Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Local News

Here's what's happening in New West in April

Great live entertainment, community events and environmental offering - just a few of the events you'll want to check out in New Westminster in April.
Theresa McManus
Theresa McManus
sechile-sedare
Sechile Sedare will perform at Anvil Theatre on Saturday, April 20.Contributed/Sechile Sedare

Looking at this month’s lineup of events in new West, there’s no doubt that it’s spring.

Springtime traditions like the Royal City Musical Theatre production and the WALK30 walking challenge are joined by a whole host of new and returning events.

Interested in Earth Month activities, live entertainment, a forum on child care or a tour of the Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar? You’re in luck as that’s all happening – and much more – this month.

Without further ado, here’s a rundown of some of the dates to note in New West in April 2024:

Tuesday, April 2

Launch event for this year’s WALK30 walking challenge, presented by BEST (Better Environmentally Sound Transportation) and jointly hosted by the cities of New Westminster and Burnaby, with the support of Fraser Health and TransLink. The launch event will feature activities and speeches, and provide an opportunity to meet fellow participants.

Wednesday, April 3

Walk with the Mayor for WALK30, a weekly walk hosted by Mayor Patrick Johnstone as part of this year’s WALK30 challenge. Join the mayor to walk different neighbourhoods in New West and chat about the city, the weekly theme (today’s theme is Mindful Steps), and more.

  • When: Wednesday, April 3, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Where: Meet at Port Royal Park at 3:30 p.m. Today’s walk is along the Port Royal riverfront, a 1.7-kilometre loop (about a 26-minute walk) that includes some grades and a staircase.
  • Details: Free. Runs rain or shine. No registration is required, just show up at the starting point at the appointed time.

Saturday, April 6

New West Craft features more than 25 local artisans and makers.

  • When: Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Where: River Market, 810 Quayside Dr.

Sunday, April 7

Play Day New Westminster gives folks who are looking for more opportunities to be active a chance to experience and connect with different minor sports and activities in our community – including baseball, basketball, circus, football, hockey, lacrosse, ringette, softball and more.

  • When: Sunday, April 7, 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Where: Queen's Park Arena, 51 Third Ave. in Queen’s Park
  • Detail: Free. All ages welcome.

Monday, April 8

Vancouver Chamber Music Society presents Paris in Spring by VAM Chamber Players, featuring “turn-of-season” compositions.

Wednesday, April 10

Walk with the Mayor for WALK30, a weekly walk hosted by Mayor Patrick Johnstone as part of this year’s WALK30 challenge. Join the mayor to walk different neighbourhoods in New West and chat about the city, the weekly theme (today’s theme is Community Connection), and more.

  • When: Wednesday, April 10, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
  • Where: Meet at Sapperton Park at 8:30 a.m. Today’s walk is about 40 minutes and 2.5 kilometres, with some grades. Walkers will head along East Columbia Street through Sapperton to the new Metro Vancouver pump station and Sapperton Landing Park.
  • Details: Free. Runs rain or shine. No registration is required, just show up at the starting point at the appointed time.

Thursday, April 11

Tour the Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar (Sikh temple) in Queensborough with Coun. Ruby Campbell and Jag Sall, volunteer vice- secretary of the Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar. The event includes a tour of the gurdwara, information about its history in Queensborough, an opportunity to ask questions, and a free vegetarian dinner. It’s just in time for Vaisakhi (April 13) and coincides with a free cooking class at the gurdwara.

  • When: Thursday, April 11, 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Where: Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar, 347 Wood St. in Queensborough
  • Details: Free. Pre-registration is suggested so organizers know how many people to expect Thursday, April 11

Townhall forum on childcare, hosted by New West Progressives and co-facilitated by city councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas. The forum will discuss the challenges of obtaining and retaining child care in New Westminster. It features a panel of child-care advocates and local parents.

  • When: Thursday, April 11, 7 p.m.
  • Where: Unity of New Westminster, 1630 Edinburgh St.
  • Details: Free. Register online.

