As the weather gets warmer, we’re more motivated to get out of the house and see what’s going on in the community. There’s a lot happening across Metro Vancouver this spring, and we’ve highlighted a selection of great activities below.

PLAY

Western Canada’s largest indoor amusement park comes to Vancouver from March 28 to April 2. Held at BC Place, PlayDome features 45 carnival rides and attractions right downtown.

Get a taste of the latest in car design at the Vancouver International Auto Show from March 28 to April 1. Exotic, innovative, and racing cars will be shown at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

NATURE

It’s almost that time of year when the cherry trees turn shades of pretty pink. The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is held from April 3 to 29, with a full calendar of community events planned to celebrate.

Throughout Spring Break, kids ride the Sea to Sky Gondola for free. Take in the stunning sights from the heights of Squamish, and appreciate the beautiful province you call home.

Meet all kinds of birds at the tropical Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park. More than 120 free-flying birds and 500 plants and flowers are housed within the glass. Kids get in free until March 28.

CULTURE

This year, The JUNO Awards, Canada’s music awards, will be held in Vancouver from March 19 to 25. Lots of special events will be held across Metro Vancouver, including a comedy show and photography exhibit.

The second annual Vancouver Opera Festival honours Russian composers, with a classic opera and a series of instrumental and vocal chamber music concerts.

IDEAS

Vancouver welcomes the world’s great thinkers and doers during the annual TED Conference from April 10 to 14. While the event itself is closed to pre-selected attendees, you can revel in the public events happening around the city.

INTERNATIONAL

As a world-class city, there are always lots of different ways you can experience other cultures in Vancouver. From March 23 to 25, get to know French culture at the Festival du Bois at Mackin Park in Coquitlam. Discover crafts, food, and music traditional to French Canadian culture.

If you love film, check out the Vancouver South African Film Festival from March 23 to 25 at Goldcorp Centre for the Arts at SFU Woodwards. A selection of features and documentaries explore the culture, history, and politics of South Africa.

The Vancouver International Dance Festival is held until March 24, and features extraordinary contemporary dance performances at venues throughout Vancouver.

Photo Credit: Spencer Finlay / Flickr, Tourism Vancouver