37 free things to do in Vancouver this April

Want to make the most of April with the least amount of money? We’re here to help with our list of fun free events happening in Vancouver this month!

From Vaisakhi Day Parade to Trailer Park Boys, and everything in between, here are 37 free things to do around the city this April.

For more things happening around town, check out our events section.

Explore the city

River District Golden Easter Celebration

• What: River District is bringing gold fever back to the Fraser with a gold-themed event. From gold foiled chocolate eggs, to gold-dusted face painting, and cotton candy with (you guessed it) gold sprinkles – you’ll need to see it to believe it. There’s also going to be balloons, arts and crafts, and even a giant chocolate bunny draw.
• When: Sunday, April 1, 2018
• When: 10 am to 1 pm
• Where: River District Neighbourhood Centre – 8683 Kerr Street, Vancouver
• Admission: Free – Email [email protected] to join the chocolate egg hunt waitlist

Kala-Sikh Art Exhibition

• What: The Art Exhibition will highlight local Sikh artists and consist of artwork, poetry, film, historical exhibits, as well as stage performances, including a Naad Musical Piece. There will also be a silent auction for art pieces.
• When: Sunday, April 1, 2018
  
• Time: 5 to 9 pm
• Where: Surrey City Hall – 13450 104 Avenue, Surrey
• Tickets: Online, $15

Smart Cities Challenge

• What: Join Greater Vancouver Board of Trade  for a complimentary event and hear from Jessie Adcock, Chief Technology Officer for the City of Vancouver, and Sean Simpson, the Director of Information Technology for the City of Surrey, about their joint bid in the national Smart Cities Challenge competition.
• When: Tuesday, April 3, 2018
• Time: 3:30 am
• Where: TELUS Garden 5th Floor – 510 W Georgia Street, Vancouver
• Admission: Free

Trailer Park Boys at the Black Sheep Liquor Store

• What: The stars of the legendary Canadian comedy show will be shaking things up at the Black Sheep Liquor Store in Maple Ridge. There’s going to be signings and photo-ops galore, so you can strike a pose with your favourite character.
  
• When: Wednesday, April 4, 2018
• Time: 2 to 4 pm
• Where: Black Sheep Liquor Store – 12968 232 Street, Maple Ridge
• Admission: Free

YWCA Employment Program for Women – Information Session

• What: Are you a woman looking for a job? Join YWCA for an information session to learn how this program can help you reach your goals. YWCA [email protected] is a free program that will prepare you for job search and career decision-making with professional career advisors.
• When: Wednesday, April 4, 2018
• Time: 12:40 to 2:30 pm
• Where: YWCA [email protected] – 210-1201 West Pender Street, Vancouver
• Register: Online, Free

MyBizDay – Abbotsford and Surrey

• What: This Small Business BC series connects entrepreneurs to the province’s leading tools and resources through a mix of educational workshops, networking and exhibits. This year, the education tour will reach communities in the business hubs of Abbotsford and Surrey.
• When: Thursday, April 5 and Wednesday, April 25, 2018
• Time: 10 am to 4:15 pm (April 5), 9 am to 3:45 pm (April 25)
• Where: Tradex – 1190 Cornell Street, Abbotsford, Surrey City Hall – 13450 104 Avenue, Surrey
• Register: Online (Abbotsford), Online (Surrey), Free

Two Solo Exhibitions: Karilynn Ming Ho and Ho Tam

• What: Richmond Art Gallery presents two solo exhibitions by artists Ho Tam and Karilynn Ming Ho. In dialogue with these exhibitions but outside the physical gallery, RAG presents four public installations along the No.3 Road Canada Line stations and one at the lines terminus at Vancouver’s Waterfront Station, in partnership with Richmond Public Art Program, Canada Line and Capture Photography Festival.
• When: Friday, April 6 to Sunday, May 27, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Richmond Cultural Centre – 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond
• Admission: Free

Escape Photography Exhibition by Fang Tong

• What: Fang Tong’s Escape series continues her subjective and movie-narrative style with a little more romance and humour.
• When: Saturday, April 7 to Monday, April 30, 2018
• Time: 9 am to 5 pm
• Where: Vancouver Lipont Art Centre – 4211 No. 3 Road, Richmond
• Admission: Free

