vancouver: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | February 24, 2011
It’s a weekend of festivals and festivities with Winterruption on Granville Island, Birth Fest at the Britannia Community Centre, TD’s Winter Carnival at Robson Square, Savour at Lonsdale Quay and lots, lots more family fun to be had!
5th Annual Birth Fest
Saturday, February 26th, 11 am – 4 pm, Britannia Community Centre, Gym D, 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver
It’s time again to celebrate bellies, birth and babies. Birth Fest brings together local resources, services, shopping, crafts, music and activities for the whole family. Entertainment includes Navaro Franco, Elephunk Safari and Zox of the Forest. And we’ll be there to – with our famous prize pram – so do drop by and say hello: www.birthlounge.com
Behind the Scenes at Maplewood Farm
Thursday, February 24th & Saturday, February 26th, 11 am & 2 pm, Maplewood Farm, 405 Seymour River Place, North Vancouver
Getting a chance to check things out behind the scenes at the farm is always popular, so be sure to pre-register and hold your spot soonest. Best for kids of three and up, you get a chance to look at how the farm operates checking out activities such as egg collection, animal grooming, setting up feed and exploring “Staff Only” areas: www.maplewoodfarm.bc.ca
Starting Your Child in Reading and Writing
Thursday, February 24th, 7 pm – 8 pm, Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, 2305 – 2325 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver
Learn practical tools to make learning to read and write fun and positive for your kids. And proceeds benefit Kits House: www.notchhilllearning.com
The 6th Annual Winterruption
Friday, February 25th (All day) – Sunday, February 27th (All day), Granville Island, Vancouver
Granville Island’s Winterruption is all about celebrating winter by focusing on local artists and cultural groups including Aeriosa’s performers casting a magical spell under the Granville Bridge with Cold Hands Warm Heart Too: www.granvilleisland.com
Family Time at Seedy Saturday
Saturday, February 26th, 10 am – 4 pm, Floral Hall, VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Kids can enjoy seed-inspired activities as part of VanDusen’s fun Seedy Saturday annual event: www.vandusen.org
North Van Library Book Sale
Friday, February 25th, 10 am – 7 pm; Saturday, February 26th, 10 am – 4 pm; & Sunday, February 27th, Noon – 4 pm, Lynn Valley Main Library Community Meeting Room, 1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver
Funds raised from this big book sale will go towards an improved reading lounge at the entrance to the Lynn Valley Main Library. Through previous sales the Friends of the Library have raised funds for a reading nook at Capilano Branch Library and a study room at Parkgate Branch Library. Good deeds and good deals on books, what more could you want?
ArtStarts on Saturdays presents: Haida Stories with Roberta Kennedy (Kwii-Ge-Ii-Wans)
Saturday, February 26th, 11 am & 1 pm, ArtStarts gallery for young people’s art, 808 Richards Street at Robson, Vancouver
Kids of all ages are invited out to catch Roberta Kennedy from Haida Gwaii who’ll be sharing her Haida culture through traditional stories, songs and music. As ArtStarts’ workshops are free be sure to come a bit early so you’re not disappointed: artstarts.com
Raspberry Kids Warehouse Weekend Extravaganza
Saturday, February 26th & Sunday, February 27th, 11am to 3pm, #504-1540 West 2nd Avenue (closest cross street is Fir), Vancouver
Raspberry Kids is making space for fab new finds by giving you great deals on classic products and a chance to win prizes and check out new products: www.facebook.com
Savour, Lonsdale Quay Market’s Food and Beverage Festival
Saturday, February 26th – Sunday, February 27th, Lonsdale Quay Market,123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Not only will the Quay be bustling with taste tours, cooking demos, artisanal food vendors and nutrition seminars but just for kids there’ll be a tomato planting activity from Noon to 3 pm on both Saturday and Sunday: www.lonsdalequay.com
Music in the Morning: The Snow Queen
Saturday, February 26th, 2 pm – 3 pm & 7 pm – 8 pm, Roundhouse Performance Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
Best for kids of seven and up, this multimedia production featuring Alon Nashman and the Cecilia String Quartet engages the whole family in the magic of music and storytelling: www.musicinthemorning.org
TD Winter Carnival Date
