vancouver: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | June 30, 2011
Welcome to yoyomama’s weekend guide! Your go-to list of family friendly fun things to do with kids in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Canada Day is here and the Lower Mainland is pulling out all the stops! It’s time to don your red and white, tattoo the kids with Canada flags, hose everyone down with sunscreen, pack some water, and go out and celebrate!
Canada Day Celebrations
North Shore Canada Day Parade and Pancake Breakfast
Friday, July 1st, Pancake breakfast: 8 am – 10 am, Grand Blvd Park, parade: 10 am, begins at 13th Street and Grand Boulevard.
It heads west to Lonsdale, turns north on Lonsdale to 17th Street, then west on 17th to Mahon Park, North Vancouver: www.northshoreparade.org
North Van Waterfront Park Canada Day Celebrations
Friday, July 1st, Noon – 4 pm, Waterfront Park, 123 Carrie Cates Court, Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver
Highlights include mini golf, bouncy castles, and a climbing wall: www.northvancanadaday.com
Granville Island Canada Day Celebration
Friday, July 1st, 8 am – midnight, various locations around Granville Island, Vancouver
Highlights include free jazz performances, face painting, roving characters, tattoos, and a parade: www.lonsdalequay.com
Lonsdale Quay Market Celebrates Canada Day
Friday, July 1st, 9 am – 7 pm, 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Highlights include a fantastic musical line up, face painting, balloons, and kids’ activities: www.lonsdalequay.com
Maritime Museum Canada Day Open House
Friday, July 1st, 10 am – 5 pm, Vancouver Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Avenue, Vanier Park, Vancouver
Highlights include family crafts, a new exhibit, access to the RCMP ship St. Roch, face painting, interactive children’s puppet theatre, and a build your own model boat workshop: www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com
Canada Day at Canada Place
Friday, July 1st, 10 am – 7 pm, Canada Place and surrounding streets, Vancouver
Highlights include 30 bands on five stages, roving entertainers, kids’ activities, the Canada Place Food Market featuring cuisine from every Canadian region, a parade, and fireworks: www.canadaplace.ca
Canada Day Kids Bike Race
Friday, July 1st, registration: 11:30 am, race starts: 12:30 pm, Waterfront Park, 123 Carrie Cates Court, Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver
Children aged 2-11 will lap the racecourse by bike; then run, bike, or use training wheels as a loud crowd of supporters cheers them on. Each child registered receives a finisher’s medal and their own BC Bike Race Bike Plate for their bike. Registration required. For more information visit: www.bcbikerace.com/registration/kids-bike-race
Canada Day Burrard Inlet Fireworks Show
Friday, July 1st, 10:30 pm, Burrard Inlet, Vancouver
As part of the Canada Day at Canada Place celebrations, fireworks will light up the sky with a two barge, simultaneous pyrotechnical display off the Burrard Inlet near Canada Place and Dundarave in West Vancouver. Guests can listen to a live simulcast by Shore104.3 FM: www.canadadayfireworks.ca
West Vancouver Canada Day Celebration and Fireworks
Friday, July 1st, 2:30 pm – 10:30 pm, John Lawson Park, West Vancouver
Highlights include live music, a presentation by the Famous Players, barbecue, pizza, and sweets: www.westvancouver.ca
Other Events
Vancouver Aquarium Presents Birds Up Close
Thursday, June 30th – Monday, September 5, 9:30 am – 7 pm, Vancouver Aquarium 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Come see an unparalleled aerial show; you’ll be amazed by the flurry of colour and sound as birds dive and swoop above you in an incredible display of skill and agility. This outdoor show features charismatic and peculiar birds, including the bald eagle, Harris’s hawk, peregrine falcon, turkey vulture, and gyrfalcon, each with their own impressive abilities: www.visitvanaqua.org/events/birds-up-close
Diapering Alternatives 101 with MamaMaven
Tuesday July 5th, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm, Sacred Space Studio (Kitsilano)
