The May Long weekend is upon us!
Whether your weekends are about food, art, or freebies - or all of the above - there's plenty to do during this super-size weekend in Vancouver.
Roam VanDusen's botanical gardens and check out some sweet British cars, chase thrills on Playland's rides on opening weekend, or feast on fantastic BBQ.
Here are the "don't miss" events in Vancouver this Victoria Day holiday long weekend, May 17-20, 2024:
Museum of Vancouver: Pay-what-you-can day
To celebrate International Museum Day on May 18, the Museum of Vancouver is offering pay-what-you-can admission, with a suggested donation of just $5. This annual event was established by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977 to highlight the role of museums in cultural exchange, enriching cultures and fostering understanding among people. The theme of this year’s International Museum Day is “Museums for Education and Research” and aims to highlight museums as vibrant spaces that cultivate learning, inspire curiosity, and contribute to groundbreaking research.
When: Saturday, May 18
Where: Museum of Vancouver - 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver
Cost: Free ($5 donation suggested)
The Prop House: A Collection of One Million Objects
Curated by Lisa Baldissera and Paul Wong, The Prop House: A Collection of One Million Objects celebrates Mount Pleasant Furniture (MPF), a prop house wonderland for film, television, stage, and art communities.
A family-owned and operated business, MPF is a diverse collection of over one million antique and vintage objects stored in two multi-level buildings–a labyrinth of 35,000 square feet, crammed from floor to ceiling with furnishings, objects of art, paintings, textiles, sculpture, figurines. MPF will soon close and disperse its collection as the warehouse it has leased for 30 years has been sold. By revealing MPF, The Prop House highlights the impacts of development and gentrification on the city of Vancouver and its arts and culture sectors.
When: Opening party: Friday, May 17 from 6-8 p.m. The exhibition will be presented from May 18-August 18, 2024
Where: Griffin Art Projects - 1174 Welch St, North Vancouver
Playland's opening weekend
Ready for some thrills? Playland opens for the season on Saturday, May 18. This weekend, the amusement park is open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hop on the rides, try your luck at the midway games, and eat all the amusement park eats.
When: May 18 and 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (More dates all summer long)
Where: 2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver
Spirits in the Park
This event is a part of Langley Craft Beverage Week. Tickets to the festival include access to the event, an afternoon of live music, a tasting glass, and drink tastings from over 10 distilleries, as well as tastings from local breweries, and cideries. There will be a “Brewhalla Mix Bar” at the festival where attendees can mix with a selection of local non-alcoholic beverages. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own food, blanket, or chairs and have a picnic in the park.
Several award-winning B.C. distilleries will be offering tastings at the event, including Shelter Point Distillery in Campbell River, The Liberty Distillery on Granville Island, and Arbutus Distillery in Nanaimo. Additional distilleries include Roots and Wings Distillery, Driftwood Spirits, Mainland Whisky, Sheringham Distillery, Taynton Bay Spirits, and Forbidden Spirits Distilling Co. Breweries and cideries include Fraser Valley Cidery, Locality Brewing, Smugglers Trail Caskworks, Camp Beer Co., Farm Country Brewing, Brookswood Brewing Co., Trading Post Brewing, Five Roads Brewing Co., and Dead Frog Brewery.
Tickets are $85 and include all drink tastings.
When: Sunday, May 19 from 2-5 p.m.
Where: Fort Langley Park - 9089 Nash St, Fort Langley
Cost: $85. Purchase tickets online
2024 Vancouver British Car Show
The 37th annual Vancouver All British car show, also known as "The Greatest Show on British Wheels," attracts enthusiasts from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Washington, California, and Oregon. Expect to see nearly 500 cars in 62 different classes, including Aston Martin, McLaren, Rolls Royce, Bentley, MINI, MG, Triumph, Lotus, Jaguar, Land Rover, Austin Healey, vintage pre-war vehicles, esoteric Modified vehicles (including electric modifications) and classic motorcycles. High Tea will be served in a tent set amidst the beautiful classic cars on VanDusen's Great Lawn. Enjoy live music from a brass band and Beatles cover band, more entertainment, food trucks, car sales corral, vendor booths, merchandise for sale, and period dress prize awards.
When: Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden - 5251 Oak St, Vancouver
Tickets: Purchase online
The Kid Laroi
Australian rapper and singer The Kid Laroi kicks off the North American leg of his ‘The First Time Tour’ this Saturday in Vancouver at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. The young star, born Charlton Howard, “is proving that for an incoming generation filled with promising talent, yesterday’s borders aren’t today’s barriers.”
When: Saturday, May 18
Where: Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre (UBC) - 6066 Thunderbird Blvd, Vancouver
Rosie's BBQ debuts new menu & trailer
Chef Karl Gregg has brought inspiration back from his winter trips to Texas to add some amazing new items to the menu, which will be executed in Rosie's bigger and better trailer. The Brisket Fried Rice and Brisket Bowl feature a Korean-BBQ mashup with kimchi fried rice, while the Texas Trinity Baked Potato is a fire-
baked potato topped with pulled pork, sausage, brisket, beans, and cheese. Don't forget Rosie's line-up of award-winning BBQ eats.
Long weekend schedule:
- Saturday, May 18: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Riley Park Farmers Market; noon-6 p.m. Parkside Brewing, Port Moody
- Sunday, May 19: Noon-6 p.m. Parkside Brewing, Port Moody; noon-6 p.m. Batch (Plaza of Nations)
Midlife No. 2: Launch event for new book of millennial essays
Five Vancouver-area contributors will be reading from their essays—Erika Thorkelson, David Zeibin, Kate Rossiter, Iva Cheung, and
Jhenifer Pabillano and Edmonton-based Sarah Chan.
The anthology, Midlife No. 2, features a strong focus on housing and homes, plus new works on themes of race, identity, COVID, and many journeys in between.
When: Sunday, May 19, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: Upstart and Crow - 1387 Railspur Alley (Granville Island), Vancouver
CPR 374 Locomotive 137th Anniversary Celebration
The first Transcontinental Passenger Train was pulled into Vancouver by the CPR 374 Locomotive (currently in Yaltown at Pacific Boulevard and Davie Street). Celebrate that arrival this Sunday, with a party at the Roundhouse Community Centre. The 374 Engine will be outside by the Turntable, the Steam Whistle will be blowing, and a 50-piece Brass Band will be playing. There will be free coffee and snacks and children's activities.
When: Sunday, May 19, from noon-3 p.m.
Where: Roundhouse Community Centre - 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
