I hope you’re all soaking up the beauty of this vibrant spring season. May is bursting with cultural energy from mesmerizing performances that whisk you away to far-off places, to powerful exhibitions that stir the mind and ignite conversation. Whether you’re a die-hard arts lover or just looking for something new to spark your curiosity, there’s no shortage of inspiration. With the long Victoria Day weekend just around the corner, why not take the opportunity to explore some of the exciting events listed below? It’s the perfect time to dive into the rich cultural offerings happening in and around the city.
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IGNITE! Youth Arts Festival
May 14–18
https://thecultch.com/event/ignite-festival-2025
The Cultch’s Youth Panel is thrilled to announce the return of the IGNITE! Youth-Driven Arts Festival. From May 14 to 18, The Cultch’s Historic Theatre will be home to a dynamic, multidisciplinary celebration of youth-led programming, bold new works and innovative performances by local emerging artists. Now in its 24th year, IGNITE! remains curated entirely by The Cultch’s Youth Panel, offering an eclectic mix of theatre, film, poetry, dance, drag, visual arts, music and more. Featuring artists aged 13–30, as well as participants from The Cultch’s mentorship programs, IGNITE! continues to foster the next generation of creative voices. This year’s festival showcases five electrifying nights, each centered on a unique theme, with performances spanning short plays, monologues, poetry, stand-up comedy, live music, dance and a short film program.
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Poetry in Voice
May 15, 1–3 p.m.
Nine exceptionally talented orators will be demonstrating their spoken word chops at this electrifying event that awards $25,000 in prizes to high school students throughout the competition. Poetry in Voice is intended to nurture and encourage the next generation of Canadian poets to excel in their craft. Since 2010, over two million Canadian students have benefited from Poetry in Voice resources, and have read poems on their website tens of millions of times. Each year, over 10,000 students compete in the national recitation contests, and a thousand more submit their original poems to the poetry journal. Poetry in Voice has also placed about 200 different poets in over 2,500 classrooms via their Poets In Class Program. For more information, check out their website.
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VALUE: Rebecca Belmore at the Museum of Anthropology
May 15–Oct. 19
www.moa.ubc.ca/exhibition/value
For more than four decades, Rebecca Belmore has been a force for change through her embodied artistic practice. Her work confronts the dominant narratives and social structures of colonialism, and implicates us all in her concern with the social realities of Indigenous experience of capital. The exhibit VALUE: Rebecca Belmore at the Museum of Anthropology highlights selected works by the Anishinaabe artist that confront colonial silencing, alienation and violence inherent in the commodification of land, Indigenous bodies and material culture. Each work represents Belmore’s response to colonial dynamics of specific places and events. Detached from their original circumstances, these objects present the possibility of insight into the present context of the colonial legacy of the Museum. As part of this exhibition, four works, from different periods in Belmore’s career, will be displayed throughout MOA’s galleries and existing exhibitions. Taken together, these installations critically engage with dominant understandings of value as defined by contemporary social structures and colonial institutions such as MOA.
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Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair
May 16–19
With five pro rodeo performances, an indigenous village, live music performances, 40+ food trucks, 30+ carnival rides, family-friendly events and more than a little bit of action, the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair is big, bold and a ton of fun! Whether you come for the rodeo, rides, music, attractions, food or all of the above, make sure you grab your tickets so you don’t miss all the fun and excitement at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds this May Long Weekend. For rodeo showtimes and more information, check out the fair’s website.
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May Day Celebration
May 19, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
https://parks.canada.ca/en/lhn-nhs/bc/langley
Check out Fort Langley for the 103rd annual May Day parade as it returns to the charming village this Monday, May 19! After the parade, head over to Fort Langley National Historic Site for a delightful food-themed celebration. Explore how early settlers and local First Nations thrived off the land – through trade, agriculture and ingenuity. Learn how they exchanged cranberries and salmon, cultivated extensive farms and made the most of nature’s bounty. Friendly, costumed interpreters will be on site to greet you and share traditions and stories from the past. Festival highlights include maple taffy making, farm and garden talk, clay bake oven demos and blacksmithing showcase.
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A Simple Space
May 22, 7:30 p.m.
Australian circus company Gravity & Other Myths are internationally renowned for creating critically acclaimed circus works that effortlessly combine a unique playfulness, honesty and physical mastery. Simultaneously raw, frantic and delicate, A Simple Space evokes real responses in audiences. Instead of fine-tuning the performance with makeup, lighting and theatrical overlay, the cast has deliberately gone the opposite way, focusing on their exceptional skill, playful competitiveness, trust and friendship. Backed by the driving rhythm of a live percussionist, you’ll feel the heat, hear every breath and be immersed in every moment. This honesty is the essence behind A Simple Space. For more information, check out the Kay Meek website.
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Inner Elder
May 22–31
Inner Elder is a powerful solo show created and performed by award-winning Cree actress Michelle Thrush. Through heartfelt storytelling, Michelle takes the audience on a deeply personal journey of discovery, drawing from real moments of her childhood that shaped her life. It has been described as a love letter to the community. A humorous memoir that weaves together memory, spirit and land, allowing the audience to witness the magical power of transformation through the powerful magic of… our grandmothers. Check out the Firehall Arts Centre for more information.
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Spring Fair at SFDS
May 24, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Save the date for the annual community event at the St. Francis De Sales School, happening on May 24. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of this vibrant celebration of togetherness and diversity. Ignite the community spirit with exciting activities that bring us together! Engage in joyful experiences and friendly competitions that everyone can enjoy. Let’s unite, have fun and strengthen our community ties! For more information, please visit the spring fair website.
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Hyack Multicultural Parade & Festival in the Park
May 24, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
For over 50 years, the Hyack Festival Association has been enriching the community of New Westminster and beyond through world-class festivals and cooperative events in which the community can participate and take pride. The annual Hyack Parade is one of the province’s largest family-oriented parades with over 100 entries from throughout B.C. and some from the United States. You won’t want to miss the high-energy, colourful and entertaining procession of floats, marching bands, community groups, mascots, performance artists and more that fill the streets of New Westminster. It’s a “can’t miss” event for the entire family!
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18th Annual B.C. Polish Festival
May 25, starting at 1 p.m.
Visit Port Coquitlam’s Leigh Square for the 18th Annual BC Polish Festival! Come enjoy a full day of homemade Polish food, including pierogies, barbequed sausages, hunter’s stew, potato pancakes, ham hocks and famous Polish cakes and pastries. Relax with a Polish beer in the beer garden, let the kids explore folk art workshops, and shop local arts, crafts, jewelry and more at the marketplace! The entertainment runs from 1 to 7:30 p.m., featuring vibrant Polish Folk Dance ensembles, talented soloists and the White Eagle Band from Victoria. Then stick around for an outdoor dance party starting at 7:30 p.m.! Win fantastic raffle prizes and discover the beautiful Polish city of Rzeszów, the featured city this year. Admission is free!
