20 fantastic things to do in Vancouver this week: April 28 to May 4
We’re flipping the calendar over to a new month and we’re ready to start things off with some fun around Vancouver!
From TJ Festival to DOXA documentary festival, and more, here are 20 fun events to check out from April 28 to May 4.
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
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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 14th year this May.
Taking place across two blocks at the Tian-Jin Temple at 3426 Smith Avenue, guests can enjoy expanded offerings set up in an adjacent park featuring free activities for children and families, live entertainment, food and artisan vendors, and more.
When: May 3 and 4, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Tian-Jin Temple — 3426 Smith Ave., Burnaby
Cost: Free
Jokers Comedy
What: Jokers Canada is a travelling comedy club that showcases professional stand-ups all over Metro Vancouver. Featuring acclaimed comics that have performed at Just For Laughs and Winnipeg Comedy Festival, on CW and the CBC, and more.
This week, Jokers is bringing the laughs to The Roxy in Vancouver on Tuesday, April 29. Invite your friends and get ready to laugh all night long.
You can also save 35 per cent off your Roxy show tickets by using the promo code DailyHive35.
When: April 29, 2025
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Various locations
Cost: Various prices, purchase online
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival 2025
What: Get your cameras ready because the colourful Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (VCBF) is returning this spring and it will be blooming bigger than ever.
The festival is one of the city’s most beloved yearly events, with a huge lineup of events to discover until April 28.
When: Now until April 28, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations around Metro Vancouver
More Than a Movie 2025
Courtesy of More than a Movie
What: Kids Up Front Vancouver, in partnership with BC Place and PavCo, will host its More Than a Movie event on Sunday, May 4.
Families and individuals can purchase tickets to see DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot
on the world’s second-largest four-sided centre-hung HD video board. Each ticket purchased includes the admission of a youth from an equity-seeking group to attend for free.
When: May 4, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver
Tickets: $15 per ticket, $50 for a family pass (four tickets), plus fees. Purchase tickets online
RunAsYouAre: For The Long Run
What: The streets of Vancouver will be filled with runners from around the world this weekend for the annual BMO Vancouver Marathon. And a local running specialty store is gearing up to help runners step it into high gear with events like a Community Run, gear demos, mini run assessments, and a hype zone for the main event.
When: May 1 to 4, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: 2033 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Cost: Free
International Dance Day at The Dance Centre
What: The Dance Centre celebrates International Dance Day with several events this month. From now until April 30, check out the between the landings | Vanessa Goodman/Action at a Distance installation at the Scotiabank Dance Centre as part of the Capture Photography Festival.
On April 29, International Dance Day, the Scotiabank Dance Centre will host live performances, a studio showing, and more. They will also host free outdoor performances Events at Vancouver Art Gallery south plaza over the noon hour.
When: Now until April 30, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: The Dance Centre at Scotiabank Dance Centre – Level 6, 677 Davie St., Vancouver
Cost: Free and ticketed events.
The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits”
Shane Gallagher/ASTA STUDIO
What: Banksy has officially landed in Vancouver — and it’s the perfect excuse to visit one of the city’s most iconic neighbourhoods.
When: Now until May 2025
Time: 10 a.m to 8 p.m.
Where: 1 Alexander, Gastown, Vancouver
Cost: Tickets start at $28 — Available here
Liars of Orpheus Princess Bride Mashup
What: Liars of Orpheus is a spoken word show where writers attempt to lie their way through lectures, poems and stories. The season finale is a Princess Bride mashup starring Duncan Shields, Erin Kirsh, Jenny Garcha, Lucia Misch, RC Weslowski and host Sean McGarragle.
When: April 29, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: The Pleasant – 2434 Main St., Vancouver
Tickets: $5 to $12, purchase online
Heartbeat of a Vessel by Jo Scott-b
What: The Vancouver Maritime Museum hosts the feature exhibit, Heartbeat of a Vessel by Jo Scott-b. Artworks on display will spotlight how each valve and gauge in an engine has a story to tell.
