Complete guide to family-friendly events and activities in Vancouver for May 2025
Events Calendar
| Date | Event | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1-7 | BC Youth Week | Various locations | bcyouthweek.com |
| May 1-18 | Europa Super Circus | Surrey, Abbotsford, Chilliwack | europasupercircus.com |
| May 3-4 | Buddy & Friends Festival | Railway Museum of BC, Squamish | wcra.org |
| May 4 | More Than a Movie | BC Place, Vancouver | kidsupfront.com/vancouver |
| May 4 | Burnaby Blooms Festival | Deer Lake Park, Burnaby | burnaby.ca/events |
| May 5 | Cinco de Mayo Celebrations | Various locations | Various |
| Through May 11 | Abbotsford Tulip Festival | Lakeland Flowers, Abbotsford | abbotsfordtulipfestival.ca |
| May 10 | CityFest 2025 | The Shipyards, North Vancouver | nvcity.ca/cityfest |
| May 10-11 | Mother’s Day Powwow | Trout Lake Community Centre, Vancouver | vaneventlist.ca |
| May 13-18 | PAW Patrol Live! “Heroes Unite” | Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver | broadwayacrosscanada.ca |
| Fridays from May 16 | Shipyards Night Market | Shipbuilders’ Square, North Vancouver | northvanshipyardsnightmarket.com |
| May 16-18 | Whistler Children’s Festival | Maury Young Arts Centre, Whistler | whistlerchildrensfestival.com |
| May 17 | Tea Day | Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Vancouver | vancouverchinesegarden.com |
| Through May 19 | Science World - Extreme Sports | Science World, Vancouver | scienceworld.ca |
| May 22 | Kids’ Night Out | MONOVA, North Vancouver | monova.ca |
| May 23-25 | Surrey SPARK Stages | Surrey Arts Centre, Surrey | surrey.ca/sparkstages |
| May 25 | BC Polish Festival | Port Coquitlam | bcpolishfestival.ca |
| May 25 | Hummingbird Gardening Workshop | GARDENWORKS North Shore, North Vancouver | gardenworks.ca |
| Through May 25 | The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” | Gastown, Vancouver | artofbanksy.com |
| May 26 - June 1 | Vancouver International Children’s Festival | Granville Island, Vancouver | childrensfestival.ca |
| All May | ExplorASIAN Festival | Various locations | explorasian.org |
| All May | Playland | PNE, Vancouver | pne.ca/playland |
| All May | Burnaby Central Railway Miniature Train | Confederation Park, Burnaby | burnabyrailway.org |
| All May | H.R. MacMillan Space Centre | 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver | spacecentre.ca |
| All May | Capilano Suspension Bridge | 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver | capbridge.com |
| Through Sept 1 | Vancouver Aquarium - Survival of the Slowest | Stanley Park, Vancouver | vanaqua.org |
Featured Events
Vancouver International Children’s Festival
Dates: May 26 - June 1, 2025
Location: Granville Island, 1661 Duranleau St
Description: A world-class festival presenting theater, music, dance, circus, puppetry, and storytelling from around the world. Includes the Activity Village with over 12 hands-on arts activities for families to enjoy together.
Website: childrensfestival.ca
PAW Patrol Live! “Heroes Unite”
Dates: May 13-18, 2025
Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton St, Vancouver
Description: An interactive live show featuring music, special effects, and a fun adventure with Ryder and the PAW Patrol pups.
Website: broadwayacrosscanada.ca
CityFest 2025
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: The Shipyards, 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Description: North Vancouver’s largest youth festival organized by youth, featuring live music, skateboarding competitions, art exhibits, and interactive activities designed for teens and families.
Website: nvcity.ca/cityfest
Whistler Children’s Festival
Dates: May 16-18, 2025
Location: Maury Young Arts Centre, 4335 Blackcomb Way, Whistler
Description: A kid-focused festival at the Whistler resort featuring family activities including yoga, magic shows, crafts, and more.
