20 free things to do in Vancouver this April

Spring is the perfect time for saving, so Daily Hive Vancouver is helping you out with our checklist of free events around Vancouver! From Easter to Earth Day and so much more, here are 20 free things to do this April.

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

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

• What: The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (VCBF) is Vancouver’s signature springtime event, waking the city up from winter hibernation to an explosion of some 41,000 blossoming cherry trees. Originally gifted from Japan in the 1930s, the cherry blossom now inspires a month of arts and cultural community events. Presented by Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation.
  
• Where: Streets and venues all over Vancouver
• When: Now to April 23

Capture Photography Festival

• What: The annual Capture Photography Festival celebrates and promotes photography and lens-based art throughout Metro Vancouver with nearly 100 exhibitions, public art projects, and educational activities. The Festival promotes awareness of Vancouver’s unique history of photo-conceptualism, inspires community engagement, and creates platforms for showcasing new practices from local, international, and emerging artists.
  
• Where: Venues all over Vancouver
• When: Now to April 28

Easter Celebration at Wesbrook Village

• What: Celebrate Easter in style at Wesbrook Village, with an Easter egg scavenger hunt, little bunnies friendly walk and run, plus a meet and greet with a life-sized Easter bunny
• Where: Wesbrook Village Welcome Centre – 3378 Wesbrook Mall, UBC
• When: April 8 from 10:30 am to 2 pm

Family Easter Egg Hunt at Bridgeview Community Centre

• What: Hop on over for an Easter egg hunt. This event is ideal for families with children ages 10 and under. There will also be Easter-themed games and activities as well as an opportunity to take a photo with a special guest.
• Where: Bridgeview Community Centre – 11475 – 126A Street, Surrey
• When: April 8 from 10 am to noon

Easter Egg Hunt at City Square

• What: City Square’s annual Easter celebration, with an egg hunt, magic show, giggle booth, Easter bunny and more.
• Where: City Square – 555 West 12th Avenue
• When: April 8 from noon to 3 pm

Birding For Beginners

• What: A morning of bird-watching basics and get to know the birds in the park. Presented by Colony Farm Park Association.
• Where: Colony Farm Road, Port Coquitlam
• When: April 9 from 9 to 11 am
• Cost: Free, call 604-432-6359 to register

Girl Rising – Free Screening

• What: Girl Rising tells nine stories of nine girls, each one about how education can change the future for girls, their families, communities and entire nations. Presented by Vancouver School of Yoga and Vancouver School of Bodywork and Massage
  
• Where: Vancouver School of Yoga – 300-342 Water Street, Vancouver
• When: April 11 at 7 pm

Easter Egg Hunt at Esther Short Park

• What:  Face painting, balloon animals, giant inflatables, give-aways, pictures with the Easter bunny, and an Easter egg hunt with 15,000 eggs. Presented by Activate Church.
• Where: Esther Short Park – 415 West 6th Street, Vancouver
• When: April 15 from 10 to 11 am

Easter Egg Hunt and Scramble at Fort Langley National Historic Site

• What: Little bunnies can complete the all-ages scavenger hunt that will take you exploring around the fort and earn treats as they go. At set times, children 5 and under can also participate in the “Egg Scramble,” where they will be divided by age and will find as many eggs as they can on the giant map of British Columbia. Complimentary admission for Canada 150.
• Where: Fort Langey National Historic Site – 23433 Mavis Avenue, Fort Langley
• When: April 16 from 10 am to 5 pm

Critter Capers: The Case of the Lost Bunny

• What: A baby bunny is lost in the woods. Use clues to retrace the bunny’s steps and help it find its way home.
• Where: Tynehead Regional Park, meet at Tynehead Hatchery entrance – 16585 96 Ave, Surrey
• When: April 17 from noon to 3 pm
• Cost: Free

Vancouver Jewish Film Centre – National Canada Film Day 150

• What: Vancouver Jewish Film Centre celebrates National Canada Film Day 150 with free screenings of Barney’s Version and Weirdos
  
• Where: Venue TBD
• When: April 19 at 6:30 pm and 9 pm

New Sound Collective 420 Takeover

• What: New Sound Collective is back, and this time they’re bringing deep house vibes to Gastown. NSC has teamed up with the folk over at Are you MIA to present an unbelievable night with some of the best house music in Vancouver.
• Where: M.I.A. – 350 Water Street, Vancouver
• When: April 20 at 10 pm
• Tickets: Online, Free before 11 pm with RSVP

Earth Day at Rice Lake

• What: Roll up your sleeves and get involved in your local forest this coming Earth Day. On April 22, the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve will host 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.
• Where: Rice Lake, North Vancouver
• When: April 22 from 10 am to 1 pm
• Cost: Free, register online

Earth Day Vancouver 2017

• What: Earth Day at Everett Crowley Park offers a wide range of free family-oriented fun including professional performers, music, dancing, cultural and ecological exhibits, and children’s activities. Help plant 1000 native mushrooms to help grow forest roots.
• Where: Everett Crowley Park – 8200 Kerr St, Vancouver
• When: April 22 from 11 am to 3 pm

How to find a more meaningful and purposeful career

• What: Join Vancouver Young Leaders to learn what your true calling is, how to find a job that aligns with your values, and how to interview for it and get hired.
• Where: The AMP – 23 West Pender Street, Vancouver
• When: April 27 from 7 to 10 pm
• Register: Online, Free

Nat Bailey Stadium Winter Market

• What: Find local produce, meat, seafood, artisan cheese, bread, herbs, baked goods, artisanal crafts, and more.
• Where: Nat Bailey Stadium – 4601 Ontario Street
• When: Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm, until April 22

Hastings Park Winters Farmers Market

• What: Find a great selection of local produce, fish, meat, dairy, artisan prepared foods, baked goods, local crafts, and food trucks.
• Where: Hastings Park Centregrounds – 2901 East Hastings Street
• When: Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm, until April 30

Board Game Paradise

• What: Instant Theatre hosts a monthly BYOB party – Bring Your Own Boardgame party. Catan, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride. Bring whatever you love playing and introduce others to it. Great way to make new friends and get your game on.
  
• Where: Instant Studios – 529 East Broadway, Vancouver
• When: The second Friday of each month at 8 pm

Contemporary Art Gallery – Free Family Day

• What: On the last Saturday of each month, the CAG invites all ages to drop-in for short exhibition tours and free art-making activities that respond to our current exhibitions. Presented in collaboration with ArtStarts on Saturdays.
  
• Where: Contemporary Art Gallery – 555 Nelson Street, Vancouver
• When: The last Saturday of each month

Free Yoga by Karma Teachers New Westminster

• What: Karma Teachers New West provides free-or-by-donation yoga and meditation classes in service to the community. Their certified yoga teachers offer a variety of classes suitable for all levels. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
• Where: Karma Teachers – 28 Sixth Street, New Westminster
• When: Various class times during the week