BC Family Day Events in Vancouver – A Guide to 25+ Family Day Events for Memorable Fun

BC Family Day weekend in Vancouver is a great time to focus on making last memories with time spent together. With schools out for Pro-D Day on Friday, February 13 and Valentine’s Day falling right in the middle of the long weekend, there’s more time to enjoy things as a family.

It’s a lovely reminder that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be reserved for couples. It’s a natural opportunity to celebrate family love in all its forms. It’s an opportunity for exploring, listening, laughing and making memories.

From immersive music and hands-on learning to outdoor adventures and interactive city experiences, here are 25+ fun-filled ways to make the most of Family Day weekend in Vancouver and the surrounding area. The best news is that some attractions are offering free admission for kids.

If you time it right, you can hit several of these great events in one outing, and you may want to consider an overnight staycation in Vancouver.

Check out our 10 easy Vancouver hikes for more ideas in and around the city.

If we have left off your favourite event, let us know in the comments below. Subscribe to Life’s Incredible Journey for more unforgettable restaurants, events, travel guides, cultural experiences, and hidden gems—delivered straight to your inbox.
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Best BC Family Day Events in Vancouver

Fan Expo Vancouver – February 14-16, 2026

Fan Expo Vancouver takes over the city for a full weekend of pop-culture immersion, drawing celebrity guests from film, television, voice acting, and the comic world. Fans can meet stars throughout the weekend, attend panels, and collect autographs and photo keepsakes that last long after the show ends.

Anime fans will find plenty to love, from voice-actor appearances and themed panels to cosplay meetups, parties, and hard-to-find memorabilia. Families are equally well served, with an Interactive Kids’ Zone and hands-on activities designed for younger fans. From sci-fi legends to beloved fantasy icons, including special appearances by cast members from The Lord of the Rings universe. Check out the full list of celebrities.

BIG BANG Festival — Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre – February 15, 2026

The BIG BANG contemporary music festival returns for its second year. The “not just for kids” includes programming for children aged five and up. Events include live performances and interactive workshops focused on sound, rhythm, and participation.

Outdoor Escape Game for Kids from Vancouver Mysteries

• Heroes and Villains – Calling all superheroes! Slimy supervillain Muck Monster has a weather machine and plans to take over the planet, starting with Vancouver! Can you find her and stop her? Sign up in teams of 2-5 players to compete against other teams for the highest score (costumes encouraged).
• Ghost Patrol – players are paranormal investigators. You will be sent out to explore four different hauntings in downtown Vancouver.
• The Mystery: A secret organization known only as BLACKOUT has plans to destroy Vancouver. We need secret agents to follow their trail across downtown.
• See the complete list.

Museums at UBC

Take a drive out to the University of British Columbia to explore its museums.

• The Beaty Biodiversity Museum focuses on biodiversity, evolution, and species research. A blue whale skeleton suspended in the atrium is the central feature. The museum is compact and easy to navigate. Most visits last between 45 minutes and one hour. Be sure to see the dinosaur exhibit.
• The Museum of Anthropology presents Indigenous art and cultural history from the Northwest Coast and beyond. Galleries are spacious, allowing families to focus on selected areas rather than the entire museum. Outdoor grounds provide room to walk afterward. Temporary exhibitions may be running alongside permanent collections.
• The Pacific Museum of Earth explores geology, minerals, and the forces that shape the planet. Exhibits cover earthquakes, volcanoes, fossils and the rock record of British Columbia, with clear displays rather than interactive noise. Most visits take under an hour.

Artemis Space Adventure with LEGO® Bricks at Science World Until – Apr 6, 2026

Artemis Space Adventure with LEGO® Bricks, presented by White Spot Restaurants, brings the science of space travel to life through hands-on challenges inspired by NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond. Visitors step into the roles of engineers, scientists, and astronauts, using LEGO® bricks to design and solve real-world space exploration challenges. Larger-than-life LEGO® builds and interactive workshop stations spark creativity while revealing what it takes to explore deep space.

