Our giant list of Burnaby May events

May is right around the corner, which means more Burnaby events to check out.

Author

Burnaby Beacon Staff
April 24, 2023

Burnaby May events

There's plenty of fun to be had in Burnaby this May! (Shawn.ccf/ Shutterstock)

May is right around the corner, which means more Burnaby events to check out.

From multiple events with the Burnaby Festival of Learning to the opening of a new exhibit at the Burnaby Village Museum, the Burnaby Blooms Festival, and much more, May is looking to be an exciting (and busy) month for your social calendar.

Here are all the Burnaby events to check out this May

Burnaby Youth Week celebrates the interests accomplishments and diversity of youth across the city. There will be a number of events taking place for youth during the first week of May at different community youth centres. Check out the full schedule here.

When: Monday, May 1 to Sunday, May 7
Where: Summit Youth Centre (200 Willingdon Ave.) / South Central Youth Centre (6749 Nelson Ave.) / Edmonds Youth Lounge (7433 Edmonds St.) / Creekside Youth Centre (2728 Beaverbrook Cres.)

This event allows for a fun way to learn about who grows and produces the local products you buy and gain a new understanding about the connection between food production and the local aspect behind it. This event is part of the Burnaby Festival of Learning.

When: Friday, May 5
Where: YVR Prep — 5279 Still Creek Ave. #A6
Register: For free online. Please note: the opportunity to attend Forage – A Pop-up Tasting Event at YVR Prep is currently by invitation only. If you receive an invitation, follow the instructions to register. General admission for remaining spaces will open up once all reservations have been accounted for.

City of Burnaby

The Burnaby Village Museum opens for its summer season on May 6. Take a ride on the restored 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel, and visit the vintage exhibits.

When: Museum opens on Saturday, May 6
Museum is open weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Monday, Sept. 4.
Where: Burnaby Village Museum — 6501 Deer Lake Ave.
Admission: Free/ $2.65 for carousel rides

South Asian history Burnaby

Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby will explore South Asian history in the city. ( Burnaby Village Museum BV019.32.18 (r) and the exhibit's poster by artist Jag Nagra (l))

A new exhibit detailing the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby will be opening at Burnaby Village Museum. Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby will open at the Museum on May 6 and “explores the diverse experiences” of the city’s South Asian communities. The Burnaby Festival of Learning will also be hosting a free community rangoli installation to celebrate the opening of the exhibit.

When: Exhibit opens on Saturday, May 6
Where: Burnaby Village Museum — 6501 Deer Lake Ave.

Learn about blowfly species within our local ecosystem and how the study of insects contributes to crime scene investigations. This workshop is part of the Burnaby Festival of Learning.

When: Saturday, May 6
Where: Burnaby North Neighbourhood House — 4908 Hastings St.
Time: Noon to 5pm
Register: For free online. Please register one per family.

Join Mayor Mike Hurley and a team of top Burnaby doctors for this community walk.

When: Saturday, May 6
Where: Confederation Park — 250 Willingdon Ave.
Time: 9:30am to noon

SFU’s Research and Action for Healthy Cities has been mapping out where 15-minute neighbourhoods are in the region and they want to know your thoughts on this planning idea in Burnaby. The event consists of a 60-minute workshop and a 30-minute walking and cycling tour. This event is part of the Burnaby Festival of Learning.

When: Saturday, May 6
Where: Tommy Douglas Library — 7311 Kingsway
Time: 1 to 3pm
Register: For free online. Please register separately for workshop/ tour portions.

Juno-award-winning jazz guitarist, Jocelyn Gould will perform at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts on Sunday, May 7. Gould has been called “a leader in the next generation of great mainstream jazz guitarists” by Howard Paul, CEO of Benedetto Guitars.

When: Sunday, May 7
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts Studio Theatre — 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: Available online

Explore different cultures through the language of music. This informal and intimate sharing event features different instruments from different parts of the world. This event is part of the Burnaby Festival of Learning.

When: Sunday, May 7
Where: Bonsor Recreation Centre — 6550 Bonsor Ave.
Time: 3:30 to 5:30pm
Register: For free online

Join long-time educator and award-winning Cree-Stoney author, William G. Lindsay, as he explores the Indian Act, residential schools, and reconciliation through a presentation and readings from his recent award-winning book, Rez Dog Blues & The Haiku: A Savage Life in Bits and Pieces. This event is part of the Burnaby Festival of Learning.

When: Sunday, May 7
Where: Burnaby Public Library McGill Branch — 4595 Albert St.
Register: For free online.

This workshop invites participants to challenge ableist notions of how we think and label ourselves and the world around us. Come and learn about different types of disabilities, the current language of disability, what ableism is, and how you can actively fight against it. This workshop is part of the Burnaby Festival of Learning.

When: Monday, May 8
Where: BCIT Library — 3700 Willingdon Ave.
Time: 11am to 1pm
Register: For free online.

If you’ve always wanted to learn more about the diversity of Chinese produce and ingredients, this tour at Crystal Mall is for you. Join registered dietitian Renee Chan for this 1.5-hour walking tour through Crystal Mall to learn about Chinese foods, traditions, and the flavours of Asia.

When: Monday, May 8
Where: Crystal Mall — 4500 Kingsway (tour starts at the Kingsbourough and McKay (food court entrance)
Time: 3 to 5pm
Register: For free online.

This walking tour of Guichon Creek will discuss the deleterious impacts urbanization has on the ecology of the creek. The workshop is presented by Mark Angelo, an internationally celebrated river conversationalist. This event is part of the Burnaby Festival of Learning.