16th Annual Early Years Festival

• What: Children can participate in fun activities while parents or caregivers learn about community resources for young children. Free activities include interactive games, performances, arts & crafts, play areas, a bouncy castle, face painting, demos and more.
• When: Saturday, April 7, 2018
• Time: 10 am to 3 pm
• Where: Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre – 13458 107a Ave, Surrey
• Admission: Free

Family Day at PdA

• What: Gather up the clan and drop by Family Day at PdA to immerse yourself in art. Tour the galleries and create your own masterpiece in a variety of all-ages, drop-in-style art workshops based on the subject matter and mediums of current exhibitions.
• When: Sunday, April 8, 2018
• Time: 1:30 to 3:30 pm
• Where: Place des Arts – 1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam
• Tickets: Online, Free

MOSAIC Career & Job Fair

• What: Over 80 companies at MOSAIC’s Job Fair are looking to fill up to 1500 positions. Bring resumes and be prepared to interview with recruiters from Air Canada, City of Vancouver, Royal Bank of Canada. Home Depot and many more.
• When: Tuesday, April 10, 2018
• Time: 10 am to 3 pm
• Where: Croatian Cultural Centre – 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
• Register: Online, Free

Transit Safety

• What: Have you ever been worried about your safety or the safety of a loved one on transit? Join Metro Vancouver Transit Police Constable Justin Biggs for transit safety tips. Learn how and when to make a report. Constable Biggs will share information on Metro Vancouver Transit Police areas, authority, priorities and more.
• When: Wednesday, April 11, 2018
• When: 7 to 8 pm
• Where: Burnaby Public Libray – Tommy Douglas Branch – 7311 Kingsway, Burnaby
• Register: Online, Free

Party for the Planet 2018

• What: BC’s largest Earth Day celebration with performances by Sam Roberts (of Sam Roberts Band), Bobs & LoLo, Rockin’ Robin Show, The Freshest, and Star Captains. There will also be bike powered smoothies, enviro-bungee, BC Lions, Science World Demos, photobooths and more to enjoy.
• When: Saturday, April 14, 2018
  
• Time: 10 am to 6 pm
• Where: Surrey Civic Plaza – 13450 104 Avenue, Surrey
• Admission: Free

Fraser Valley Food Truck Festival

• What: Featuring 25 hand picked food trucks from the Greater Vancouver Area, live music and an artisan market. There will also be face painting, balloon twisting, henna, sand art, bouncy castles and more for the children.
• When: Saturday, April 14, 2018
• Time: 11 am
• Where: Inlet Park – 3000 Murray Street, Port Moody
• Admission: Free

Say Hello PoMo

• What: A discussion on growth and the future of Port Moody led by The Port Moody Foundation.
• When: Monday, April 16, 2018
• Time: 6 pm
• Where: Inlet Theatre – 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody
• Admission: Free

Bear Smart 101

• What: Coquitlam’s  Urban Wildlife Team is hosting a free Bear Smart 101 presentation for Coquitlam residents. Arrive early to visit the Urban Wildlife booth, meet with staff, mingle with your Coquitlam neighbours and enjoy refreshments.
• When: Tuesday April 17, 2018
• Time: Doors 6 pm, presentation at 7 pm
• Where: Evergreen Cultural Centre – 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
• Register: Online, Free

2018 Earth Day Parade & Festival

• What:  The 8th annual Earth Day Parade begins at Grandview Highway and Commercial Drive, and marches its way down to Grandview Park where the festivities begin. The festival features a Kids Zone, scavenger hunts, smoothie bike demonstrations and more.
• When: Saturday, April 21, 2018
• Time: Parade at 1 pm, Celebration at 1:30 pm
• Where: Commercial Drive and Grandview Park – 1657 Charles Street, Vancouver
• Admission: Free

