN BAYSHORE HOTEL

A great place for brunch on weekends is the H2 Kitchen + Bar at the Westin Bayshore Hotel. We’ve eaten there a few times. The Mother’s Day brunch there is extra special!

Take Mom Out for Dinner

Instead of taking mom out for a brunch, why not lunch or dinner? For a list of great places, check out Metro Vancouver’s Best Restaurants.

Spend the Day with Mom and the Family

In addition to a nice meal out and taking in special weekend events, a popular way to treat mom special is to take her to one of Vancouver’s best places outdoors. If the weather is good, great venues for family time include anywhere in Vancouver’s Top Parks and Places in Nature. Some of our favourites include the following: