15 fun things to do in Vancouver this weekend: April 11 to 13

So many wonderful events to fill your weekend!

Check out these 15 fantastic events happening in and around Vancouver from April 11 to 13. Sakura Days, Vaisakhi Parade, and more.

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

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Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade 2025

What: The Khalsa Diwan Society Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan is happening on Saturday, April 12, with huge floats, community performers, live music, and delicious food.

Khalsa Diwan Society encourages “all walks of life” to come together with the community. Last year saw a huge crowd of an estimated 200,000 Vaisakhi celebrants.

When: April 12, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parade will start at 11 a.m.
Where: The parade starts at Ross Street Sikh Temple – 8000 Ross St., Vancouver
Cost: Free

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: Now until April 30, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations throughout Metro Vancouver
Tickets: Free

Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival

What: The World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) is taking over Whistler until April 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.

Those looking for the ultimate mountainside après party can check out the Double Denim Après at The Longhorn Saloon hosted by DUER on April 11. Enjoy giveaways, a gift for the first 100 guests in double denim, and a live DJ from 2 to 6 p.m.

When: Now until April 13, 2025
Times: Various times
Where: Various locations in Whistler
Tickets: Various prices, including free events; purchase online

Verses Festival of Words

What: Canada’s largest alternative literary festival, Verses Festival of Words, is back for a 15th year of programming celebrating a broad intersection of poetic artists, including spoken word and page poets, storytellers, singer-songwriters, improvisers, and more.

Highlights of this year’s Verses include Mashed Poetics: “Fully, Completely” by The Tragically Hip, the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam, and Hullabaloo, a youth poetry slam competition for high school students across the province.

When: April 10 to 19, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Tickets: Festival passes, and tickets to individual events can be purchased online

Vancouver Aquarium Spring Break Event

What: Spring is blossoming at Vancouver Aquarium, and to ring in the season, Canada’s largest aquarium is putting a special surprise in its animal habitats that debuts on Saturday, April 12.

When: April 12 to 21, 2025
Where: Vancouver Aquarium — 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased through Vancouver Aquarium’s website starting at $39.95

Terry Fox: Inspiring Local Champions Exhibit

What: The City of Port Coquitlam hosts the opening of the “Terry Fox: Inspiring Local Champions” exhibit on April 12, which also marks the 45th anniversary of the commencement of the Marathon of Hope.

The event will take place at the  Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC) in collaboration with the Fox family. It will feature historically important artifacts connected to Terry, including his spare prosthetic leg, an Addidas running shoe, and a Marathon of Hope T-shirt. Visitors will also be able to get up close with items from his high school years.

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

Sikhs Speak: Inspiring Talks and Stories

What: Sikhs from all walks of life will share their stories, experiences, and wisdom at a free live event at Surrey City Hall. Discover the concept of anand through the speakers’ personal reflection and storytelling.

When: April 13, 2025
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: Surrey City Hall — 13450 104 Ave., Surrey
Cost: Free, register online

Brewhalla Beer and Music Festival

What: The Brewhalla Beer and Music Festival series is hosting two huge events this spring.

First up is North Vancouver at the Shipyards on Friday, April 11, followed by Fort Langley Park on Saturday, May 17.

At each festival, there will be more than 60 drinks from local favourites like Dageraad, Backcountry Brewing, Trading Post Brewing Co., and Dead Frog Brewery.

The events will also bring food trucks and other refreshments, like local cider, kombucha, seltzer, and wine. Festival-goers can also expect some fun activities like lawn games and beer pong.

When: April 11, 2025
Time: 5 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards — 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver

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

Trixx at the House of Comedy

What: Trixx has a stacked comedy resume, including winning the Boston Comedy Festival, World Series of Comedy, and the Just for Laughs’ JFL42 Big Break Competition throughout his career. The stand-up comedian has performed on Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, at Jamaica Comedy Festival, and New York Comedy Festival.

When: April 10 to 13, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy – 530 Columbia St., New Westminster
Cost: Tickets start from $18 to $25.50; purchase online

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Austin FC

What: Vancouver Whitecaps continue their MLS season this spring with several exciting home games at BC Place. Cheer on the ‘Caps as they face Austin FC on April 12.

When: April 12, 2025
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online

Ins Choi: Son of a Preacherman

What: Kim’s Convenience creator Ins Choi returns to Pacific Theatre with his new work, Son of a Preacherman. Choi will share his creative process, riff on Bible stories, and share what it was like to grow up in a Korean church “as the only begotten son of the head pastor.”

When: Now until April 13, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Pacific Theatre — 1440 W 12th Ave., Vancouver
Cost: $40, purchase online

Anand: The Art of Balance

What: SHBC’s flagship art exhibition explores the balance found in Sikh life, including the ones between life and death, desire and restraint, and light and darkness.

The free event runs from 2 to 8 p.m., with a special finale session with the artists starting at 6 p.m.

When: April 12, 2025
Time: 2 to 8 p.m.
Where: Jig Space — 8889 Laurel St., unit 106, Vancouver
Cost: Free

The Story of Taylor Swift

What: A show detailing the story of Taylor Swift is coming to Metro Vancouver this month, and it’s surely something Swifties won’t want to miss.

The show, named The Story of Taylor Swift, will be at the Great Canadian Casino on April 12 and promises to take viewers on a journey through the incredible rise of Taylor Swift, from her early days as a self-made artist writing songs in her bedroom to becoming one of the most influential women in music.

Charity Eden will play Swift in the show, which will feature some of the “Karma” singer’s biggest hits, along with the stories behind the songs.

When: April 12, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Great Canadian Casino Vancouver — 2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam
Cost: From $25 plus fees, purchase online