Upwards of 20,000 runners will descend on Vancouver's streets as part of the BMO marathon on Sunday, May 5
While tickets have sold out for the annual marathon, you can watch the action from the sidelines. Also, you may want to plan your Sunday drive accordingly - several streets will be blocked off.
Do you prefer to stay out of the city?
Fans of the Richmond Night Market can sample food from hundreds of vendors, meaning you had better bring an appetite (and make plans to return if you want to try everything).
Flower fans still have their choice of three festivals near Metro Vancouver where they can snap the perfect selfie in a field of vibrant blooms (but they are all a bit of a drive away).
If you're looking for an indoor activity, Pearl Jam will showcase its iconic rock tunes for a couple of nights at Rogers Arena.
The Canucks aren't playing locally on Friday but fans will be glued to screens across the Lower Mainland. If you don't want to watch the games at home or in a restaurant, there are some indoor viewing parties to attend.
Here are the "don't miss" events in Vancouver this weekend:
Richmond Night Market
In celebration of the Year of the Dragon, this year's summer night market theme will be "Summer Sweet Dragon."
Patrons can peruse 600 international food options and 110 retail booths and enjoy huge bouncy castles, live performances and carnival games.
When: April 26 to Oct. 20, Friday from 7 p.m. to midnight and Saturday from 7 - 11 p.m.
Where: Property south of the River Rock Casino - 8351 River Rd., Richmond
Cost: General admission is $8.5 while a "Zoom Pass" for five entries is $40. Entry is free for children under 7 years old and seniors 60 or above. Tickets available at the door.
Canucks vs. Predators playoff hockey
Canucks fans who aren't keen on watching playoff games at home have several indoor options to watch them across the region (outside of restaurants and bars).
Fans can keep the spirit of the playoffs alive at Rogers Arena during its $15 viewing parties or watch it for free in the Plaza at The Amazing Brentwood. The Social Heart Plaza at the North Delta Recreation Centre and the Port Coquitlam Community Centre will also have free events.
When: Friday, May 3 (4 p.m. start)
Where: Various locations.
Cost: Free to $15. Get information on various events.
Pearl Jam at Rogers Arena
It's going to be a busy weekend at Rogers Arena as Pearl Jam plays two shows with a potential Canucks playoff game between them.
The legendary Seattle rock band is playing May 4 and 6 as their Dark Matter tour begins with the Saturday night show at Rogers Arena, supporting their new album released earlier this year.
With a discography that goes back more than 30 years, Pearl Jam is one of the last bands that launched from the Seattle sound/grunge scene of the late 80s and early 90s still making new music.
When: Saturday, May 3 and Monday, May 6
Where: Rogers Arena - 800 Griffiths Wy
Cost: All tickets (start) at the same price: $208.70
Three tulip festivals in bloom near Vancouver
Part of the Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival, the Lakeland Flower Abbotsford Tulip Festival has over 35 acres of tulips and fields of flowers, featuring over 100 varieties of vibrant tulips. There are also walking trails and places to snap breathtaking photographs on raised viewing platforms. There will be fun items like baby grand pianos, giant shoes and swings.
The stunning coastal mountains will frame snaps taken "during gorgeous sunrises and sunsets" and at peak Instagrammable "golden hour."
Other flower festivals include the Harrison Tulip Festival and the Botanica Tulip Festival.
When: Now through May 5 or 12 (depending on the festival).
Where: Lakeland Flowers - 3663 Marion Rd.; Onos Farms - 5039 Lougheed Hwy, Agassiz; and Botanica Tulip Festival - 41310 Royalwood Dr, Chilliwack.
Cost: Prices vary by festival. Get information about individual festivals and ticket prices.
VFS All Access Pass | Animation Concept Art
Attendees can meet the Vancouver Film School's (VFS) lead animator and director. The VFS All Access Pass includes backstage access to VFS’s award-winning program and a chance to "experience your future animating for film, TV, and games."
There are digital drawing and sketching demonstrations and an artificial intelligence demonstration showing how concept artists can "harness this power for their own creative process."
When: Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: 151 W Cordova St.
Cost: Free. Reserve a spot.
BMO Vancouver Marathon
The BMO Vancouver Marathon has sold out space in the annual race with more than 22,000 runners participating.
With the full marathon covering over 42 km around the city, several streets will be blocked off (fully or partially), detours set up, and places where the public may come across runners on Sunday, May 5.
At the same time, the half-marathon, itself more than 21 km, will cut a path through the city.
When: Sunday, May 5. The full marathon starts at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Starts at Queen Elizabeth Park and heads on a route to UBC and around Stanley Park; the finish area will be between Bute and Thurlow.
Science World: Dream Tomorrow Today
This immersive, hands-on exhibition shows how STEAM can create a positive future with interactive exhibits and full-body experiences.
Kids can practice social-emotional flexibility and self-direction through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & design and math) collaboration the exhibition.
When: Runs daily until May 5, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Where: Science World - 1455 Quebec St.
Cost: Varies. Get tickets.
With files from Vikki Hui/Richmond News and Brendan Kergin.
