What to See This Spring: 8 Arts & Culture Events in Metro Vancouver

Spring is a time for creativity. Along with the season’s first cherry blossoms and warm weather come exciting exhibitions and unforgettable live performances the whole family can enjoy. From Indigenous-led productions to comedy nights and new gallery exhibits, here’s what to see around Metro Vancouver this spring.

1. The 2026 Coastal Dance Festival

The 19th annual Coastal Dance Festival returns from March 3 to 8, 2026, celebrating Indigenous dance, song and storytelling. From the Dancers of Damelahamid, the festival will take over the Anvil Centre in New Westminster (March 3) and the Museum of Anthropology at UBC (March 4 to 8). Highlights of the performing arts festival include an excerpt from Tasha Faye Evans’ Cedar Woman, a duet by Sámi singers Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska, a mountain goat transformation mask dance by Dancers of Damelahamid and Lawra Somby, a screening of So Surreal: Behind The Masks and performances by Coastal Wolf Pack.

Anvil Centre (March 3)
Museum of Anthropology at UBC (March 4 to 8)
Tickets from $13.55 here

2. Exploration Blank at The Improv Centre

The Improv Centre blasts off this spring with the world premiere of Exploration Blank (April 9 – June 27). Staged Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., the sci-fi–themed improv show follows a rag-tag crew of space explorers on an entirely audience-driven mission—with a new galaxy created every night. Expect alien encounters, red alerts and laughter at light speed.

1502 Duranleau Street
April 9 to June 27
Fridays & Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets from $20 here

3. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark at the Vancouver Playhouse

A bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy comes to Vancouver as Ex Machina and Côté Danse present Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, from March 18 to 21 at the Vancouver Playhouse. Presented by DanceHouse in partnership with Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival and Théâtre la Seizième, this full-length contemporary adaptation is created by choreographer Guillaume Côté (who is reprising the role of Hamlet in Vancouver) and director Robert Lepage. Blending classical, contemporary and street-dance influences with an original score by John Gzowski, the production explores themes of power, betrayal and inner turmoil through movement, lighting and minimalist design.

Vancouver Playhouse
March 18 to 21, 2026, 8 p.m.
Tickets from $40.75 here

4. Little Room Productions’ Fall(se) Circ(us)

Little Room Productions’ Fall(se) Circ(us) premieres on March 21 at 7:30 p.m. This experimental performance explores the balance between work and play, choreographed by co-director Isak Enquist and presented in partnership with New Works Dance and Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre. Blending gravity-defying feats of strength with moments of communal joy, the piece invites audiences into a shared experience of improvised movement. Inspired by Enquist’s background in martial arts, snowboarding and contemporary dance, the production features seven local and international performers and an original score co-created with Tyler Layton-Olson.

Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, Vancouver
Saturday, March 21, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25, available here

5. Haha, History! at the Museum of Vancouver

Museum of Vancouver teams up with some of the city’s funniest comics for Haha, History!, a live trivia game show hosted by comedian Myles Anderson on February 28, March 28 and April 25, 2026. Using objects from the museum’s 80,000-piece collection, local stand-ups go head-to-head against each other in a fast-paced evening of unexpected stories, sharp wit and playful takes on Vancouver’s past. Upcoming featured comics include Christine Bortolin and Abdul Aziz (March 28) and Rachel Schaefer and David MacLean (April 25).

Museum of Vancouver
Saturday, March 28 and Saturday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets from $38 here

6. Canadian Psycho at the Firehall Arts Centre

Firehall Arts Centre presents the world premiere of Canadian Psycho, written and performed by Marlene Ginader and directed by Jenna Rodgers, from March 31 to April 12, 2026. This satirical solo show blends original electronic music, dynamic movement and video design to interrogate who’s centred in psychological crime narratives. Produced by Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre and ITSAZOO Productions, the show previews on March 31 at 7:30 p.m., with opening night on April 1. There are also two post-show talkbacks on April 2 and 9.

Firehall Arts Centre
280 East Cordova Street
March 31 to April 12, 2026
Tickets from $20 here

7. Spring Exhibitions at the Polygon Gallery

The Polygon Gallery has unveiled an ambitious 2026 exhibition lineup for this spring. The gallery is featuring major solo shows by Tania Willard (March 7 – May 24), Simranpreet Anand (April 18 – August 23) and a career retrospective of Greg Girard (July 10 – October 25), alongside a new co-commission with the Burrard Arts Foundation by James Harry (April 10 – October 18). The Spring also includes group exhibitions with the annual Indigenous filmmaking Response program, Response: Where Rivers Meet (March 11–April 12).

The Polygon Gallery
101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Exhibitions start March 7, 2026
Admission by donation

8. On Native Land Presented by The Cultch

On Native Land is a new musical by Corey Payette, running from April 8 to 19, 2026, at the York Theatre. The production follows three interconnected lives: a lawyer, a Chief and a rising singer-songwriter in a moving story of identity, land and love within contemporary urban Indigenous communities. Produced by Raven Theatre and Urban Ink, the show features a drum-driven contemporary score that bridges Indigenous tradition with soaring Broadway-inspired melodies. The musical continues Payette’s work redefining the genre through Indigenous perspectives.

York Theatre
639 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
April 8 to 19, 2026; 7:30 p.m.
Tickets from $44 here