vancouver: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | July 22, 2010
Summer fun continues this weekend with the inaugural Tri-Cities International Children’s Fest, the BC Summer Games, a chance to sleepover at the Zoo and lots more. Plus don’t forget our list on ongoing summer events, we’ve already added more fun!
Cirque du Soleil: Kooza
Thursday, July 22nd – Sunday, August 22nd, various times, Grand Chapiteau At Concord Place, Vancouver
We’ve checked and Kooza is best for kids over five, or those who can happily sit still for over an hour. Frankly we’d push the limits if it meant the difference between catching and not catching the Cirque du Soleil’s newest show exploring the themes of fear, indentity, recognition and power: www.cirquedusoleil.com
Monsters vs Aliens
Thursday, July 22nd, dusk (around 9:30 pm), Ceperley Meadow (2nd Beach – Stanley Park), Vancouver
It’s the classic battle and who will win? Find out at the West Ends Dinner & a Movie series which continues tonight. And be sure to bring a picnic or pick up some take out from one of the West End’s great dining options: www.westendbia.com
Gymboree’s Baby Social
Friday, July 23rd, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Ryerson Memorial Center, 2195 West 45th Avenue, Vancouver
Babies from newborns to 10 months old are invited to a little baby social for a chance to check out Gymboree’s programs. Call 604.739.1190 to hold your spot: www.facebook.com
Mindful Eating for Babies and Families Too
Friday, July 23rd, 2 pm, Cambie & Broadway Whole Foods Market, Vancouver
Learn the practical basics for introducing whole foods to your baby from Victoria Pawlowski, registered dietician and family counsellor. There’s no charge but be sure to register in advance via email: victoria@springwellnutrition.com
Forest Symphony
Friday July 23rd, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Walks begins at the Cleveland Trail across from parking lot on 16th Ave (200m west of Blanca), Vancouver
The forest will be alive with the sound of music! Musicians will dot the trails throughout Pacific Spirit Park and you can walk for a few minutes or up to an hour and enjoy the tunes. Perfect for a before bedtime stroll with kidlets: www.metrovancouver.org
2010 Camp Moomba Yogathon
Saturday July 24th, 9 am – 2 pm, UBC MacInnes Field, Vancouver
This annual event attracts thousands of yoga enthusiasts to raise awareness and funds for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. In addition to the largest outdoor yoga class in Western Canada there’s also a Blissfest Marketplace showcasing sustainable products and a Kids Corner: www.campmoombayogathon.com
Caribbean Days Festival
Saturday, July 24th – Sunday, July 25th, 10 am, Waterfront Park, North Vancouver
There’s heaps of festive fun at this much-anticipated, free annual event put on by the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC including a parade and Children’s Carnival Parade in the Park, live dance and music performances, great food and more: www.caribbeandays.ca
Illuminares Festival
Saturday, July 24th, 4 pm – 10 pm, W2 Storyeum, 151 West Cordova Street, Vancouver
And now for something a little different. This years’ Illuminares is taking place in the Downtown Eastside with W2 Storyeum. They’ll still be celebrating community, art and light with artists, musicians and more but in Storyeum’s large indoor spaces, Trounce Alley and around the Woodward’s site. Intriguing: www.publicdreams.org
MEC Bikefest North Vancouver
Sunday, July 25, 10 am – 4 pm, Mahon Park, 1500 Forbes Avenue, North Vancouver
It’s all cycling all day with bike maintenance courses, commuter safety skills, bike demos and courses and activities for kids including Kids’ cycling safety, bike decoration and kid’s bike rides: www.mec.ca
Explore Sundays
Sunday July 25th, 12 noon – 4 pm, Vancouver Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Aveune, Vanier Park, Vancouver
Explore Sundays are your chance to get a behind the scenes peek at parts of the Museum that are normally closed to the public. This time you can check out the St Roch engine room: vancouvermaritimemuseum.com
Portobello West Market
Sunday, July 25th, Noon – 6 pm, Rocky Mountaineer Station, 1755 Cottrell Street, Vancouver
The last weekend of the month means it’s time for Portobello West featuring lots of local artists and designers showcasing one-of-a-kind fashion and art for you, your significant other and your tots: www.portobellowest.com
Pizza & Parachutes
Sunday, July 25th, 2 pm – 4 pm, Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co., 1876 W 1st Avenue, Vancouver
It’s an afternoon of culinary and musical creativity. Start by making your own pizza and follow it up with parachute games. No need to register in advance: www.rockymountainflatbread.ca
Farther Afield:
Discovery Day
Thursday, July 22nd, Surrey Nature Centre, 14255 – 96 Avenue, Surrey
There’ll be nature guides getting you started with your discoveries in the forest at this free, drop-in event where you can check out the museum exhibits, create an eco-craft and more: www.surrey.ca
Eco Kids: Bumble Boogie
Thursday, July 22nd, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm, 4887 221 Street, Langley
Kids from five to twelve are invited to discover the wild world of pollinators, observe a bee hive in action, learn to dance like a bee and taste local honey: www.leps.bc.ca
Concert in the Park – Chad Brownlee
Thursday, Jul 22nd, 7 pm – 8 pm, McLean Neighbourhood Park, 22500 McLean Avenue, Richmond
Hang out in the park and enjoy this fun, outdoor musical experience (weather permitting – which it looks like it will): www.richmond.ca
Tri-Cities International Kids Fest