Learn about all of your diapering options and how they truly compare from an environmental, health, cost, and convenience perspective. This seminar includes modern cloth diapers, “eco” or “flushable” disposables, diaper services, diaper free, EC, and more! See, touch, and feel the options available. Leave with information you need to decide what will work for your family and where to find it here in the Lower Mainland: www.dancingstarbirth.ca
Farther Afield:
Canada Day Celebrations
Langley Canada Day Celebration
Thursday, June 30th, 3 pm – 11 pm, Friday, July 1st, 11 am -11 pm, McLeod Athletic Park, 56th Avenue and 216th Street, Langley
Highlights include 10:30 pm fireworks on both nights, a midway, the Trial Stars Bike Demo Team, mini-golf, a roving magician, and canine fly ball: www.langleycanadaday.ca
Port Coquitlam Canada Day Celebration
Friday, July 1st, pancake breakfast and fishing derby: 8 am – 11:30 am, Lions Park and Festivities: Noon – dusk, Castle Park, Port Coquitlam
Highlights include a pancake breakfast, under 12 fishing derby, roving clowns, face painting, bouncy castles, a climbing wall, an arts and crafts creation station, free parking with shuttle service to the celebration, and a firefighter’s salmon barbecue: www.portcoquitlam.ca
Canada Day in Pitt Meadows
Friday, July 1st, 8 am – 10 pm, Pitt Meadows Spirit Square, 12027 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows
Highlights include an 8 km walk/run and kids run (registration required), a pancake breakfast, kids’ zone, interactive displays, entertainment, an art contest, a bicycle rodeo, and a First Nations blessing: www.pmcanadaday.webs.com
White Rock Canada Day by the Bay
Friday, July 1st, 8 am – dusk, East and West Beaches, White Rock
Highlights include face painting, balloon twisting, a bouncy castle, children’s sandcastle event, continuous live entertainment, and a 10:15 pm fireworks display: www.city.whiterock.bc.ca
Abbotsford Canada Day Parade and Family Festival
Friday, July 1st, pancake breakfast: 8 am – 10 am, parade: 11 am, family festival: 1 pm – 10 pm, fireworks: 10 pm, see website for locations and parade route, Abbotsford
Highlights include play zones, an international food fare, roving entertainers, a market, hay rides, mini golf, and main stage entertainment: www.abbotsford.ca
Mission Canada Day Celebrations
Friday, July 1st, 8:30 am – 10 pm, Fraser River Heritage Park, 7494 Mary Street, Mission
Highlights include a pancake breakfast, a super-dog show, a loggers show, an extreme bike show, the Canadian Tire kids’ zone, mini golf, pony rides, monster basketball, bouncy train and castle, face painting, balloon animals, sandbox activities, hay rides, a fish pond, an inflatable slide, a junior fire fighter challenge, live entertainment, and a 10 pm fireworks display: www.mission.ca
Fort Langley National Historic Site Canada Day Celebration
Friday, July 1st, 9 am – 6 pm, Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada, 23433 Mavis Ave, Fort Langley
Highlights include the Parks Canada’s explorer program, blacksmith demonstrations, children’s activities, a petting zoo, musical performances, and free admission: www.pc.gc.ca
Delta Canada Day Celebrations
Friday, July 1st, 9 am – 10:15 pm, see schedule for locations, Delta
Highlights include a pancake breakfast, Canada Day ceremonies, children’s activities, a family concert, a barbecue, and 10:15 pm fireworks: www.deltarec.ca
Maple Ridge Canada Day Celebrations
Friday, July 1st, 10 am – 4 pm, Memorial Peace Park, Haney Place, Maple Ridge
Highlights include the Haney Farmers Market, interactive kids’ and family activities, live entertainment, a barbecue, food stalls, and a “Show Your Colours for Canada Day” contest: www.mapleridge.ca
Steveston Canada Day Salmon Festival
Friday, July 1st, 10 am – 5 pm (pancake breakfast starts 6:30 am), Steveston Village, Richmond
Highlights include a parade, live entertainment, a Japanese Cultural Show, a craft fair, a children’s festival, bouncy castles and a mini midway, martial arts demonstrations, youth rock fest, a food fair, and a famous salmon barbecue: www.stevestonsalmonfest.ca
