1. IMPRESSIVE FEET: BMO Vancouver Marathon
WHEN May 3
WHERE City-wide route
COST Free to watch
Fun can be lots of things. Running, allegedly. And sure: endorphins, fresh air, a good cause… I get it. But fun can also mean cheering from the sidelines while you shamelessly eat a finish-line croissant.
2. SPACE JAM: Neil deGrasse Tyson’s The Search for Life in the Universe
WHEN May 4
WHERE Orpheum Theatre
COST From $157
If you’ve ever looked up and thought, “Wow, I am but a crumb,” Neil is here to validate that, scientifically.
3. ON POINTE: Ballet BC’s Unity
WHEN May 7 to 9
WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre
COST From $19
You’ll leave inspired, emotionally hydrated and briefly convinced that you too are a dancer… then you’ll throw out your back sneezing in the Uber home.
4. LICENCE TO THRILL: VSO Pops’ The Music of James Bond
WHEN May 8 to 9
WHERE Orpheum Theatre
COST From $32
Licence to thrill, sure. Licence to actually do espionage after? Absolutely not. You’re going for ramen.
5. CUTTING EDGE: Stars on Ice Canada
WHEN May 12
WHERE Rogers Arena
COST From $84
Elite skaters committing elegant physics crimes in sequins. You’ll whisper “that’s not allowed” at least once.
6. WORDS WITH FRIENDS: An Evening with David Sedaris
WHEN May 13
WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre
COST From $94
A night of comedy for people who read… and who also have a complicated relationship with their relatives.
7. FOLK AROUND AND FIND OUT: Ichiko Aoba
WHEN May 18
WHERE Orpheum Theatre
COST From $54
A night that feels like getting gently emotionally rebalanced by a lullaby.
8. DRIFT MODE: Corporeal Imago’s Drift
WHEN May 21 to 23 (Talkback May 22)
WHERE Scotiabank Dance Centre
COST From $29
A contemporary dance reset for your nervous system. You’ll leave feeling taller somehow.
9. HITCHCOCK AND CHILL: Silent Movie Mondays presents The Lodger
WHEN May 25
WHERE Orpheum Theatre
COST From $29
Old Hollywood suspense plus live Wurlitzer organ is a pairing Vancouver should try more often, honestly.
10. KID ISLAND: Vancouver International Children’s Festival
WHEN May 25 to 31
WHERE Granville Island (and surrounding venues)
COST From $15
Kinda like Jurassic Park but instead of an island full of dinosaurs, it’s children.
11. GIMME! GIMME! GIMME!: Mamma Mia! The Musical
WHEN May 26 to 31
WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre
COST From $171
The ABBA singalong you swear you won’t do… until you absolutely do. Your seat neighbours may not be thrilled. The ticket price might also trigger an involuntary “Mamma mia.”
12. THIS CIDER HOUSE RULES: Drag Bingo X The Cider House
WHEN May 27
WHERE The Cider House
COST $14.82
Kits gets campy, loud and slightly competitive (as all bingo should be). Expect prizes, chaos and big “B” energy.
13. HEARTSTRINGS SECTION: VSO presents Mahler’s Third Symphony
WHEN May 29 to 30
WHERE Orpheum Theatre
COST From $32
Need a “stare out the window and reconsider everything” soundtrack, with an orchestra? Lou Bega had five mambos. Mahler only needed three symphonies.
14. FLOATS YOUR BOAT: Vessi 500 Championship (Dragon Boat BC)
WHEN May 30
WHERE Olympic Village/False Creek
COST Free to watch
Fast boats, loud cheering and you thinking you should really join in next year, knowing full well you won’t.
15. SERVING FIERCE: The Real Sunday Day Drag Brunch
WHEN May 31
WHERE Taylight Local Craft Beer and Kitchen
COST From $23
Lip sync plus brunch, with a strong chance you leave with new friends from the washroom line. Also, bingo afterward. A perfect day, in my humble opinion.
16. CORNUCOPIA OF KIDS: VSO Kids Concerts’ The Unicorn’s Birthday
WHEN June 7
WHERE Orpheum Theatre
COST From $20
A family outing where kids are delighted and adults get to feel cultured about it.
17. GET YOUR KICKS: FIFA World Cup 2026
WHEN June 11 to July 19
WHERE BC Place (plus official fan programming at the PNE)
COST Mix of ticketed and free
Yes, it’s real: Vancouver’s hosting seven matches at BC Place, and the FIFA Fan Festival is set for key dates at the PNE. Downtown is about to become a very loud group chat.
18. INTERNET FAMOUS: Alex Warren
WHEN June 14
WHERE Rogers Arena
COST From $196
Proof that the algorithm does sometimes lead to a fun night out.
19. BLUES CLUES: Bonnie Raitt (with Jon Cleary)
WHEN June 16
WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre
COST From $260
A masterclass in staying cool for decades without trying to win the internet.
20. JAZZED: La La Land in Concert
WHEN June 20
WHERE Orpheum Theatre
COST From $138
Live-to-film romanticism for people who also appreciate excellent logistics: full orchestra, choir, jazz ensemble and that score doing the absolute most.