Saturday, April 13

Free data destruction and electronics recycling event, hosted by the New Westminster Police Department and supported by the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA). ERA will data clean your items, and then recycle or refurbish the equipment.

  • When: Saturday, April 13, noon to 4 p.m.
  • Where: New Westminster City Hall parking lot, 511 Royal Ave.
  • Details: Items can be dropped off via the drive-thru or you can park and unload your items with the help of volunteers

Artist Talk: Extinction + Soundscapes, part of a series of talks hosted by the New Media Gallery for Earth Month. The talks will touch on the themes of extinction within the gallery’s current Zooveillance exhibition. Today’s panellists are; Hannah Star Rogers, an art-science scholar, curator, and poet; Ruth Simons, executive director and lead for Atl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region; and Mark Nazemi, who works at the intersection of sound, technology, education and well-being.

  • When: Saturday, April 13, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
  • Where: Online via Zoom
  • Details: Free

Over The Ridge, a visceral retelling of the Battle of Vimy Ridge through music, storytelling, and dance, makes its world premiere. Featuring live music from the Fugitives, spoken word by Brendan McLeod, and choreography by Ballet BC’s Jacob Williams, it’s described as being a “mosaic of music, storytelling and dance that argues against the exploitation of young lives.”

Sunday, April 14

Artist Talk with Karen Zalamea, where you’ll meet the artist and learn about Ensemble, a temporary public art installation commissioned by the City of New Westminster and presented in partnership with Capture Photography Festival. It’s on view at the Anvil Centre from April 1, 2024 to March 1, 2025. This event includes a conversation between the artist and Emmy Lee Wall, executive director and Chief curator of Capture Photography Festival.

  • When: Sunday, April 14, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Where: Anvil Centre Theatre, 3rd Floor 777 Columbia St. – or via Zoom
  • Details: Free. All welcome. No registration required.

Wednesday, April 17

Walk with the Mayor for WALK30, a weekly walk hosted by Mayor Patrick Johnstone as part of this year’s WALK30 challenge. Join the mayor to walk different neighbourhoods in New West and chat about the city, the weekly theme (today’s theme is Climate Action Stride), and more.

  • When: Wednesday, April 17, 5 to 6 p.m.
  • Where: Meet at Queen’s Park Arena at 5 p.m. Today’s walk is about 35 minutes and 2.1 kilometres, with some grades. Walkers will head along East Columbia Street through Sapperton to the new Metro Vancouver pump station and Sapperton Landing Park.
  • Details: Free. Runs rain or shine. No registration is required, just show up at the starting point at the appointed time.

Thursday, April 18 to Sunday, May 5

Play On! is the Vagabond Players’ final production of the season. It’s described as being a “hilarious” comedy.

  • When: April 18 to May 5, with performances Thursday to Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
  • Where: Bernie Legge Theatre in Queen’s Park
  • Details: Tickets available online or by calling 604-521-0412.

Friday, April 19

Live Band Swing Dance with Westside Swing, featuring traditional swing jazz, jump blues and rockabilly. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., free swing dancing lessons begin at 7:45 p.m. and the band plays from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

  • When: Saturday, April 19, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
  • Where: Sapperton Community Hall, 318 Keary St.
  • Details: Tickets are $20 at the door

Saturday, April 20

Sechile Sedare – a contemporary roots duo featuring sibling songwriters Leela and Jay Gilday – present their harmonious blend of voices captures nostalgia, hope, and humor, sharing stories of family, land, and fate.

Super Saturday: Pollinator Party, an event celebrating the important work that pollinators do to help keep the Fraser River watershed healthy.

Seed library at New Westminster Public Library – celebrate Earth Day by planting a few seeds that you pick up at the Seed Library, which is filled with open- pollinated varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers, including native flowers.

  • When: Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Where: New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Ave.

