6 Ways to Celebrate the Victoria Day Long Weekend

From circuses to museums, we’ve got the most entertaining activities for you and your loved ones this long weekend

1. All British Field Meet – Saturday, May 20

Calling all car fanatics! The All British Field Meet is back for another year at VanDusen Botanical Garden. There will be a wide range of vintage vehicles on display, with a total of more than 450 vehicles at the venue. Expect to see antique Rolls Royces, pre-war motorcycles, as well as the newest Jaguars and Aston Martins. Be prepared to spend all day there, since there will be food trucks, motor part vendors and live entertainment. Buckle up for the ride!
5251 Oak Street, Vancouver; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; ticket prices vary

2. Royal Canadian Circus – Thursday, May 18 to Monday, May 22

This Alberta-based circus performs shows around the country every summer. This May, the Royal Canadian Circus will be setting up shop at Lansdowne Centre in Richmond for the long weekend. It’s a child-friendly spectacle that is tailored to be more family-focussed and involves no animals at all. Performances will be held inside a big top tent and will be two and a half hours long. Audiences will be in awe of the mid-air acrobatics and stage performances.
5300 No. 3 Road, Richmond; Showtimes vary; ticket prices vary.

3. Victoria Day Weekend Boat Party – Saturday, May 20

Looking for a fun night out? Vancouver Boat Parties is hosting an adults-only nightclub experience on the water. Enjoy a scenic view as the boat cruises through False Creek and English Bay. There will be two professional DJs aboard and a photographer on deck, not to mention a full bar for a night to remember (or not!).
760 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver; 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.; ticket prices vary.

4. Fort Langley May Day Parade – Monday, May 22 

This year marks the 101st anniversary of this community-organized parade at historic Fort Langley. Enjoy family time with activities like a pancake breakfast, food trucks and live entertainment. Some hands-on old-school workshops include barrel-making, musket-firing and blacksmithing demonstrations. The parade portion starts at 11 a.m. at Fort Langley Historic Site and goes until 12:30 p.m. at Fort Langley Park.
Hot Tip: The best place to see the parade in action is at the centre of town along Mavis Street, between Church Street and Glover Road. 
88th Ave & Glover Road, Fort Langley; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free admission

5. Burnaby Village Museum – Saturday, May 20 to Monday, May 22

Take a trip down memory lane and back to the past at the Burnaby Village Museum. This open-air museum has attractions like a blacksmith shop, an old-fashioned ice cream parlour, a general store and a school. There will be extra activities over the Victoria Day long weekend, such as Tiddley Cove Morris Dancers on Hill Street; birthday cupcakes served behind Seaforth School; and a new exhibit called ‘Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby’ amongst others. For the crafty bunch, there will be artsy activities at the real estate office and tea time photo opportunities at the bandstand. Make note that the additional Victoria Day activities are only available on Monday, May 22. Gate admission to the museum is free, but the carousel rides cost under $3. 
6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby; 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; free admission

6. Vancouver Comic Arts Festival – Saturday, May 20 to Monday, May 22

Head to the Roundhouse Community Centre over the long weekend for the annual Vancouver Comic Arts Festival, a celebration featuring local artists with art exhibitions and vendor fairs. The event will include readings, comic lessons for kids, and panels. Workshops will be hosted all weekend, where working artists will share their experiences with getting into the field and the challenges they face.
181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; free admission