Top 7 spring activities in Canada

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Canada is one of those locations that is great for visiting all year round and with our selection of Canada holiday packages and flights to Canada you have so much choice. Although the summer offers warmer climates, spring is perfect for those who want a more chilled holiday with quieter tourist areas and cooler temperatures.

Spring brings a plethora of beauty to Canada as provinces transform from snow-covered lands to stunning flower-filled fields and sunny skies. A trip to Canada in spring is the perfect time to enjoy a selection of unique activities surrounded by stunning scenery.

Lotte, the blogger behind Phenomenal Globe told us why she highly recommends visiting Canada in the spring over any other season and a little bit about some of the activities you can enjoy: “I highly recommend visiting Canada in spring, its less busy than during the summer months and accommodation is cheaper. Temperatures vary quite a bit depending on where in Canada you plan to visit so be sure to pack plenty of layers and a down jacket. There are lots of fun activities to do in Canada during the spring. Celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival in Vancouver or the Lilac Festival in Warkworth (ON). Go for a road trip on Vancouver Island or admire the tulip fields in Ottawa. And did you know you can even go skiing in Banff until early May!”

Due to covid-19, it is always advised to check if the events are running and the guidelines associated before visiting. Carry on reading to find out a little more about the selection of activities that you can enjoy on a spring holiday in Canada.

READ MORE: Canada Travel Guide

Go see the Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver

Dates: March to June

As the rainy season fades, Vancouver turns a subtle hue of pink as the blossom blooms onto the trees around the city. It is said that around 40,000 trees mark the start of the spring season as locals pack their winter clothes away and enjoy the dry weather.

Exploring the cherry blossoms in Vancouver is one of the best activities to enjoy in spring as it is only visible between March and June, right before the trees change for the summer. Some of the best places to see the cherry blossoms are:

• Queen Elizabeth Park – This park is home to a selection of blossom trees that bloom throughout spring but primarily through March and April.
• Stanley Park – One of the more famous parks in Vancouver, Stanley Park offers rows of blossoming trees alongside the formal rose garden and Japanese Canadian WW1 war memorial.
• VanDusen Botanical Garden– This botanical garden boasts more than 100 cherry trees of 24 varieties.

Vancouver is also home to several blossom festivals run by the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, these include Cherry Jam Downtown, Sakura Days Japan Fair and Bike the Blossoms.

Go to the Ottawa tulip festival

Dates: May

Held annually in May in Ottawa across the two weeks leading up to Victoria Day, The Canadian Tulip Festival claims to be one of the largest tulip festivals in the world displaying over one million tulips. The festival gets over 650,000 visitors annually and dates back to Canada’s role in the liberation of the Netherlands in WWII.

In 1945 the Dutch royal family sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa as thanks to the Canadians for the protection they provided during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in World War Two. The festival is held at Queen Elizabeth Driveway and is a poignant and touching way to pay tribute to those who gave up their lives for their country.

Try to spot some whales

Dates: April to September

It is known that April to September are peak times to spot whales in Canada, meaning spring is a great time to start looking out for the beasts of the blue. Different areas are known for being the home of various species, some of them being:

• British Columbia – Known for Orca, Gray, Minke and Humpback Whales
• Manitoba – Known for Beluga Whales
• Québec – Known for Beluga, Minke, Blue, Finback and Sperm Whales
• Nova Scotia – Known for Finback, Minke and Humpback Whales

Maritime locations like Québec and Nova Scotia are known for being popular locations for avid whale-watchers due to their active waters and particularly Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspesie, Cote-Nord and Iles de la Madeleine. Up to thirteen species can be found in the salty waters of St. Lawrence (River and Gulf). Tours are available at most coastal towns and are a must for those visiting the shores in spring.

READ MORE: Everything you want to know about whale watching in Canada

Visit the Richmond Night Market

Dates: May to September

Running every year from May through til November, Richmond Night Market is an outdoor market unlike any other. Founded in 2000, the market was established by entrepreneur Raymond Cheung and has run every year since its opening (excluding 2020). The market is held near Bridgeport Station of the Canada Line and next to River Rock Casino Resort meaning it is in a central location for those wanting to visit who are staying in Richmond.

The market has stalls selling everything from delicious food to arts, crafts and much more. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights the market is the perfect way to spend your evenings under the spring Canadian sky.

Visit Vancouver Craft Beer Week

Dates: TBD

One of the biggest craft beer events in Canada, Vancouver Craft Beer Week was established in 2010 and sees thousands of people join to experience the wonders of Canada’s beer history.

Usually held in late May but still to be determined for 2021, the week sees delicious food, great music, competitions, award galas, as well as samples from the 400 beers from over 100 breweries. Held on Pacific Boulevard, the location is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious cold beer whilst shading under giant trees.

Explore on two wheels

Spring is the perfect time of the year to see the stunning sights of Canada on two wheels. Canada is famous for being a popular location for cycling enthusiasts and families that love the great outdoors and with provinces being so large, there is an abundance of wonderful cycle paths and scenic routes that are perfect for any ability. These are some of the great cycling routes in Canada:

• Stanley Park – Stanley Park is a great route that is situated at the edge of Vancouver and follows a 10-mile flat route that is the perfect escape from the bustle of the city.
• Lachine Canal – Situated in Montréal and at the heart of the cycle network, the Lachine Canal follows the water for 13.5km and offers stunning views across the expanse of water. The paths are flat and easily accessible for all cycling abilities.
• Ottawa River Pathway – This bike ride is one for the more experienced riders and follows the path to Greenbelt west of Ottawa and along the Ottawa River.

READ MORE: Which are the best cycling cities in Canada?

Hike Bruce Peninsula

A peninsula in Ontario, Bruce Peninsula is a great hiking option for those looking for a little adventure in the cooler climates of spring in Canada. Lying between Georgian Bay and the basin of Lake Huron there are a plethora of walks along the 100km stretch of wilderness. It is said that the best time to hike along the trails is in winter and spring according to Lady’s Travel Blog, as they comment on their website: “Summers are warm and crazy busy. So, I recommend hiking on the Bruce Peninsula during the spring and fall. Temperatures are more comfortable for hiking, crowds are minimal, and in the fall you avoid bugs too.”

Here are some of the great hikes on the Bruce Peninsula:

• Bruce Trail – One of Ontario’s most popular hiking trails and stretches from Niagara to Tobermory and winds along 840km of open countryside.
• Bruce Peninsula National Park – The National Park that sits in the Bruce Peninsula covers a huge 150 square kilometres and is a great place for keen hikers with plenty of hiking trails for all abilities.
• Burnt Point Loop Trail – This loop starts at the Park’s Visitor Centre and winds through varying landscapes with viewpoints over the Georgian Bay, rocky beaches and dense woodlands.
• Lion’s Head Provincial Park – Halfway up the peninsula is Lion’s Head Provincial Park this park is home to an abundance of different bird species and is a great walk for those who love nature.

If you’re planning to visit Canada in the spring, then making sure some of these activities are on your to-do list will ensure you have one of the best holidays ever. Canada is like no other and spring is the perfect time for a Canada holiday.