Earth Day Recycling Pop-Up gives residents an opportunity to recycle their textiles, Styrofoam, books, small scrap metal (old pots and pans), and flexible plastics. Hosted by the city’s solid waste and recycling team, the Earth Day pop-up event is designed to minimize recycling contamination by helping you responsibly disposal of diverse household items.

  • When: Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Where: New Westminster City Hall parking lot, 511 Royal Ave.

Sunday, April 21

Global Tea Series:  Oboe Music and Tea with Fleur Sweetman. You can join musician/host Cassius Khan, tea specialist Jessica Lee, and Fleur Sweetman (an oboist and arts administrator) as they come together for a free afternoon of creativity, connection and refreshments.

  • When: Sunday, April 21, 3 p.m.
  • Where: Studio 1B, Eighth and Eight Creative Spaces, 735 Eighth Ave.
  • Details: Free

Curtains and Corks is an afternoon of wine and cheese, hosted by Eighth and Eight Creative Spaces’ food and beverage coordinator, Christopher McFadden. Attendees will indulge in 14 white, red and sparkling wines from B.C. wineries (Cedar Creek, Liquidity, Mission Hill, and Road 13) and have a chance to chat with the winery representatives and listen to stories about the wines and the wineries. Admission ticket also includes an individual-sized platter of artisanal cheese from Les Amis du Fromage, and a sweet and sparkling finish with dessert from Le Chalet Patisserie.

  • When: Sunday, April 21, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Where: Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave.
  • Details: Tickets are $75

Wednesday, April 24

Walk with the Mayor for WALK30, a weekly walk hosted by Mayor Patrick Johnstone as part of this year’s WALK30 challenge. Join the mayor to walk different neighbourhoods in New West and chat about the city, the weekly theme (today’s theme is Inclusive Strides – how walking can beneficial for people of all ages and abilities and how people can integrate walking into their daily routines), and more.

  • When: Wednesday, April 17, 12 to 1 p.m.
  • Where: Meet in front of world’s tallest tin soldier (in front of River Market) at noon. Today’s route is about 22 minutes and 1.5 kilometres, ending at the Quayside off-leash dog area at Rialto Court; the route is flat throughout. 
  • Details: Free. Runs rain or shine. No registration is required, just show up at the starting point at the appointed time.

Thursday, April 25 to Saturday, April 27

Mermaid, presented by the students in St. Thomas  More Collegiate’s drama department, offers a modern twist on The Little Mermaid, exploring 21st-century themes of voice loss and teen issues. (Not the Disney version.)

  • When: Thursday, April 25 to Saturday, April 27
  • Where: Anvil Theatre, 777 Columbia St.
  • Details: Tickets available online

Thursday, April 25 to Sunday, May 12

Royal City Musical Theatre presents Mary Poppins. Adapted from the beloved stories by PL Travers and the original film, RCMP brings the magical tale of the world’s favourite nanny comes to New West.

Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27

The Fraser Valley Antiques and Collectibles Club returns to New West with what it calls the “biggest and best” antiques and collectibles show in B.C. You can shop from more than 200 tables of antiques and collectibles.

  • When: Friday, April 26 (5 to 9 p.m.) and Saturday April 27 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
  • Where: Queen’s Park Arena, corner of First Street and Third Avenue.
  • Details: Admission is $5 on Saturday (regular show hours). Early Admission (pre-show early entry) is $20 for Friday night. Note: Early admission includes admission to both days. Tickets are available at the door.

Sunday, April 28

Plant a Row – Grow a Row returns for another season with its 2024 season kickoff event – a drive-thru event where volunteers will be giving out great garden give-aways including seeds and potting soil, pots and planters, veggie seedlings, and much more. The program encourages folks to donate homegrown or store-bought fruits and vegetables to the program, which are then distributed to local charities.

  • When: Sunday, April 28, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Where: St. Thomas More Collegiate parking lot, 7450 12th Ave., Burnaby (just across the 10th Avenue border)
  • Monetary donations and donations of non-perishable food items will be gratefully accepted and given to Ryan’s Rainbow and Union Gospel Mission, who support people in need in New West and Burnaby.