20 fantastic things to do in Vancouver this week: May 5 to 11

Springtime fun continues around Vancouver, and we’re here to help you make the most of it!

From Colour Fest to Mother’s Day, a Wicked sing-along and more, here are 20 things to do from May 5 to 11.

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

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Colour Fest

What: Colour Fest, a huge outdoor celebration of the spring festivals Holi and Vaisakhi, is returning to Metro Vancouver to make it the most colourful time of the year!

One of the most popular events hosted by Diwali Fest, the multi-dimensional festival is happening on Saturday, May 10, at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam. The highlight of the family-friendly event is the live Colour Zone, where participants cover each other in vibrantly coloured powder.

When: May 10, 2025
Time: 3 to 7 p.m. for spring bazaar and food trucks, 4 to 6 p.m. for performances and Colour Zone
Where: Town Centre Park — 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Cost: $18-$25 for Colour Zone and performances, purchase online. No tickets are required for the spring bazaar and food truck zone

Mommy & Me Goat Yoga at Maan Farms

What: Get zen with some adorable animals this Mother’s Day. Maan Farms is hosting a special family-friendly Hatha Goat Yoga experience, followed by a delicious curry bowl or chicken strips and fries for participants. There will even be time for goat socializing afterwards for you and your little ones.

When: May 11, 2025
Time: 3 p.m.
Where: Maan Farms – 790 McKenzie Rd., Abbotsford
Cost: $30-$60, register online

Movie Buff 2: A Cult Movie Burlesque Show

What: Vancouver burlesque star Claire Voyeur presents Movie Buff 2: A Cult Movie Burlesque Show at the Rio Theatre on Friday, May 9. See all your favourite cult cinema icons brought to life onstage, including the Bride of Chucky, Wanda Woodward from Cry Baby, and even the Goblin King from Labyrinth.

When: May 9, 2025
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
Cost: $30-$40, purchase online

Helly Hansen Outlet Spring Sale

What: Helly Hansen Outlet at Queensborough Landing Shopping Centre is ready to help you gear up for this season and beyond during their huge spring sale.

Gear up for summer adventures or plan ahead for next winter by shopping markdowns up to 70 per cent off. You can also get an extra 10 per cent off when you spend $100, or 20 per cent off when you spend $200. Shop for high-performance hiking gear, reliable rainwear, versatile layers, and more that are designed for Vancouver living.

When: Now until May 11, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday to Saturday), 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Sunday)
Where: Helly Hansen Outlet at Queensborough Landing – 805 Boyd St. H-140, New Westminster

Asian Heritage Month at Vancouver Art Gallery

What: Vancouver Art Gallery is celebrating Asian Heritage Month with a variety of programs and events. Catch a live performance of Vancouver–based, interdisciplinary arts company Hong Kong Exile, go on a public tour of the gallery in Mandarin and Punjabi, explore the new feature exhibition Otani Workshop: Monsters in My Head, and more throughout May.

When: Various dates in May
Time: Various times
Where: 750 Hornby St., Vancouver
Tickets: Purchase online

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with Ole Cocktails

What: Join BCLIQUOR for a complimentary tasting of the signature Ole Cocktails in celebration of Cinco de Mayo weekend. Sip on crisp, refreshing tequila-based drinks and vibrant cocktails as a kickoff to festivities.

When: May 5, 2025
Time: 3 to 7 p.m.
Where: BC Liquor Alberni & Bute – 768 Bute St., Vancouver

Abbotsford Canucks vs Coachella Valley Firebirds

What: Abbotsford Canucks continue their AHL playoffs this month with Round 2 home games against the Coachella Valley Firebirds on May 7, 9, and 11.

When: May 7, 9, and 11, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Abbotsford Centre – 33800 King Rd., Abbotsford
Cost: Various; purchase online

Wicked Singalong – Terminal City Roller Derby Fundraiser

What: Sing along to your favourite songs in a screening of the smash hit film Wicked while supporting Terminal City Roller Derby at the Rio Theatre. Partial proceeds from the all-ages event will go to support Terminal City’s tournament travel costs.

Terminal City Roller Derby is Vancouver’s first flat-track roller derby league. Its games are held throughout the year in Coquitlam and New Westminster. The 100% member-owned and operated organization relies on fundraising activities to train, play, and advocate.

When: May 10, 2025
Time: Doors 12:30 p.m., film 1 p.m.
Where: The Rio Theatre — 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
Cost: $20-$25, purchase online

DOXA Documentary Film Festival

What: Western Canada’s largest documentary film festival, featuring public screenings, panel discussions, public forums, and educational programs. This year’s lineup includes 39 feature films, 30 short and mid-length films, and several industry events.

