The long weekend is nearly here, Vancouver. We can’t promise it’ll be clear skies ahead, but from where we’re sitting, it’s looking like an action-packed couple of days. So if you don’t have plans quite yet, don’t sweat it — from opening weekend at Playland to the first Shipyards Night Market of the year, to a May Day parade, here are 10 of the best things to do in Vancouver this weekend (May 16-19).
The beloved Shipyards Night Market is officially back this Friday, May 16, 2025, with a delicious array of food truck eats, live DJ sets, and a beer garden. Each night market will take place from 3 to 10 p.m. on Fridays at Shipbuilders Square until Sept. 12, 2025.
When: Every Friday from May 16 to Sept. 12, 2025
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
Get ready for some classic summertime fun! Playland reopens this weekend, which means you don’t have long to wait to check out the legendary 1958 wooden coaster, exciting ThunderVolt, and over 30 more rides and attractions.
When: Opens Saturday, May 17, 2025, open weekends until June 27, 2025
Where: 2901 East Hastings St.
Cost: $36.70 to $42 per person
The 103rd annual May Day parade returns to Fort Langley on Monday, May 19, 2025, followed by a food-themed celebration at the Fort Langley National Historic Site. Here, visitors can explore how local First Nations cultivated the land, their encounters with early settlers, and how the two groups interacted in terms of trade and agriculture.
When: Monday, May 19, 2025
Where: 23433 Mavis Ave., Langley Twp.
Cost: $9 per adult, free admission for youth 17 and under
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is hosting its annual Garden Tea Festival and celebrating the diverse cultures that have cultivated the beloved public garden. The event brings tea lovers and vendors from all over together to enjoy the rich traditions of tea at an authentic Chinese garden.
When: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Where: 578 Carrall St.
Cost: $12 per person
Popular Colombian singer-songwriter Andrés Cepeda Cediel composed his very first piece of music at the age of 12, and now he’s bringing his world tour to Vancouver on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts.
When: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Where: 777 Homer St.
Cost: $79.67
This week, the Vancouver Canadians are facing off against the Everett AquaSox on Friday, May 16, Saturday, May 17, Sunday, May 18, and Monday, May 19, 2025.
When: Friday, May 16, 2025 to Monday, May 19, 2025
Where: 4601 Ontario St.
Cost: $20+
Directed by Andrew Kushnir, the story of Casey and Diana by Nick Green is coming to the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage from the end of April through Sunday, May 25, 2025. Based on true events, the powerful drama is set in 1991 during the peak of the AIDS crisis, when Diana, Princess of Wales, makes a historic visit to Casey House, Canada’s first freestanding AIDS hospice.
When: Thursday, April 24 to Sunday, May 25, 2025
Where: 2750 Granville St.
Cost: $29+
The 25th annual Richmond Night Market has officially kicked off with hundreds of international street food stalls to check out, as well as a first-ever zipline over the night market.
When: Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until October 2025
Where: 8351 River Rd., Richmond
Cost: $7 for GA
The Improv Centre has a new comedy show featuring one lucky improviser looking for love. Inspired by the hit reality series The Bachelor, the show is created entirely by suggestions from the audience, meaning no two nights will be the same.
When: Fridays and Saturdays until May 31, 2025
Where: 1502 Duranleau St.
Cost: $35 per person
This free public market has a licensed patio and has transformed customized shipping containers into an array of rotating pop-ups, vendors, and live entertainment space. Junction Public Market will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday starting May 1, 2025.
When: Open from Tuesday to Sunday
Where: 200 Granville St.
Cost: Free admission
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