May is a month of transition to warmer, sunnier days, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the second half of spring. And for the gloomier days, just look to this list for some of the best ways to stay cozy. From flower festivals and night markets to the return of outdoor concerts, here are 34 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver in May 2024.
Live Events & Concerts
21 Savage: American Dream Tour
While currently sold out, the 21 Savage concert is worth checking regularly for the release of additional tickets. The British-born rapper rose to fame in the Atlanta rap scene back in the ’90s, and shows no signs of slowing down.
When: Wednesday, May 1st
Where: Rogers Arena
Cost: $195+
FOREIGNER: Farewell Canada
With 10 multi-platinum albums and 16 Top 30 hits, FOREIGNER is hailed as one of the most popular rock bands in the world, behind some of the genre’s most iconic anthems over the years, including “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” and “Waiting For A Girl Like You.”
When: Friday, May 3rd
Where: Abbotsford Centre, Abbotsford
Cost: $191.75+
Taylor Swift Dance Party at the Roxy
Vancouver’s popular live music bar, The Roxy will be hosting a special Taylor Swift-themed dance party in honour of the release of The Tortured Poets Department, and tickets are just under $20
When: Saturday, May 4th
Where: 932 Granville Street
Cost: $15
Pearl Jam Dark Matter World Tour
Pearl Jam fans, listen up. Your favourite ’90s rock band is going on a world tour, and Vancouver is the only Canadian stop. Stay tuned for last-minute ticket prices for the May 4th and May 6th shows as they drop!
When: Saturday, May 4th and Monday, May 6th
Where: Rogers Arena
Cost: Check back soon
D.O.A.
Not only is Canadian punk rock band D.O.A. from Vancouver, but they’re also often referred to as the “founders” of hardcore punk, alongside other iconic bands. So if your goal is to enjoy some head-bangin’ music, this might be your scene.
When: Saturday, May 11th
Where: Commodore Ballroom
Cost: $41.75+
The Postal Service & Death Cab For Cutie
Seattle-born indie pop band The Postal Service is teaming up with Bellingham-formed Death Cab For Cutie on their new ‘Give Up & Transatlanticism Tour,’ which is stopping in Vancouver on Tuesday, May 14th.
When: Tuesday, May 14th
Where: Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
Cost: Check back soon
Sponsored pick: Foundation Series
There’s a massive outdoor music festival coming to Vancouver at the PNE Centre Grounds. The Foundation Series brought by Blueprint Events is a 2-day event at PNE Centre Grounds over the May long weekend. There will be 2 stages with the biggest names in disco, house, and techno featuring headliners like Fisher, Purple Disco Machine, Ben Böhmer, Tinlicker and more! Get your single-day or weekend passes online and prepare to dance your heart out.
When: Doors open at 4:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19
Where: PNE Centre Grounds
Cost: Tickets start at $99.99
Avril Lavigne
The Avril Lavigne: The Greatest Hits 27-date tour will treat fans to the star’s biggest songs to date. We’re talking “Complicated,” “Sk8er Boi,” “Girlfriend,” and “Here’s To Never Growing Up,” among many more hits.
When: Wednesday, May 22nd
Where: Rogers Arena
Sarah McLachlan
From her 1988 debut album “Touch” to her 1997 breakout album “Surfacing,” Sarah McLachlan is truly a Canadian pop icon. The celebrated singer-songwriter has countless JUNO awards and Grammy’s under her belt.
When: Thursday, May 23rd
Where: Pacific Coliseum
Cost: $89+
bb’s bonanza
If you thought bbno$ was already the coolest – check this one out. The Vancouver-born artist is throwing a benefit concert alongside a long list of friends – including Yung Gravy, Yung Bae, and Jungle Bobby – to name a few. Best of all? 100% of the proceeds are going towards the DTES Women’s Centre.
When: Sunday, May 26th
Where: Malkin Bowl
Cost: $87.94
Catch an outdoor concert at the Malkin Bowl
In addition to bb’s bonanza, there are a slew of outdoor concerts coming to Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl this month. This includes Xavier Rudd on May 18th and Duke Dumont on May 24th.
