Things to do in Metro Vancouver on the first weekend of spring

A cherry blossom is pictured blooming on a branch in North Vancouver, on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Ethan Cairns / The Canadian Press)

Friday is the vernal equinox, the official start of spring in the northern hemisphere. That makes Saturday and Sunday the first official weekend of spring. Here are some events and activities that will be taking place around Metro Vancouver.

Cherry Blossom Food Fest

Not to be confused with the annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, which returns for its 20th year next week, the Cherry Blossom Food Fest is a celebration of spring through special menu items at more than two dozen local restaurants, cafes and bakeries.

The self-guided food festival includes 27 participating vendors offering more than 70 cherry blossom themed dishes. Diners can pick up a festival passport and collect stamps to be entered to win prizes.

The event begins Friday and continues through May 3.

Vancouver Gem Show

The Vancouver Gem Show returns to the PNE Forum this weekend, bringing dozens of vendors offering raw and polished gemstones and minerals, jewelry, crystals and more.

The show runs from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. One-day tickets start at $6 and three-day tickets start at $9.

Spring Break at Burnaby Village Museum

Spring break continues through the end of next week for most B.C. schools, and the Burnaby Village Museum has a variety of special programming on offer throughout the period.

Among the activities happening this weekend are an archeology talk on Friday, a steam engine demo on Saturday and storytime at the Indigenous Learning House on Sunday. A full schedule of spring break activities can be found on the museum website.

The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, and admission is free

At the theatre

A Broadway classic, a dance-based rendition of Shakespeare and a live version of a beloved children’s show are among the performances coming to Vancouver theatres this weekend. Follow the links to learn more about each show.

• DanceHouse presents: Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: through Saturday at Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton St. in Vancouver.
• Broadway Across Canada presents: Les Misérables: through March 29 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton St. in Vancouver
• Paw Patrol Live: A Mighty Adventure: Friday and Saturday at The Centre, 777 Homer St. in Vancouver

For the sports fans

Saturday will be a busy one for the local professional sports scene, beginning with the Vancouver Goldeneyes hosting the Minnesota Frost at noon.

The Canucks are home to St. Louis at 4 p.m., and the Whitecaps host San Jose at 7:30 p.m.

The Vancouver Giants are also in action Saturday, hosting the Kelowna Rockets at 7 p.m. in Langley.

The Vancouver Warriors will kick off the busy sports weekend with a home game against the Ottawa Black Bears on Friday night at 7 p.m.