got it going on
Filed Under Events, Places | July 20, 2010
Our fair city’s wading pools and water parks are always good summer destinations, but what about other ongoing events to keep you and your tots busy? We’ve compiled a list of ongoing summer fun that we’ll be adding to as we come across more family-friendly activities so you can bookmark this article on our site and use it as a handy reference all summer long.
Vancouver Chinatown Night Market
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, May 14th – September 5th, 6:30 pm – 11 pm, Keefer Street / Main Street (Between Main & Columbia St.), Vancouver
Browse for gifts, clothes, modern electronics, ethnic snacks and food, traditional Asian handicrafts and more: www.vcma.shawbiz.ca
Pirates! Blocks ‘n Buccaneers Exhibition
Friday, May 28th – Sunday, August 22nd, Tuesdays – Fridays, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm & Saturdays, 10 am – 5 pm, Surrey Museum, 17710-56A Avenue, Surrey
Pirate and LEGO® fans alike will enjoy these creations built by the Vancouver LEGO® Club and showcasing everything pirate from ships to treasure to weapons and grub: www.surrey.ca
Music at the Cannery 2010
Fridays, June 18th – September 3rd, 6:30 pm, Gulf of Georgia Cannery, 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond
Every Friday night you can rock out at the Cannery to the likes of The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, the Summer Brothers and more. Be sure to get there early to ensure a seat: gulfofgeorgiacannery.com
Summerfest
Friday, June 25th – Sunday, September 5th, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Lonsdale Quay Market, 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Every Friday during the summer Lonsdale Quay will be hopping with kid-friendly fun including a kids’ menu from East Side Mario on the plaza from 1 pm to 2 pm, face painting and balloon twisting. Plus they’re bringing in special guests each Friday including magician (and more) Matthew Johnson, duo Bobs & Lolo and ventriloquist Kellie Haines: www.lonsdalequay.com
Kitsilano Showboat
Monday, June 28th – Friday, August 20th, shows start at 7 pm, 2300 Cornwall at Kits Beach, Vancouver
It’s the Showboat’s 75th anniversary and a walk along the beach (with ice cream), followed by a show is still a classic summer family activity. Upcoming shows include Irish dancing, special programs on Fireworks nights, lots of different cultural shows and more. Be sure to check their program before you head down: www.kitsilanoshowboat.com
Summer Sundays Concerts in Rocky Point Park
Sundays, July & August, 2 pm, Rocky Point Park, Port Moody
Mostly Marley, Phat Edna’s Soul Revue will be jazzing up the park. Wear your sunscreen and bring a lawn chair: www.summersundays.ca
Klahowya Village in Stanley Park
Thursday, July 1st – Monday, September 6th, 10 am – 6 pm, Stanley Park (click here for a map), Vancouver
Celebrate Aboriginal culture through song, dance and cuisine. You can ride the Spirit Catcher Train, catch daily dance performances at Noon, 2 pm and 4 pm, watch artisans wood carving and weaving on site, make Aboriginal crafts and catch a tale in the Story Telling Circle. And it’s all located right next to the Children’s Farmyard, which is always a hit: www.aboriginalbc.com
Fraser River Discovery Centre
Thursday, July 1st – Tuesday, August 31st, 10 am – 4 pm, 788 Quayside Drive, New Westminster
Stop by the Fraser River Discovery Centre and try out your wood-working skills in their boat building exhibit, check out their archaeological dig, pollute a model of the Fraser River estuary and then take follow up action to keep the river clean: www.fraserriverdiscovery.org
Summer Sundays at Civic Square
Sunday, July 4th – Saturday, August 28th (except August 1st), 1 – 4 pm, located beside Bob Prittie Library at Kingsborough and McKay, Burnaby
Catch cultural performances every Sunday afternoon – July 25th is Kids Day – plus on Tuesdays from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Wednesdays from 10 am – 5 pm and Sundays from 1 to 4 (weather permitting), they’re hosting playground activities, sports and games and the Burnaby Public Library has storytimes all summer long: www.shadboltcentre.com
Summer In the City
Sundays, July 4th – August 29th, 2 – 4 pm, Lions Park, on Lions Way off Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam
Catch free concerts every Sunday afternoon. The parking’s free, there’s lots of shade and picnic tables and a great playground as well as original artwork from local artists on display: www.portcoquitlam.ca
CHROMA: The Quest For Colour
Thursday, July 8th- Thursday, August 19th, various times & locations, Lower Mainland
This production features students from Studio 58’s Theatre Program with sponsorship from the Burnaby Arts Council includes live music, bright colours, the silliest of super heros and super villains and is all about encouraging children to unleash the power of their imagination. They have shows springing up all around town this summer, alas the site for the show is a Facebook page and there is no cohesive schedule so you’ll have to scroll down the listing page to find them everywhere from Vancouver to Burnaby to Richmond. And it’s all free: www.facebook.com
Jam in Jubilee
Thursdays, July 8th – August 12th, 7 pm – 9 pm, Jubilee Park , Abbotsford
Catch everyone from Oh No! Yoko and Young Liars to Los Amigos bringing you folk, rock and golden oldies in the park. There will also be vendor booths featuring small, local businesses. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket: jaminjubilee.com
Concerts in the Park
Fridays, July 9th – August 27th, 5 pm – 6 pm, Douglas Park Spirit Square, (20550 Douglas Crescent), Langley
Catch local talent live in the park each Friday. Be sure to bring blankets and lawn chairs: www.city.langley.bc.ca
Concerts by the Sea 2010
Fridays, July 9th – August 27th, 7 pm, John Lawson Park, West Vancouver