Sunday, February 27th, 11 am – 4 pm, Ice Plaza at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
Robson Square will be abuzz with free events including ice skating, midway games and prizes, hot chocolate, family-friendly entertainment, magicians, jugglers, balloon artists, live ice sculpting and lots more: www.tdlocal.com
Blim Monthly Market
Sunday, February 27, Noon – 5 pm, Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
Blim’s back for February featuring local vendors such as Farmers Daughter, Baby Elephant, Squid Kid, Tiny Fig and heaps more as well as music, hot food, beverages and entertainment: blim.ca
Farther Afield:
Muckin’ and Messin’ Preschool
Fridays, February 25th to March 18th, 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm, Langley Centennial Museum, Langley
Kids from three to five are invited to this series of programs that are all about painting, gluing, glitter and fun. We’re all for glitter as long as the kids aren’t doing it at home! Be sure to register in advance by calling 604.888.3922: www.langleymuseum.org
Festival of Light
Friday, February 25th, 4 pm – 9 pm, Haney Place Mall/Memorial Peace Park, Maple Ridge
You can make a lantern for the parade, enjoy local poetry, watch Polynesian, Scottish, and Métis dancers, listen to the MRSS Chamber Choir and Pamela Sunshine, follow the Lion Dance and more. And it all ends with a parade around the park led by fire spinners and drummers: www.mapleridge.ca
Friends of the White Rock Library Annual Book Sale
Friday, February 25th, 10 am – 4:30 pm, Saturday, February 26th, 10 am – 4:30 pm, Sunday, February 27th, 1 pm – 4 pm, White Rock Library, White Rock
Get great deals on fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, specialty items and more. All while supporting your local library: www.fvrl.bc.ca
Pro-D Day Loonie Skate
Friday, February 25th, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Bill Copeland Sports Centre, 3676 Kensington Avenue, Burnaby
For just a dollar you can get skates and helmet and some ice time but they do have a strict 3:1 child to adult ratio so keep that in mind: www.burnaby.ca
Kidstuff Only Swapmeet
Saturday, February 26th, 9 am – 1 pm, Willingdon Centre, 1491 Carleton Avenue, Burnaby
Swapmeets are great places to find bargains or dispose of your kids’ outgrown clothes and gear: www.city.burnaby.bc.ca
Return of WinterFest
Saturday, February 26th, Noon – 10 pm, Olympic Flashback Ceremony at 6 pm, Central City Plaza, 13450 – 102 Avenue, Surrey
Celebrate winter with everything from an Olympic flashback celebration at 6 pm, outdoor synthetic-ice skating, live entertainment, toboggan runs and more fun: www.surrey.ca
Family Sunday Drop-in Art Program at Richmond Art Gallery
Sunday, February 27th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Richmond Art Gallery, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond
Families are welcome to drop in and explore making art together at this regular event: www.richmondartgallery.org
Heritage Sunday at Minnekhada
Sunday, February 27th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Minnekhada Regional Park, Pitt Meadows
Kids can take part in a scavenger hunt with sweet treats for prizes, make an old-fashioned craft to take home or take a guided tour of the grounds: www.metrovancouver.org
Kids Swap n Shop
Sunday, February 27th, 2 pm – 5 pm, George Preston Center, 20699 42nd Avenue, Langley
Here’s your chance to stock up (or sell) gently used or new items for your kids. Call 604.530.PLAN for info on how to participate.
Darwin the Dinosaur
Sunday, February 27th, 2 pm, 11944 Haney Place, Maple Ridge
Darwin the Dinosaur is a unique theatre experience featuring glow-in-the-dark characters that bring this tale of a scientist, his creation and the meaning of love to life. Including both calamity and comedy we suspect kids will love this show: www.mapleridge-pittmeadows.com
Curious Like George: Pioneer Kids
Tuesday, March 1st, 10:30 am – Noon & 12:30 pm – 2 pm, Kensington Prairie Community Centre, 16824 – 32 Avenue, Surrey
Your curious little monkey can discover what Surrey kids got up to in years gone by. They’ll make butter and do pioneer chores with real antiques. Be sure to pre-register: www.surrey.ca
Do you have an event you would like to see in our weekend guide? Then send us your details and we’ll help you get the word out. Looking for a feature listing? Contact Erin, our Director of Sales and Marketing, for more information.
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!
Great suggestions. I will be in town next month. Can’t wait.