10 Vancouver concerts we can't wait to check out in May

Crank up the tunes and the good times with great live music in Vancouver!

Here are 10 great concerts happening around the city in May, including Lights, VSO Day of Music, and more.

And for more fun things happening around town, be sure to visit our Listed section.

Foundation Volume 13.0 – Open Radius

What: House music lovers in Vancouver will want to turn up to the PNE this month for a massive musical celebration.

Blueprint Events presents Foundation Volume 13.0 – Open Radius at the PNE Centre Grounds on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18. The concert features two open-air stages filled with massive house music stars like John Summit and Sara Landry.

When: May 17 and 18, 2025
Time: Doors open at 4 pm
Where: PNE Centre Grounds
Tickets: Various costs, purchase online

You might also like:
• BC's biggest waterpark reveals summer opening date 90 minutes from Vancouver
• Bryan Adams brings biggest tour in years to Vancouver's Rogers Arena this summer
• 'Whose Line' legend Colin Mochrie returns to Vancouver this spring

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: May 24, 2025
Time: Various performances between 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Various venues across the Lower Mainland
Cost: Free

Broadway Rocks: The Airborne Toxic Event & Wide Mouth Mason

What: Hollywood Theatre hosts a concert to celebrate the Broadway Corridor with rockers The Airborne Toxic Event and Wide Mouth Mason. Partial proceeds will be donated to the West Broadway BIA to support local businesses and community initiatives, and the non-profit Performing Arts Lodge, which provides affordable housing for seniors in the performing arts.

When: May 22, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Hollywood Theatre – 3123 W. Broadway, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert

What: Calling all benders! An Avatar: The Last Airbender concert experience is coming to Vancouver, and fans won’t want to miss it.

The live symphony performance, presented by Nickelodeon, GEAlive, and Senbla, is taking place at The Orpheum on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Music from the original Avatar: The Last Airbender series will be performed by a full orchestra during each world tour stop, while beloved scenes from the series will be played on a giant screen.

When: May 4, 2025
Time: 3 and 7 p.m.
Where: The Orpheum – 601 Smithe St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Coco Jones

What: Five-time Grammy nominee Coco Jones comes to Vancouver on her Why Not More? Tour. The Bel-Air star and Def Jams recording artist is touring in support of her latest album of the same name.

When: May 30, 2025
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Brewhalla Beer and Music Festival

What: The Brewhalla Beer and Music Festival features more than 60 drinks from local favourites like Dageraad, Backcountry Brewing, Trading Post Brewing Co., and Dead Frog Brewery.

The events will also bring food trucks and other refreshments, like local cider, kombucha, seltzer, and wine. Festival-goers can also expect great live music and  fun activities like lawn games and beer pong.

When: May 17, 2025
Time: Noon to 6 p.m.
Where: Fort Langley Park — 9089 Nash St., Fort Langley

Lights

What: Canadian electro-pop star Lights comes to Vancouver just one week after her last album A6 is dropping to fans. The four-time Juno winner is known for hit songs like “Drive My Soul” and “Up We Go”, and her music has been featured on film soundtracks like One Week, starring Joshua Jackson.

When: May 9, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Guzheng & Tea

What: 16-year-old Guzheng artist Barret Bai is filling Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden with his mastery of the 21-string instrument Guzhang on select dates this spring. Enjoy a cup of Garden-blend jasmine tea and take in the traditional Chinese music with the beautiful Garden backdrop.

When: Select dates in May and June, 2025
Time: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden — 578 Carrall St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Daughter of the Inner Stars

What: The latest Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Kids Concert is Daughter of the Inner Stars, a cosmic adventure that will inspire musical storytelling in children of all ages. The show will feature original music and animations from award-winning conductor and composer Nicholas Buc.

When: May 11, 2025
Time: 2 p.m.
Where: Orpheum – 601 Smithe St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

The Kingsgate Chorus

What: Vancouver’s Kingsgate Chorus presents their spring concert, Blooming and Tuning, at The Rio Theatre. The evening is directed by and arranged by David Beckingham of Hey Ocean!, and features songs by Fleetwood Mac, Sinead O’Connor, and more.

When: May 12, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
Tickets: General admission $28, children 12 and under $5, purchase online