20 fantastic things to do in Vancouver this week: May 12 to 19

Hands up if you’re ready for a long weekend in Vancouver!

You’re in luck because Victoria Day is just around the corner, and we’re going to help you get there with our list of 20 great events to check out in Vancouver from May 12 to 19. Playland, Stars on Ice, Brewhalla, and more.

Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.

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Playland 2025

What: There are over 30 rides and attractions to enjoy at Vancouver’s favourite amusement park, ranging from family-fun rides to extreme, heart-racing attractions.

Prepare yourself for the sky-high Atmosfear, the timeless Wooden Roller Coaster, and of course, The Beast — the massive pendulum that stands 12 storeys tall and swings at speeds of 90 km/h.

You’ll be working up an appetite with all there is to see and do at Playland this year, so it’s a good thing the park is serving up fan favourites like hot dogs, mini donuts, and more!

When: Select dates from May 17 to Aug. 15, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Playland — 2901 East Hastings St., Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, season and single-day passes are on sale now. Purchase online

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Vancouver Canadians vs. Everett AquaSox

What: Baseball is Back #AtTheNat! Join the Vancouver Canadians and cheer on the future of the Blue Jays as they take on the Everett AquaSox this week.

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.

When: May 13 to 18, 2025
Time: Various start times
Where: Nat Bailey Stadium – 4601 Ontario St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online at CanadiansBaseball.com, over the phone at 604-872-5232 or in person at the Nat Bailey Box Office

Siegel’s Bagels 35th Anniversary Party

What: On Friday, May 16, Siegel’s is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a party for the community at the Cornwall location. You can grab some of your favourite items during the event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., which will feature local vendors, samples, a live DJ, free giveaways, and complimentary cake.

When: May 16, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Siegel’s Bagels – 1883 Cornwall Ave., Vancouver
Cost: Free

Broadway Across Canada – Six

What: Musical fans will want to pick up tickets for Broadway Across Canada’s presentation of Six, which will be taking over the Queen E from May 13 to 18. The original production won 23 awards during its debut Broadway season, including the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.

When: May 13 to 18, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday to Sunday), 2:30 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre — 630 Hamilton St., Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Vancouver Aquarium presents Survival of the Slowest

What: Vancouver Aquarium’s new exhibit, Survival of the Slowest, is celebrating all things slow in the animal kingdom by giving you a sneak peek behind some of nature’s most inventive creatures. From now until Monday, September 1, this limited-time exhibit lets you step into a world where being slow, small, and even weak can be a powerful survival strategy.

Throughout the exhibit, you can dive into interactive displays to uncover how these naturally slow critters, like the two-toed sloth, have adapted to survive in the wild. Relax into daily Slow & Tell animal presentations so you can chill with the coolest sluggish creatures like the four-toed hedgehog and the armoured armadillo.

When: Now until Sept. 1, 2025
Where: Vancouver Aquarium — 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Tickets are on sale now starting at $41.95

Top Drop Vancouver

What: Top Drop Vancouver features dozens of international, terroir-focused wines and wineries, and gives you the chance to meet the people behind them!

When: May 13, 2025
Time: 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre — 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
Tickets: $152.37

MOSAIC’s 13th Annual Job Fair

What: Are you currently looking for work? Discover your next career at MOSAIC’s 13th Annual Job Fair on May 13 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: May 13, 2025
Where: Anvil Centre – 777 Columbia St., New Westminster
Cost: Free, register online

Alannah Brittany Album Recording

What: Vancouver actor, writer and comedian Alannah Brittany is recording her debut album and invites comedy fans along for the ride. The Just For Laughs alum has performed on CBC Gem’s New Wave of Stand-Up, Apple TV, and Sirius XM Top Comic. She also won Just For Laughs’ Stand-up and Pitch with her new sitcom, Public Pooled.

When: May 15, 2025
Time: 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Where: 524 Main St., Vancouver
Tickets: $10 plus fees, purchase online

IGNITE! Youth Festival

What: Every year, the Cultch Theatre in East Vancouver is taken over by a team of young artists who put on the IGNITE! Festival, Western Canada’s largest youth-driven arts festival. The 24th year of the festival features short plays, poetry, stand-up comedy, monologues, dance, live music, and a short film program.

