Things to Do in Vancouver – May 2023
Wendy Underwood
As Vancouver’s weather turns our more consistently warm days, a visit in May means you manage to enjoy some sunshine but avoid the crowds that descend once we get closer to the summer school break. This month, we have plenty of options to please the family: from dinosaurs and community markets, through to documentaries and an art walk. Here are our top picks for things to do in Vancouver in May.
DOXA Documentary Film Festival
May 4 – 14
A must-attend event for documentary film enthusiasts, DOXA Documentary Film Festival brings together a curated selection of ground-breaking documentaries from local and international filmmakers, providing a platform for thought-provoking films that challenge viewers to reflect on the world around them. Highlights of the festival include panel discussions, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and workshops, fostering engaging and insightful dialogue on the featured films, such as Karen Cho’s Big Fight in Little Chinatown—this year’s opening presentation.
Jurassic Quest Dino Experience
May 12 – 14
Dino-mite! Jurassic Quest, an interactive, family-friendly event that brings prehistoric creatures to life comes to Vancouver this month. With over 100 life-size animatronic dinosaurs, you’ll seeing these magnificent (animatronic) creatures up close and personal. In addition to the main exhibit, tickets also give you access to a range of other activities including fossil digs, dinosaur rides, and a dinosaur-themed obstacle course.
West End Farmers Market
Saturdays starting May 20
Just a block over from The Burrard, the West End Farmer’s Market is one of our favourite summer weekend stops. Each Saturday morning, around 30 vendors set up from 9 am through to 2 pm along the 1100 block of Comox Street. Whether you’re picking up coffee and pastries for a breakfast on the go, the freshest fruit and veggies for a picnic, or homemade pickles and jams for gifts, you won’t want to miss this community market.
West of Main Art Walk
May 27 & 28
Vancouver’s eastern half has the Eastside Culture Crawl in the fall, and the western equivalent is the upcoming West of Main Art Walk. Organized by Artists in Our Midst, the event showcases the diverse talents of over 50 local artists, giving visitors the opportunity to explore a wide range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and photography through studio visits, demonstrations, and multi-artist venues such as City Centre Motel, Pacific Arts Market and Kitsilano House.
Photo Credits:
Feature Image: Vancouver at sunset: Aditya Chinchure via Unsplash
DOXA Festival graphic: DOXA Instagram account
Jurassic Quest: Jurassic Quest Instagram account
Cauliflowers at the market: Vancouver Farmers Markets Instagram account
