Get in the summer spirit and kick off the season with these top picks for the long weekend of May 16 - 19.

• Vancouver International Children's Festival
  Take the whole family to this world-renowned festival of performing arts for young audiences. Check out the music, theatre, dance, storytelling, puppetry, circus acts and more.

• New Music West Music Festival
  Showcasing over 200 bands in 30 venues around Vancouver, the New West Music Festival practically brings the music to you. This is last weekend to check out the shows.

• Vancouver Chinatown Night Market
  There's no Richmond Night Market this year, but you can still get your night market fix in Chinatown, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, starting May 16.

• Vancouver's Outdoor Pools
  Vancouver's outdoor pools-- Kits Pool, New Brighton Pool and Stanley Park's Second Beach Pool--open May 17 for the summer season. Stock up on the sunblock and go get wet.

_{Image of Kits Pool, Courtesy of Tourism Vancouver}