Lights at Lafarge – November 28 – February 16, 2026

Activities: The winter Lights at Lafarge has two walking loops to help disperse crowding.
Admission: Free. Parking is limited. Consider walking or taking the SkyTrain to  Lafage Lake – Douglas station.
Hours: Now – February 17, 2026, from 4 pm – 10 pm. Avoid the crowds for the best viewing experience. Come before 6 pm or after 8 pm.
Location: Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea at Notch8 – January 9 – February 22, 2026

Welcoming the Year of the Horse, Notch8 at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver presents a Lunar New Year inspired afternoon tea that feels both celebratory and meaningful. This seasonal experience blends traditional flavours with refined afternoon tea classics, pairing beautifully crafted sweet and savoury bites with an exceptional selection of teas.

What makes this offering especially memorable is its partnership with the Chinatown Storytelling Centre. Guests will find Gold Mountain tea featured on the menu, along with opportunities to receive tickets to the Storytelling Centre and be entered to win exclusive experiences in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown, adding a thoughtful cultural dimension to the occasion.

For families, Notch8 also offers a charming Children’s Tea, complete with kid-friendly finger sandwiches, cookies, and scones, making this an inviting experience across generations.

Hot Chocolate Festival – January 17 – February 14, 2026

The 16th annual Hot Chocolate Festival features all sorts of delicious ways to celebrate, from hot chocolate flights to a Chocolate Gelato Masterclass.

New Dragons and Amazing Axolotl exhibits at the Vancouver Aquarium

For a limited time, get FREE child admission (ages 3-12) with every adult ticket purchase—be among the first to explore the all-new Dragons and Amazing Axolotl exhibits. Online purchase only.

FlyOver Canada

FlyOver Canada is always a hit. The seated flight simulation motion ride, scent, and large-scale visuals. The experience lasts under ten minutes and is suitable for a wide age range. It’s an easy addition to a day downtown.

Animal-themed Light Installations – January 9 to February 28, 2026

Animal-themed light installations brighten downtown Vancouver from January 9 to February 28, transforming the Canada Place area into a playful winter experience. Visit each illuminated animal, scan its tag to collect digital stamps and enter to win major prizes, then continue your evening stroll along the Coal Harbour seawall, where more than 120 twinkling trees light the way between the Vancouver Convention Centre and Cardero Park.

Love Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge – January 30 – February 22, 2026

Love Lights returns to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, transforming the Park into a glowing Valentine’s-inspired wonderland. Featuring romantic illuminated displays throughout the grounds, this enchanting evening experience is perfect for couples, friends, families, or a little self-love, with extended evening hours to linger and explore.

Spend time in a forest, wander the 450-foot suspension bridge, Cliffwalk, and Treetops Adventure, all illuminated with millions of twinkling lights. There are plenty of whimsical photo ops, including giant LOVE and XOXO signs, 3D hearts, colourful macarons, and more.

Pro Tip: Buy an annual pass for access to creative events throughout the year, including Halloween and Winter Canyon Lights.

Where Have All the Buffalo Gone? Gateway Theatre – February 16–21, 2026

This moving Theatre for Young Audiences production by Axis Theatre Company offers a powerful and poetic journey through Métis history. Told through music, vivid storytelling, and a life-like buffalo puppet, the 50-minute performance follows two souls across seven pivotal moments—from the birth of Métis nations to the disappearance of the buffalo and beyond.

Recommended for ages 9+, this intimate and visually striking show is a meaningful choice for Family Day outings, school groups, and families seeking thoughtful, engaging theatre. Studio B
6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond

Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art – February 14, 2026 – February 14, 2027

This world premiere exhibition is guest curated by Snuneymuxw artist Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun, and brings together 13 emerging and established Salish artists. Every River Has a Mouth explores stories carried across generations—honouring ancestral knowledge while weaving contemporary perspectives through visual and narrative traditions. The exhibition reflects on how Indigenous teachings continue to shape identity, memory, and ways of seeing the world today.

False Creek Seawall: Olympic Village to Granville Island

Take the SkyTrain to Science World, then hop on one of the little ferries over to Granville Island Market or walk the scenic stretch of seawall. There are plenty of things to check out: the Kids Market, artisans’ workshops in Railspur Alley to watch glass blowing, metal working and more. Stop by the Crystal Ark to browse the stone and crystal collection.

Short Vancouver Day Trips to Plan

Bowen Island

Head to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal to catch a ferry to sail to Bowen Island located in Howe Sound. Enjoy stunning views of the coastline and snow-capped mountains during the 20-minute crossing time.

