More than 20 FREE and cheap things to do in Vancouver this April
There are loads of free and inexpensive fun to be had around Vancouver. So, let’s get started!
Check out these 26 fun events in Vancouver in April that won’t break the bank, like Easter Bunnyfest, Cat Love Art Show, and more.
For more great events happening around town, be sure to check out our Listed section.
One-time-only events and activities
Cat Love Art Show
@christine.delay.art/Instagram
What: The Cat Love Art Show is on Saturday, April 5, at Jig Space in the city’s Marpole neighbourhood, with dozens of artists expected to take part.
The event is produced and curated by Art Spot YVR, and each unique work of art is a tribute to cats.
When: April 5, 2025
Time: 2 to 10 p.m.
Where: Jig Space — 8889 Laurel St., Unit #106, Vancouver
Admission: By donation to the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) Cat Sanctuary
Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival
What: The 2025 Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival is happening at Garry Point Park on Sunday, April 6. Visitors will help celebrate the arrival of spring and the blooming of cherry blossoms, as well as enjoy a day full of free activities, live entertainment, and food trucks.
Check out the Sakura Tent for main-stage performances and demos, including taiko drumming, folk singing and dancers, and ikebana demonstrations. Children of all ages can also stop by the Chibi-Chan Tent to learn how to fold origami creatures with special Japanese papers and techniques.
Attendees will also want to visit the Hanami Tent between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. for displays and demos from local artisans, including bonsai, calligraphy, and origami. You’ll also have the chance to take in a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.
When: April 6, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Garry Point Park – 12011 7th Ave., Richmond
Cost: Free
Echoes of Memory
What: The Museum & Archives of North Vancouver’s latest feature exhibition spotlights untold stories of aging, memory loss, and dementia and how community can shape a collective human experience. Echoes of Memory features over 100 items from the museum’s collection as well as a touring display by Canadian artist Karen Bondarchuk titled A Crow A Day.
When: Now until June 1, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Museum of North Vancouver — 115 West Esplanade, North Vancouver
Tickets: $10 to $14 at the door, children 5 and under and Indigenous people are free. Annual passes can be purchased online
Orpheum Tours by Vancouver Civic Theatres
Orpheum Theatre (Marie Cardona)
What: Get your cameras ready because you can explore one of Vancouver’s most beautiful concert halls this spring.
When: April 12, May 31, June 14, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Where: Orpheum – 601 Smithe St., Vancouver
Cost: $10 plus fees, register online
Capture Photography Festival
What: A free, month-long photography festival featuring dozens of free events returns to Metro Vancouver in April. This year’s Capture Photography Festival events include gallery exhibitions, public art installations, photo walks, and more across the region.
When: April 1 to 30, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations throughout Metro Vancouver
Tickets: Free
Party for the Planet
What: The City of Surrey is set to host the 14th annual Party for the Planet at Surrey Civic Plaza, presented by TD, on Saturday, April 26.
This year’s event will be packed full of entertainment and activities for the whole family. The best part is that it’s free to attend and just steps from the Surrey Central SkyTrain station.
When: April 26, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Surrey Civic Plaza – 13450 104th Ave., Surrey
Cost: Free
Hat Trick Comedy Show at Yuk Yuks Surrey
What: Three comedians perform three headlining sets during each Hat Trick Comedy at Yuk Yuks Surrey. Cheer on the fast-rising comedians, as your laughs will help determine which comics are ready for the big leagues.
When: April 24, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Yuk Yuks Surrey at Elements Casino – 17755 60th Ave., Surrey
Tickets: $15 plus tax, purchase online
Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival
World Ski and Snowboard Festival/Tourism Whistler
What: The World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) is taking over Whistler from April 7 to 13. Athletes from around the world will be at WSSF, joined by hundreds of spectators to watch the competitions and take part in the festivities.
The massive mountainside celebration has something for everyone to enjoy, including free outdoor concerts with some big artists like Swollen Members and Ruby Waters.
When: April 7 to 13, 2025
Times: Various times
Where: Various locations in Whistler
Tickets: Various prices, including free events; purchase online
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
Rabbitats Easter BunnyFest
What: The Rabbitats Easter BunnyFest is a great way to visit with rabbits in real life and learn about the cotton-tailed cuties. The family-friendly event features a Meet & Treat, where you can watch the rabbits or join them in their enclosure to feed them treats from a cup. You can even get your face painted like your favourite bunny.
When: April 19 and 20, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Lulu Island Winery — 16880 Westminster Hwy., Richmond
Tickets: By donation at the door
Public Disco and VCBF’s Blossom Block Party
What: Public Disco and VCBF are teaming up to host the Blossom Block Party on Saturday, April 5, in Downtown Vancouver.
