Free walking tour festival returns to Vancouver in May, 2023 - Vancouver Is Awesome

An annual walking tour festival is returning to Vancouver next month. 

The Jane's Walk Festival hosts a series of free citizen-led walking tours exploring unique parts of the city. 

The four-day event takes place May 4 through May 7 and honours the legacy of the late activist, urbanist, and community builder Jane Jacobs.

The walking tours will explore neighbourhoods and other features around the city, including tours in the West End, Norquay Village, Collingwood, and Vancouver's Francophone community. 

Registration is not required to attend a free walking tour, except for small group walks. 

These are five of the walking tours locals can partake in:

• There's Something about Trees - this tour will take residents through the West End and explore what the local trees and plants say about Vancouver's values and goals.
• The Other Vancouver - locals can learn more about the Norquay Village plan on this tour and discuss whether the area offers any lessons for the rest of the city.
• The Old, the New, and What Could Be - Urban sketcher and professional planner will lead a walk where participants will discover and analyze the Collingwood neighbourhood through sketching. 
• Vancouver's Francophone Village - this tour explores the area around the Francophone Centre and it's relevance for Vancouver's French-Canadian community.
• Up and Down a High Street - this tour is led by a former city councillor and long-time West End resident who will discuss how Bute Street is transforming into a new high street for the neighbourhood.