Website: whistlerchildrensfestival.com
Calendar of Events
Week 1 (May 1-7)
BC Youth Week
Dates: May 1-7, 2025
Location: Various locations throughout Vancouver and surrounding areas
Description: A week of activities and events for youth across the Vancouver region.
Website: bcyouthweek.com
Europa Super Circus
Dates: May 1-18, 2025
Location: Various venues in Surrey, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack
Description: A traditional circus with performances throughout the Lower Mainland.
Website: europasupercircus.com
Buddy & Friends Festival
Dates: May 3-4, 2025
Location: Railway Museum of BC, 39645 Government Rd, Squamish
Description: Family festival with live entertainment and train rides at the BC Railway Museum in Squamish.
Website: wcra.org
More Than a Movie - Kids Up Front Vancouver
Date: May 4, 2025
Location: BC Place, 777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver
Description: Family event featuring “The Wild Robot” on BC Place’s giant screen, plus live entertainment, mini golf, and other activities. For every ticket purchased, a youth from an equity-seeking group attends for free.
Website: kidsupfront.com/vancouver
Burnaby Blooms Festival
Date: May 4, 2025
Location: Deer Lake Park, 6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby
Description: Community event at Deer Lake Park with activities for the whole family.
Website: burnaby.ca/events
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
Date: Around May 5, 2025
Location: Various venues in Vancouver
Description: Mexican cultural celebrations at various locations around Vancouver.
Abbotsford Tulip Festival
Dates: Through May 11, 2025
Location: Lakeland Flowers, 3663 Marion Rd, Abbotsford
Description: Walk through 35 acres of tulips, enjoy live music, food trucks, and art in the fields. With over 100 varieties of flowers, it’s perfect for family photos and outdoor activities.
Website: abbotsfordtulipfestival.ca
Week 2 (May 8-14)
CityFest 2025
Date: May 10, 2025
Location: The Shipyards, 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Description: North Vancouver’s largest youth festival featuring live music, skateboarding competitions, art exhibits, and interactive activities.
Website: nvcity.ca/cityfest
Mother’s Day Powwow
Dates: May 10-11, 2025
Location: Trout Lake Community Centre, 3360 Victoria Dr, Vancouver
Description: Traditional dancers, drums, and market vendors at Vancouver’s Trout Lake Community Centre.
Website: vaneventlist.ca
PAW Patrol Live! “Heroes Unite”
Dates: May 13-18, 2025
Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton St, Vancouver
Description: Interactive live show featuring music, special effects, and a fun adventure with Ryder and the PAW Patrol pups.
Website: broadwayacrosscanada.ca
Week 3 (May 15-21)
Shipyards Night Market
Dates: Fridays starting May 16 through September 12, 2025
Location: Shipbuilders’ Square, 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Description: North Vancouver night market with live music, beer garden, vendors, and food trucks. This vibrant waterfront market offers a lively atmosphere perfect for families.
Website: northvanshipyardsnightmarket.com
Whistler Children’s Festival
Dates: May 16-18, 2025
Location: Maury Young Arts Centre, 4335 Blackcomb Way, Whistler
Description: Kid-focused festival at the Whistler resort with activities for the whole family.
Website: whistlerchildrensfestival.com
Tea Day at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Date: May 17, 2025
Location: 578 Carrall St, Vancouver
Description: Tea festival at the Chinese Garden where kids can learn about tea traditions and cultures, with live music and activities.
Website: vancouverchinesegarden.com
Science World - Extreme Sports Beyond Human Limits
Dates: Through May 19, 2025
Location: 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver
Description: Special exhibit on extreme sports at Science World. Great for kids interested in science and adventure sports.
Website: scienceworld.ca
Week 4 (May 22-31)
Kids’ Night Out – Monthly Program
Date: May 22, 2025
Location: MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver, 115 W Esplanade, North Vancouver
Description: Evening where parents can drop off their children to enjoy games, crafts, and fun at the museum.
