Things to Do on Victoria Day Long Weekend
Victoria Day Long Weekend (May 17 to 19) is the unofficial start to summer in Vancouver. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air at community events, markets, festivals, museums, gardens, and more.
Vancouver All British Field Meet at VanDusen Botanical Garden
Billed as "The Greatest Show on British Wheels", the Vancouver All British Field Meet will bring dozens of British cars and motorcycles to VanDusen Botanical Garden on May 17. The event also includes food trucks, high tea, and live musical entertainment from Definitely Not The Beatles, a Beatles tribute band. Period dress is encouraged, and there are prizes for the best costumes. Purchase tickets in advance.
Night Markets
With warmer weather stretching into the evenings, Victoria Day Weekend is the perfect time to visit one of Vancouver's night markets.
Shipyards Night Market in North Vancouver is kicking off their summer market season on Friday, May 16. Located in the Shipyards District near Lonsdale Quay, this market focuses on entertainment with live music from local bands and DJs alongside food trucks, a beer garden, and stalls selling goods from local makers.
This long weekend, the Richmond Night Market will be open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights. The sprawling Asian-style market features fashion, crafts, electronics, gifts, and more from a variety of vendors. Don't miss the stalls selling street food from around the world. You can also enjoy live music, a kids' area, and a 600-foot-long zipline.
Brewhalla Fort Langley
Sample craft beer while you groove to live music at Brewhalla in Fort Langley on May 17. With over two dozen craft breweries, cideries, distilleries, and zero proof beverage vendors on site, you're sure to discover a new local favourite. The 19+ festival also includes food trucks and a games zone.
Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair
Get a taste of the country at the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair in Surrey between May 16 and 19. The four-day event features a full schedule of rodeo performances and live music. You can also enjoy pig races, lumberjack shows, dog shows, an artisan market, Indigenous cultural performances, food vendors, and a beer garden.
Fort Langley May Day Parade and Celebration
Vancouver's largest Victoria Day celebration happens each year in historic Fort Langley. This year's May Day event is being held on May 19 at Fort Langley Park and the nearby Fort Langley Lion's Hall. The festivities kick off in the morning with a pancake breakfast, followed by a parade through the neighbourhood. From noon until 4 pm, enjoy a fun festival in the park with live entertainment, kids activities, food trucks, May Pole dancing, and booths from local vendors.
Playland Unlocked
Kick off the summer season of rides at Playland Unlocked on May 17 and 18. Get your thrills on dozens of rides, including the classic Wooden Rollercoaster and newer favourites like the ThunderVolt Launch Coaster that starts accelerates with a 1.3G blast-off. The opening weekend event includes live DJs and a plushie scavenger hunt with prizes like Playland passes and a PlayStation 5.
Burnaby Village Museum
Burnaby Village Museum occupies a 10-acre site in Deer Lake Park. You can visit dozens of heritage buildings arranged to reconstruct a 1920s village, many of which are staffed by actors in period-appropriate attire. The Museum is having a special Victoria Day celebration on May 19 with a food scavenger hunt, blacksmith demonstrations, kids' activities, dance and music performances, and a food truck. You can also go for a ride on the restored 1912 C.W. Park Carousel.
Farmer's Markets
With summer around the corner, Vancouver's farmer's markets are in full swing. On Victoria Day long weekend, you can visit Trout Lake or Riley Park Farmer's Markets on Saturday, May 17. Sunday, May 18, is the first market of the season for the West End Farmer's Market. The Mount Pleasant Farmer's Market is also open on Sundays.
Hike to a Waterfall
It's waterfall season in Vancouver thanks to melting snow and spring rains. Take an easy walk to Shannon Falls near Squamish or a longer ramble through the woods to Cypress Falls in West Vancouver. Our guide to spring waterfall hikes has more suggestions.
Visit a Garden
Vancouver's gardens are exploding with colour at this time of year. Stroll the paths at the VanDusen Botanical Garden to discover 55 acres of blooms. Or wander through the sunken Quarry Gardens at Queen Elizabeth Park to admire the manicured flower beds. For Asian-influenced blooms, check out Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Chinatown or Nitobe Memorial Garden on the UBC Campus.