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Family Day 2022: 13 things to do around Metro Vancouver

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This year, Family Day falls on Feb. 21, and despite the pandemic, there’s plenty of events, activities and attractions families can partake of in person or at home.

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It’s only February, but if you feel like you need a long weekend, you’re not alone.

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Family Day was designed to provide a much-needed break during the long, cold span between New Year’s Day and Easter. This year, Family Day falls on Feb. 21, and despite the pandemic, there’s plenty of events, activities and attractions families can partake of in person or at home.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, some attractions may require pre-booking or advance reservations, masks or proof of vaccination. Check the requirements before you go.


Skating, hikes and carousel rides

Hop aboard the Burnaby Village Museum’s 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel on Family Day.
Hop aboard the Burnaby Village Museum’s 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel on Family Day. Photo by Arlen Redekop /Vancouver Sun

Many municipalities are offering a variety of free or inexpensive activities for families over the Family Day long weekend. Surrey‘s Historic Stewart Farm, for example, has activities all weekend long, while the Burnaby Village Museum‘s 110-year-old carousel will be open for rides on Family Day.

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The City of Richmond is offering free classes, including family yoga, taiko drumming and ballroom dancing at its community centres, plus a free screening of Disney flick Encanto at the City Centre Community Centre. Burnaby is offering toonie skates at some of its rinks, while Coquitlam is offering a nature walk at Riverview Forest. Check with your city for more offerings and details.

Family Day at the Vancouver Aquarium

See the seals at the Vancouver Aquarium
See the seals at the Vancouver Aquarium Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

Where: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver

When: Ongoing; Family Day promotion from Feb. 11 to 21

Tickets: $26.26 for those age 3-12, $36.75 for students and seniors, $42 for those age 13+

Roaring sea lions, fluorescent jellyfish and superstar sea otters — that’s just some of the 65,000 animals awaiting families and kids at the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park. To celebrate Family Day, the aquarium is offering one free child admission with the purchase of a regular ticket.

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Science World

Science World
Science World Photo by Francis Georgian /PNG

Where: 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver

When: Ongoing

Tickets: $18.57 age 3-12, $22.14 seniors and youth, $27.62 adults

Make it an educational family outing at Science World. Kids will love getting their hands on the interactive and hands-on exhibits, while parents will like that they get to brush up on their STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and design, math) skills.

Kids Take Over UBC!

The blue whale skeleton at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC
The blue whale skeleton at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

Where: UBC Point Grey campus; online

When: Feb. 20-28; on-site activities on Feb. 20

Tickets: Free or by donation; pre-registration required

Inspired by the U.K.’s Takeover Day, which celebrate children and youth’s contributions to museums, galleries and art organizations, UBC is handing the reins (metaphorically) to kids during this weeklong event featuring online workshops and on-campus activities. Don’t miss the Museum of Anthropology and the Beaty Biodiversity Museum (check out the skeleton of a blue whale in the atrium!)

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Neon Vancouver Ugly Vancouver

Vintage Vancouver neon signs on display at the Museum of Vancouver
Vintage Vancouver neon signs on display at the Museum of Vancouver Photo by Ric Ernst /PNG

Where: Museum of Vancouver, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver

When: Until Mar. 21

Tickets: $10 children age 6+, students and seniors, $15 adults

Did you now that in the 1950s Vancouver had more neon signs than Las Vegas? Some of the thousands of signs that flashed across the city from the ’50s to the ’70s have been rescued from junkyards and are now on display at the Museum of Vancouver. The museum also has some family-friendly exhibits going on, including Boarder X, which features work from Indigenous contemporary artists that feature skate and ski boarder culture.

FlyOver Canada

FlyOver Canada
FlyOver Canada Photo by Photo credit: FlyOver Canada by /jpg

Where: 201-999 Canada Place, Vancouver

When: Ongoing; extended Family Day hours on Feb. 21 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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Tickets: $28 adults, $18 children age 15 and under when purchased online. Prices higher at the gate.

