Over 20 FREE and cheap events to check out in Vancouver this spring
FEATURED ON THE LISTED GUIDE
Save your money this spring! Check out these 21 free and inexpensive things to do around Metro Vancouver this season.
The Vaisakhi Parade, Dragon Boat, street festivals, and more. What are you in the mood for?
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
And to stay up to date on everything happening in Vancouver, B.C., and beyond, sign up for our newsletters.
Events and activities in and around Metro Vancouver
Tian Jin Festival
Tian Jin Festival
What: Celebrating the city’s multiculturalism and highlighting Taiwanese food in particular, TJ Fest is a highly anticipated annual event, celebrating its 15th year this May.
Taking place across two blocks at the Tian-Jin Temple at 3426 Smith Ave, guests can enjoy expanded offerings set up in an adjacent park featuring free activities for children and families, live entertainment, food, artisan vendors, and more.
When: May 2 and 3, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Tian-Jin Temple — 3426 Smith Ave., Burnaby
Cost: Free
VSO Day of Music
What: Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the VSO School of Music present Day of Music, with 12 hours of free concerts of various music genres for all ages to discover in venues across the city.
When: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: Various performances between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Where: Various venues across the Lower Mainland
Cost: Free
Italian Day 2026
What: Let your taste buds start tingling! Vancouver’s annual celebration of Italian culture, heritage, and community returns this spring.
Thousands of Vancouverites will take over Commercial Drive as it transforms into a 14-block car-free zone. There will be plenty of merchants, food vendors, and entertainment to discover throughout the day-long event.
When: Sunday, June 14, 2026
Time: 12 to 8 p.m.
Where: Commercial Drive (Venables Street to Grandview Highway), Vancouver
Cost: Free
Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade 2026
Peter Newton/Shutterstock
What: The largest Vaisakhi parade in the world is taking place in Surrey this spring, and organizers are expecting to draw another huge turnout for the festivities.
Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade, organized by Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, will take place on Saturday, April 18.
Over 600,000 people are expected to attend the parade that is full of colourful floats, live music and dancers, as well as community groups.
When: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Starts at the Gurdwara Dasmesh Darbar – 12885 85th Ave., Surrey
Cost: Free
Vessi 500 Dragon Boat Championship
What: Vessi 500 Championship, one of the province’s largest dragon boat races, returns to False Creek. There will be several categories of races throughout the family-friendly event, as well as food trucks, children’s activities, live music, and more.
When: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Concord Pacific Place, Creekside Park, and False Creek, Vancouver
Admission: Free
Hats Off Day
What: The long-running free festival, which is called Hats Off Day because it’s a day for local businesses to “take their hats off” to their community, features live performances, kid-friendly activities, a show and shine, and, of course, plenty of delicious food.
Organized by the Burnaby Heights Merchants Association, as well as the Hats Off committee and the Burnaby Heights community, the 12-block event is expected to draw up to 50,000 visitors to the area.
When: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Hastings Street, between Gamma Avenue and Boundary Road, Burnaby
Cost: Free
Big Easter Run
Big Easter Run/Big Fun Run Series
What: Runners will be hopping around Jericho Beach Park for the return of the yearly Big Easter Run. The 11th annual event promises to be a fun day for the whole family and is also a fundraiser for KidSport BC.
When: April 4, 2026
Time: 12 to 4:15 p.m.
Where: Jericho Beach Park — 3941 Point Grey Rd., Vancouver
Registration: Online
Vancouver Hong Kong Fair
What: The annual Vancouver Hong Kong Fair, presented by HK House, is the biggest Hong Konger cultural celebration in Canada. Guests can visit the free event to learn about the region’s Hong Konger community while checking out the numerous vendors and activities.
When: Sunday, May 3, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards — 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market
What: North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market (SYNM) is celebrating its 13th anniversary in Lower Lonsdale in 2026. The popular free event takes place every Friday and features a beer garden, live music, market vendors and food trucks.
When: Every Friday from May 15 to Sept. 11, 2026
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards — 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free
MOSAIC’s 14th Annual Job Fair
MOSAIC Job Fair
What: Are you currently looking for work? Discover your next career at MOSAIC’s 13th Annual Job Fair on May 12 at the Anvil Centre.
Meet with dozens of employers looking to fill various jobs in business, finance, IT, hospitality, trades, healthcare, retail, customer service and more.
