Well, Vancouver, it’s finally spring, and we’re trying to soak up all the sunshine we can before Raincouver makes an appearance. Fortunately, there are plenty of exciting spring events, concerts, art shows, and more to look forward to this month. So with that in mind, here are 30 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this April.
Live events & concerts
The Big Picnic
Every year, dozens of Akebono cherry trees bloom around the city, bringing people far and wide together to celebrate the season. Vancouver’s Cherry Blossom Festival is bringing back The Big Picnic to mark the occasion on Saturday, April 1st from 10 am to 4 pm.
When: Saturday, April 1st
Where: 1300 Pacific Boulevard
Cost: Free
Sabrina Carpenter
Singer-songwriter and actress Sabrina Carpenter has really taken off this past year, emerging with her debut solo album in 2015, titled Eyes Wide Open. Since then, she’s gone on to release several singles, a second album titled “On Purpose,” 2018 hit single “Alien” with Jonas Blue, and most recently, her newest album, Emails I Can’t Send.
When: Saturday, April 8th
Where: 918 Granville Street
Cost: $150 for GA
John Mayer
View this post on Instagram
An artist who likely needs no introduction, John Mayer is a Connecticut-born singer and songwriter, originating as a two-man band called Lo-Fi Masters alongside Clay Cook. Following their creative split, Mayer went out on his own and carved his own corner of the pop world, and is now pretty much a household name.
When: April 10th
Where: 800 Griffiths Way
Cost: $70.95
Said The Whale with the VSO
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is hosting (and performing alongside) a special one-night-only concert with Vancouver’s own Juno Award-winning Said The Whale. The Indie-rock band will be trading in their guitars, drums, and bass for the “full symphonic forces of the VSO” on Wednesday, April 19th.
When: Wednesday, April 19th
Where: 601 Smithe Street
Cost: $22.62-$92.86
Food & Drink
FEAST! Vancouver Festival
If food is the way to your heart, then get ready to fall in love with another amazing culinary festival. FEAST! Vancouver Festival is returning to the city next month, bringing world-class chefs and talent together to create the ultimate lineup of food and drink-focused events, all in support of the BC Cancer Foundation.
When: April 11th to April 15th
Where: Multiple locations
Cost: $125
Brewhalla 2023 – North Vancouver
With multiple dates and locations slated for this spring and summer, Brewhalla is officially back in Metro Vancouver, and the music & beer fest kicks off on Friday, April 14th at the Shipyards!
When: Friday, April 14th
Where: 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: $36.38
Friday Night Paella Series
Smitty’s Oyster House on Main just introduced a new weekly special on top of their late-night happy hour: A month-long Friday Night Paella Series! With the first event under its belt on March 24th, the new series will feature a new paella recipe each Friday, available for guests to order starting at 7 pm.
When: April 7th and April 14th
Where: 3124 Main Street
Hot Chefs & Cool Jazz gala
The Hot Chefs & Cool Jazz gala is hosted by Fairmont Pacific Rim and is coming up this month! In support of the Junior Culinary Team Canada, the gala will feature a night of live chef cooking stations, with exclusive dishes designed for this event only. Guests can enjoy live jazz while they sip on award-winning Mission Hill wines, and of course, some top-notch eats.
When: Saturday, April 15th
Where: 1038 Canada Place
Cost: $225
Science of Cocktails
As far as spring events go, this one definitely tops our own personal list. Science of Cocktails brings the best of the beverage and dining scenes to Science World, and gives them a special twist. Every fundraiser, the iconic dome transforms into a giant laboratory, offering guests the chance to sample delicious, scientifically-designed drinks and eats made by some of the city’s best bartenders and chefs.
When: Thursday, April 27th.
Where: 1455 Quebec Street
Cost: $185 for GA, $289 for VIP
Vancouver International Wine Festival
View this post on Instagram
In just a few short weeks, the Vancouver International Wine Fest is returning to the city for its 44th installment. Running for an entire week this April and often attracting tens of thousands of visitors, the festival is easily one of the largest of its kind in Canada. It’s not without good reason, as it attracts producers from all over the world, both big and small.
When: April 22nd to April 30th
Where: 1055 Canada Place
Cost: $109+ (varies per event)
Richmond Night Market 2023
View this post on Instagram
That’s right, Vancouver. The beloved Richmond Night Market is back on at the end of the month, and we can’t wait to sample tasty eats from over 250 food vendors. Summer just got that much closer!
When: Friday, April 28th
Where: 8351 River Road, Richmond
Grab Turkish coffee & pastries
They say that Mediterranean-style breakfasts are some of the healthiest in the world. And while we want to echo that, we’ll also add that they’re some of the most delicious, too. From savoury Turkish pastries to flaky, pistachio-filled baklava, there are simply too many flavours to pick a favourite. And for the coffee lovers out there, you can’t go wrong with Turkish coffee, so here are our top picks.
Where: See our picks above
Cherry Blossom-Inspired Afternoon Tea
Notch8 at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is now hosting a new cherry blossom-themed afternoon tea service, complete with specialty cocktails, spring-inspired decor, and a plethora of themed treats to enjoy. Guests can choose from three seatings, available at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Reservations can be made online from Thursdays to Sundays until May 21st.
When: Available until May 21st
Where: 900 West Georgia Street
Cost: $74 per person
Indulge in Easter brunch
What better way to mark the occasion than with eggs benny, egg-shaped treats, and flowing mimosas with your friends?? From Glowbal to Notch8, here are some delicious Easter-themed brunch options to check out this year.
