Vancouver on a Budget

In addition to checking out all the free activities listed below on specific dates, click Vancouver on a Budget for a list of great activities that don’t cost a lot of money throughout the year. And for inexpensive places to take kids in spring, check out Top Free Spring Things to do with Children in the Lower Mainland.

Wednesday, March 4th (2020)

• Lower Mainland Parks – on days with good weather, many of the region’s top parks and places in nature are the best places to be!

Other Free Activities this Time of Year

• Britannia Heritage Shipyard – the historic site at Steveston Village and its buildings are open from noon until 5:00 pm.
• Lonsdale Quay – an interesting public market in the Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood of North Vancouver.
• Granville Island – a touristy place with lots of interesting artisan shops and a large public market.
• If poor weather, then check out our list of the Lower Mainland’s best places on a rainy day (although most aren’t free) or go shopping at an indoor mall.
• If good weather, check out Metro Vancouver’s best parks and places in nature.
• UBC’s Botanical Garden and Nitobe Memorial Garden both offer admission by donation this time of year (up until around March 12th).
• Mt. Seymour Snowshoeing – the ski resort has some great ticketed trails, but also free ones starting at the far end of the upper parking lot.

Thursday, March 5th (2020)

• Lower Mainland Parks – on days with good weather, many of the region’s top parks and places in nature are the best places to be!

Friday, March 6th (2020)

• Festival du Bois – a francophone festival at Mackin Park in Coquitlam. This evening features a Contra Dance with live music and admission is by donation.
• Bill Reid Gallery – free admission to the First Nations art gallery between 2:00 and 5:00 pm (because it’s the first Friday of the month).
• Lower Mainland Parks – on days with good weather, many of the region’s top parks and places in nature are the best places to be!

Saturday, March 7th (2020)

• Riley Park Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at Nat Bailey Stadium.
  
• Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
• Burnaby Winter Market – a farmers and artisan market outside Burnaby City Hall from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.
• Cheap Cineplex Movies – a feature film shows for just $2.99 at select theatres in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Langley, North Vancouver, Richmond and Surrey at 11 o’clock. It’s not free, but it is extra cheap! (To be confirmed.)

Sunday, March 8th (2020)

• International Women’s Day
• Farmers Markets & Flea Markets
  • Cannery Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery located at 12138 Fourth Avenue in Richmond.
  • Hastings Winter Farmers Market – at Hastings Skatepark by the PNE from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. There’s free parking for those going to the market.
  • Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – at the Port Moody Recreation Complex at 300 Ioco Road from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.
  • Cloverdale Flea Market – a huge yard and garage sale-style market that’s both indoors and outdoors at Surrey’s Cloverdale Fairgrounds all day until 3:00 pm. Admission is $1.50, but free for kids ages 12 and under.
  • Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
  • Abbotsford Flea Market – a market at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford from 6:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon. Admission is just $1.00, but free for kids under 10 years of age.
• Jazz Vespers
  • At St. Andrews-Wesley United Church at 1018 Nelson Street at 4:00 pm in the salons. Today’s performance is with Will D. Cournoyer Clements.
  • Kim Greenwood performs from 4:00 until 5:00 pm at Northwood United Church at 8855 156th Street in Surrey. Admission by donation.

Monday, March 9th (2020)

• Shred for the Cause Ladies Night – women can ski for just $15 from 5:30 until 10:00 pm at Mt. Seymour (so it’s not free, but it is extra cheap). 50% of proceeds also benefit a local charity.

Tuesday, March 10th (2020)

• Urban Grind at the Lookout – the opportunity to climb the 633 steps up the Vancouver landmark attraction at 555 West Hastings Street in the late afternoon. It’s not free, but the $5 cost includes a free beer at the top and a $5 food coupon for use in the Harbour Centre food court.
• Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – an informal drumming event at Third Beach in Stanley Park from early evening until sunset (but only if the weather is nice and sunny). A few people arrive with their drums and others just show up for the fun.
• Vancouver Art Gallery – from 5:00 to 9:00 pm admission is by donation because it’s Tuesday.
• Cheap Movie Tuesday – at various movie theatres throughout Metro Vancouver (so although not free, it is less expensive than usual).

Wednesday, March 11th (2020)

• Lower Mainland Parks – on days with good weather, many of the region’s top parks and places in nature are the best places to be!

Thursday, March 12th (2020)

• Lower Mainland Parks – on days with good weather, many of the region’s top parks and places in nature are the best places to be!

Friday, March 13th (2020)

• Lower Mainland Parks – on days with good weather, many of the region’s top parks and places in nature are the best places to be!

Saturday, March 14th (2020)

• Farmers Markets & Flea Markets
  • Riley Park Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at Nat Bailey Stadium.
  • New Westminster Winter Farmers Market – on Belmont Street between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.
    
  • Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market – at Burnaby City Hall from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
  • Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
• Cheap Cineplex Movies – a feature film shows for just $2.99 at select theatres in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Langley, North Vancouver, Richmond and Surrey at 11 o’clock. It’s not free, but it is extra cheap!
  

Sunday, March 15th (2020)

• Farmers Markets & Flea Markets
  • Hastings Winter Farmers Market – at Hastings Skatepark by the PNE from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. There’s free parking for those going to the market.
  • Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – at the Port Moody Recreation Complex at 300 Ioco Road from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.
  • Cloverdale Flea Market – a huge yard and garage sale-style market that’s both indoors and outdoors at Surrey’s Cloverdale Fairgrounds all day until 3:00 pm. Admission is $1.50, but free for kids ages 12 and under.
  • Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
  • Abbotsford Flea Market – a market at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford from 6:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon. Admission is just $1.00, but free for kids under 10 years of age.
• Jazz Vespers – at St. Andrews-Wesley United Church at 1018 Nelson Street at 4:00 pm in the salons.

Monday, March 16th (2020)

• Spring Break Vacations – no school for most elementary and high school students in the Lower Mainland (from March 16th to 27th). Special discounted activities include the following (or click Spring Break in Vancouver for full details)
  • Burnaby Village – free admission for people of all ages from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Shred for the Cause Ladies Night – women can ski for just $15 from 5:30 until 10:00 pm at Mt. Seymour (so it’s not free, but it is extra cheap). 50% of proceeds also benefit a local charity

Tuesday, March 17th (2020)

• St. Patrick’s Day – Irish-themed events take place both today and on various other days this week.
• Spring Break Vacations – no school for most elementary and high school students in the Lower Mainland (from March 16th to 27th). Special discounted activities include the following (or click Spring Break in Vancouver for full details)
  • Burnaby Village – free admission for people of all ages from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Urban Grind at the Lookout – the opportunity to climb the 633 steps up the Vancouver landmark attraction at 555 West Hastings Street in the late afternoon. It’s not free, but the $5 cost includes a free beer at the top and a $5 food coupon for use in the Harbour Centre food court.
• Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – an informal drumming event at Third Beach in Stanley Park from early evening until sunset (but only if the weather is nice and sunny). A few people arrive with their drums and others just show up for the fun.
• Vancouver Art Gallery – from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm admission is by donation because it’s Tuesday.
• Cheap Movie Tuesday – at various movie theatres throughout Metro Vancouver (so although not free, it is less expensive than usual).

Wednesday, March 18th (2020)

• Spring Break Vacations – no school for most elementary and high school students in the Lower Mainland (from March 16th to 27th). Special discounted activities include the following (or click Spring Break in Vancouver for full details)
  • Burnaby Village – free admission for people of all ages from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Thursday, March 19th (2020)

• Spring Break Vacations – no school for most elementary and high school students in the Lower Mainland (from March 16th to 27th). Special discounted activities include the following (or click Spring Break in Vancouver for full details)
  • Burnaby Village – free admission for people of all ages from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Beaty Nocturnal – admission is by donation tonight between 5:00 and 8:30 pm at UBC’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum.

Friday, March 20th (2020)

• Spring Break Vacations – no school for most elementary and high school students in the Lower Mainland (from March 16th to 27th). Special discounted activities include the following (or click Spring Break in Vancouver for full details)
  • Burnaby Village – free admission for people of all ages from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Saturday, March 21st (2020)

• Brewski Fest – Cypress Mountain is offering free beer samples for adults with a valid lift ticket from 1:00 until 4:00 pm.
• Burnaby Village – free admission for people of all ages from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Farmers Markets & Flea Markets
  • Riley Park Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at Nat Bailey Stadium.
  • Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market – at Burnaby City Hall from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
  • Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
• Cheap Cineplex Movies – a feature film shows for just $2.99 at select theatres in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Langley, North Vancouver, Richmond and Surrey at 11 o’clock. It’s not free, but it is extra cheap!

Sunday, March 22nd (2020)

• Burnaby Village – free admission for people of all ages from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Farmers Markets & Flea Markets
  • Cannery Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery located at 12138 Fourth Avenue in Richmond.
  • Hastings Winter Farmers Market – at Hastings Skatepark by the PNE from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. There’s free parking for those going to the market.
  • Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – at the Port Moody Recreation Complex at 300 Ioco Road from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.
  • Cloverdale Flea Market – a huge yard and garage sale-style market that’s both indoors and outdoors at Surrey’s Cloverdale Fairgrounds all day until 3:00 pm. Admission is $1.50, but free for kids ages 12 and under.
  • Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
  • Abbotsford Flea Market – a market at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford from 6:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon. Admission is just $1.00, but free for kids under 10 years of age.
• Jazz Vespers
  • At St. Andrews-Wesley United Church at 1018 Nelson Street at 4:00 pm in the salons.
  • Nancy Newman performs from 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Northwood United Church at 8855 156th Street in Surrey. Admission is by donation.