When: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Where: Anvil Centre – 777 Columbia St., New Westminster
Cost: Free, register online
Janes Walk Vancouver
What: The annual Jane’s Walk Festival of free citizen-led walking tours is happening throughout Vancouver from April 30 to May 3, 2026
Hundreds of cities host Jane’s Walk events on the first weekend of May each year, with architects, community gardeners, artists, neighbours, and more hosting the walking conversations.
When: April 30 to May 3, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations throughout Vancouver
Cost: Free, register online
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
What: Get your cameras ready because the colourful Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (VCBF) is blooming again this spring.
The festival is one of the city’s most beloved yearly events, with a huge lineup of events to discover from March 27 to April 12. There will be several arts workshops to enjoy, the return of Blossoms After Dark from March 27 to 28 at David Lam Park, the Blossom Block Party on April 4 at Bentall Centre, the Sakura Days Japan Festival from April 11 to 12 at VanDusen Botanical Garden, and more.
When: March 27 to April 12, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations around Metro Vancouver
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver – Amphitheatre Concert Series
Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock
What: Soccer fans from around the world are coming to Vancouver this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and so are some of music’s biggest artists.
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver has revealed the amphitheatre concert series lineup at the PNE, and it includes two signature concerts with international stars Mötley Crüe and Kx5 (Kaskade and Deadmau5).
The ticketed events will be part of a massive transformation of the PNE into a “FIFA World Cup hub” with “family-focused entertainment to immersive fan activities for all ages.”
When: Various dates from June 11 to July 19, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Freedom Mobile Arch at The PNE — 2901 E. Hastings St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Recurring events and activities
Bill Reid Gallery — Free Admission Day
Bill Reid Gallery
What: The Bill Reid Gallery is named after the renowned Haida artist and is the only public gallery dedicated to contemporary Indigenous Art of the Northwest Coast in the country. The gallery is home to the Simon Fraser University Bill Reid Collection and also hosts a variety of special exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions, and more.
Guests can visit the Bill Reid Gallery for free from 2 to 5 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.
When: The first Friday of every month
Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: 639 Hornby St., Vancouver
Cost: By donation
Vancouver Public Library Movie Screenings
What: Vancouver Public Library hosts a variety of movie screenings for the public at its branches throughout the month, and the best part is that they are free to check out. Expect to see the latest Hollywood Blockbusters, timeless classics, and more.
When: Various dates
Time: Various times
Where: Various VPL Branches
Cost: Free
Vancouver Art Gallery – Free First Friday Nights
Vancouver Art Gallery/Facebook
What: The Vancouver Art Gallery was founded in 1931 and is renowned as one of North America’s leading visual arts institutions. The largest public art museum in Western Canada currently has a variety of exhibitions on display, and you can check them out for free during the Free First Friday Nights events.
When: The first Friday of every month
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: 750 Hornby St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Community Jam at The Improv Centre
What: The Improv Centre welcomes performers of all levels to get up onstage with professionally trained improvisers at its free monthly community jam. The 18+ event features theatre exercises, improv games, and more during the fun, interactive jam.
When: The last Saturday of every month
Time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Where: The Improv Centre – 1502 Duranleau St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Eat fresh at farmers markets
White Rock Farmers Market
White Rock Farmers Market/Facebook
Live music, over 80 vendors, and great local produce and food products make the White Rock Farmers Market a great community event for South Surrey and White Rock.
When: Every Sunday from April 19 to Oct. 11, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Miramar Plaza and Russell Avenue, and Johnston Road between Russell and Thrift Avenue.
Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market
What: Launched in June 2008, this open-air market offers visitors an assortment of food and craft stalls to peruse. Shop for fresh fruits and veggies as well as artisan goods while you listen to live entertainers.
When: Every Saturday from June 13 to Aug. 29, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: North Parking Lot of Burnaby City Hall – 4949 Canada Way at Deer Lake Parkway, Burnaby
Southlands Tsawwassen Farmers Market
What: This Delta farmers market features local produce, sweet treats, blooms, bevvies, artisans, live music, food trucks and more. There will also be themed celebrations on select dates throughout the season.
When: Every other Saturday from May 23 until Nov. 7, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Market Square, Southlands – 6313 Market Ave., Delta
Coquitlam Farmers Market
What: The Coquitlam Farmers Market is celebrating its 29th year by gathering a curated lineup of farmers, bakers, crafters and makers, food trucks and more every Sunday.
When: Every Sunday from May to October 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Dogwood Pavilion Parking Lot – 1655 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam