April comes to a close with a hint of showers, may flowers can’t be far behind, as well a list of spring entertainment picks
Dance Day: Today, to celebrate International Dance Day, The Dance Centre presents a dynamic lineup of events; from Vancouver Ballroom Arts’ Vogue Femme Workshop with Posh Gvasalia Basquiat, an exhibit features costumes/effects, awards, and video archives, showcasing the last nine years of the Vancouver Ballroom Scene. a Choreography Walk from Justine A. Chambers and Alana Gerecke with Lee Su-Feh, Simran Sachar and Jill Jarin, and a series of studio showings of works in progress
Counterfeit: Continuing until May 3, Firehall Arts Centre presents award-winning Ojibway playwright, author, journalist, and filmmaker Drew Hayden Taylor’s new provocative play, The Undeniable Accusations of Red Cadmium Light
Opera: With three more performances April 30, May 2 & 3, Vancouver Opera presents Puccini’s La Bohème with its classic tale (the inspiration for the musical RENT) and recognizable music at Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Orge: Royal City Musical Theatre presents Shrek the Musical, at New Westminster’s Massey Theatre. The fun-filled family-friendly production, with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, and music by Jeanine Tesori, brings the 2001 DreamWorks Animation film to life until May 3rd.
Comedy: Black Box Theatre Co. is presenting the heartfelt new comedy James Barclay’s WONDERWALL in only its second run until May 2 at The NEST on Granville Island.
Princess: Carousel Theatre for Young People presents Western Canadian Premiere of a new adaptation of The Paper Bag Princess, by Alissa Watson, based on Robert Munsch and directed by Kathleen Duborg, at the Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island until May 10.
Shakespeare?: April 29–May 3, The Cultch welcomes East Sussex-based dance company Lost Dog to the Historic Theatre stage for their humorous and heartfelt take on Romeo and Juliet. In Lost Dog’s Juliet & Romeo, the star-crossed lovers did not die in a tragic misunderstanding…instead, they got married.
Shakespeare: For two shows May 1 and 2, Conductor Anna-Maria Helsing leads Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for an evening of music reviving one of the most classic love stories with Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet suite inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Teens: It’s tough being a teenager, even more so when you’re the new kid. The Arts Club presents the acclaimed Tony-Award winning Kimberly Akimbo, a musical comedy about seizing the day, growing-up and finding yourself at Stanley BFL Canada Stage until May 3rd.
Docs: The 25th edition of DOXA Documentary Film Festival comes to screens April 30 – May 10, showcasing 40 features and 29 short or mid-length films, including 27 Canadian films plus international films from 41 countries, with forty visiting filmmakers and industry leaders in attendance.
Tulips: Coming to a close this weekend, May 3rd, the 20th Anniversary Harrison Tulip Festival – continues to welcome guests daily and nightly, with vibrant colour and immersive spring experiences spanning its 45 acres and featuring more than 14 million blooms — including tulips, daffodils and hyacinths
Improv: Running Fridays & Saturday until June 27th The Improv Centre’s new show Exploration Blank – a rotating, rag-tag crew of space explorers blasts off on an adventure through audience suggestions and a series of improv mini games, exploring a brand-new, dazzling galaxy of comedy every show.
Concert: Rogers Arena welcomes Punjabi singer, songwriter, rapper, Karan Aujla for a two night stand May 2 and 3 on his P-Pop Culture World Tour
Folk: April 30, Australian folk, rock, and blues singer, songwriter, and musician Kim Churchill brings his Lonely Tour to Vancouver’s St James Hall with support from Mia Kelly
Strawberry: Saturday, May 2, Anvil Theatre & Vancouver Independent Music Centre presents Goodbye, Strawberry Hill, a concert celebrating the launch of Sharon Minemoto’s new album, Goodbye, Strawberry Hill which tells her family’s stories, joyful and sad, from WWII to present day.
Ship: Ships to Shore: Kaiwo Maru the City of Richmond welcomes one of the world’s largest tall ships to Garry Point Park in historic Steveston Village for a free family festival May 2–3, 2026 from 10am–5pm.
Comic: American ‘clean-comic’ Dustin Nickerson brings his stand up the Biltmore Cabaret for three shows this weekend: May 3 @ 3pm and 6pm, May 4 @ 6pm
Book: Sunday, May 3, Kidsbooks welcomes Rich Hansen for a special book launch event for The Man in Motion: How Rick Hansen’s World Tour Helped Break Down Barriers for People with Disabilities. Rick Hansen, author Lorna Schultz Nicholson and illustrator Emma FitzGerald participate in a conversation sharing the process behind creating the book with Q&A and book signing to follow
Dream: The Chinese Canadian Museum’s award-winning feature exhibition; Dream Factory: Cantopop Mandopop 1980s–2000’s has been extended by two months to allow more visitors to experience the acclaimed installation, held over until July 19, 2026.
River: Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art prepares to present the world premiere of Every River Has a Mouth: the visual languages that connect us, guest curated by Snuneymuxw artist Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun, on display until February 14, 2027
Photo: Western Canada’s largest lens-based art festival, Capture Photography Festival continues until April 30 bringing lens-based art in exhibitions around the city, at dozens of galleries and venues, throughout Metro Vancouver in Public Art installations, join in guided tours, art walks and talks, films other community events bringing all things photographic under the lens of Capture Festival.
Chicago: Ongoing, Awaken Canada plays in repertoire with the new Believe Chicago – Flyover’s first-ever film set entirely in an urban city, this multi-sensory journey takes guests 13,000 feet into the sky for a thrilling flight through the heart of Chicago passing skyscrapers, cinematic car chases, fireworks, and more.
Photography: The Polygon Gallery hosts a major exhibition by acclaimed artist, curator, and scholar Tania Willard, Photolithics, showcasing the artists inventive approach to photography – on view until May 24th, 2026
Border: On view until May 30, 2026, The Reach Gallery Museum in Abbotsford presents Parallax(e): Perspectives on the Canada–U.S. Border / Perspectives sur la frontière Canada–É.-U., an ambitious exhibition that looks at the history of the 49th parallel that separates Canada and the US, and its lasting impacts on Indigenous communities