When: Now until May 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Maritime Museum – 1905 Ogden Avenue, Vancouver
Cost: $14-$18.50, free for children 5 and under with a paying adult (max 2 free children per 1 adult)
White Rock Night Market
Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival
What: The White Rock Night Market returns for another year with an incredible lineup of food tents, local artisans, live entertainment, lawn games, face painting, and the best sunset views in town.
When: May 2, June 6, July 18, Aug. 8, and Sept. 5
Time: Starting at 3 p.m.
Where: 14970 Marine Dr., White Rock
Just Kidding Comedy at Fable Diner & Bar
What: Josh De Grandi and Kelsey Hamilton welcome some of Vancouver’s top comedians monthly to Just Kidding Comedy. Guests will often see pro comics drop by Fable for the fun, including Juno award winners and stand-up comics who have performed on late-night talk shows.
When: The first Thursday of every month
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Fable Diner & Bar – 755 Richards St., Vancouver
Tickets: $15, purchase online
Janes Walk Vancouver
What: The annual Jane’s Walk Festival of free citizen-led walking tours is happening throughout Vancouver from May 1 to 4.
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: May 1 to 4, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations throughout Vancouver
Cost: Free, register online
Harrison Tulip Festival
Harrison Tulip Festival (Daniel Chai/Daily Hive)
What: Harrison Tulip Festival, the massive Tulips of the Valley and Onos Farms floral celebration in Agassiz, invites guests to discover a stunning flower scape with more than 10 million bulbs planted. Explore dozens of tulip, daffodil, and hyacinth varieties at the World’s Most Instagrammable Tulip Farm, which was awarded at the World Tulip Summit in Holland.
There will also be photo ops, floral surprises, food trucks, and more at Canada’s largest tulip festival.
When: Now until May 4, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday), 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Saturdays, Sundays, and Good Friday)
Where: 5039 Lougheed Hwy., Agassiz (parking off Cameron Road)
Tickets: Various prices with season passes are also available. Purchase online.
DOXA Documentary Film Festival
What: Western Canada’s largest documentary film festival, featuring public screenings, panel discussions, public forums, and educational programs.
When: May 1 to 11, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Venues across Vancouver
Cost: Various, 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 April, 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
Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert
Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert/Zdenko Hanout
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 Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Comedy Vinyl
What: Hosts Ravenous Randy and Ismael Ndiaye put together a curated lineup of comedians every month at Comedy Vinyl. Check out the comics that have been featured at Just For Laughs, Sirius XM, and more, plus hear them break out a special karaoke song just for the audience.
When: May 2, 2025
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: The MOTN – 1826 Triumph St., Vancouver
Tickets: From $15 plus fees, purchase online
Our Last Tree
What: Some Assembly Theatre Company presents Our Last Tree, an apocalyptic show that explores themes of artistry and humanity in a time of great upheaval. The production was created by a diverse cast of Metro Vancouver youth along with playwright and director Valerie Methot.
When: May 2 and 3, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre — 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
Tickets: Free, register online
Vancouver Canadians vs Hilsboro Hops
Vancouver Canadians/Facebook
What: Baseball is Back #AtTheNat! Join the Vancouver Canadians all season long and cheer on the future of the Blue Jays. You can enjoy the game while enjoying hot dogs, burgers, popcorn, and all other ballpark favourites, along with a cold beer. Plus, don’t miss the exciting theme nights.
Cheer on the Canadians this week as they take on the Hilsboro Hops.
When: Various game dates
Time: Various start times
Where: Nat Bailey Stadium – 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Start at $20 and can be purchased online at CanadiansBaseball.com, over the phone at 604-872 5232 or in person at the Nat Bailey Box Office
Mt. Pleasant Street Art and Mural Tour
What: Vancouver DeTours is leading free public street art and mural tours throughout Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant, which has one of the densest concentrations of street art and murals in the world. Learn the history of the artwork and public art policy and explore the historic neighbourhood while discovering 20 to 30 murals on your walk.
When: Various dates on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday
Time: 11 a.m. (Sunday), 5:30 p.m. (Tuesday and Thursday)
Where: Meet Across from Milano’s Coffee on West 8th Avenue
Cost: Free, though tips for the tour guides are appreciated