10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this week (May 4-8)

It’s a concert-filled week, Vancouver! Tons of big-name artists are slated to take the stage across the city, and there are plenty of outdoor markets and comedy shows to check out in between. Here are 10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this week (May 4-8).

Charlie Puth kicks off the week with his Whatever’s Clever! World Tour stopping at UBC’s Doug Mitchell Stadium.

When: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: 6066 Thunderbird Blvd. 
Cost: $127.45

Unique Lives & Experiences presents Neil deGrasse Tyson: The Search for Life in the Universe, a show hosted by renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, exploring habitable planets and journeys through space. If you’ve always wanted to learn more about the quest for intelligent life beyond our solar system, this is the event for you.

When: Monday, May 4, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: 601 Smithe St. 
Cost: Check back soon

Another fun Paint and Sip session is coming to East Van’s Howe Sound Taphouse this Tuesday, April 14, 2026, and the event’s got a two-for-one deal going right now. For $21.03 a pair, you can enjoy a relaxing, social paint session with a pal or a date, with all materials provided. And of course, a couple of rounds of brews never hurts either.

When: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: 1489 East Hastings St.
Cost: $21.03 for two

Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi just returned to touring last year, and he’s bringing his latest music to the stage at Rogers Arena on Wednesday, May 6.

When: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: 800 Griffiths Way 
Cost: $69.20

Vancouver’s popular adults-only nights at Science World are back, and the next instalment will throw it back to the ’80s. Inspired by the 40th anniversary of Vancouver’s Expo 86, the event will transform Science World into a retro-themed party for one night only this week, complete with a life-sized DeLorean!

When: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: 1455 Quebec St.
Cost: $39.99 per person

Canadian rock legends the Arkells are performing at the Penthouse on Thursday, May 7, Hollywood on Friday, May 8, and at the Commodore on Saturday, May 9 as part of their Between Us Tour, each offering a different kind of live music experience.

When: Thursday, May 7, Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: 1019 Seymour St., 3123 West Broadway, and 868 Granville St. 
Cost: $142.80+

Quebec comedian and showman Anthony Kavanagh is back in Vancouver after five years for a show like no other this Friday, so get ready to brighten your day and kick off a fun-filled weekend.

When: Friday, May 8, 2026
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: 950 West 41st Ave. 
Cost: $55

Vancouver’s free-to-enter container market is back on April 30 with over 30 new food and artisan vendors to check out. The lively, open-air marketplace is now in its third year, bringing visitors together for live screenings of World Cup matches, live music, sips from a waterfront bar, and rotating pop-ups.

When: Open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays, and until 9 p.m. on weekends
Where: 200 Granville St. 
Cost: Free admission

The Improv Centre is introducing a hilarious new show based on a rotating crew of space explorers, who must rely on audience suggestions to explore a different “galaxy” every show.

When: Opens Thursday, April 9, running Fridays and Saturdays until June 27, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1502 Duranleau St. 
Cost: $31.50+

The zipline is back, the less-than-$10 happy hour items are back, and tons of exciting new attractions await at this year’s Richmond Night Market, which kicks off at the end of the week. Soon, millions of visitors from across the globe will gather to share in the city’s excitement for the FIFA season and beyond.

When: Opens Friday, April 24, 2026, operates Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Time: 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 11 p.m. on Sundays
Where: 8351 River Rd., Richmond
Cost: $7 for GA

Recent Posts:
Vancouver International Jazz Festival announces Granville Island summer concert lineup
Sail to puffin paradise: B.C.’s most remote bird colonies await on this guided tour

Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

Read articles