9 Things to Do in B.C. This May

1. DOXA Documentary Film Festival – Thursday, May 1 to Sunday, May 11

This unique film festival is back for its 24th annual run in Vancouver, showcasing documentaries produced around the world. As Western Canada’s largest documentary festival, the 2025 program features over 70 films, with a global and local line up. Visitors can expect cinematic pieces that explore social issues, filmmaker Q&As and interactive panel discussions with international filmmakers. This year’s festival also introduces “paraDOXA,” a new experimental program highlighting films that push the boundaries of documentary filmmaking. Check the program online for each day’s feature films.

Various venues around Vancouver
Varying prices
Details online

2. Vancouver International Children’s Festival – Monday, May 26 to Sunday, June 1

Bring the little ones for a week-long festival celebrating youth performing arts. The Vancouver International Children’s Festival is back for its 48th run. This is a great opportunity for kids to explore various forms of circus arts, puppetry, theatre and dance. You can expect 11 professional performing artists and companies from B.C. and around the world presenting a total of 79 live shows. Highlights of this year’s festival include two works from the United Kingdom, I Wish I Was a Mountain (a poetic theatrical performance) and Club Origami (a dance show designed especially for younger audiences).

Various venues around Granville Island, Vancouver
Tickets from $13.50
Details online

3. CTORA Productions presents West Side Story – Thursday, May 8 to Saturday, May 24

Watch the classic Broadway musical West Side Story come to life at Vancouver’s very own Granville Island. Produced by CTORA Productions, this live performance features captivating choreography, an expansive 16-foot set and a 14-piece live orchestra. This iconic storyline follows two young lovers who find themselves at opposite ends of two 1950s rival gangs. Prepare for a night of nostalgia and excitement to experience some of Vancouver’s top musical theatre talent in a room full of energy and emotion.

Granville Island Stage
1585 Johnston Street, Vancouver
Tickets from $38
Details online

4. Mother’s Day Glampsite Party at the Met – Saturday, May 10

Treat mom to a day of relaxation and fun ahead of Mother’s Day! Metropolis at Metrotown is offering a ticketed midday soiree, featuring music, wine and light canapés. Spend time together making DIY s’mores, taking selfies at the woodland photo op backdrop and making crafts. Plus, each adult ticket comes with a $20 gift card to use at the mall, a complementary cocktail and a chance to win the door prize. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Burnaby Family Life’s Women Driving Their Future, so this is an excellent opportunity to not only treat mom, but also contribute to a great cause. 

Metropolis at Metrotown – Grand Court
4700 Kingsway, Burnaby
Tickets from $5
Details online 

5. The Big Roar – Saturday, May 3

Chor Leoni is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its signature community choral festival, The Big Roar. With some tickets sponsored by TD, Chor Leoni is offering an accessible pricing option at $5 for the TD Community Roar tickets. More people can enjoy the live performances by over 250 singers across Chor Leoni’s five diverse choirs (with the youngest singer being 10 years old). Each group will perform their own sets, then unite to form Canada’s largest lower voice choir for what’s sure to be an unforgettable concert experience.

The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver
Tickets from $5
Details online

6. Just Kidding Comedy at Fable Diner and Bar – Thursday, May 1

Just Kidding Comedy is taking over Fable Diner & Bar to bring Vancouverites a night of non-stop laughs. This stand up comedy event features a star-studded lineup of some of Vancouver’s funniest comedians, including Juno Award winners, TV show writers and late-night talk show guests. Dynamic duo Josh De Grandi and Kelsey Hamilton are hosting the show, so don’t miss out. And if you’re lucky, you might even be able to catch surprise drop-ins. 

755 Richards Street, Vancouver
Tickets from $14
Details online 

7. Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra’s (VYSO) 95th Anniversary Concert – Sunday, May 18 

The Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra (VYSO) is celebrating almost a century of mentorship and musical education with a concert at the Orpheum. This concert will feature 280 VYSO musicians and all four orchestras, so audiences can experience talents from across the organization. Some highlights include music from How to Train Your Dragon, Sky Chase (written by the late Bramwell Tovey for the VYSO) and the final movement of Antonín Dvořák’s New World Symphony.

The Orpheum
601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
Tickets from $19.75
Details online

8. Ballet Kelowna presents Vividus: Full of Life – Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3

Ballet Kelowna is closing its 2024/25 season with a powerful mixed program at the Kelowna Community Theatre. The program features works from three of Canada’s most notable choreographers, including Ballet Kelowna’s own Artistic Director and CEO Simone Orlando, Vancouver-based Lesley Telford and The National Ballet of Canada’s Principal Dancer Guillaume Côté. Orlando will showcase her take on Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, while Telford is making her Ballet Kelowna debut with the Kelowna premiere of An Instant. The night closes off with the world premiere of Côté’s Le Carnaval des Animaux, a fun and light-hearted performance. 

Kelowna Community Theatre
1375 Water Street, Kelowna
Tickets from $32.78
Details online

9. Pig Out Weekend – Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3

Calling all foodies! The annual Pig Out Festival weekend is back at Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country in the Okanagan for attendees to enjoy a delicious lineup of food and wine experiences. The event kicks off on Friday May 2 with the “Pig Out Festival Guest Chef Dinner.” Start off in the vineyard garden with wines from local producers and sample East Indian dishes and street food-inspired bites. After the outdoor reception, guests can enjoy a four-course meal indoors at the restaurant. The signature Pig Out Festival takes place on Saturday at Cellar Door & More in Oliver, where attendees can enjoy pork-themed bites and sips from the region’s top chefs and wineries. There are family-friendly games available, so be sure to bring the little ones too! 

Various venues
Varying prices starting at $25 for youth
Details online