Vaisakhi parade, World Cup trophy visit among events to check out in Vancouver this weekend

People gather around the main float during the Vaisakhi parade in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, April 12, 2025. Vaisakhi is a significant holiday on the Sikh calendar, commemorating the establishment of the Khalsa in 1699 and marking the beginning of the Punjabi harvest year. (Ethan Cairns / The Canadian Press)

Tens of thousands are expected to line the streets of South Vancouver this Saturday for the Khalsa Diwan Society’s annual Vaisakhi parade, but that’s just the largest of a variety of exciting events happening in and around the city this weekend.

Here’s what’s happening:

Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade

The 2026 Nagar Kirtan will follow a new route, avoiding Marine Drive in favour of a circuit of 57th Avenue, Main Street, 49th Avenue and Fraser Street, and still beginning and ending at the Ross Street gurdwara.

Marking the spring harvest in Punjab and the 1699 founding of the Khalsa, Vaisakhi is an important religious festival in Sikhism, but it is also a community celebration open to people of all faiths.

As always, hundreds of vendors will line the streets of the route offering free food and drink for attendees. The parade runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and more information can be found on the Khalsa Diwan Society website.

World Cup trophy tour

The FIFA World Cup trophy is in Vancouver this weekend and will be on display in šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, the north plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Friday and Saturday.

Admission to see the trophy is free, but tickets are required. Tournament sponsor Coca-Cola is offering the tickets online, but a limited number may be available in person, as well.

The trophy will be on display from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, according to organizers.

Sakura Days Japan Fair

A two-day celebration of Japanese culture will take place at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver this Saturday and Sunday.

Part of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, the Sakura Days Japan Fair features Japanese food and drink, cultural performances, vendors and more, all under the pink and white of the garden’s cherry blossoms.

Adult tickets are $24 in advance and $26 at the door, with discounts for youth, seniors and garden members. Learn more on the Sakura Days website.

Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival

Another festival of cherry blossoms and Japanese culture will take place Sunday at Steveston’s Garry Point Park.

The Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring live performances, demonstrations from local artisans, Japanese food offerings and more.

Admission is free and a full schedule of events and activities can be found online.

Vancouver Fashion Week

The Fall/Winter 26 edition of Vancouver Fashion Week began Wednesday and continues through Sunday, with nightly shows at David Lam Hall, part of the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver on East Pender Street.

Showcasing local, national and international designers, VFW has grown into one of the largest fashion weeks in North America.

Visit the Vancouver Fashion Week website for the full schedule and ticket information.

Surrey Food Truck Wars

The fifth edition of Food Truck Wars will take place this weekend at the Cloverdale Exhibition Grounds in Surrey.

Visitors can sample food from 40 B.C. food trucks and vote for their favourite offerings, all while perusing a “shop local market” and taking in live entertainment.

The festival is open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Admission is by donation and proceeds benefit the event’s charity partner: the White Rock Titans Football Minor Football Association.

For the sports fans

The first weekend of the Vancouver Canadians' new season and the return of All Elite Wrestling to Rogers Arena are among the highlights of this weekend’s sports slate.

The Canadians have been hosting the Eugene Emeralds since Wednesday, and will wrap up the series over the weekend, with games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Nat Bailey Stadium.

AEW Dynasty 2026 takes over Rogers Arena on Sunday at 4 p.m., marking the pro wrestling promotion’s third visit to Vancouver.

Also in action this weekend are the Vancouver Warriors, who host the Halifax Thunderbirds on Friday at 6 p.m., as well as the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are home to New York City FC on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., and Vancouver FC, which will host Forge FC on Sunday at 4 p.m. in Langley.