Website: monova.ca
Surrey SPARK Stages
Dates: May 23-25, 2025
Location: Surrey Arts Centre, 13750 88th Ave, Surrey
Description: Weekend of theatrical performances and activities for children and families at Surrey Arts Centre.
Website: surrey.ca/sparkstages
BC Polish Festival
Date: May 25, 2025
Location: Port Coquitlam (venue TBC)
Description: Cultural event in Port Coquitlam with activities for the whole family.
Website: bcpolishfestival.ca
Hummingbird Gardening Workshop
Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025
Location: GARDENWORKS North Shore, 1199 Lynn Valley Rd, North Vancouver
Description: Hands-on workshop where families can create potted containers full of nectar-rich flowers to attract hummingbirds, combining gardening fun with environmental education.
Website: gardenworks.ca
The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits”
Dates: Through May 25, 2025
Location: Gastown, Vancouver (exact address TBC)
Description: Modern art exhibition in Gastown showcasing more than 200 works from famous street artist Banksy, including interactive installations like the Infinity Room.
Website: artofbanksy.com
Vancouver International Children’s Festival
Dates: May 26 - June 1, 2025
Location: Granville Island, 1661 Duranleau St, Vancouver
Description: World-class festival presenting theater, music, dance, circus, puppetry, and storytelling from around the world.
Website: childrensfestival.ca
Month-Long Events
ExplorASIAN Festival
Dates: Throughout May 2025
Location: Various venues throughout Vancouver and surrounding areas
Description: Series of events celebrating Asian culture in the Lower Mainland.
Website: explorasian.org
Playland
Dates: Open in May 2025 (check website for exact dates)
Location: PNE, 2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver
Description: Vancouver’s amusement park with rides and attractions for all ages.
Website: pne.ca/playland
Burnaby Central Railway Miniature Train
Dates: May 2025
Location: Confederation Park, North Willingdon Ave, Burnaby
Description: Miniature train rides operated by the Burnaby Railway Club. A classic fun activity for kids of all ages.
Website: burnabyrailway.org
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Dates: Open all month
Location: 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver
Description: Space center with planetarium and space exhibits. Especially recommended for the Planetarium Star Theatre shows.
Website: spacecentre.ca
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Dates: Open all month
Location: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver
Description: The famous suspension bridge attraction with elevated forest walkways. BC residents can get an annual pass for the same price as a single-day ticket.
Website: capbridge.com
Vancouver Aquarium - Survival of the Slowest
Dates: Ongoing - through September 1, 2025
Location: 845 Avison Way, Stanley Park, Vancouver
Description: Interactive exhibit celebrating the slowest animals in the animal kingdom, allowing you to meet creatures like the two-toed sloth.
Website: vanaqua.org
Coming in June
Cirque du Soleil CRYSTAL
Dates: June 4-8, 2025
Location: Pacific Coliseum, 100 N Renfrew St, Vancouver
Description: A unique ice circus show combining acrobatics, skating, and storytelling, spectacular for families and children of all ages.
Website: cirquedusoleil.com/crystal
TBC Events for May
Vancouver Comic Arts Festival
Dates: TBC (May 2025)
Location: Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
Description: Comics workshops, presentations, games, vendors, and kids’ activities at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown. Free admission.
Website: vancaf.com
Hong Kong Fair
Date: TBC (May 2025)
Location: The Shipyards, 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Description: Cultural event with food vendors, market stalls, and entertainment at The Shipyards in North Vancouver.
Website: hkfair.ca
Royal Victorian Party
Dates: Victoria Day weekend (TBC)
Location: Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Rd, Surrey
Description: Old-fashioned style celebrations at Stewart Farm in Surrey.
Website: surrey.ca/stewartfarm
A Whole New World Concert
Date: May 2025 (specific dates TBC)
Location: North Vancouver (venue TBC)
Description: Concert featuring songs from Disney movies and Hollywood classics, perfect for the whole family in North Vancouver.
Website: awholenewworldconcert.ca