When: April 5, 2025
Time: 2 to 9 p.m.
Where: Dunsmuir Patio at Bentall Centre — 1055 Dunsmuir St., Vancouver
Admission: Free
Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade 2025
Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade/City of Surrey
What: The largest Vaisakhi parade in the world will take place in Surrey next month, and organizers expect to draw a massive crowd for the festivities.
Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade, organized by Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, will take place on Saturday, April 19. Over 500,000 people are expected to attend the parade, with a variety of floats, live music and dancers, and community groups.
When: April 19, 2025
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Starts at the Gurdwara Dasmesh Darbar – 12885 85th Ave., Surrey
Cost: Free
Canadian Film Week at VIFF
What: There are 18 films, including six Vancouver premieres and four new films from B.C. filmmakers, in VIFF’s Canadian Film Week 2025. The annual event celebrates the best in Canadian and Indigenous storytelling and also includes talkbacks with creators and free screenings on National Canadian Film Day on April 16.
When: April 11 to 17, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Vancouver International Film Festival – 1181 Seymour St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Food Truck Wars 2025
What: Vancouver has an incredible food truck scene, and it’s natural to wonder which one is the best of the best. That’s what the Food Truck Wars are all about.
When: April 11 to 13, 2025
Time: 3 to 9 p.m. (Friday), 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Saturday), 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Sunday)
Where: Cloverdale Exhibition Grounds, Surrey
Cost: Entry by donation, with partial proceeds being donated to the organization’s local charity partner. Purchase online
Recurring events and activities
Bill Reid Gallery — Free Admission Day
Bill Reid Gallery
What: The Bill Reid Gallery is named after the renowned Haida artist and is the only public gallery dedicated to the contemporary Indigenous Art of the Northwest Coast. The gallery is home to the Simon Fraser University Bill Reid Collection and also hosts a variety of special exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions, and more.
Guests can visit the Bill Reid Gallery for free from 2 to 5 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.
When: The first Friday of every month
Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: 639 Hornby St., Vancouver
Cost: By donation
Vancouver Public Library Movie Screenings
What: Vancouver Public Library hosts a variety of movie screenings for the public at its branches throughout the month, and the best part is they are free to check out. Expect to see the latest Hollywood Blockbusters, timeless classics, and more.
When: Various dates
Time: Various times
Where: Various VPL Branches
Cost: Free
Vancouver Art Gallery – Free First Friday Nights
Vancouver Art Gallery/Facebook
What: The Vancouver Art Gallery was founded in 1931 and is renowned as one of North America’s leading visual arts institutions. The largest public art museum in Western Canada currently has a variety of exhibitions on display, and you can check them out for free during the Free First Friday Nights events.
When: The first Friday of every month
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: 750 Hornby St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Community Jam at The Improv Centre
What: The Improv Centre welcomes performers of all levels to get up onstage with professionally trained improvisers at its free monthly community jam. The 18+ event features theatre exercises, improv games, and more during the fun, interactive jam.
When: The last Saturday of every month
Time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Where: The Improv Centre — 1502 Duranleau St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Farmers Markets in Metro Vancouver
Trout Lake Farmers Market
Trout Lake Farmers’ Market/eatlocal.org
This farmers’ market began back in 1995 and became the cornerstone of the Vancouver Farmers’ Market collective of markets. One of the most popular markets, Trout Lake has food trucks on-site and a variety of vendors selling fresh local produce, locally made goods, and all things food.
When: Every Saturday from April 5 until Oct. 25, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Lakewood Drive and East 13th Ave., Vancouver
Riley Park Farmers Market – Summer
This large farmers market takes place in both winter and summer right by Nat Bailey Stadium. Expect stalls of fresh produce, food trucks, and other local goodies.
When: Every Saturday from April 5 to October 25, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 50 East 30th Ave. and Ontario Street, Vancouver (June 21 footprint shift due to Hillcrest Carnival.)
Fort Langley Village Farmers Market
What: Shop for fresh groceries (fresh foods picked from local farmers’ fields in the Fraser and Okanagan Valleys), along with plants, flowers, and other artisan goods, at this weekly market in Fort Langley.
When: Every Saturday from April 26 until Dec. 6, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: St. Andrews Historic Church — 9025 Glover Rd., Fort Langley
White Rock Farmers Market
White Rock Farmers Market/Facebook
Live music, over 80 vendors, and great local produce and food products make the White Rock Farmers Market a great community event for South Surrey and White Rock.
When: Every Sunday from April 20 to Oct. 12, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 15154 Russell Ave., White Rock (Beside Whaling Wall)