More than 20 FREE and cheap things to do in Vancouver this March
There’s loads of free and inexpensive fun to be had around Vancouver. So let’s get started!
Check out these 23 fun events in Vancouver in March that won’t break the bank, like Gender Equity in Media Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival, and more.
And for more great events happening around town, be sure to check out our Listed section.
One-time-only events and activities
Let’s Hear It Live Juno Block Party
The Juno Awards
What: The Let’s Hear It Live Juno Block Party will showcase a variety of established Canadian talent and emerging artists on the TD Main Stage. Attendees will enjoy performances by local and Juno-nominated artists, discover a night market with local vendors and delicious food, and more.
The block party is just one of the events planned for Vancouver during the Junos season. There will also be an Indigenous business of music workshop, a music therapy session, an Indigenous storytelling circle and music industry mixer, and a lunchtime concert series at The Carnegie Centre.
When: March 27 to 29, 2025
Time: 4 to 10 p.m. (Thursday and Friday), 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Saturday)
Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza)
Cost: Free, register online
Vancouver Story Slam
What: Vancouver Story Slam features 10 storytellers sharing original short stories in a competition for cash and prizes as well as a spot in the championship show. Performers at Hero’s Welcome on March 13 include Erin Reddekopp, Josh Silberg, Saoirse Pritchard, and more. The event will also include special guest storyteller Abby Crispo
When: March 13, 2025
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: The Pleasant – 2434 Main St., Vancouver
Cost: $8 cash at the door
Budgies 2005 Pricing
What: To celebrate its twentieth anniversary, Budgie’s Burritos will be rolling back the prices of its burritos to what it was back in 2005. That means you can score one of its tasty vegetarian handhelds for just $6.
To put that into context, the restaurant’s burritos currently range anywhere from $12.50 to $14.75, meaning you’ll be receiving an over 50 per cent discount.
However, this deal will only be available for one day only on Saturday, March 8.
When: March 8, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: 44 Kingsway, Vancouver
Nowruz New Year Celebration at Capilano Mall
Capilano Mall
What: Capilano Mall is hosting a thrilling Nowruz New Year celebration on March 22, and everyone is invited. Guests will enjoy cultural dance performances by the Academy of Middle Eastern Dance, traditional drumming by Dafan Band, and a Haft-Seen table display by Solievent.
When: March 22, 2025
Time: Noon to 2 p.m.
Where: Grand Court at Capilano Mall – 935 Marine Dr., North Vancouver
Cost: Free
Workout For Women’s Day
What: From March 3 until Sunday, March 9, you can sign up for a ton of incredible fitness classes by donation at Workout For Women’s Day. It’s a chance to sample classes from some of the city’s best trainers and studios. From aerial yoga to pop queen cardio, there are classes for everyone available both online and in-studio.
When: March 3 to 9, 2025
Time: Check the schedule for class times
Where: Various locations in Vancouver
Tickets: Classes by donation
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 from March 26 to April 28. The popular Blossoms After Dark takeover of David Lam Park also returns bigger than ever from March 28 to 30. Guests will enjoy added light art installations, a licensed lounge with a stage where you can try specially crafted cherry blossom cocktails, and roaming performers.
When: March 26 to April 28, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations around Metro Vancouver
Echoes of Memory
What: 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 (Open Wednesday to Sunday until March)
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
Spring Break at VIFF Centre – Generation Pixar
Finding Nemo
What: Bring the whole family to VIFF Centre and enjoy an exciting variety of films that everyone will love. The lineup for VIFF’s spring break programming is celebrating everything Pixar, with film screenings, talks, music, trivia and more.
When: March 17 to 30, 2025
Time: Various screening times
Where: VIFF Centre — 1181 Seymour St., Vancouver
Tickets: $10-$16. Discounts for students, seniors and VIFF+ members. Purchase online
Let’s Hear It BC Junos Plaza Party
What: Surrey will host the Let’s Hear It BC Junos Plaza Party at City Hall Plaza on March 15. There will be over 30 artists on six stages to check out throughout the day, including throughout the Plaza, City Centre Library, and Dominion restaurant in the Civic Hotel.
Guests can also enjoy DJs, family programming, a 5X Art Party, and food trucks at the one-day music festival showcasing top local and national talent.
When: March 15, 2025
Time: 2 to 10 p.m.
Where: Surrey Civic Plaza — 13450 104th Ave., Surrey
Cost: Free, register online
Vancouver Gem & Mineral Show
What: The Vancouver Gem & Mineral Show is returning to the PNE Forum with more than 100 gem, mineral, and jewellery vendors from across the country.
You can wander the forum filled with vendors selling all kinds of crystals, fossils, wearable art, and more. This is the perfect place to ask experts questions and learn more about rocks, minerals, crystals, and gems.
