April showers bring May flowers … and all sorts of fun things to see and do in Surrey. Here are a few fun and fabulous activities and events that you’re not going to want to miss!

Surrey’s Heritage Rail

May – October
Cloverdale Station at 17630 Highway 10
Surrey’s Heritage Rail re-opens on May 7 featuring the Interurban 1304, the Connaught car, which will roll back into service on Saturday. The train, and passengers, will be serenaded by the pipes of the Surrey Firefighters Pipe and Drum Band as it leaves the Cloverdale Sation for a ride through the heart of Surrey to Sullivan Station and back. This fully restored, large Interurban rail car is now 111 years old, and the only one of its kind left. Ride along and learn about the rich and unique history of this amazing train. Then be sure to step into the past in the Discover Centre and discover Surrey’s heritage rail history on a behind-the-scenes guided tour. Tours run Saturdays & Sundays.  Tickets and more information.

Mother’s Day Weekend at Glades Woodland Garden

Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend at The Glades Woodland Garden. Enjoy live music, a beautiful stroll through the blooms, and sit and enjoy a picnic on the south lawn overlooking the pond. During Mother’s Day weekend, the garden is bursting with colour. Rhododendrons reaching up to 6 metres tall drip with blooms and textured leaves, vibrant azaleas dazzle with their showy flowers, and a stunning collection of companion plants and heritage trees fill the garden. 

Cloverdale Bed Races

Thursday before the Victoria Day Long Weekend
176A Street | Downtown Cloverdale

Head to downtown Cloverdale and line the sidewalks to cheer on your favourites in the Cloverdale Bed Races. Or register a team and do the racing yourselves! This fun and colourful event has grown over the years and takes place on 176A Street in historic downtown Cloverdale. The fun starts at 6pm with a Western-themed Bike Parade, where kids show off their creations to the crowd. The main event is an elimination-style Bed Race where heats run in six categories (men, women, media and mixed) until a winner is declared. The prizes for the winners of each division are just as quirky as the race itself: the winners of the men’s race receive the coveted Bed Pan trophy; the women’s division competes for the Chamber Pot and the media division competes for the Stone Pig prize.

Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair

Victoria Day Long Weekend
Cloverdale Fairgrounds

A May Long Weekend tradition for many involves strapping on those cowboy boots and heading over to the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair! The Rodeo is far from a one-trick pony, there’s SO much to do and see. When you’re not cheering on the world’s top cowboys and cowgirls as they compete in classic ‘rough stock’ rodeo events such as bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding, there’s plenty else to keep you occupied over the course of the long weekend: RibFest, live entertainment, BC’s largest travelling Midway, the World Freestyle Round-Up Skateboard Competition and the West Coast Lumberjack Show.  

Surrey SPARK Stages

Last Weekend in May
Surrey Arts Centre

Evolved from the Surrey International Children’s Festival, Surrey SPARK Stages kicks off a series of year-round memory-making performing arts experiences created especially for kids and families.  The weekend festivities start with Light the SPARK! a dance party for the whole family, and during the weekend, the Surrey Arts Centre will be sprinkled with a magical sparkle dusting in the form of plenty of value-added activities for ticketholders to enjoy, including the Wee Studio, a special space for make-believe for little ones, Stories for the Heart, old-timey storytelling with a modern-day twist in a big blanket fort, walk through a traditional longhouse arch into the Indigenous Creation Courtyard for a celebration of Indigenous culture and art, and many other “sparkalicious” surprises! 

Cloverdale Market Days

First Market of the Season - Last weekend in May
176 Street (between 56A Ave & 58 Ave) 

Enjoy what Cloverdale has to offer with an outdoor family-friendly market on 176 Street in downtown Cloverdale. Explore up to 150 vendors, food trucks and three staging areas with musical talent. Korki the clown will be providing free balloon twisting. This free event is a fun way to enjoy local artisans, locally grown fruits and veggies, crafts, and support local small businesses. Hosted by the Cloverdale Arts & Entertainment Association. More details at cloverdale-ae.ca.

Take a Food Tour

Discover the flavours of the Spice Trail on a self-guided culinary adventure. With 3 delicious tours to choose from in Surrey, Chew on this Tasty Tours provides you with a treasure map (your itinerary) to discover local hidden gems. The “Big Feast Tour” (their original Spice Trail tour) treats you to a spicy adventure at four different locations – from Afghan cuisine to north, south and fusion Indian it’s a flavour sensation. The “Taste of India” tour is a three-stop tour that envelopes you in the scents and tastes of India from north to south. And, “Strip Mall Foodie Finds” will take you to places that are a little off the beaten track, but always authentic and tasty.

Learn about Exotic Animals

Urban Safari Rescue Society
1395 176 Street

Do you have a creepy-crawly enthusiast in your house?  Plan a visit to the Urban Safari Rescue Society and check out their exotic and exciting animals. Not only are the animals rare and amazing, but you’ll also get to learn about preservation and conservation while you’re there. How cool is that?  Urban Safari rescues and cares for exotic animals surrendered to them, as well as educates the public about animals, the natural world and conservation issues. They offer tours of their facilities, information on all the animals, and encourage people to sponsor the animals as well.