A new month is right around the corner, and you know what that means! As always, it’s time for a roundup of the best free and cheap things to do around Vancouver this April. Get outside, enjoy some arts and culture, indulge in a delicious meal… you’ve got options, and none of them are going to hurt your wallet!
Here are the best free and cheap things to do around Vancouver this April.
Capture Photography Festival
We cannot say no to some pretty pictures! Capture Photography Fest is back in Vancouver, offering a wide range of exhibitions, public installations, and even workshops for the truly devoted.
When: Friday, April 1st to Saturday, April 29th
Where: All around Vancouver
Cost: Free+
Polygon Gallery
How about a couple of admission by donation options? The Polygon Gallery opened a new major exhibit last month, showing photos focused on clouds from the ‘Archive of Modern Conflict’. Fitting.
When: Open throughout April
Where: 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Cost: Admission by donation!
Contemporary Art Gallery
Meanwhile, CAG has two new exhibits that you can check out. One explores the “aesthetics of utopian thought.” The other is about the experience of “time, space, self, and relationships”. We might not get it off the hop, but there’s no denying it’s fun to check out!
Hours: Open throughout April
Where: 555 Nelson Street
Cost: Admission by donation!
Richmond Night Market
That’s right folks, the largest night market of its kind returns to Richmond this month. Easily one of the top free things to do around Vancouver in April, offering literally hundreds of vendors to enjoy a treat at. Admission costs haven’t been released yet, so we’re going off 2021 figures.
When: Starts Friday, April 29th
Where: 8351 River Road, Richmond
Cost: $4 (2021 prices)
Food Truck Wars 2022
If you’re willing to make the trek, this is more than worthwhile. The Greater Vancouver Food Truck Fest has its first event of the season in April, offering dozens of options, an open-air market to shop at, and even live music for a cherry on top!
When: Friday, April 8th to Sunday, April 10th
Where: 6050 176 Street, Surrey
Cost: Free to attend!
Party for the Planet
That’s not the only major event going down in Surrey this April. Later in the month, it will be hosting the largest Earth Day celebration in Canada, complete with performers, a marketplace, and other activities for you to check out.
When: Saturday, April 30th
Where: 13450 104 Avenue, Surrey
Cost: Free!
Rogers Hometown Hockey
We’ve got this weekend-long hockey fest happening in North Van! Get some autographs signed, enjoy some activities, and maybe even stick around to see Ron MacLean and Tara Stone live as they commentate an NHL game!
When: Saturday, April 23rd and Sunday, April 30th
Where: 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free!
Vancouver Whitecaps
Who says pro sports have to be pricey? Like last month, the Vancouver Whitecaps are more away than they are home in April. So, if you’re hoping to watch some MLS soccer, make sure to grab some tickets.
When: Saturday, April 2nd and Saturday, April 9th
Where: 777 Pacific Boulevard
Cost: $25+ for GA
Vancouver Warriors
The sporty options just keep rolling! If you’ve never seen professional lacrosse, know that it’s pretty much got that same high energy as hockey, and at a seriously discounted price point compared to the NHL. Have some fun with some pals this month.
When: Games throughout April
Where: 800 Griffiths Way
Cost: $20+
Vancouver Canadians
And last up for live sports, we’ve got the return of the Vancouver Canadians to Nat Bailey Stadium in almost three years! They’re regular season games are cheap as chips, but it’s the game against the UBC Thunderbirds that’s the real steal.
When: Games throughout April
Where: 4601 Ontario Street
Cost: $10+
Go for a hike
That’s right nature enthusiasts… while some hikes around Vancouver need a few more months, others are perfectly suited for a springtime trip! What’s more, we’ve rounded up our top picks for you.
Where: Click the link above for our picks
Find some Cherry Blossoms
On the flipside, those looking to enjoy our city’s most beautiful natural attraction (yeah, we’re making that claim) can spend the entire month looking for cherry blossoms and still not see them all! So, for the best places to go, we’ve helped you out.
Where: Click the link above for our picks
Bloedel Conservatory
Want to skip spring options altogether? You can do it at this classic attraction that combines a tropical garden with hundreds of colourful birds.
When: Open throughout April
Where: 4600 Cambie Street
Cost: $7.05
Those are our picks for the best free and cheap things to do around Vancouver this April! Now go have some frugal fun, friends!
