The old proverb says that “April showers bring May flowers,” which might be true– but we can’t forget that April brings its OWN flowers and beauty! Occasionally, April can be a rainy and cool month, but living in the Lower Mainland means that’s something we are used to 12 months of the year. Plan ahead and pencil in some of these events on your calendar so you know what’s happening near you throughout April!
Earth Day
The big event this month has to be Earth Day on April 22! Whether you spend your day picking up garbage, exploring nature, or planting a garden, make sure to give Mother Earth a little extra love on her special day. Check out the Earth Day Guide for more events and activities.
Cherry Blossom Festival (March 29- April 25): The annual festival runs throughout April and features events throughout the month of April, in addition to plenty of locations and opportunities to see the blossoms in bloom.
Darts Hill Garden Strolls (Opens April 5): Have you experienced the beautiful gardens of Darts Hill? The place is a combination of forest pathways, intricate gardens and wide open grass. It is a great place for kids to explore and learn about plants and gardening.
Vancouver Toy & Comic Show (April 6 & 7): With over 200 display tables, the Vancouver Comic & Toy Show is a massive enterprise. Here you will see vintage and hard to find collectibles, as well as live performances and appearances by some of your favourite characters.
Harrison Tulip Festival (begins April 8): The Harrison Tulip Festival is *new* this year and replaces the former Chilliwack Tulip Festival. See over 10,000 beautiful tulips of all colours and varieties over a 3-5 week period (depends on the weather).
Art Vancouver (April 11-14): Art Vancouver is a multi-day art fair event that provides the perfect west coast setting for those looking to showcase, view or purchase artwork on an international stage. Attracting a diverse market of professional artists, collectors and art lovers, the event includes hundreds of artist booths, panel talks, live art demonstrations, art classes, painting competitions, and more.
VSO Kids Concert (April 14): These concerts are an amazing way to introduce or continue a love of classical music for younger children in your family. They are specially designed to engage kids with visuals on the big screen and lots of explanations throughout about what instruments your child is hearing. On April 14th, catch St. George’s Bow and Sword.
Kerrisdale Play Palace (opens April 15): One of my kids’ favourite places opens again for the season this month! Once the ice has melted at Kerrisdale Cyclone Taylor Arena, the rink turns into a joyous, bouncy delight with tons of bouncy castles and inflatable obstacle courses. Plus, there are specific areas for the younger crowd to hang out while big siblings bounce their energy away. Click here to see our experience in 2023!
Vancouver Sun Run (April 21): Not only can you achieve the runners’ high, but the kids can also dash around the streets of Vancouver in the Evo 2.5km family-friendly race. Are you registered for the sporting event of the season? It is a rite of passage for Vancouverites!
Coquitlam Food Truck Festival (April 27 & 28): Food Truck Festivals happen around the lower mainland starting in early April and running right through the summer. The one closest to us just happens to be this month! Since my kids still have small appetites, our strategy is to buy a few small items from many food trucks so we can sample a little of everything. Be warned though— the better the weather, the busier these events are!
The Sky’s No Limit: Girls Fly Too! (April 27 & 28): Girls Fly Too is a FREE event that aims to encourage and inspire girls through hands-on activities and displays from some of the top industry leaders in their fields. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with aircraft and equipment, complete a treasure map passport, and meet with a NASA astronaut.
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