Burnaby Mountain Golf Festival

• What: Free golf clinics, custom club fitting, demo days, prizes and fun for the whole family.
• When: Saturday, April 21, 2018
• Time: 10 am to 1:30 pm
• Where: Burnaby Mountain Golf Course & Driving Range – 7600 Halifax Street, Burnaby
• Admission: Free

Vaisakhi Day Parade

• What: Everyone is welcome at the annual Vaisakhi Day Parade, featuring cultural floats, community performers and live music. To pay tribute to the harvest celebration roots of the parade, attendees are given free food and drink from hundreds of local residents and businesses.
• When: Saturday, April 21, 2018
• Time: 9 am to 6 pm
• Where: Parade starts at Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar – 12885 85 Ave, Surrey
• Admission: Free

Artist Talk and Demonstration with Alex McLeod

• What: Alex McLeod will provide visitors with a rare insight into his creative process, showing them how he makes his mesmerizing digital art. The talk will include a Q & A session, along with an invitation to join McLeod afterwards to see his artwork PHANTASMAGORIA onsite at UrbanScreen. This will be followed by the screening of youth digital art projects from Chuck Bailey’s skate park and gym programs, the City’s Community Art Program, and the Gallery’s Art Together participants.
• When: Friday, April 27, 2018
• Time: 7 to 9 pm
• Where: Surrey Art Gallery – 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey
• Admission: Free

Author Reading and Discussion on Anger and Your Mental Health with Jason Lee

• What: For Independent Bookstore Day, Western Sky Books has invited Jason Lee, author of the book Living with the Dragon, Healing 15 000 Days of Abuse and Shame for a book reading and discussion on anger and mental health.
• When: Saturday April 28, 2018
• Time: 2 to 3 pm
• Where: Western Sky Books – 2132-2850 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam
• Admission: Free

Art On The Spot

• What:  A free event celebrating International Dance Day.
• When: Saturday, April 28, 2018
• Time: 11 am
• Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue Burnaby, BC
• Admission: Free

Enjoy the great outdoors

Critter Capers

• What: The prankster crows switched a bunch of eggs into different nests. Help get the scrambled eggs home by examining nest material and other evidence.
• When: Monday, April 2, 2018
  
• Time: 12 to 3 pm
• Where: Belcarra Regional Park – Meet at Belcarra Picnic Area
• Admission: Free

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

• What: The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (VCBF) is Vancouver’s signature springtime event. Wake-up from winter hibernation to an explosion of some 41,000 blossoming cherry trees. Originally gifted from Japan in the 1930’s, the cherry blossoms now inspires a month of arts and cultural community events. Presented by Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation and Coromandel Properties.
  
• When: Tuesday, April 3 to Sunday, April 29, 2018
• Where: Streets and venues all over Vancouver
• Admission: Free to enjoy cherry blossoms all over the city. Tickets for events can be found online

Walk Richmond – Hamilton/McLean Park

• What: Explore the East Richmond neighbourhood of Hamilton on this walk that winds through Hamilton Community Park and loops Mclean Park and the surrounding community.
• When: Saturday, April 7, 2018
• Time: 10 am to 12 pm
• Where: Hamilton Community Centre – 5140 Smith Street, Richmond. Meet at the playground on the east side of the parking lot.
• Admission: Free

2nd Annual Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival

• What: The festival, situated right beside the Fraser River, includes a day full of traditional Japanese music, dance performances, as well as traditional Japanese food and activities. Two stages at the festival will be dedicated to traditional Japanese dance, Taiko drumming, and feature a number of talented musicians. As expected, there will be plenty of space to sit and eat by the cherry blossom trees.
• When: Sunday, April 8, 2018
• Time: 11 am to 4 pm
• Where: Garry Point Park – 12011 Seventh Avenue, Richmond
• Admission: Free

Earth Day at Hamilton Community Centre

• What: Assemble a team from your organization, invite their families and help clean up the neighbourhood. Event includes crafts with Explore a Green World, junk disposal by donation, refreshments and prizes. Participants will be entered to win a $50 City of Richmond recreation gift card.
  