When: Now until May 11, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Venues across Vancouver
Cost: Various, purchase online

Sea to Sky Gondola Mother’s Day Concert

What: Popular sky-high destination Sea to Sky Gondola is celebrating Mother’s Day with a live concert with Cam Salay and students on the Diamond Head Deck. Bring the family to enjoy the views and the tunes.

When: May 11, 2025
Time: Concert from 12 to 3 p.m.
Where: 36800 BC-99 – Squamish
Admission: Free with a season pass or day ticket.

9 to 5 the Musical

What: Royal City Musical Theatre invites you to clock in for 9 to 5 the Musical, based on the hit 1980s movie and featuring music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. Cheer on Violet, Judy, and Doralee as they come up with a plan to get even with the “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” they call their boss.

When: Now until May 11, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Massey Theatre – 735 8th Ave., New Westminster
Cost: Various prices, purchase online

Abbotsford Tulip Festival

What: Lakeland Farms’ annual Abbotsford Tulip Festival has returned for a months-long celebration of everything floral.

The highly anticipated springtime event features a gargantuan garden with over 100 varieties of stunning tulips spread over 35 acres.

When: Now until May 11, 2025
Where: 3663 Marion Rd., Abbotsford
Tickets: Tiered pricing options for weekdays and weekends. Purchase online

Vancouver Rise

What: Vancouver Rise continue their inaugural Northern Super League season this week with a game against the Halifax Tides on May 5.

When: May 5, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Swangard Stadium – 6100 Boundary Rd., Burnaby
Cost: Various; 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

Mother’s Day Traditional Pow Wow at Trout Lake

What: The Mother’s Day Traditional Pow Wow of 2025 is being held at Trout Lake Community Centre from May 9 to 11, with a variety of drum groups and dancers. Everyone is welcome to attend the festivities hosted by the Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society.

When: May 9 to 11, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Trout Lake Community Centre – 3360 Victoria Dr., Vancouver
Cost: Free

The Show at Emily Carr University of Art + Design

What: This show is a hybrid exhibition of over 420 of Emily Carr’s art, media, and design graduates. Works on display during the free event include fine arts, photography and film, animation, industrial design, and illustration. Visitors can explore the showcased pieces in person at the East Vancouver campus and online.

When: May 7 to 21, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Emily Carr University of Art + Design – 520 East 1st Ave., Vancouver
Cost: Free

Vancouver Chinatown Mural Walks

What: The creators of the Suzhou Alley Women’s Mural, a commemorative mural and storytelling project that highlights the contributions of women who have helped shape Vancouver’s Chinatown over the last 100 years, are hosting mural walks during Asian Heritage Month.

Attendees of the pay-what-you-can tour will learn about the people and stories behind the various murals in the historic neighbourhood. Tours will be offered in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

When: May 10, 24 and 31, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: 565 Columbia St., Vancouver
Cost: Pay-what-you-can, purchase online

Arts Alive: Awesomeology: Gratitude in the Little Things

What: The Burnaby Art Gallery and School District 41 are partnering for the latest Arts Alive, a celebration of students’ diverse interpretations of a theme. Elementary school students were encouraged to work together in their classrooms to investigate what they think is awesome.

When: May 1 (opening reception), May 2 to June 1, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday), 12 to 5 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Burnaby Art Gallery (Lower Gallery) — 6344 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby
Admission: Suggest donation of $5

Vancouver Hong Kong Fair

What: The annual Vancouver Hong Kong Fair, presented by HK House, is the biggest Hong Konger cultural celebration in Canada. Guests can visit the free event to learn about the region’s Hong Konger community while checking out the numerous vendors in the HKer cultural market for $3.50.

When: May 11, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards — 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free for general event, $3.50 for HKer cultural market

Mother’s Day Special at The Improv Centre

What: Bring your mom down to The Improv Centre on Granville Island for an afternoon of laughs with some of Vancouver’s top comedians. The show is family-friendly and will be inspired by the audience’s suggestions.

When: May 11, 2025
Time: Doors 1 p.m., show 2 p.m.
Where: The Improv Centre – 1502 Duranleau St., Vancouver
Cost: Various, purchase online

Kwantlen St. Farmers’ Market

What: The market is proud to highlight produce grown by student farmers in Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Sustainable Agriculture and Farm Schools in Richmond and Delta. The students learn ecologically sensitive agriculture practices.

When: Every Tuesday from May 6 until Oct. 28, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Minoru Plaza in front of Richmond Library and Cultural Centre – 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond

ExplorAsian Festival Opening Reception

What: The 29th anniversary of the ExplorAsian Festival begins with an opening ceremony filled with art displays, music, live performances and more. Discover artists from China, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and India while learning how they share their traditions and artistic expressions.

When: May 10, 2025
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: 550 West Hastings St., Vancouver
Cost: $70, purchase online