Family Day is coming up this weekend and there are several fun things to do in Vancouver to mark the occasion.
The holiday is on Monday, Feb.19, but there are fun events to enjoy in the days leading up to it, too.
From discounted tickets to the Monsters of the Abyss exhibit at the Vancouver Aquarium to Vancouver Fan Expo, a behind-the-scenes look at the history of the Vancouver Maritime Museum to a celebration in False Creek, there's a wide array of things to do.
Have a look at some of the fun events happening in Vancouver this long weekend.
Laughter All the Way With Tomson Highway
Renowned Cree author and playwright Tomson Highway discusses "laughter as a doorway to possibility" and shares stories from his recent children’s book Grand Chief Salamoo is Coming to Town.
The event is a special Family Day virtual presentation and part of the "Poetics of Possibility” events at the Roundhouse Community centre.
When: Monday, Feb. 19 from 4 to 4:45 p.m.
Where: Roundhouse Performance Centre - 181 Roundhouse Mews
Cost: Free. Reserve a spot.
Family Day Pop-Up Event
The Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV) and Vancouver Public Library are presenting a special Family Day event at the Central Branch location that "connects families to resources and solutions to overcome today's challenges."
Attendees will be able to get tips and help with the following:
- Meet with FSGV’s financial coaches to get tips on improving financial stability, coping with inflation, budgeting, navigating government benefits, and breaking down other barriers.
- Ask questions and connect with FSGV's resource workers and family counselors to learn about community support services and programs on financial empowerment, parenting supports, counseling, crisis support and more.
- Discover free resources, programs, and services available for families at your library.
- Enjoy family-friendly activities and share your hopes for your family on our wish tree.
When: Saturday, Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Public Library (Central Library) - 350 West Georgia St.
Cost: Free
Family Day at Point Grey
This fun-filled event will include a range of kid-friendly activities, including "Bouncy Castles, free access to the Fitness Centre, cupcake decorating, face painting, arts and crafts, and more," according to the event listing.
When: Sat, Feb 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: West Point Grey Community Centre - 4397 W 2nd Ave.
Cost: Free (The event is full but there is a waiting list).
Vancouver Fan Expo
One of the year's most popular events takes place over the Family Day long weekend in Vancouver.
Locals will cosplay as a host of characters from a wide range of television, film, and animated series, transforming into everything from Darth Vader to Hans Solo, Yoshi to Super Mario, Sailor Moon to Tuxedo Mask, and more. There are several contests for best-dressed attendees, too.
Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood, Stranger Things season four breakout Joseph Quinn, and the iconic Danny Trejo will all be at the event.
When: Runs from Saturday, Feb. 17 to Monday, Feb. 19
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre (West Building) -- 1055 Canada Pl.
Cost: From $39 for a single-day ticket. Get tickets.
Chinese Canadian Museum: Build your own Lego
Chinese languages have unique titles for each family member and relative, which makes it easy to distinguish all relations in a large extended family.
On Family Day, locals can learn about their family tree in Cantonese by playing with Lego. After building a family using Lego pieces, you can have them pose for an instant family portrait.
When: Monday, Feb. 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Chinese Canadian Museum: Community Room (Ground Floor) - 51 E Pender St.
Cost: Free with admission. General (19+) $15; Youth (six to 18) $10; Student (with valid Canadian student ID) $12; Children 5 years and under free. Get tickets.
Family Ties: A Guided Tour of Chinese Society Buildings
Learn about the "significance of lineage, extended family ties, and cultural traditions through the lens of two Chinese clan societies that date back over a century" during this tour of Chinese Society Buildings.
The tour will explore the importance of clan societies in Vancouver's historic Chinatown, including the Yue Shan Society and the Mah Society of Canada.
Participants will also have an opportunity to ask about their own Chinese surname and resources to further their learning.
When: Monday, Feb. 19, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Sign-in at Chinese Canadian Museum -- 51 E Pender St.
Cost: $15/person (partial proceeds will support the heritage conservation efforts of CSHBA). Get tickets.
Vancouver Maritime Museum presents Family Day
Families will have the opportunity to participate in interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and engaging educational programs. Attendees will learn about the "fascinating maritime history" of the history.
Crack On and Chickpea food trucks will be in the parking lot at the Maritime Museum and available to visitors.
When: Monday, Feb. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Maritime Museum - 1905 Ogden Ave.
Cost: Consider a minimum donation of $5 per ticket.
Family Day in Douglas Park
The gym in Douglas Park will have entertainment, arts and crafts, light refreshments, and "fun for the whole family."
When: Saturday, Feb. 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Gymnasium at Douglas Park Community Centre Douglas - 801 W 22nd Ave.
Cost: Free (Join waitlist)
Family Day at Renfrew Park
The Family Day event in Renfrew Park will feature an "afternoon of family fun with games, crafts, face painting, balloon animals, and a bouncy castle."
When: Saturday, Feb. 17, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: Renfrew Park Community Centre - 2929 E 22nd Ave.
Cost: Free
Science World: Dream Tomorrow Today
Science World invites people of all ages to explore its interactive and full-body experiences as part of its latest exhibition.
The latest exhibit encourages "nerds" of the next generation to "be an empowered force for change and complete challenges by sliding into the future, innovating with reusable materials, collaborating at the Weaving House, and jumping into environmental cleanup at the glowing ball pit lake."
Visitors will have a chance to use innovative Augmented Reality (AR) tiles and STEAM inventions to design the meals, cities, and solutions of tomorrow.
When: Jan. 26 to May 5
Where: Science World - 1455 Quebec St.
Cost: Child $22.50; Youth and Senior $26.75; and Adult $33.20 (Member pricing is different). See ticket pricing and dates.
BC Family Day Celebration False Creek
A free Family Day event at the False Creek Community Centre includes a "bouncy castle, games, crafts, Youth Leadership Team Concession, and more."
Children must be accompanied by an adult at the event.
When: Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Mini Gym at False Creek Community Centre - 1318 Cartwright St.
Cost: Free (Register)
Family Day Open House: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
This free event in the lobby of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb.17. Attendees can explore creation stations with their families and experiment with a "variety of artistic mediums and materials" and tour the new visual arts space. Instructors from ArtStarts in Schools will be available for help.
Visit the hot chocolate station for a complimentary hot cocoa, too.
When: Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre - 630 Hamilton St
Cost: Free. (Get tickets)
Monsters of the Abyss
For Family Day, the aquarium is offering a free child ticket with the purchase of a regular general admission one.
A new exhibit featuring live displays, a dinosaur skeleton, and Megalodon jaws will be opening soon at the Vancouver Aquarium. It'll include interactive pieces as well, including hands-on fossils, and up-close encounters with living animals during expert talks.
When: Feb. 9 to Sept. 2
Where: Vancouver Aquarium - 845 Avison Way
Cost: General admission for ages 13 - 64: $39.95 - $53.95; one free child ticket with each general admission ticket with Family Day promotion. Buy tickets.
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon in Chinatown for Family Day
For Family Day, the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation is celebrating the Year of the Dragon with a ranage of family-friendly activities. The B.C. holiday lands on the 9th day of the Lunar New Year celebration this year.
Family Day lands on the ninth day of the Lunar New Year celebration and visitors are invited to "come see a handmade dragon head at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, take some festive photos, and learn about Chinatown's vibrant heritage."
On Monday, Feb. 19 visitors can colour their own wooden dragon magnet and bring it home to bring luck for the year ahead.
When: Saturday, Feb. 17 to Monday, Feb. 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Chinatown Storytelling Centre -168 E Pender St,
Cost: Admission will be 50 per cent off and will be free for those 17 and under. (Get tickets)
With a file from Brendan Kergin