Surrey’s Bear Creek Park Train Canada Day Celebration
Friday, July 1st, 10 am – 8:30 pm, Bear Creek Park, 13750 – 88th Avenue at King George Hwy., Surrey
Highlights include face painting, arts and crafts, Canada day goodies, a roving mascot, and a fantastic Canada Day inspired tunnel display: www.bctrains.com
Surrey Canada Day Celebration
Friday, July 1st, 10 am – 10:30 pm, Cloverdale Millennium Amphitheatre, 176 Street and 64th Avenue, Cloverdale, Surrey
Highlights include a kids’ world arts and crafts centre, a kids’ activity marketplace, storyville, a shooting star midway and bouncy world, live entertainment, and a 10:15 pm fireworks display: www.surrey.ca/canadaday
Canada Day at the Burnaby Village Museum
Friday, July 1st, 11 am – 4:30 pm, Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Highlights include historical displays and demonstrations, children’s heritage games, face painting, roving entertainers, musical performances, a parade, a sword show, and live entertainment: www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
Canada Day at Queen’s Park
Friday, July 1st, 11:30 am – 3:30 pm, Queens Park Bandshell, 1st Street at 3rd Avenue, New Westminster
Highlights include musical performances, a barbecue, roving entertainers, and community display booths: www.newwestcity.ca/residents
Coquitlam Canada Day
Friday, July 1st, Noon – 11 pm, Lafarge Lake and Evergreen Cultural Centre, Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Highlights include multicultural food booths, roving entertainers, theatre presentations, musical performances, arts and crafts, and interactive activities: www.culturecoquitlam.ca
Canada Day at Lougheed Town Centre
Friday, July 1st, 1 pm – 3 pm, Centre Court, Lougheed Town Centre, 9855 Austin Avenue, Burnaby
Highlights include a pin-button workshop, make your own Canada flags, face painting, and relay games: www.lougheedtowncentre.com
Haney House Museum Canada Day Carnival
Friday, July 1st, 1 pm – 4 pm, 11612 224th Street, Maple Ridge
Highlights include a bean bag toss, croquet games, face painting, arts and crafts, dress up activities, Haney House tours, popcorn and cotton candy: www.mapleridgemuseum.blogspot.com
Other Events
Golden Spike Days Festival
Friday, July 1st – Sunday, July 3rd, Rocky Point Park, 2715 Esplanade Street, Coquitlam
Highlights include a pancake breakfast, a boat building tent, a petting zoo, bouncy castles and inflatable games, a kids’ arts and crafts activity centre, a kids’ hat building workshop, roving clowns, a dunk tank, live entertainment, a pancake breakfast, temporary tattoos, and Yukon Dan: www.goldenspikedays.bc.ca
Port Moody Trans-Canada Train Anniversary Celebration
Friday, July 1st – Sunday, July 3rd, 11 am – 4 pm, Port Moody Station Museum, 2734 Murray Street, Port Moody
Highlights include a G-scale model train display, a LEGO train display, roving heritage story tellers, a golden spike scavenger hunt, costume photos, railway crafts, and personalized railway ties (the ones that hold down the tracks, not the ones that go around your neck): www.portmoodymuseum.org
Surrey Nature Centre Presents Discovery Day
Saturday, July 2nd, 10 am – Noon, Surrey Nature Centre at Green Timbers, 14255 – 96th Avenue, Surrey
Meet a nature guide who will introduce you to all kinds of forest discoveries. Check out the museum exhibit, create an eco-craft, and learn something new with the interactive exploration boxes. Bring a picnic lunch and let your kids enjoy all kinds of interesting nature discoveries: www.surrey.ca
Puppets in the Park: The Frog Prince Meets Godzilla
Wednesday, July 6th, 6:45 pm – 7:15 pm, Memorial Peace Park Bandstand, 11900 – 224 Street, Maple Ridge
Meet the Fraser Valley Regional Library’s smallest stars, the talented puppets and puppeteers who will tell all types of tales to amuse the whole family. Pack your dinner and bring it along to this fabulous evening of entertainment: www.fvrl.bc.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!
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