15 fun things to do in Vancouver this long weekend: May 15 to 18

The long weekend makes everything better!

Pack your schedule with these 15 great Metro Vancouver events from May 15 to 18. Check out Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair, Shipyards Night Market, and more!

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

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North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market

What: North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market (SYNM) is celebrating its 13th anniversary in Lower Lonsdale in 2026. 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 15 to Sept. 11, 2026
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards — 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free

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 25th year of the festival features short plays, dance, comedy, monologues, drag, live music, and more.

There will also be an arts exhibition in The Cultch’s lobby from May 12 to 31.

When: May 13 to 17, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: The Cultch – 1895 Venables St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, festival pass for $40. Purchase online

Future Geographies at the Vancouver Art Gallery

What: Future Geographies is a major exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery dedicated to artists making work about Climate Change. Over 35 works in a range of media created over the past 25 years will uncover the urgent relevance of sustainability and the environment as important issues of our time.

On the fourth floor, there will be an immersive forest installation presented inside a geometric dome, which transports visitors to some of BC’s last remaining ancient forests.

When: May 14 until Jan. 10, 2026 (forest installation in place until Nov. 15)
Time: Regular Museum Hours
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery – 750 Hornby St., Vancouver
Admission: Various prices, purchase online

Foundation Volume 14.0 – 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 14.0 – 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 Charlotte De Witte, Peggy Gou, Salute and Malugi.

When: May 16 and 17, 2026
Time: 4 to 10 p.m.
Where: PNE Centre Grounds
Tickets: Various costs, purchase online

Vancouver All British Classic Car Show

What: Car lovers, start your engines! The annual Vancouver All British Field Meet (ABFM) will be held at VanDusen Botanical Garden on Saturday, May 16.

When: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden – 5251 Oak St., Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, purchase online

Soccer & Technology from the FIFA Museum exhibit at Science World

What: Science World will fully embrace the FIFA World Cup spirit inside its walls, hosting an official soccer-themed exhibition from the FIFA Museum in Zurich, Switzerland.

Through five interactive zones — Broadcasting and Media, Intelligent Data, Refereeing and Fair Play, Staging the Game, and the Innovation Lab — guests will experience the tools shaping how soccer is played, officiated, watched, and understood.

When: May 15, 2026, to Sept. 7, 2026
Time: Science World operating hours
Where: Science World — 1455 Quebec St., Vancouver
Admission: Science World admission fees

Playland 2026

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.

Playland Unlocked on opening weekend will welcome visitors with live DJs, special games and a chance to win prizes.

This year also marks the return of Playland Nights, a partnership between PNE and Feaster.

When: Select dates from May 16 to Aug. 21, 2026
Time: Weekends in May and June from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday through Sunday in July and August from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Extended evening hours on select nights.
Where: Playland — 2901 E. Hastings St., Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, season and single-day passes are on sale now. Purchase online

78th Annual Cloverdale Rodeo Parade

What: The 78th Annual Cloverdale Rodeo Parade takes place on Saturday, May 16, with dozens of floats and over 1,000 participants. Guests of all ages can expect to see marching bands, vintage cars, local businesses, and dozens of elaborately decorated floats during the annual event.

This year’s 78th-anniversary Rodeo and 134th Annual Country Fair runs from May 14 to 17. Guests can check out the live competitions, entertainment, concerts, midway rides, food trucks, events, and more.

When: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.
Where: Cloverdale Town Centre, Surrey
Cost: Free

Vancouver Canadians vs Everett Aquasox

What: Baseball is back at Nat Bailey Stadium! Join the Vancouver Canadians all season long and cheer on the future of the Blue Jays. 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.

Cheer them on this week as they take on the Everett Aquasox from May 12 to 17.

When: Now until Sunday, May 17, 2026
Time: Various start times
Where: Nat Bailey Stadium – 4601 Ontario St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online at CanadiansBaseball.com

Coquitlam Market

What: The Coquitlam Farmers Market is celebrating its 29th year by gathering a curated lineup of farmers, bakers, crafters and makers, food trucks and more every Sunday.

When: Every Sunday from May to October 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Dogwood Pavilion Parking Lot – 1655 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam

VSO Day of Music

What: Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the VSO School of Music present Day of Music, with 12 hours of free concerts of various music genres for all ages to discover in venues across the city.

There will also be a free concert by the VSO at 7:30 p.m.

When: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: Various performances between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Where: Various venues across the Lower Mainland
Cost: Free

5X Festival Blockparty

What: 5X Festival Blockparty, taking place at Surrey Civic Plaza, features a concert lineup of some of Metro Vancouver’s finest music talents.

The all-ages, outdoor event will also include art installations, a vendor village, and mouthwatering food and drinks.

When: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 2 to 9 p.m.
Where: Surrey Civic Plaza – 13450 104th Ave., Surrey
Cost: Free, RSVP online

Vancouver FC vs Cavalry FC

What: Vancouver FC continue their Canadian Premier League season at Willoughby Community Park this week. Cheer them on when they face the Cavalry FC at the Langley Events Centre on May 17.

When: Sunday, May 17, 2026
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: Willoughby Community Park at the Langley Events Centre – 7782 200th St., Langley Township
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Vancouver Art Book Fair

What: Canada’s longest-running international art book fair will showcase over 100 exhibitors from around the globe at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Discover a huge selection of art publications, including DIY zines, catalogues, artist books, monographs, magazines and more. You will also have a chance to meet the makers, collectives and studios behind the works.

When: Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17, 2026
Time: 5 to 9 p.m. (Friday), 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday), 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Where: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre – 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
Cost: Free