When: Monday, May 8
Where: Guichon Creek (BCIT, enter at Moscrop Road entrance.)
Time: 11:30am to 12:30pm
Register: For free online. Limited space available.

This workshop will delve into MIT’s En-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator to explore how solutions can be combined to cool Earth in an equitable way. This event is part of the Burnaby Festival of Learning.

When: Tuesday, May 9
Where: Burnaby Public Library McGill Branch — 4595 Albert St.
Time: 1 to 3pm
Register: For free online.

Musician Cory Weeds and his quartet will be jammin’ out on Tuesday, May 9 at the Shadbolt Centre of the Arts. If you’re a jazz musician and singer, you can join along too!

When: Tuesday, May 9
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts Studio Theatre — 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
Time: Doors open at 6pm / House band starts at 6:30pm / Jam starts at 7:30
Cost: This is a free event but tickets are required
Tickets: Free tickets are available here

Burnaby’s favourite flower festival is back and will be expanded to a multi-day event. Festivities will take place at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and Deer Lake Park on May 13 and 14. Then on Saturday, May 27, there will be a micro-event at Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area.

When: Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14 / Saturday, May 27

Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and Deer Lake Park on May 13 and 14 / Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area on May 27

Head to Metropolis at Metrotown for a Pink Disco Mothers’ Day celebration. The Pink Disco Party will take place in the grand court and will feature a build-your-own-mimosa bar, complimentary custom bouquets by The Heart Company, and strawberry- and raspberry-infused tea lattes by Lions Bay Coffee Company.

When: Saturday, May 13
Where: The Grand Court — Metropolis at Metrotown
Time: 2 to 3:30pm and 3:30 to 5pm

Stoney Creek Environmeny Committee/ Facebook

The Stoney Creek Environment Committee’s Great Salmon Send-off gives community members the opportunity to release live coho salmon smolts into Stoney Creek. This will be the 30th anniversary of the event! There will be live entertainment as well as local exhibitors. The fish release will happen between 11am and 1pm.

When: Saturday, May 13
Where: 2740 Beaverbrook Cres.
Time: 10am to 2pm
Cost: Free

On Saturday, May 13 from 11am to 4pm, head over for a fun-filled day of exploring the flea market, featuring a diverse selection of gently used Japanese items such as tableware, home decor, Japanese dolls, kimono, and yukata. There will also be public vendors selling non-Japanese items.

When: Saturday, May 13
Where: Nikkei National Museum — 6688 Southoaks Cres.
Time: 11am to 4pm
Admission: Free

The Burnaby Farmers Market returns for the summer/fall season! Head down to the parking lot at Burnaby City Hall and shop from local food vendors and makers.

When: Kick-off event is Saturday May 13 / Sunday, May 14. Then, the market takes place every Saturday starting on May 20 until Oct. 8
Where: Burnaby City Hall Parking Lot — 4949 Canada Way
Time: Kickoff event is from 11am to 4pm / regular hours are 9am to 2pm

Beginners Quilting Class

Join the Pacific Spirit Quilters’ Guild for this one-day quilting workshop. You’ll learn how to make a tiny quilt and go home with the materials to make a second match.

When: Saturday, May 13
Where: Christine Centre Rec Centre — 3713 Kensington Ave.
Time: 9am to 3:30pm
Cost: $50 for course materials and kit and an additional $10 to borrow a sewing machine
Registration: Contact Leke Giese at [email protected] before April 29.

Head to Eileen Dailly pool to enjoy a fun evening of swimming and kid-friendly activities and celebrate its 30th birthday!

When: Thursday, May 18
Where: Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool and Fitness Centre — 240 Willingdon Ave.
Time: 6:30 to 8:30pm
Admission: $1

Comedians Jacob and Dean are bringing their show to Burnaby’s The Rec Room.

When: Sunday, May 21
Where: The Rec Room — 1920 Willingdon Ave.
Time: Doors open at 6pm
Tickets: Available online

The Nikkei Seniors Health Care & Housing Society is bringing back the 16th Annual Nikkei Place Charity Classic on Friday, May 26 at Riverway Golf Course in Burnaby. Proceeds support funding for Nikkei Seniors Health Care & Housing Society’s dementia-friendly programs at Nikkei Place and outreach within Burnaby and into Vancouver. Sign up as an individual or foursome team here.

When: Friday, May 26
Where: Riverway Golf Course — 9001 Bill Fox Way
Register: Online

Are you a self-proclaimed nerd who loves hip hop? Head to The Rec Room on May 27 for a night of gaming and hip hop tunes.

When: Saturday, May 27
Where: The Rec Room at The Amazing Brentwood
Time: 8 to 11pm
Tickets: Online

Join Mayor Mike Hurley for a walk and chat around Deer Lake Park. Enjoy a $2 pancake breakfast served afterwards by the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society.

When: The final Sunday of each month (May 28)
Time: 9 to 10am
Where: Meet at Burnaby City Hall Parking Lot (4949 Canada Way)
Cost: Free ($2 for the pancake breakfast)

Vancouver multidisciplinary artist Monica Lee brings her new record You, Me, and the Moon, which explores the connection between parents and kids.

When: Sunday, May 28
Time: 2 to 3:30pm / 8 to 9:30pm
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts — 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
Cost: Adult - $20/ Childen (12 and under) $10/ Family Pack - 2 adults and 2 kids $50
Tickets: Available online