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Summary

8 free things to do in Vancouver this weekend, April 26 to 28

From a scooter tour to horse racing.

 A man on a brown horse on a race track with a board behind him that says HASTINGS. Right: A woman in a plaid shirt and helmet riding an e-scooter on a bike path.

A racer at Hastings Racecourse. Right: A woman riding an e-scooter in Vancouver.

Senior Writer

If you're already thinking about weekend plans, why not put some free events on your calendar?

From a horse racing season opener to community festivals and a scooter tour of the city, there are several free things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend.

That's right, you can save your hard-earned cash and still have a lot of fun on your days off with your friends and family.

Here are eight free things to do in Vancouver this weekend.

Vancouver Scooter Tour

Price: Free

When: April 26 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. 

Address: Science World, 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver

Why You Need To Go: Starting on April 26, you can sign up for a free Vancouver tour every last Friday of the month.

Anyone who participates will do the three-hour tour on an electric unicycle or e-scooter.

Some popular areas you'll see on the tour include Chinatown, Gastown, Canada Place, Stanley Park, Granville Island and Science World.

The free tour by RightRoute includes a guide, but not the vehicle. So you can either bring your e-scooter or rent one.

Make sure you fill out an online form if you plan on taking part in the tour. 

Website

Coquitlam Community Festival

Price: Free entry

When: April 27 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and April 28 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Address: Town Centre Park Coquitlam, 1299 Pinetree Way

Why You Need To Go: The inaugural Coquitlam Community Festival will feature tons of activities and food.

The festival will feature an artisan market with unique crafts and art made by locals, live entertainment, activities and an incredible food truck line-up.

Website

Hastings Racecourse Season Opener

Price: Free entry

When: The season begins on April 27, the first race starts at 2:30 p.m.

Address: 188 N Renfrew St, Vancouver

Why You Need To Go: Minutes from downtown Vancouver, the Hastings Racecourse is bound to be packed this weekend as it kicks off its 2024 live racing season on April 27.

The season will have live racing on Fridays and Saturdays through to October.

Great Canadian website

Party for the Planet

Price: Free entry

When: April 27 from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Address: Surrey Civic Plaza, 13450 104 Ave, Surrey

Why You Need To Go: B.C.'s largest Earth Day celebration is happening in Surrey this weekend. 

On Saturday 27, you can head to Surrey's Party for the Planet which is a day filled with entertainment and family-friendly activities.

From live entertainment to a sustainable marketplace featuring art, jewellery and skincare products, this event is packed with things to do. There will also be a variety of food trucks serving vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free items.

Discover Surrey website

Japanese Spring Market 

Price: Free entry

When: April 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Address: Japanese Hall, 487 Alexander Street, Vancouver

Why You Need To Go: The Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall is hosting its spring market on Saturday.

As you wander around the market, you'll find handmade items, gently used children and adult clothing, and second-hand Japanese books.

The event will also have local vendors selling Japanese food, artisan soaps, handmade jewelry and more.

Event Brite website

Contemporary Art Gallery

Price: Free

When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Address: 555 Nelson St, Vancouver

Why You Need To Go: The Contemporary Art Gallery is one of Vancouver's galleries and museums that offers visitors free admission.

It's the longest-standing independent public gallery in the city dedicated to contemporary art, according to the website.

Its current exhibits include one by Diane Severin Nguyen, which is described as depicting "characters driven to express the enigmatic truths of their existence."

Contemporary Art Gallery website

Mother's Day Self Care Market 

​Price: Free entry 

When: April 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Address: 550 Thompson Avenue, Coquitlam

Why You Need To Go: Start your Mother's Day celebration early by treating yourself or your mom to a day of relaxation and pampering at the Mother's Day Self-Care Market in Coquitlam. 

The event will have a variety of self-care products and services on-site from luxurious bath products to spa treatments. 

The market will have free mini yoga sessions, a gift for the first 100 attendees, interactive vendors, food trucks, aura and psychic card readings, massages and a charity raffle.

Event Brite website

Farmer's Market

Price: Free entry

When: Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Address: Trout Lake John Hendry Park, Vancouver

Why You Need To Go: Check out a farmer's market in Vancouver this weekend. The Trout Lake Farmers Market located in Trout Lake John Hendry Park is open for the 2024 season.

You can get everything from fresh produce to flower and plant starters for your garden.

Vancouver Farmer Markets website

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

  • Senior Writer

    Asymina Kantorowicz (she/her) was a Senior Writer for Narcity Media. She has worked at Yahoo Canada, CTV News Vancouver Island, CTV News Channel, and CHCH News. Over the past eight years, she took on various newsroom roles and helped produce award-winning newscasts. Loving the fast-paced environment of any newsroom, she helped cover stories like the 2016 royal visit to Victoria, the 2019 B.C. manhunt, and provincial elections. She had an MA in journalism and a BA in media from Western University. She moved from Toronto to Victoria a few years ago and loved being close to the ocean.

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