Burnaby Blooms celebrates springtime by promoting sustainability. | Photo courtesy of City of Burnaby
Wishing everyone a wonderful spring season! Vancouver is buzzing with an incredible array of cultural events and festivals this month, making it the perfect time to immerse yourself in our city’s rich and diverse cultural landscape. From captivating theatre productions and soulful musical performances to vibrant dance showcases and engaging community gatherings, there’s something to spark everyone’s curiosity and passion. Dive into the celebrations and discover the unique stories and traditions that make our city so special.
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Madama Butterfly
Now until May 4
www.vancouveropera.ca/whats-on/Butterfly
Stunning visuals, transcendent melodies and a timeless tale of love and loss make Madama Butterfly a must-see season finale. Puccini’s sublime masterpiece closes out the Vancouver Opera’s celebratory 2024–2025 season in grand style, with performances conducted by VO’s Music Director, Maestro Jacques Lacombe. The story of Pinkerton, an American Lieutenant stationed in Nagasaki, who marries a young Japanese girl, Cio-Cio-San. For him, it’s a marriage of convenience, a touristic fantasy abroad before he finds himself a “real” (American) bride. For Cio-Cio-San, it begins her story of tragically unrequited love. One of the greatest works in operatic history, Puccini’s poignant, deeply emotional music steers Madama Butterfly through love, heartbreak, hope and tragedy.
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Casey and Diana
Now until May 25
www.artsclub.com/shows/2024-2025/casey-and-diana
The Arts Club show Casey and Diana is now playing at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage until May 25. “I swear, I absolutely swear that hope has a sound.” It’s 1991, the peak of the AIDS crisis. Casey House, Canada’s first freestanding AIDS hospice, receives uplifting news: Diana, Princess of Wales, will be making a historic visit. Inspired by true events, this powerful drama reminds us of how community, joy and compassion can persist, even in the face of an overwhelming pandemic. Experience the transformative moments between Casey House residents, their heroic caregivers and a rebel princess – and leave the theatre more hopeful. For tickets and showtimes, check out their website.
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Our Last Tree
April 30–May 3
www.roundhouse.ca/event/our-last-tree
Celebrating its 25th season, Some Assembly’s theatre collaborations between youth and professional artists promote awareness, wellness, dialogue and positive social change about social issues and those facing youth. Some Assembly Theatre Company is thrilled to launch its 25th season with Our Last Tree. A raging storm has taken the lives of many, including three at a climate protest. Observed by a ghostly figure, will this Spirit Guide invoke the deal that could give us the chance to change everything? You can inspire positive change or watch the world implode. Which do you choose? Created and directed by artist-in-residence Valerie Methot with a creative team of diverse youth and artists, the show stands in a world where youth brings us the news, alerting us to the urgency to save our planet and each other. A stunning interconnection of artistry, humanity and care, this apocalyptic theatre production symbolizes the fate of this world with one special tree whose branches entwine with lifelines of countless hands.
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Kings Day 2025
May 3, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., 6 p.m–11 p.m.
Get ready for the largest Koningsdag celebration in North America. Pure joy and enthusiasm sweep through the Shipyards in North Vancouver! On May 3, an unforgettable celebration of vibrant Dutch culture starts at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., as the Pipe Shop and Shipbuilders’ Square transform into a dynamic free Dutch festival unlike any other. No tickets needed, bring the entire family. From exhilarating traditional Dutch entertainment for the young and young at heart, every moment promises to ignite your senses and bring a smile from ear to ear! In the evening, join Dutch community members at the epic Koningsdag dance party from 6 to 11 p.m. Renowned DJ and BNer Ben Liebrand is back to create North America’s largest Koningsdag party. Check out the website for more information.
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The Big Roar
May 3, 4 p.m.
www.chorleoni.org/event/the-big-roar
Witness a world transformed through the power of choral singing at Chor Leoni’s signature community choral festival, The Big Roar. Experience a joyous celebration of a singing community at a choral event unlike any other in Canada, featuring five choirs from the Chor Leoni organization and over 250 singers. For tickets and program information, check out their website.
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102nd Annual May Days Festival
May 4 & 10
Port Coquitlam is celebrating 102 years of May Days in 2025! May Days, the city’s annual spring festival, is a week-long community celebration. Join them as they kick off the 102nd Annual May Days Festival at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 4 at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre for the Opening Ceremonies. This cherished tradition, dating back to 1923, features Maypole dancing by children and the presentation of the 2025 May Day Royal Party. Then, mark your calendars for Saturday, May 10, and get ready for a day packed with fun and festivities, including one of the Lower Mainland’s longest-running parades – the Rotary May Day Parade, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Mayor Brad West invites participants to join friends, neighbours and visitors from across the region as they line the streets of downtown to cheer on floats, performers and community groups from all over Metro Vancouver.
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Burnaby Blooms
May 4, 11 a.m–4 p.m.
www.burnaby.ca/recreation-and-arts/events/burnaby-blooms
Burnaby’s favourite springtime celebrations return in 2025 as the City welcomes Burnaby Blooms. Join the city on Sunday, May 4 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and Deer Lake Park. Enjoy entertainment, roving performers, eco-artist meet and greets, family activities, free talks and tours, plant sales, community groups, food trucks and more! Burnaby Blooms promotes the long-term sustainability and the ecological health of the community in a fun and creative environment. Mark your calendars and plan to visit for hours of fun at the City’s favourite spring festival. Free admission and entertainment. The event is designed to happen rain or shine.
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Ripples of Sound
May 4, 2 p.m.
www.chinesemusicvancouver.com/ripples-of-sound
This spring, step into the timeless elegance of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, where the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble will perform Ripples of Sound, a celebration of both traditional and contemporary Chinese music and culture. Like the gentle strike of a gong dipped into the pond, its vibrations ripple outward, stirring the garden’s tranquil waters and drawing koi fish to the surface – a call to gather, a symbol of abundance and a joyful welcome to the arrival of spring. The ensemble will perform musical compositions by Yong Sun and Alan Lau, each deeply rooted in their Chinese heritage and embracing cross-cultural idioms.
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Song of the North
May 10, 7 p.m.
www.chancentre.com/events/song-of-the-north
Playing on May 10 at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts is Song of the North. An ancient legend comes to life with 483 shadow puppets, 208 animated backgrounds and a cinematic score. Song of the North is a cinematic, family-friendly production that tells the story of the courageous Princess Manijeh. Endowed with an enchanting voice, she must defy her father to rescue her beloved, Bijan, and summon all her strength and cunning to prevent a devastating war. For tickets and more information, check out the centre’s website.
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Glorious Quintets for Mother’s Day
May 11, 3:30 p.m.
www.westcoastchambermusic.com/program-notes/glorious-quintets-for-mothers-day
The West Coast Chamber Music will be hosting this concert in Vancouver on May 11 in honour of Mother’s Day. The pieces to be performed include Jewish Italian composer and pianist Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Piano Quintet No. 1, Op. 69, Austrian composer Franz Schubert’s String Trio in B flat major, D.471 and American classical pianist and composer Florence Price’s Piano Quintet in A minor. For tickets and more information, check out the West Coast Chamber Music’s website.