Friday, July 23rd – Sunday, July 25th, see schedule for times, Maillardville, 1200 Cartier Ave. (and Laval, near Brunette), Coquitlam/Maillardville
It’s the inaugural Tri-Cities International Kids Fest featuring theatre, comedy, music, magic, musicals, dancing from the likes of Christopher James, Lori, Lori, What’s the Story and Rainforest Theatre: kids-fest.org
Aldergrove Fair Days
Friday, July 23rd – Sunday, July 25th, see schedule for times, South Aldergrove Park, 26770 – 29th Avenue, Aldergrove
Heaps of people show up every year for rides, games, an antique tractor pull and more, plus for kids there’ll be magicians, clowns, animals and adventures: www.aldergrovefairdays.com
2010 Mission Folk Music Festival
Friday, July 23rd – Sunday, July 25th, see schedule for times, Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission
Catch folk, roots, blues and more music from around the world at this festival that’s know for its lovely location, accessibility and small town friendliness. Please note: we can’t find any specific child-friendly events on their site: www.missionfolkmusicfestival.ca
Summer Fun
Friday, July 23rd, 10 am – 1 pm, Mission Leisure Centre 7650 Grand Street, Mission
Kids from zero to six can take part in crafts and activities while their parents explore community resources: www.mission.ca
Country Fest
Saturday, July 24th – Sunday, July 25th, see schedule for times, 23448 105 Avenue, Maple Ridge
You may know this event as the Maple Ridge Fair, but it’s now the Country Fest featuring the same great mix of 4-H youth shows, Fibre Arts show and demos, baby animal displays, sheep shearing, horse show, live entertainment and a midway: www.mrpmcountryfest.com
Honeybee Festival
Saturday, July 24th – Sunday, July 25th, 10 am – 4 pm, Honeybee Centre, 7480 176 Street Corner of Fraser and 176, Surrey
It’s the sixth annual Honeybee Festival with bee beard and beekeeping demos all weekend long, live musical entertainment, an artisan’s market, a Kids’ Zone games tent and bouncy castle and lots, lots more buzz: www.honeybeecentre.com
Greater Vancouver Railfest 2010
Saturday, July 24th, 10 am – 4 pm, Club Layout at Art Knapp Plantland, 4391 King George Hwy, Surrey
Train enthusiasts can enjoy displays and true-to-scale operating models from around the province at this all things train event: www.surrey.ca
Steveston Museum Summer Music Series
Saturday, July 24th, 11 am – 4 pm, 3811 Moncton Street, Steveston
In addition to the music which starts at 12:30 pm – be sure to bring your lunch and a blanket to lounge on – there’s also an artist’s exhibit from 11 am to 4 pm: www.stevestonkids.com
Family Night in the Wild
Saturday, July 24th, Greater Vancouver Zoo, 5048 – 264th Street, just 500 metres south of the Trans Canada Highway, at Exit # 73, Aldergrove
It’s the Zoo’s annual “Family Night in the Wild” when you can sleep overnight at the Zoo right next to where the animals live. You can also enjoy a walking safari throughout the Zoo, observing the behavior of the animals before dusk and there’ll be hot chocolate and marshmallows and sing songs. Beware: your sleep may be interrupted by roaring lions and howling wolves. Be sure to book your spot soon: www.gvzoo.com
International Bog Day
Sunday, July 25th, 10:30 am – 3:30 pm, 10388 Nordel Court (Planet Ice), North Delta
Catch interactive exhibits, live entertainment and a kid’s adventure tent packed with games and prizes, all in honour of bogs: www.burnsbog.org
Kid’s Safe Day
Sunday, July 25th, 12 noon – 4 pm, South Arm Community Centre, 8880 Williams Road, Richmond
It’s BC’s largest one-day event focusing on child safety issues and physical health and wellness. In addition to more than 30 stations full of info and educational activities you can also make child ID cards, get your face painted, play under a fire hose sprinkler and more: www.richmond.ca
2010 Flavours of Surrey
Sunday, July 25th, 12 noon – 4 pm, Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Road, Surrey
The City of Surrey’s Agricultural Advisory Committee is hosting the third annual Flavours of Surrey outdoor food tasting at the Historic Stewart farm and features chef Marilyn Pearson, beer sampling from Big Ridge Brewing Company and wine sampling from River’s Bend Winery. Plus there’ll be a Farmer’s Market featuring produce from Surrey farmers, live entertainment, farm animals and interactive kid’s activities: www.surrey.ca
Alouette River Management Society Summer Open House
Tuesday, July 27th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Rivers Heritage Centre, 24959 Alouette Road, ALLCO Park (at the north end of 248th Street), Maple Ridge
Come by for a hatchery tour and a scavenger hunt for strange and unusual things: www.mapleridge.ca
Rick Mearns Magic Show
Wednesday, July 28th, 1 pm, Queensborough Spray Park, New Westminster
Rick is the master of classic tricks from the past and illusions of the future so be sure to come out and be amazed by a lot of magic: www.tourismnewwestminster.com
And we wanted to remind you to always call or visit the website for event info before you head out just in case any changes have been made since we posted it. And of course, have fun!
One Response to “vancouver: what to do, what to do?”
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Let us know what you think or share your great finds with us so we can share them with other Vancouver mothers!
I just wanted to say thank you for all the great “what to do” events. A lot of them I have never heard of before and have really enjoyed, including the play at Trout Lake. We unfortunately missed the Forest Symphony but are looking forward to the next event. My six year old and I are planning on making the trip out to the Surrey Museum to the Lego exhibit – something I would not have found on my own. Keep them coming!!