There will also be an arts exhibition in The Cultch’s lobby from May 14 to June 1.

When: May 14 to 18, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: The Cultch – 1895 Venables St., Vancouver
Tickets: Sliding scale from $15 to $21, festival pass for $40. Purchase online

Stars on Ice

What: Stars on Ice is bringing some of the best figure skaters to Rogers Arena for an exciting showcase. Top stars slated to perform include Elvis Stojko (two-time Olympic silver medallist, three-time world champion), Piper Gillies and Paul Poirier (world silver medallists), Madeline Schizas (Canadian champion), and more.

When: May 13, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market

What: North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market (SYNM) is celebrating its 12th anniversary in Lower Lonsdale in 2025. 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 16 to Sept. 12, 2025
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards — 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Tea Festival: Tea For All

What: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is bringing together tea professionals, tea vendors and tea lovers to celebrate the joy of tea. Learn about the traditions and cultures of tea, sample products from local makers, and listen to live music from B.C. Chinese Music during the festival. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own small teacup with them.

When: May 17, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden — 578 Carrall St., Vancouver
Cost: $12 to $15, free for Garden Annual Pass holders. Purchase online

Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits

What: Science World invites guests to challenge themselves to jump, dive, fly, and climb in a new feature exhibit that explores some of the most exciting sports in the world. Learn the science behind the sports and hear stories from around the world highlighting the dedication and determination of top-class athletes.

When: Now until May 19, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Science World – 1455 Quebec St., Vancouver
Tickets: Available online

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

Vancouver Etsy Co. Spring Pop-up

What: Discover more than 70 local artisans and small businesses at Vancouver Etsy Co.’s Spring Pop-Up. Shop for designer apparel, body care products, original artwork, locally-made food and beverages, and more.

Features include mini-makers under 16, DIY button-making, a photo booth, and a shopping ballot contest, where three purchases enter you to win a prize package. The first 50 daily attendees receive limited-edition tote bags or market cash. Pre-purchase tickets for early lookbook access and additional giveaways.

A portion of ticket proceeds will go to support Mom2Mom Child Poverty Initiative and Renfrew-Collingwood Seniors’ Society.

When: May 17 and 18, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: The Pipe Shop — 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: $5 admission, children under 12 free

East Meets West – A Musical Fusion of Cultures

What: The Iranian Arts Centre and the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra are collaborating for a special concert that celebrates the rich melodies of Eastern traditions and the symphonic music of the West. The performance will feature the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra with conductor Jin Zhang, Iranian vocalist Sina Sarlak, and music composed by Kambiz Roshanravan.

When: May 17, 2025
Time: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Massey Theatre — 735 8th Ave. New Westminster
Tickets: Starting at $45, purchase online

West End Farmers’ Market

What: The West End’s charming, community-minded farmers’ market is open on Saturdays. Grab a coffee, peek at the adjacent community garden, and stock up on a vast array of locally grown foods.

When: Every Saturday until Oct. 5, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Comox Street (between Bute and Thurlow), Vancouver

Brewhalla Beer and Music Festival

What: The Brewhalla Beer and Music Festival series is hosting a huge event at Fort Langley Park on Saturday, May 17. The event will feature live music, fun activities like lawn games and beer pong, and more.

More than 60 drinks from local favourites like Dageraad, Backcountry Brewing, Trading Post Brewing Co., and Dead Frog Brewery will be available at the festival. Food trucks and other refreshments, such as local cider, kombucha, seltzer, and wine, will also be offered on-site.

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

Vancouver FC vs HFX Wanderers

What: Vancouver FC continue their Canadian Premier League season at Willoughby Community Park this spring. Home games at the Langley Events Centre include HFX Wanderers visiting on Saturday, May 17.

When: May 17, 2025
Time: 5 p.m.
Where: Willoughby Community Park at the Langley Events Centre – 7782 200 St., Langley Township
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