Port Coquitlam, BC – May 11, 2026… The City of Port Coquitlam has wrapped up its 103rd annual May Days Festival, welcoming an estimated 22,000 residents and visitors throughout the day to celebrate one of the community’s longest-running and most beloved traditions.
“May Days is one of those traditions that truly reflects the heart of Port Coquitlam,” said Mayor Brad West. “Seeing 22,000 people come together downtown to celebrate our community, support local groups and businesses, and enjoy a full day of family-friendly activities is something Council is very proud of. Thank you to the volunteers, sponsors, City staff, emergency services, community groups and everyone who helped make this year’s festival such a success.”
The event has received strong positive feedback from residents, visitors, participants and community partners, with many highlighting the welcoming atmosphere, smooth event operations and full day of free family-friendly programming.
The festivities began with Opening Ceremonies on Sunday, May 3 at the Jon Baillie Arena at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre, featuring the presentation of this year’s May Day Royal Party and traditional Maypole dancing by local children. As part of this year’s celebration, the first 103 visitors received a free one-day Recreation pass in recognition of the festival’s 103rd year.
On Saturday, May 9, downtown Port Coquitlam came alive as thousands of residents and visitors from across Metro Vancouver gathered for the May Days Kids’ Bike Race, the annual May Day Parade and afternoon celebrations in Leigh Square and Terry Fox Hometown Square.
The May Days Kids’ Bike Race kicked off the day at 10:00 a.m., with approximately 500 children participating in three heats along the 1.3-kilometre route on Shaughnessy Street. The non-competitive race continues to be a popular family tradition and a highlight for young participants.
Following the race, the May Day Parade began at 11:00 a.m., with more than 90 participants bringing colourful floats, marching bands, dance groups, local businesses, community organizations and the Vancouver Police Department Motorcycle Drill Team to downtown Port Coquitlam. The parade remains one of the largest and most anticipated community parades in the region.
The celebration continued into the afternoon with free family activities, live entertainment, food trucks, the May Days Market, beverage gardens, kids’ programming and community displays. Leigh Square hosted children’s entertainment and activities, while Terry Fox Hometown Square at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre was transformed into Party in the Square with live music and festival programming throughout the day.
The event was supported by coordinated planning across City departments, volunteers, emergency services and community partners to help ensure a safe, welcoming and well-organized experience for attendees.
Share Your Feedback
To help continue improving City events and community experiences, residents and visitors are invited to share their feedback about May Days.
A short online survey is available at portcoquitlam.ca/letstalk. Participants who complete the survey by May 31 will be entered into a draw for a $100 gift card to a Port Coquitlam business of their choice.
Thank You to Sponsors and Contributors
The City thanks the many sponsors, volunteers, City staff, emergency services and community organizations who helped make the 103rd May Days Festival possible.
Silver Sponsors: IUEC Local 82 and Vancity
Bronze Sponsors: DVC Indoor Shooting Centre and Paris EveryBODY
Community Sponsors: Astoria Retirement Residence, MLA Mike Farnworth, InsureLine and Woodbridge
Media Sponsors: Global BC and Tri-Cities are Awesome
In-Kind Sponsors: BC Lions, COBS Bread, Matteo’s Gelato, Me-n-Ed’s Pizza, PoCo Bowl, Rocky Point Ice Cream and Wilson Centre Seniors Advisory Association
Photos and sponsorship information can be found at portcoquitlam.ca/maydays.
About May Days
May Day’s roots go back centuries. In ancient times, May was a time of outdoor celebration, and May Day was celebrated by the Romans with flower-decked parades in honour of Flora, their goddess of flowers. In England, village youth would collect flowering boughs to decorate hawthorn trees — the predecessors to the Maypole.
Port Coquitlam first celebrated May Day as a community in 1923, with Maypole dancing and the crowning of a May Queen. While the festival has evolved and grown over the years, it continues to maintain many of its original traditions, including Maypole dancing and the presentation of local children as May Day royalty.
For more information about City events, visit portcoquitlam.ca/events.
