
Welcome to the May 2026 Events Calendar, your complete guide to what’s happening across Vancouver as spring moves into early summer. From outdoor festivals and cultural celebrations to family-friendly activities, live performances, food events, and seasonal experiences, May is one of the most active and enjoyable months in the city.
This guide is curated and provided by Vancouver Page, your trusted local source for discovering events, attractions, and experiences in Vancouver. Whether you’re planning weekend outings, long weekend activities, or spring adventures, this calendar helps you stay informed all month long.
May in Vancouver brings warmer temperatures, blooming parks, and a packed events calendar. Expect outdoor festivals, cultural and community events, live music, theatre performances, food and drink experiences, sporting events, and family-friendly activities throughout the city. It’s a perfect month to enjoy both indoor venues and outdoor spaces.
This page will be updated regularly as new May events are announced.
April 27 – May 3, 2026 (Monday–Sunday)
Looking for the best things to do in Metro Vancouver this week? This curated guide, brought to you by Vancouver Page Local Guide, highlights events happening from April 29 to May 3, 2026 across Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, Surrey, Squamish, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and nearby communities.
From spring markets and cultural festivals to flower fields, night markets, live performances, family activities, and the BMO Vancouver Marathon, this week offers plenty of exciting ways to enjoy the season.
| Category | Events |
|---|---|
| Markets & Shopping | Got Craft Spring Market, Nikkei Spring Bazaar, Junction Public Market |
| Food & Night Markets | Richmond Night Market, Vegan Night Market |
| Cultural Festivals | Vancouver Hong Kong Fair, TJ Fest, Ships to Shore |
| Family Events | Buddy & Friends Children’s Festival, Free Comic Book Day, Burnaby Blooms |
| Outdoor & Nature | The Glades Woodland Garden, Lakeland Flowers, Harrison Tulip Festival, Botanica Tulip Festival, Spring at the Farm |
| Music & Performance | Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, La Bohème |
| Sports & City Events | BMO Vancouver Marathon |
| Craft Beverage | Brewhalla North Vancouver |
| Gardening | Bonsai & Flower Show |
Shop local at one of BC’s largest curated maker markets. Got Craft Spring Market brings more than 100 makers, designers, and small shops to the Croatian Cultural Centre for a weekend of handmade goods, art, home décor, fashion, gifts, food trucks, and family-friendly experiences.
Date & Time: May 2–3, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Admission: $5.72 | Kids 12 and under free
Visit VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Floral Hall for a peaceful indoor exhibition featuring bonsai trees, seasonal flowers, and garden-inspired displays. This event is ideal for plant lovers, photographers, and anyone interested in miniature landscapes and floral design.
Date & Time: May 2, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | May 3, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Floral Hall, VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver
Admission: By donation for the show; garden admission not included
The internationally loved Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain returns to Vancouver with a joyful afternoon of music, humour, and creative arrangements. Expect everything from rock and pop to jazz, film music, and classical pieces performed with charm and precision.
Date & Time: Sunday, May 3, 2026 | 3:00 PM
Location: Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $28–$92 + fees
A full weekend of family fun returns to the Railway Museum of BC with live performances, train rides, creative workshops, mini-rail experiences, games, and cultural entertainment. This is a great day trip for families with young children.
Date & Time: May 2–3, 2026 | Gates open at 9:30 AM
Location: Railway Museum of BC, Squamish
Tickets: $35 single admission | $120 family pass | Children under 2 free
The Vegan Night Market kicks off the season near Jericho Beach with plant-based food, local vendors, craft drinks, music, and a relaxed community atmosphere. The event is family-friendly, pet-friendly, and runs rain or shine.
Date & Time: Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: HI Jericho Beach Hostel, 1515 Discovery Street, Vancouver
Admission: Minimum $4 donation, or canned goods, clothing, or pet food
Comic fans can visit participating comic shops across Metro Vancouver for free comic releases, community activities, and a chance to discover new stories. This global celebration is great for families, collectors, and newcomers to comics.
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Location: Participating comic book stores across Metro Vancouver
Admission: Free; comics available while supplies last
Brewhalla returns to The Shipyards for a 19+ evening of craft beverages, live music, food trucks, and festival energy. Guests can enjoy local beer, cider, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic options in a waterfront setting.
Date & Time: Friday, May 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: The Shipyards, 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Tickets: $49.41–$241.70 | 19+ only
Steveston’s waterfront welcomes Ships to Shore 2026 with maritime heritage, cultural programming, live entertainment, and views of the iconic Kaiwo Maru. Boarding tickets are sold out, but visitors can still enjoy free festival access and dockside viewing.
Date & Time: May 2–3, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Garry Point Park, 12011 Seventh Avenue, Richmond
Admission: Free
Celebrate Hong Kong culture at The Shipyards with food, music, art, workshops, Cantopop performances, traditional games, and a cultural market. This lively event brings together community, creativity, and cultural pride in North Vancouver.
Date & Time: Sunday, May 3, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Admission: Free general entry | HKer Cultural Market: $3.50
TJ Fest, also known as Kuan-Kung Culture Days, returns for its 15th anniversary with Taiwanese street food, performances, vendors, games, crafts, and cultural exhibits. This free two-day street festival is one of Burnaby’s biggest community celebrations.