See a beaver dam when you take a walk through a rainforest filled with moss and dense ferns, with lake views on a trail on Bowen Island near Vancouver, BC. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr@

Fort Langley National Historic Site

Historic Fort Langley recreates life as it was in the 1800s. Built in 1827 as a Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading post, the fort was important to the British Empire’s trade route.

Explore the historic site and discover engaging interactive experiences suitable for all ages. Pan for gold, take a guided tour, watch blacksmithing demonstrations, talk with interpreters dressed in period costumes and learn about First Nations.

Historic Westham Island and one of Canada’s top birdwatching spots in Delta

Drive over the impressive Westham Swing Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in British Columbia, to explore the historic island. Wait! Check whether the bridge is open. 

Visit a farm, take a nature walk on one of the many trails, go bird-watching, have a picnic, or visit a winery. This tranquil island is only a 45-minute drive from Vancouver.

The George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary

Note: Access to the George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary is via Westham Bridge.  This historic 116-year-old bridge is closed after a marine vessel hit it on January 20, 2026. There is significant structural damage and it will be closed for several weeks until repairs are complete.  Check for updates here.

Make sure to visit one of Canada’s top bird watching spots. The George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary is always a treat for everyone. The Sanctuary is an area of ponds, intertidal channels and marshes covering 300 hectares. Explore several kilometres of nature trails and discover some of the almost 300 bird species. The greatest number of migrating birds will be found from fall through spring.

A visit to the George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Impressive Shannon Falls on the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler

Shannon Falls is the third-highest waterfall in British Columbia. These impressive falls drop 335 meters. Located 59.3 km north of Vancouver, the drive to Shannon Falls Provincial Park takes about 50 minutes on the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway BC-99 on the route to Whistler.

Take the short trail through the forest along the river to the falls from the parking lot. This is always a favourite picnic stop. The park is open year-round, but please exercise extra caution on wet days, as the trails and other surfaces can be extremely slippery.

Spectacular Shannon Falls best day trips from Vancouver. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Squamish Canyon

Near Shannon Falls and Squamish, Squamish Canyon is a brand-new elevated, curated boardwalk experience through BC’s coastal forest to Mamquam Falls. During the Family Day weekend, kids are free!

A visit to Squamish Canyon is a great Family Day activity

Britannia Mine Museum National Historic Site.

Britannia Mine Museum near Squamish, along the Sea to Sky corridor, focuses on the province’s mining history. Visitors take an underground train ride into the former copper mine, where exhibits explain how ore was extracted and processed. Above ground, displays cover geology, labour, and the environmental legacy of mining in British Columbia. The site works well for school-age children and allows for a half-day visit combined with time outdoors.

Campbell Valley Regional Park in Langley

Come discover the family-friendly scenic walking trails of Campbell Valley Regional Park. Located in Langley, these Metro Vancouver trails wind through the natural beauty of serene, mossy wooded forests, wetlands, and a heritage farmstead.

There are 29 kilometres of easy trails to enjoy any time of the year, which are family and dog friendly, along with 14 kilometres of horse-riding trails. Learn more about Campbell Valley.

Come explore the walking trails of Campbell Valley Regional Park in Metro Vancouver. Take a walk in the marshy woodlands. picnic and discover a heritage farmstead. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr

Weekend Getaway Ideas

Family-fun in Nanaimo

Nanaimo is an often overlooked place that is worth staying for several days to explore its natural beauty and learn about its rich Indigenous culture and history. Several beautiful waterfront parks, lakes, and islands are perfect for lazy, relaxing days. Here is our guide to help you navigate a memorable, fun, family-friendly visit to Nanaimo, with lots of outdoor activities and learning experiences built into the itinerary.

Don’t forget to check out our guide to the best family-friendly things to do in Parksville on Vancouver Island

Best family-friendly things to do in Victoria

There are endless possibilities of places to visit and explore in Victoria and the nearby area and we have carefully selected the best things to do that can be comfortably done on a two night stay. Most these activities are suitable for young or old and are great options for multigenerational travel. This guide will help explore. Th

If you are planning a trip to explore some of the most incredible spots in Vancouver and the rest of B.C., don’t miss our suggestions for discovering more. From scenic coastal views to breathtaking mountain landscapes, B.C. offers an array of adventures for every type of traveller. Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, or simply sightseeing, the **top 10 day trips from Vancouver you will want to explore** will leave you awe-inspired. Pack your bags and get ready to experience all that this stunning region has to offer!

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