The ultimate list of Burnaby spring events

Winter is on its way out and spring is on its way in, meaning there’s a whole bunch of great Burnaby events coming your way.

Author

Simran Singh
March 19, 2023

Burnaby spring events

There are lots to get up to in Burnaby this spring! (Shawn.ccf/ Shutterstock)

Spring has finally sprung, meaning there are a bunch of great Burnaby events coming your way.

From arts and theatre at Shadbolt Centre to comedy shows, a Japanese spring festival and more, here are some notable events to look out for in the city this spring.

We’ll be updating this list with more spring events as they become available!

Are we missing an event listing? Get in touch with us here.

The city’s biggest food festival is still on! The yearly Bite of Burnaby culinary festival runs until the end of the month, with the aim of showcasing Burnaby’s diverse food scene. Each restaurant will have a different menu on offer to fit your budget.

When: Until March 31
Where: Various restaurants around the city - check out participating restaurants here.

This spring exhibition at the Burnaby Art Gallery is a survey of the intricate, meticulous, and visually compelling work of artist Karin Jones.

When: Daily on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until April 16, 2023
Where: Burnaby Art Gallery—6344 Deer Lake Ave.
Admission: Suggested donation is $5

Driving Me Crazy, a notable new play by Linda A. Carson and Suzanne Ristic, focuses on three generations of a family and their relationships with one another experienced through their vehicles.

When: Tuesday, March 21 and Wednesday, March 22
Time: 8 to 10pm
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts — 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
Tickets: Available online

Hosted by Cheap Trills, the Rec Room Karaoke night is your chance to show off your vocal chops and cover your favourite songs. Event takes place every Thursday.

When: Next event is Thursday, March 23
Time: Doors open at 8pm
Where: The Rec Room at The Amazing Brentwood
Admission: Free

Head to McGill Library to watch The Peanuts Movie with other kids and families. Recommended for ages four and up. Kids nine years and under must be accompanied by an adult.

When: Saturday, March 25
Time: 2 pm (Movie runs for 90 minutes) come early as tickets are handed out 30 minutes before the show
Where: Burnaby Public Library, McGill Branch — 4595 Albert St.
Admission: Free

Harumatsuri translates to spring festival in Japanese and focuses on Japanese arts and culture. Harumatsuri will also include a number of Anime Evolution events on a smaller scale like panels, videos, and vendors.

When: Saturday, March 25
Time: 10am to 6pm
Where: Nikkei Museum — 6688 Southoaks Cres.
Tickets: $15 and can be purchased at the door. Cash, debit, and visa will be accepted.

This themed run offers a 5km/10km Run/Walk as well as a 1km Kids Run/Walk around scenic Burnaby Lake Park.

Explore the trails, enjoy a DJ, prize giveaways and more! The route is for all ages and abilities and the event is pet friendly.

When: Saturday, March 25
Time: 5km/10km run and walk start at 2pm/ Kids 1km run/walk starts at 1pm
Where: 3760 Sperling Ave. (Across the rugby club)
Register: online

If you love ceramics, this is the event for you. The symposium is suitable for all levels of clay artists and includes a day of presentations and demonstrations.

When: Saturday, March 25, 2023
Time: 9am to 5pm
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts — 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
Tickets: $160, available 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 (March 26/ April 30/ May 28)
Time: 9 to 10am
Where: Meet at Burnaby City Hall Parking Lot (4949 Canada Way)
Cost: Free ($2 for the pancake breakfast)

Studio Brewing / Instagram

Learn about the basic off-flavours of beer with Certified Cicerone Morgan Miller of Studio Brewing. The class includes a tour of the brewery and a free pint or flight after the training.

When: Sunday, March 26, and Monday, March 27
Time: 5 to 7:30pm
Where: Studio Brewing — 5782 Beresford St.
Cost: $54.58, tickets available online. Event is 19+

Jokers Canada is back with another night of live comedy at The Rec Room on Sunday, March 26.

When: Sunday, March 26
Where: The Rec Room at The Amazing Brentwood — 1920 Willingdon Ave.
Time: Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm
Tickets: $20, Beacon readers, use the code BEACON25 for 25% off tickets, which you can purchase here. Show is 19+

Do you like to geek out about random fandoms? Head to Fandom Trivia at The Rec Room at The Amazing Brentwood to test your trivia skills. The event is hosted by Jeff Porter (from the Fear of Science podcast) and Daniel Chai (of The Fictionals Comedy Co.) for a night of fun quizzes, themed rounds, and prizes. The event is free and takes place every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.

When: Next event is Tuesday, March 28
Where: The Rec Room at The Amazing Brentwood — 1920 Willingdon Ave.
Time: Seating starts at 7pm and event starts at 7:30pm (runs until about 9pm)
Tickets: Event is free to attend, first come first serve for tables

Celebrate the season of cherry blossoms at the O-Hanami Festival at Nikkei Centre. Take part in Japanese cultural activities such as a tea ceremony (must pre-book) and kimono dressing. Treat yourself to a sakura-bento (pre-order in advance, info here) and enjoy dance and musical performances. There will also be karate, judo, and iaido demonstrations.

When: Saturday, April 1
Time: 11am to 5pm (doors open at 10:30am)
Where: Nikkei Centre — 6688 Southoaks Cres.
Admission: $5, free for NNMCC members, seniors 65+, children and youth 17 and under

Enjoy a one-hour storytime session in English and Sign Language at Burnaby Public Library, Tommy Douglas Branch. The event is free and open for children of all ages and abilities, accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

When: Saturday, April 1
Time: 11am to 12pm
Where: Burnaby Public Library, Tommy Douglas Branch — 7311 Kingsway
Admission: Free

Kpop Club Night at The Amazing Brentwood features DJ Yuka K spinning your favourite Kpop tracks all night long.