Date & Time: May 2–3, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Smith Avenue & Avondale Park, Burnaby
Admission: Free
The Nikkei Spring Bazaar brings Japanese Canadian culture, local vendors, flea market finds, seasonal plants, Japanese food, and family-friendly activities to the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.
Date & Time: Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
Admission: Free
The Glades Woodland Garden opens for the season with thousands of mature rhododendrons and azaleas across a peaceful five-acre heritage garden. It is one of South Surrey’s most beautiful spring attractions.
Date & Time: Opens May 2, 2026 | Saturdays & Sundays, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: 457 – 172 Street, Surrey
Tickets: Adults $8.15 | Youth $4.20 | Seniors $6.05 | Children free
Burnaby Blooms returns to Deer Lake Park with eco-art, gardening workshops, plant sales, live entertainment, family activities, nature walks, Indigenous cultural programming, and sustainability-focused experiences.
Date & Time: Sunday, May 3, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn & Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby
Admission: Free
Junction Public Market opens downtown with food vendors, shopping, drinks, live entertainment, and waterfront views near Waterfront Station. It’s a great stop for lunch, casual drinks, or a scenic walk by the harbour.
Season Opens: April 30, 2026
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Licensed patio until 7:00 PM, late on Friday & Saturday
Location: Granville Square, 200 Granville Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free
The Richmond Night Market continues this week with hundreds of international food options, retail booths, entertainment, games, and attractions. It remains one of the top night-out experiences in Metro Vancouver.
Dates: Open weekends through September 20, 2026
Hours: Friday & Saturday, 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Sunday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: 8351 River Road, Richmond
Admission: $7 | Zoom Pass $40 | Children under 7 and seniors 60+ free
Formerly known as the Chilliwack Tulip Festival, Botanica Tulip Festival offers more than 1.5 million tulips across 13 acres, with 59 varieties and scenic walking paths. It’s a colourful spring day trip for flower lovers and photographers.
Date: Spring 2026, bloom-dependent
Location: Botanica Farm, 41310 Royalwood Drive, Chilliwack
Tickets: Available online once released
Vancouver Opera presents Puccini’s La Bohème, one of the most beloved operas in the world. Set in Paris, the story follows young artists navigating love, creativity, friendship, and heartbreak, with some of opera’s most memorable music.
Location: Vancouver
Category: Opera / Performing Arts
Spring at the Farm offers tulip fields, the Tulip Forest, Barnyard Adventureland, jumping pillows, zipline, pedal go-karts, play areas, treats, and family-friendly farm fun. It’s a colourful spring outing in Abbotsford.
Date: Daily from March 30, 2026
Location: Maan Farms, 790 McKenzie Road, Abbotsford
Tickets: General admission from $23.50
The Harrison Tulip Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary with more than 40 acres of tulips and spring blooms. This week also includes Sunrise Yoga on May 2, offering a peaceful way to experience the fields.
Date: Open through early May, bloom-dependent
May 2 Highlight: Sunrise Yoga at 7:00 AM
Location: Onos Farms, Agassiz, near Harrison Hot Springs
The BMO Vancouver Marathon takes over the city on Sunday, May 3, with the full marathon, half marathon, and 8KM race. Even if you’re not running, it’s one of the best spectator events in Vancouver, with scenic routes, cheer zones, and a downtown finish celebration.
Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026
Race Times: Half Marathon 7:00 AM | Marathon 8:30 AM | 8KM 9:30 AM
Start: Queen Elizabeth Park
Finish: Downtown Vancouver near Burrard & West Hastings
Expo: May 1–2 at Vancouver Convention Centre East
May 4 – May 10, 2026 (Monday–Sunday)
May 11 – May 17, 2026 (Monday–Sunday)
May 18 – May 24, 2026 (Monday–Sunday)
May 25 – May 31, 2026 (Monday–Sunday)
Featured events taking place in May will be highlighted here. Each featured listing will include event dates, location details, admission information, a short overview, and a link to the full event page.
May is ideal for family outings, offering outdoor attractions, seasonal festivals, interactive exhibits, educational programs, and community events suitable for all ages.
May also features many free and low-cost experiences, including neighbourhood festivals, public celebrations, outdoor markets, cultural events, and open-air activities across Vancouver.
From concerts and theatre productions to gallery exhibitions and cultural showcases, May highlights Vancouver’s diverse and vibrant arts scene as the city heads toward summer.
With longer days and pleasant weather, May is perfect for outdoor festivals, waterfront activities, scenic walks, cycling events, and nature-focused experiences throughout Vancouver.
Bookmark this page and check back often for updates
Click individual event listings for full details
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Explore other months to plan ahead
Planning beyond May? Browse our full year-round events calendars on Vancouver Page:
This May 2026 Events Calendar is proudly created and maintained by Vancouver Page, a local platform dedicated to helping residents and visitors discover the best events, attractions, and experiences in Vancouver.
Check back often as we continue adding new events and updates throughout the month.