Where: See our picks above
Enjoy some of the city’s heated patios
With the weather heating up, we can’t help but jump the gun a little bit on dining outdoors once more. So, why not make things that much warmer at one of the city’s heated patios?
Where: Click the link above for more info
Hit up a farmers’ market
You may have noticed that a few farmers’ markets have started popping up, so why not stop by a couple? The weekend markets at Hastings Park and Riley Park are officially open, so now is a great time to load up on some fresh produce and get to know the vendors.
Where: Locations around Vancouver
Recent Posts:
Spring on our mind: Here’s when this year’s Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival returns
Sipping on spring: Vancouver is getting cherry blossom-themed afternoon tea & here’s when
Arts & Culture
Disco Inferno
Get ready to boogie on down to the sounds of the 1970s with “Disco Inferno,” the latest production by the non-profit society, Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret. This half discotheque half musical comedy is set in 1979, and involves dancers coming down from the stage to mingle with guests, who are encouraged to dance themselves.
Whether you want to dance the night away or sit back and enjoy the show, “Disco Inferno” has something for everyone!
When: April 7th, 8th, 9th, 14th, and 15th
Where: 600 Campbell Avenue
Cost: $11.62
Hot Fruit Figure Drawing Series
The James Black Gallery in Mount Pleasant is an artist-run gallery where members of their collective can exhibit their work and host interdisciplinary events open to the public. On April 15th, they’re hosting a figure-drawing event centred around QTBIPOC models and artists.
Sessions range from classical nude figure drawings to fashion-forward, and participants can sign up ahead of time online.
When: Saturday, April 15th
Where: 144 East 6th Avenue
Cost: $15
Science World After Dark
The popular adults-only “After Dark” series officially returns to Science World on Thursday, April 20th, so get ready to explore the exhibits and feel like a kid again.
When: Thursday, April 20th, and the third Thursday of every month
Where: 1455 Quebec Street
Cost: $31+ GST for early bird tickets
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Maybe a little bit of culture is what you’re after this month. And, you’ll absolutely find it when you sit down in the Orpheum Theatre for a VSO performance. Even better, mix ‘high’ culture with pop culture and book tickets for one of their beloved live concerts accompanying classic and blockbuster movies!
Where: 601 Smithe Street
Check out some free galleries & museums
High admission fees can be a barrier for many looking to access the local art and history scenes in Vancouver, so here are some spots around the city that offer a unique look into new artistic perspectives free of charge.
Where: See our picks above
Outdoors & Sports
Take part in an Easter Egg hunt
Easter is coming up on April 9th, which means a ton of easter egg hunts and family-friendly extravaganzas will be popping up around the city. Thankfully, the Vancouver Park Board has made it easy to locate your nearest Easter event through their long weekend activity sheet.
Where: Community centres & locations across Vancouver
Check out a flower festival
View this post on Instagram
From the return of the beloved Chilliwack Tulip Fest to a Magnolia-focused walk through UBC’s botanical garden, here are some stunning flower festivals near Vancouver to look forward to this season.
Where: See our picks above
Take a walk at VanDusen
Now open from 10 am to 5 pm, April is a great time to visit VanDusen and check out some beautiful spring foliage – once the weather gets on the same page, that is. This month on the bloom calendar? Everything from cherry blossoms, magnolias, and tulips to crabapples.
Where: 5151 Oak Street
Cost: $8.90
Rolla Skate Club
From Saturday Skate Nights to themed skate nights with hosted DJs, there’s always something fun and exciting going on at the Rolla Skate Club. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, why not lace up those skates this month and hit the rink with your pals?
Where: 2901 East Hastings
Snowshoeing at Cypress
There’s still time to take advantage of some great winter sport options, thanks to the slower start to spring! If you’re ready to take a day trip, know that Cypress Mountain has got a serious amount of snowshoe trails for you to explore before the official end of ski season.
When: Open until mid-April
Where: 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver
Cost: $20 without rentals, $38 with snowshoe rentals
Rent some e-bikes
On the other hand, we’ve definitely been on the receiving end of some beautiful biking weather lately. So why not plan ahead for the sunnier days and go for a joyride? The 24-Hour Pass by Mobi gives you access to e-bikes for 25¢/min for the first 30 minutes and 35¢/min thereafter.
Vancouver Canucks
Now well into the season, the Canucks are vying for a playoff spot in a very competitive division. Know what would help? Some extra fans cheering them on at home games. This month, they’ll be facing off against the LA Kings, the Seattle Kraken, the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Calgary Flames.
When: Games throughout April
Where: 800 Griffiths Way
Cost: Varies per game
Shopping & Misc.
Bunny Kisses & Easter Wishes Market
Richmond’s Lulu Island Winery is hosting a free, dog-friendly Easter-themed market from 1 to 5 pm on April 7th and 8th. Peruse amazing vendors and handmade crafts, sip on BC wine, and take part in an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt (just over $6 to participate).
When: Friday, April 7th and Saturday, April 8th
Where: 16880 Westminster Highway Richmond
Cost: Free admission to the market, $6.66 for scavenger hunt
Zero Latency VR
Getting a little bored of playing video games from your couch? Why not check out the state-of-the-art facility Zero Latency VR?? They offer a variety of truly immersive experiences, ranging from solving puzzles to a shooter set within the Far Cry universe. Think of it as your local arcade’s older sibling.
Where: Kingsgate Mall, 370 East Broadway #101
Cost: Varies per experience
And that’s a wrap on some amazing things to do around Vancouver this April.