When: Saturday, April 1
Time: 9pm
Where: The Rec Room at The Amazing Brentwood — 1920 Willingdon Ave.
Tickets: $24.30, must be 19+ to attend. Purchase here

Head to BC Palette Art Studio in the City of Lougheed Mall for this painting workshop which will allow you to take a picture of your pet and turn it into a masterpiece. Email the studio a high-resolution portrait of your pet and they’ll sketch an image on your canvas before you arrive. Then, you’ll be able to paint away! Event is open to those 15+.

When: Sunday, April 2
Time: 3 to 6pm
Where: The City of Lougheed Shopping Centre — 114 9855 Austin Ave.
Admission: Tickets are $59, register here

Do you need tech help? This event is for you. The Burnaby North Neighbourhood House is hosting a digital cafe on April 3 that will help you get answers to any of your tech questions, from email to Excel and more. Support will be available in multiple languages. You can bring your own device or use one of the laptops or desktops provided by the Neighbourhood House.

When: Monday, April 3
Time: 10am to 12pm
Where: North Burnaby Neighbourhood House — 4908 Hastings St.
Admission: Free, register online to reserve a spot

Amai Kuda has been praised for her “tantalizing Afro-soul combo of folk, roots, desert blues and African continental music,” as stated by NOW Magazine. Catch her live at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts on April 5.

When: Wednesday, April 5
Time: 8 to 10pm
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts — 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
Tickets: $35 for general/ $30 for students and seniors. Available online

The Rec Room at The Amazing Brentwood is hosting an epic Easter event, where you’ll be able to take part in an Easter egg hunt with over $500 in prizes, followed by mimosas and a delicious brunch buffet.

When: Friday, April 7
Time: 10am
Where: The Rec Room at The Amazing Brentwood — 1920 Willingdon Ave.
Tickets: $43.93 (must be 19+ to attend). Purchase tickets here

Singh fuses together diverse sounds ranging from the Delta Blues and Qawaali to Hip Hop. He’ll be joined by the talented Khari Wendell McClelland, Holly Eccleston, Gord Grdina, Kenton Loewen, Peter Schmitt, and Paul Finlay.

When: Friday, April 14
Time: 8 to 10pm
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts — 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
Tickets: $35 for general/ $30 for students and seniors. Available online

Want to pick up the art of modern calligraphy? This class is for you. Join instructor Liz, who will guide you through this 2.5-hour workshop, where you’ll be able to learn the basics of modern calligraphy. No experience is required, and the event is open to adults and kids (9 and up). A variety of calligraphy brush pens will be included, as well as a workbook, and light refreshments will be provided.

When: Sunday, April 16
Time: 1 to 3:30pm
Where: Edmonds Community Centre — 7380 Edmonds St.
Cost: $102 for workshop and supplies. Register online

This competition showcases the best martial arts talent in the province.

When: Saturday, April 22
Time: 9am to 6pm
Where: BCIT — 3700 Willingdon Ave.
Tickets: $43.93, available online

The Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival is bringing fun and food to BCIT for its Burnaby Block Party. Over 20 food trucks will be on-site, including G’s Donairs, Shameless Buns, Taco Tigre, The Mad Greek, and Truckin’ BBQ. There will also be live entertainment and an artisan market.

When: Saturday, April 22/ Sunday, April 23
Time: 11am to 8pm
Where: BCIT parking lot — 3700 Willingdon Ave.
Admission: Free, but a free gate entry ticket is needed. Tickets are available here

Enjoy the sounds of the opera at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts on April 23. The show, titled “Highlights” presents a condensed version of an opera’s most memorable music, sung in the original language and interpreted with an English narration.

When: Sunday, April 23
Time: 3pm
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts — 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
Tickets: $20, available online

Created and starring Kunji Mark Ikeda, this performance focuses on the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbour that resulted in the internment and dispossession of tens of thousands of Japanese Canadians living along Canada's west coast.

When: Thursday, April 27/ Friday, April 28/ Saturday, April 29
Time: 8 to 9pm
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts — 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
Tickets: Available online

Burnaby’s favourite flower festival is back and will be expanded to a multi-day event. Festivities 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. More details coming soon.

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

Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. (Scientific Training And Tactical Intelligence Operative Network) has finally arrived in Burnaby! The highly-anticipated exhibit and interactive experience transports you into the world of the Avengers as you get up close and personal with your favourite superheroes and the science behind their powers.

When: Runs daily until May 28
Where: The Amazing Brentwood—4567 Lougheed Highway
Hours: Monday-Wednesday: 10am–7pm (Last entry at 6pm)/ Thursday-Saturday: 10am–9pm (Last entry at 8pm)/ Sunday: 10am–7pm (Last entry at 6pm)
Cost: Prices start at $29 for adults, and $23 for kids (with discounts for students, seniors and groups)

Looking to do some spring cleaning or are you on the hunt for a bargain? Whether you’re buying or selling, head down to the Burnaby Flea Market to browse over 50 tables of pre-loved items.

When: Saturday, June 17
Where: Confederation Seniors' Centre — 4585 Albert St.
Admission: Free for buyers. If you’d like to be a vendor, call 604-294-1936 or register in person at Confederation Centre. Limit of 1 table per person.