When: May 18th and May 24th
Where: Malkin Bowl
Arts & Culture
Free nights at Vancouver Art Gallery
Thanks to a new partnership with BMO, the Vancouver Art Gallery is set to launch free admission to the public on the first Friday of every month, from 4 pm to 8 pm. The first free Friday night will be on May 3rd – so mark your calendars and get ready to enjoy some after-work art!
When: Friday, May 3rd
Where: 750 Hornby Street
Carmen
At the start of the month, the Vancouver Opera is presenting Carmen onstage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, featuring an all-star cast, beautiful stagecraft, and a passionate story of romance.
When: April 27th to May 5th
Where: 630 Hamilton Street
Cost: $79+
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
If you don’t have Cinco de Mayo plans just yet, consider this list a great place to start. From tasty deals to a food truck festival, here’s how to celebrate Cinco De Mayo in Vancouver this year.
Where: See our picks above
Got Craft Spring Market
Got Craft is hosting a pet-friendly pop-up market at the Maritime Labour Centre, bringing together 80 local makers and small businesses. Here, visitors can also check out a Mini Makers Market with ‘kidpreneurs’ under the age of 16 years old, as well as an array of food trucks.
When: Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th
Where: 1880 Triumph Street
Cost: $5 for admission
Bicycle Film Festival Vancouver
The Bicycle Film Festival (BFF) is a global festival celebrating bikes through art, film, and music, reaching cyclists and enthusiasts from around the world. In Vancouver, there will be two short films to check out this month: Adventure Shorts and Urban Bike Shorts, which will be screened at The Rio on Saturday, May 18th.
When: Saturday, May 18th
Where: The Rio
Cost: $20 to $23 at the door
OUROFEST
OUROFEST is a series of dance battles and free public performances slated for May 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th, kicking off at SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts with DJs ICE-B and Calgary’s Friar Funk. On May 26th, Robson Square will host public performances by Surrey’s youth dance artist Teg, Montreal’s M Queen, and a premiere by OURO Collective.
Finally, on May 27th and 28th, you can try out street dancing yourself by registering for workshops on styles like waacking and hip hop.
When: May 25th to May 28th
Where: Multiple locations
Cost: Free admission
Science World After Dark
Science World’s popular “After Dark” series is officially back, which means adults get free reigns over all the exhibits, with optional flowing drinks available. So if getting tipsy at Science World on a Thursday sounds like a good time (which we definitely think it is), you won’t want to miss this.
When: The third Thursday of select months
Where: 1455 Quebec Street
Cost: $35-$40 per person
See what’s on at The Cultch
Meanwhile, The Cultch also has a great lineup for the season. Their options are more for the classic play experience, but of course, expect some contemporary premises and tour-de-force performances from them.
When: Showtimes throughout May
Where: Online and in-person options
Cost: Varies per show
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Food & Drink
Shipyards Night Market
The beloved Shipyards Night Market is officially back every Friday from May 10th to September 13th, so get ready to enjoy the iconic beer garden and outdoor market, and peruse many mouthwatering food trucks.
When: Every Friday from May 10th to September 13th
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
Sponsored pick: Chop Steakhouse & Bar
Special occasions, big announcements, celebrations of every type – we know there’s only one kind of place to do them justice: a modern steakhouse. Chop Steakhouse & Bar just announced their returning Steak Masters program complete with a new limited-time menu. The new menu will be available at Chop locations across Canada, but it’s only here for 8 weeks. Make up a special occasion if you have to, because you don’t want to miss this!
When: Limited 8-week Steak Master’s Menu starting on April 18.
Where: 17 locations across Canada
Brewhalla Fort Langley
If you’re craving a taste of summer festival season early, get ready to mark your calendars, BC! Brewhalla is coming to Fort Langley this month and you won’t want to miss it.
When: Saturday, May 18th
Where: Fort Langley Park
Cost: $49 to $81
Richmond Night Market
The Richmond Night Market is North America’s largest outdoor market, and while specific dates have not yet been confirmed, the market is currently accepting vendor applications. So sit tight for now, and get ready to enjoy hundreds of delicious street food eats from around the globe this spring.