Monday, March 23rd (2020)

• Spring Break Vacations – no school for most elementary and high school students in the Lower Mainland (from March 16th to 27th). Special discounted activities include the following (or click Spring Break in Vancouver for full details)
  • Burnaby Village – free admission for people of all ages from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Shred for the Cause Ladies Night – women can ski for just $15 from 5:30 until 10:00 pm at Mt. Seymour (so it’s not free, but it is extra cheap). 50% of proceeds also benefit a local charity. Today is the last day of the season for this event.

Tuesday, March 24th (2020)

• Spring Break Vacations – no school for most elementary and high school students in the Lower Mainland (from March 16th to 27th). Special discounted activities include the following (or click Spring Break in Vancouver for full details)
  • Burnaby Village – free admission for people of all ages from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Urban Grind at the Lookout – the opportunity to climb the 633 steps up the Vancouver landmark attraction at 555 West Hastings Street in the late afternoon. It’s not free, but the $5 cost includes a free beer at the top and a $5 food coupon for use in the Harbour Centre food court.
• Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – an informal drumming event at Third Beach in Stanley Park from early evening until sunset (but only if the weather is nice and sunny). A few people arrive with their drums and others just show up for the fun.
• Vancouver Art Gallery – from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm admission is by donation because it’s Tuesday.
• Cheap Movie Tuesday – at various movie theatres throughout Metro Vancouver (so although not free, it is less expensive than usual).

Wednesday, March 25th (2020)

• Spring Break Vacations – no school for most elementary and high school students in the Lower Mainland (from March 16th to 27th). Special discounted activities include the following (or click Spring Break in Vancouver for full details)
  • Burnaby Village – free admission for people of all ages from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Thursday, March 26th (2020)

• Spring Break Vacations – no school for most elementary and high school students in the Lower Mainland (from March 16th to 27th). Special discounted activities include the following (or click Spring Break in Vancouver for full details)
  • Burnaby Village – free admission for people of all ages from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Museum of Vancouver – from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm admission is by donation as it’s the last Thursday of the month.

Friday, March 27th (2020)

• Spring Break Vacations – no school for most elementary and high school students in the Lower Mainland (from March 16th to 27th). Special discounted activities include the following (or click Spring Break in Vancouver for full details)
  • Burnaby Village – free admission for people of all ages from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Roedde House – the historic museum in Vancouver’s West End is open by donation today because it’s the last Friday of the month.

Saturday, March 28th (2020)

• Earth Hour – people around the world are encouraged to turn off their lights at 8:30 pm in support of the environment.
• Riley Park Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at Nat Bailey Stadium.
• Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market – at Burnaby City Hall from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
• Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
• Cheap Cineplex Movies – a feature film shows for just $2.99 at select theatres in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Langley, North Vancouver, Richmond and Surrey at 11 o’clock. It’s not free, but it is extra cheap!

Sunday, March 29th (2020)

• Farmers Markets & Flea Markets
  • Hastings Winter Farmers Market – at Hastings Skatepark by the PNE from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. There’s free parking for those going to the market.
  • Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – at the Port Moody Recreation Complex at 300 Ioco Road from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.
  • Cloverdale Flea Market – a huge yard and garage sale-style market that’s both indoors and outdoors at Surrey’s Cloverdale Fairgrounds all day until 3:00 pm. Admission is $1.50, but free for kids ages 12 and under.
  • Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
  • Abbotsford Flea Market – a market at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford from 6:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon. Admission is just $1.00, but free for kids under 10 years of age.
• Jazz Vespers
  • At St. Andrews-Wesley United Church at 1018 Nelson Street at 4:00 pm in the salons.
  • Wild Blue Herons accompanied by Darlene Ketchum and Bill Sample perform tonight at 4:00 pm at St. Andrew’s United Church at 1044 St. George’s Avenue in North Vancouver

Monday, March 30th (2020)

• Lower Mainland Parks – on days with good weather, many of the region’s top parks and places in nature are the best places to be!

Tuesday, March 31st (2020)

• Urban Grind at the Lookout – the opportunity to climb the 633 steps up the Vancouver landmark attraction at 555 West Hastings Street in the late afternoon. It’s not free, but the $5 cost includes a free beer at the top and a $5 food coupon for use in the Harbour Centre food court.
• Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – an informal drumming event at Third Beach in Stanley Park from early evening until sunset (but only if the weather is nice and sunny). A few people arrive with their drums and others just show up for the fun.
• Vancouver Art Gallery – from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm admission is by donation because it’s Tuesday.
• Cheap Movie Night – at various movie theatres throughout Metro Vancouver (so although not free, it is less expensive than usual).

Source: Vancouversbestplaces