The Metro Vancouver weather forecast might include some showers this weekend but there should still be some sunshine to catch the final days of the Cherry Blossom Festival.
If you prefer tulips, Vancouverites have their choice of three festivals to snap the perfect selfie in a field of vibrant blooms (but they are all a bit of a drive away).
Here in Vancouver, Cherry blossoms are blooming across the city, offering countless opportunities for urban photo shoots with the delicate pink blossoms.
If you're looking for an indoor activity, the Coast City Country Festival promises several big-name artists over two days in the city.
And if you prefer the theatre, you still have time to check out the story of the first Black actor to play Shakespeare's Othello in 1833.
Here are the "don't miss" events in Vancouver this weekend:
Cherry Blossom Festival
The month-long festival features everything from a Japanese fair to communal dances to guided walks.
Some parts of the festival celebrating cherry blossoms across the city will be more self-directed, like the Haiku Invitational/Exhibition (a showcase of the traditional Japanese poetry style), Bike the Blossoms (a bike route to see the cherry trees) and, of course, visiting any of the 43,000 cherry trees in Metro Vancouver.
The predicted "peak" of cherry blossom season was April 3, meaning there will be no shortage of blossoms across the city.
When: March 29 to April 25, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Where: Various locations.
Cost: Free and up.
Coast City Country Festival
The first ever Coast City Country Festival is in town on April 19 and 20, with two solid days of country stars taking the stages at BC Place in front of tens of thousands of fans.
With Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley closing it out, the festival will be one of the biggest country music festivals ever in Vancouver, perhaps B.C. Other top country stars coming include Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith, Walker Hayes, and Brett Young.
And that's missing Vancouver-based Nickleback who will be headlining the Friday night show, Elle King (who's had hits on pop and alt-rock stations prior to turning to country), Chayce Beckam (who had a Canadian country chart topping hit with "23") and Bailey Zimmerman (who's topped Canadian and American country charts three times in the last three years).
When: April 19 - 20
Where: Three after-hours shows at the Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville St) and two festival days at BC Place (777 Pacific Blvd).
Cost: Single-day tickets for Friday and Saturday start at $69 plus fees (which brings it to $104). The cheapest two-day tickets available according to Ticketmaster are $139 (after fees). Get tickets.
Verses Festival of Words
Canada's largest spoken word festival, The Verses Festival of Words, comes to Vancouver this weekend. Toronto's Poet Laureate Lillian Allen will give the keynote. She's described as "a powerhouse who is also known as the 'godmother' of spoken word."
This year's poets will perform under the theme of “Learning and Remembering," which highlights "education, lineage, and the passing of knowledge, fortifying bonds between emerging and established poets through workshops, performances, talks, and the annual Canadian Individual Poetry."
When: April 18 - 27
Where: PerformanceWorks - 1218 Cartwright St., The Nest - 1398 Cartwright St. 3rd Floor, Vancouver Film School - 198 W Hastings St. and the Wise Hall - 1882 Adanac St.
Cost: Most of the festival events are either by donation or have a low ticket cost (around $10)
Three tulip festivals in bloom near Vancouver
Part of the Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival, the Lakeland Flower Abbotsford Tulip Festival has over 35 acres of tulips and fields of flowers, featuring over 100 varieties of vibrant tulips. There are also walking trails and places to snap breathtaking photographs on raised viewing platforms. There will be fun items like baby grand pianos, giant shoes and swings.
The stunning coastal mountains will frame snaps taken "during gorgeous sunrises and sunsets" and at peak Instagrammable "golden hour."
Other flower festivals include the Harrison Tulip Festival and the Botanica Tulip Festival.
When: On now through May 5 or 12 (depending on the festival).
Where: Lakeland Flowers - 3663 Marion Rd.; Onos Farms - 5039 Lougheed Hwy, Agassiz; and Botanica Tulip Festival - 41310 Royalwood Dr, Chilliwack.
Cost: Prices vary by festival. Get information about individual festivals and ticket prices.
The Tortured Poets Department: Listening Party + Taylor Swift Dance Party
Listen to Taylor Swift's new album and dance the night away at the Hollywood Theatre in Kitsilano.
DJ Flipout of Virgin Radio will be spinning Taylor's top tracks and tracks from The Tortured Poets Department.
When: Friday, April 19, doors at 10 p.m.
Where: Hollywood Theatre - 3123 W. Broadway
Cost: $20.72. Get tickets.
Red Velvet
Red Velvet is the story of the first Black actor to play Shakespeare's Othello in 1833.
"As the public and parliament debate the abolition of slavery, how will audiences react to the revolution already taking place on the stage?"
Attendees will journey to the "tempestuous Covent Garden rehearsal hall" in the "little-known true story" of the groundbreaking performer.
When: Recurring daily through April 21
Where: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage - 2750 Granville St.
Cost: Tickets from $29. Get tickets.
Science World: Dream Tomorrow Today
This immersive, hands-on exhibition shows how STEAM can create a positive future with interactive exhibits and full-body experiences.
Kids can practice social-emotional flexibility and self-direction through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & design and math) collaboration the exhibition.
When: Runs daily until May 5, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Where: Science World - 1455 Quebec St.
Cost: Varies. Get tickets.
With files from Brendan Kergin.
