Ready to get more art into your life? We’re here to help!
Enjoy some new experiences with our rundown of 10 great theatre and art events to check out in Vancouver in April, including Shrek the Musical, International Dance Day, and more.
And for more fun things happening around town, be sure to visit our Listed section.
Royal City Musical Theatre
What: Bursting with family-friendly fun, Royal City Musical Theatre’s presentation of Shrek The Musical follows a cast of fairy tale misfits on a heartwarming journey of self-acceptance and inclusivity.
The visually spectacular musical is packed with hilarious adventure, dazzling costumes, and larger-than-life characters. Based on the beloved 2001 animated film, Shrek The Musical features all of the story’s most beloved characters, including the grumpy ogre Shrek, best friend Donkey, Princess Fiona, and the conniving Lord Farquaad.
The wildly entertaining Broadway production is a Drama Desk, Tony, and Grammy-nominated smash hit that promises to delight audiences of all ages.
When: April 17 to May 3, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Massey Theatre – 735 8th Ave., Vancouver
Tickets: Starting from $29, purchase online
What: The Dance Centre celebrates International Dance Day with several events this month.
On April 29, International Dance Day, the Scotiabank Dance Centre will host live performances, a studio showing, and more. They will also host free outdoor performances at the Vancouver Art Gallery’s South Plaza, as well as a unique choreography walk throughout the neighbourhood.
When: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: The Dance Centre at Scotiabank Dance Centre – Level 6, 677 Davie St., Vancouver and other locations
Cost: Free and ticketed events, register online
What: Hosted at Gallery 881 in East Vancouver, Another Room is a month-long festival from April 1 to April 30 that platforms all kinds of photographic practices.
More than 100 local artists will have their works featured throughout the festival, plus there will also be exhibitions, talks, workshops, youth programming, and community events. It’s a whole new look at photography as a whole, and it’s just in time for spring outings.
When: April 1 to April 30, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Gallery 881 — 881 E. Hastings St., Vancouver
Cost: Free, with select ticketed events
What: Acclaimed performers and longtime friends and collaborators Veda Hille and Maiko Yamamoto take the audience on a wild journey in End of Greatness.
Get swept up in stories and songs about songs and stories about moss, mushrooms, sisterhood, parenthood and a few big cosmological ideas at The Cultch’s Historic Theatre.
When: April 16 to 19, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m. (Thursday to Saturday), 2 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: The Cultch’s Historic Theatre – 1895 Venables St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
The Improv Centre
What: If you need an escape this spring that’s truly out of this world, the funny folks at The Improv Centre (TIC) on Granville Island are ready to help you blast off with its latest comedy show.
The improv theatre company presents Exploration Blank, a family-friendly sci-fi show with the cast exploring strange new worlds, discovering alien civilizations, and more, all based on audience suggestions to power the improv minigames performed live onstage.
When: Fridays and Saturdays from Friday, April 10 to Saturday, June 27, with an opening night performance on Thursday, April 9.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Improv Centre — 1502 Duranleau St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
What: Music on Main’s “A Month of Tuesdays” is a weekly concert series coming to the Fox Cabaret this April.
A veritable playground of music variety, this year’s series features performances by Ringdown, Radia and Ryan Davis, Hildegard Westerkamp, and the Standing Wave Ensemble.
When: April 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main St., Vancouver
Tickets: Starting at $25 plus fees. Purchase online
What: Join Japanese Canadian Comedians Yumi Nagashima and Jon Endo as they wrap up the Cherry Blossom Season in one fun show for the adults.
The night will be filled with jokes, stories and funny banter. Also on the bill are host and veteran comedian Sam Tonning and special guest Tom Shibaoka.
When: Friday, April 17, 2026
Time: Doors 7:30 p.m., show 8:30 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Japanese Language School – 487 Alexander St., Vancouver
Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Purchase online
Public Disco
What: Returning this year is the signature event, Blossom Block Party, with a car-free Dunsmuir Street.
The all-ages party by Public Disco will take place at Dunsmuir Patio at Bentall Centre, with DJ sets by Sakiko Nagai, Kozue, Nina Mendoza, and Beiti. There will also be family-friendly activities and interactive art in celebration of the city’s beautiful blossoms.
When: Saturday, April 4, 2026
Time: 2 to 9 p.m.
Where: Dunsmuir Patio at Bentall Centre — 1025 Dunsmuir St., Vancouver
Admission: $5 suggested donation to VCBF
What: The Chan Centre hosts a timely conversation with Maria Ressa, described as one of the most courageous journalists of our time.
Named one of TIME’s Most Influential People and one of its Women of the Century, Ressa has spent her career on the front lines of the global fight for truth and democracy. As co-founder and CEO of Rappler, the top news site leading the fight for press freedom in the Philippines, she faced 11 arrest warrants in just over a year.
The event will be moderated by CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault.
When: Thursday, April 2, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts – 6265 Crescent Rd., Vancouver
Tickets: From $30, purchase online
What: Nine dancers, nine drummers, thunder unleashed.
Channelling ancient rituals of catharsis, Australia’s Stephanie Lake Company fuses different dance styles to create choreographic fission. A kind of performative ordnance, explosive in its sheer power, Manifesto takes inspiration from the primeval connection between drumming and dancing, combining attack and rhythm, chaos and order to create obliterating dynamism.
When: April 16 to 18, 2026
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton St., Vancouver
Tickets: Starting at $40.75, purchase online