Bring a picnic blanket and hang out enjoying live music with family and friends as the sun sets on a summer’s eve: www.vancouversnorthshore.com
Party in the Park
Friday nights, July 9th – August 27th, 5 pm – 8 pm, Central Community Park (corner of Victoria & Young), Chilliwack
There are still a few more parties in the park! On July 23rd the theme is Western and on August 6th it’s Pirate while they’ll be announcing the Fairy Tale August date soon. Come out for a night of entertainment, a market, a family fun zone with clowns, crafts, mini golf, face painting, bouncy castles and more: www.downtownchilliwack.com
Live in Lynn Valley Concert Series
Friday, July 9th – Friday, August 20th, 7 pm – 9 pm, Lynn Valley Village Plaza, 1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver
Hang out on the plaza and enjoy these outdoor comforts on sunny summer evenings. The line up includes the Sweetpea Swing Band on July 23rd, The Dynamics on the 30th and Fab Fourever on August 20th: www.vancouversnorthshore.com
Firehall Open Houses
Sundays, July 11th – August 22nd, 1 pm – 3 pm, Firehalls around Vancouver
The Firehalls’ summer open houses are back so here’s your chance to check out your local firefighters, learn more about what they do and talk fire and safety. Be sure to check their site to find out when your local Firehall is open: vancouver.ca/fire
SAGWA Saturdays at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden
Saturdays, July 17th & 24th and August 14th & 21st, 9 am – 11 am, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden, 578 Carral Street, Vancouver
Kids from five to 10 are invited to these Saturday drop ins (but do register in advance) where they can explore Chinese history and traditions through games, activities and crafts with SAGWA the Chinese cat. In addition the garden has ongoing weekday activities for families including a Touch n See Table, fish feeding at 11:45 each day and a family program including storytelling and activities each afternoon at 2 pm: vancouverchinesegarden.com
2010 Celebration of Light
Wednesday, July 21st to Saturday. July 31st, 10 pm, English Bay, Vancouver
It’s that time again! The Celebration of Light International Fireworks Festival is back starting on Wednesday, July 21st featuring the USA. Spain will be putting on a show on the 24th, Mexico on the 28th and there’ll be a tribute to China on the 31st. Don’t forget your earmuffs: www.celebration-of-light.com
Friday Night Live at Spirit Square
Fridays, July 23rd – August 27th, 6pm – 8pm, Coquitlam Spirit Square, 3005 Burlington Drive, Coquitlam
Kick off your weekend with great musical performances and why not bring a picnic dinner while you’re at it? Check out their family fun nights on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 as well: www.culturecoquitlam.ca
Cinema Under the Stars
Fridays, July 23rd – August 20th, various times and locations, Coquitlam
The 26 foot tall silver screen will be traveling around town screening fun movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark on July 23rd, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory on August 6th, and Madagascar 2: Escape from Africa on August 20th. Check their site for locations and start times: www.portcoquitlam.ca
Music on the Wharf
Mondays, July 26th, August 9th & August 23rd, 7:30 pm (except August 23rd which is at 7 pm), Port Haney Wharf , located on River Road, just east of the Port Haney West Coast Express station, Maple Ridge
Enjoy an variety of musical styles – from jazz to blue to rock – in a lovely outdoor setting and be sure to bring your own lawn chair. It fills up fast so be sure to get there early: www.mapleridgemuseum.org
Family Nights in Spirit Square
Wednesday evenings, August 3rd – 25th, 6 pm – 8 pm, Spirit Square, 3005 Burlington Drive, Coquitlam
These free family-focused evening each have their own theme. On the 11th it’s Clowns and Cotton Candy, and the 18th it’s Speedminton and on the 25th take part in Croquet and Tea: www.culturecoquitlam.ca
Summer Fort Festival
Wednesday, August 18th – Sunday, September 5th, see schedule for times, Thunderbird Showpark, Langley
The annual Summer Fort Festival at Thunderbird Showpark includes daily entertainment, horse shows and a chance to tour the barns and visit more than 800 horses: www.thunderbirdshowpark.com
Please note: we haven’t actually been to everything on this list yet, though we’re working our way through it, so if you have any feedback (or suggestions) feel free to add them in our comments section at the bottom of this article on the yoyomama site. This list generally does not include venues you’re probably already familiar with such as the Aquarium, Science World, Playland and Library storytimes but if you’d like a venue listing just let us know and we’ll see what we can do.
Looking for more ideas for keeping busy? Check these out:
- Kerrisdale Play Palace
- Animal Grossology at Metrotown
- Greenheart Canopy Walkway at UBC Botanical Garden
- VanDusen Botanical Garden
- Burnaby Lake Regional Nature Park
- Reifel Bird Sanctuary
5 Responses to “got it going on”
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Hi there,
This is not exactly related to the article today, but I just wanted to contact you to thank you so much for the previous information you’ve pulled together regarding Disneyland. We were fortunate enough to get down there at the start of July (I am a high school teacher with a 5 year old girl). The tips you provided on where to eat, as well as the Sehlinger book (Unofficial Guide to Disney) were invaluable. It really is a happy (though potentially hectic) destination. Your tips helped a lot. And now that we are returned and home for the summer, thanks for all the local info. Have a great summer :o) Janet
Link to the Vancouver parks with wading pools doesnt work. Here’s the updated one:
http://vancouver.ca/parkfinder_wa/index.cfm?nb=all&ftype=38&keyword=&fuseaction=FAC.FacilityList&from_form=1
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