• When: Saturday, April 21, 2018
• Time: 10 to 11:30 am
• Where: Hamilton Community Centre – 5140 Smith Dr, Richmond
• Admission: Free. Email [email protected] to register your team by April 19.

Earth Day at Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve

• What: The Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve is hosting a stewardship event where volunteers will work towards restoring habitat around Rice Lake. Learn about restoration initiatives and biodiversity in the LSCR while removing invasive species and planting native species to enhance the forest understory. Ages 16+
• When: Sunday, April 22, 2018
• Time: 10 am to 1 pm
• Where: Meet at Rice Lake Gate
  
• Admission: Free

Weedbusters

• What: Help remove invasive plants that have replaced native species. Learn why these species are harmful to the park. Dress for the weather and come prepared to work off-trail. Ages 8+
• When: Sunday, April 22, 2018
• Time: 1 to 4  pm
• Where: Burnaby Lake Regional Park – Meet at Glencarin parking lot
• Admission: Free

Bats at Night

• What: Check out local habitat and watch for bats with the Burke Mountain Naturalists.
• When: Tuesday, April 24, 2018
• Time: 7:30 pm
• Where: Rocky Point Spray Park – 2800-block Murray Street, Port Moody
• Admission: Free

Earth Day at Cambie Community Centre

• What: Participate in a Community Cleanup (11 am to 12 pm and learn how to make seed paper (12 to 1 pm).
• When: Saturday, April 28, 2018
• Time: 11 am to 1 pm
• Where: Cambie Community Centre – 12800 Cambie Road, Richmond
• Admission: Free

Goodbye Chums!

• What: Release salmon fry into the creek where they will start their journey to the sea. Enjoy fun activities, games and live entertainment.
  
• When: Sunday, April 29, 2018
  
• Time: 11 am to 3 pm
• Where: Kanaka Creek Regional Park – Meet at 11450 256th St, Maple Ridge
• Admission: Free

Eat fresh with winter farmers’ markets

Hastings Park Winter Farmer’s Market

• What: Find a great selection of local produce, fish, meat, dairy, artisan prepared dishes, baked goods, regional art, craft alcohol producers, and food trucks.
• When: Every Sunday to April 29, 2018
• Time: 10 am to 2 pm
• Where: Hastings Park Centregrounds – 2901 East Hastings Street
• Admission: Free

Nat Bailey Stadium Winter Market

• What: Each week you can look forward to finding locally grown vegetables and fruit, meat and seafood from local ranchers and fishermen. Other vendors sell everything from artisan cheeses & breads, to herbs, seasonal nursery items, baked goods, prepared foods, and artisan crafts.
• When: Every Saturday to April 21, 2018
• Time: 10 am to 2 pm
• Where: Nat Bailey Stadium – 4601 Ontario Street
• Admission: Free

New West Farmers’ Market – Winter Market

• What: The market features farm-fresh produce, plants, local crafts, gourmet prepared foods, food trucks, community information, live entertainment, and more.
• When: The first and third Saturday of each month until Saturday, April 21, 2018
• Time: 11 am
• Where: Belmont Street, New Westminster!
• Admission: Free

Gulf of Georgia Cannery Winter Farmer’s Market

• What: The Cannery Farmers’ Market has products from local food producers and artisans who follow a “Make it, Bake it, Grow it, Catch it” philosophy. BC-produced vegetables, fruits, and meats are the central draw to this market, but there is also entertainment and guided tours of the heritage site (pay by donation).
• When: Sunday, April 8 and Sunday, April 22, 2018
• Time: 10 am to 3 pm
• Where: Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site – 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond
• Admission: Free

Port Moody Winter Farmers’ Market

• What: Enjoy local BC products, artisan crafts, and delicious baked goods at the Port Moody Winter Farmers’ Market.
• When: Every Sunday to April
• Time: 10 am to 2 pm
• Where: Port Moody Recreation Complex – 300 Ioco Road, Port Moody
• Admission: Free

See also

• MEC's Big Chop paddleboarding and kayak races return to Vancouver
• Test your marine knowledge at Vancouver Aquarium's After Hours Trivia
• See Kanye West’s Graduation Bear in Vancouver right now

---