When: March 21 to 23, 2025
Time: 1 p.m. to 9 pm (Friday), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Where: PNE Forum, 2901 East Hastings St., Vancouver
Cost: $6-$8, children 12 and under are free. Three-day tickets also available. Purchase online
Coastal Dance Festival 2025
What: The 18th Annual Coastal Dance Festival brings Indigenous artists from across the country and around the world together to celebrate and showcase Indigenous dance. Highlights include artist-sharing events, festival stage performances, and more.
When: March 4 to 6, 7 to 9, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Museum of Anthropology – 6393 NW Marine Dr., Vancouver – Anvil Centre – 777 Columbia St., New Westminster
Cost: Various prices with a number of events by donation or included in museum admission, purchase online
Ramadan Fest B.C.
Ramadan Fest B.C.
What: A brand new festival is debuting in Surrey next week that will help the community celebrate Ramadan while offering delicious food, cultural activities, and more late into the night.
Ramadan Fest B.C. is happening at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds from Wednesday, March 5, to Sunday, March 9. And festival organizers bill it as Surrey’s biggest late late night market.
When: March 5 to 9, 2025
Time: 4 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Where: Cloverdale Agriplex – 17763 62 Ave., Surrey
Cost: Starting at $5 plus fees for a single admission, purchase online
Skate Plaza at The Shipyards
What: The City of North Vancouver’s free Shipyards Skate Plaza is welcoming skaters until March 2025. Skaters of all ages can glide on the approximately 12,000 sq ft surface daily from noon to 8 p.m. And fun can be had no matter the weather – the Shipyards Skate Plaza is covered by a retractable roof.
When: Now until mid-March 2025
Time: Noon to 8 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards Commons, North Vancouver
Admission: FREE. Skate rentals are available for $7 for adults and $5 for children (quantities are limited)
Eastside Flea
Eastside Flea
What: Eastside Flea features over 50 local vendors offering a variety of items, including handmade goods and vintage clothing, collectibles and plants, artisan foods and more. Each market will also have food trucks on-site, beverages being served, and indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy your treats.
When: March 29 and 30, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 1739 Venables St., Vancouver
Admission: $5
Gender Equity in Media Festival
What: Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver presents its 20th annual festival from March 5 to 9 at VIFF Centre. It’s your chance to catch rising film stars and support women and gender-diverse filmmakers onscreen.
There are 32 films from nine countries in this year’s programming, including world premieres, features, shorts and more. GEM Fest will also include receptions and panels for fans to check out.
When: March 5 to 9, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: VIFF Centre — 1181 Seymour St., Vancouver
Cost: Various prices including free events. Purchase tickets online
BC Home + Garden Show
What: The BC Home + Garden Show returns to BC Place with everything you need to whip your home and garden into shape. The exhibition will feature home improvement, design, culinary and garden experts to inspire you and your home this spring.
When: March 13 to 16, 2025
Time: 11 am to 8 p.m. (Thursday and Friday), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Saturday), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Sunday)
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver
Tickets: $13-$16, children 12 and under free. Half-price tickets are available after 4 pm. 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 contemporary Indigenous Art of the Northwest Coast in the country. 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 pm 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
Riley Park Winter Farmers’ Market
What: Visitors will find over 85 farms and producers and a selection of food and coffee trucks. Shop for fruits and veggies, eggs and dairy, meat, prepared food, craft beverages, craft items, and more.
When: Every Saturday until March 29, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 50 E 30th Ave. and Ontario St., Vancouver
Kitsilano Winter Farmers’ Market
What: Kitsilano Farmers’ Market takes place on Sundays in the parking lot of the Community Centre and offers a good selection of fresh local produce and gourmet treats to stock up on the week. There are also a number of artisan vendors and food trucks to check out at the market.
When: Every Sunday until April 27, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: West 10th Ave. and Trafalgar St., Vancouver
Granville Island Public Market
Julien Hautcoeur/Shutterstock
What: You can shop at the Granville Island Public Market year-round. It’s indoors, so it’s a great option on a rainy day. This place is loved by locals and tourists alike. Shop for all your basics and extras here and grab lunch from some of the city’s best eats.
When: Every day
Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Granville Island – 1661 Duranleau St., Vancouver
Port Moody Winter Farmers’ Market
What: Established in 2008, the Port Moody Winter Farmers’ Market began as a bi-weekly market in the lobby and courtyard of the Port Moody Rec Centre. Now a weekly market, shoppers can stop by every Sunday for local BC produce, artisan crafts, and delicious baked goods.
When: Every Sunday until April 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Port Moody Recreation Complex – 300 Ioco Rd., Port Moody