When: Opens all May
Where: 8351 River Road, Richmond
Cost: TBA
Outdoors & Sports
Harrison Tulip Festival
Speaking of tulips, the beloved Harrison Tulip Festival (formerly the Chilliwack Tulip Fest) returns this April with over 20 acres of stunning tulips, double daffodils, and hyacinths in bloom. If you’re looking to take in the spring colours and maybe get in a few family photos for the season, this is the perfect opportunity to do both.
When: Until May 5th
Where: 5039 Lougheed Highway, Agassiz
Cost: $12 per adult
Abbotsford Tulip Festival
What better place to go to next than the largest tulip festival in Canada? Presented by Lakeland Flowers, the Abbotsford Tulip Festival marks the first of six months’ worth of flower festivals to come. And with over 70 stunning tulip varieties lined across 27+ acres, this fest is poised to be quite the kick-off.
Visitors can expect to roam kilometres of scenic walking trails, complete with rotating food trucks and live music nights!
When: Until May 12th
Where: 39171 No 4 Road, Abbotsford
Cost: Available online one week in advance
Sponsored pick: Scandinave Spa
Have long days, a busy schedule, and a little too much doom-scrolling got you feeling a tad stressed out? Maybe it’s time for a digital detox! Experience profound stillness and relaxation spread over 25,000 square feet of premium spa facilities. Journey through cycles of hot, cold, and relaxation with Scandinave Spa’s iconic Thermal Journey. This therapy boasts impressive benefits for both the mind and body – and did we mention it feels incredible?
When: Open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM
Where: 8010 Mons Rd, Whistler, BC
Cost: Costs with accommodation vary based on nightly rates
Bloom’s Tulip Festival
Bloom is bringing its second annual tulip fest to north Okanagan with four acres and over tulip varieties to check out this year. So if you’re looking for a smaller, lesser-known spot to enjoy the spring blooms, this is a great option. While limited info is available for the 2024 instalment of the festival on their website, their socials hint at a 2024 return, so stay tuned!
When: Spring 2024, TBA
Where: 5050 Knob Hill Road, Armstrong
Cost: TBA
Vancouver Canadians
It’s officially baseball season! This month, the Vancouver Canadians are up against the UBC Thunderbirds, Hillsboro Hops, and the Spokane Indians.
When: Multiple dates in May
Where: Nat Bailey Stadium
Cost: $20+
Sponsored pick: Salish Lodge & Spa
Make free time your new flex. Salish Lodge & Spa is a stunning boutique lodge and spa located just outside of Seattle and surrounded by stunning wilderness. Listen to the sound of rushing water while you get a massage, or eat freshly made dishes complemented by natural honey produced by onsite honeybees – we’re not kidding! The Salish Lodge & Spa is proudly owned by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and perched atop the sacred Snoqualmie Falls. It’s a natural paradise with everything you need to forget your worries and be fully present.
When: Open daily
Where: 6501 Railroad Ave SE, Snoqualmie, Washington
Cost: Price varies by room and time of booking
Saturday Skate Nights at the Rolla Skate Club
On Saturdays this May, the Rolla Skate Club is hosting Saturday Skate Nights from 5 to 7 pm, with hosted DJs to set the mood. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, it’s the perfect opportunity to lace up your skates and hit the roller rink.
When: Every Saturday in May
Where: 2901 East Hastings
Cost: $20
Go for a swim
That’s right, it doesn’t need to be summer to dive into a pool or get some laps in. Vancouver’s indoor swimming pools are open all month long, and it won’t hurt your wallet to go for a swim.
When: Open throughout May
Where: Locations around Vancouver
Cost: $6.66 for GA
See what’s blooming at VanDusen
While there might not be an official festival to mark the occasion, VanDusen Botanical Garden has plenty of horticulture shows & events going on this season. In May, the garden fully comes to life, with blooming magnolias, Japanese Cherry Blossoms, Pacific Dogwood, and much more.
Where: 5251 Oak Street
And that’s a wrap on some of the best things to do in Metro Vancouver this May. Cheers!