Take an exhilarating eight-minute flight over some of Canada’s most stunning scenery — from the fiords of Newfoundland and the northern lights to the vineyards of the Okanagan and city lights of Toronto. Or opt for a journey over Iceland instead with FlyOver Canada’s current feature film. For families: Visit before 2 p.m. and get one free child admission for each regular-priced adult ticket.

The Lantern City

LunarFest lanterns in 2020 displayed near Canada Place. This year the lanterns will be displayed at the Vancouver Art Gallery plaza and on Granville Island.
LunarFest lanterns in 2020 displayed near Canada Place. This year the lanterns will be displayed at the Vancouver Art Gallery plaza and on Granville Island. Photo by Joseph Chang /PNG

Where: Granville Island (Ocean Arts Works), 1531 Johnston Street, Vancouver

When: Until Feb. 21

Tickets: Free

Banish the winter doldrums with Lantern City, which celebrates Lunar New Year with community lanterns displayed around town. The installation at the Vancouver Art Gallery plaza ended earlier this month, but the Forever Young installation at Granville Island goes until Family Day featuring six artists whose lanterns will appeal to the young and the young at heart.

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VMF Winter Arts

The VMF Winter Arts Festival features augmented reality art such as this work by artist Tafui.
The VMF Winter Arts Festival features augmented reality art such as this work by artist Tafui. Photo by Vancouver Mural Festival /PNG

Where: Downtown Vancouver

When: Until Feb. 27

Tickets: Free

Produced by the creative folks who mount the popular Vancouver Mural Festival in the summer, VMF Winter Arts is a free outdoor festival that turns downtown into an open-air gallery. There will be 11 augmented reality (AR) art and light installations in public plazas (you’ll need a newer model smartphone and Instagram app and account to view), walking tours, and a winter arts hub, an all-ages, licensed open air plaza at the Vancouver Art Gallery north plaza (šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square).

Sailor Skills

The Vancouver Maritime Museum celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2019 with in-person events. This year, the museum celebrates Family Day with an online workshop on sailor skills.
The Vancouver Maritime Museum celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2019 with in-person events. This year, the museum celebrates Family Day with an online workshop on sailor skills. Photo by Gerry Kahrmann /PNG

Where: Online

When:  Feb. 21, 10:30 a.m.

Tickets: Free; registration required

Ahoy, matey! The Vancouver Maritime Museum is holding a virtual Family Day celebration dubbed Sailor Skills on Zoom. Learn about the skills needed in 19th century life on the high seas during this free, one-hour event. It’s a chance to dress up the little ones in their sailing best.

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Playground romps

Creekside Park playground
Creekside Park playground Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

Take your little ones outdoors for some movement and fresh air. Visit your neighbourhood playground, or explore further afield. Some of Vancouver’s newest (or newly-renovated) playgrounds include Brewers Park, Ash Park, and Beaconsfield Park, which boasts of trampolines, a wood play hut, and several spinners.

A day on the mountains

Lights to the Lodge at Cypress Mountain is a one-kilometre snowshoe hike to Hollyburn Lodge.
Lights to the Lodge at Cypress Mountain is a one-kilometre snowshoe hike to Hollyburn Lodge. Photo by Photo credit: Dennis Cheung /Photo credit: Dennis Cheung

Local ski hills are popular destinations for families looking for some outdoors fun. Pick your own winter adventure — skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, snowshoeing, and more — at Grouse Mountain, Mt. Seymour or Cypress Mountain. Pre-booking or advanced reservations for lift tickets may be required.

Particularly enchanting is Cypress Mountain’s Lights to the Lodge, a snowshoe hike to Hollyburn Lodge along a one-kilometre trail lit up with LED lights. Grouse Mountain offers a similar attraction, Light Walk, where people can walk or snowshoe along a lit-up path around a lake. 

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Britannia Mine Museum

Britannia Mine Museum
Britannia Mine Museum Photo by TBA /PROVINCE

Where: 150 Copper Drive, Britannia Beach

When: Ongoing; half-price admission from Feb. 19-21

Tickets: $19.95 age 5-12, $28.95 ages 13-17, $33.95 students and seniors, $36.95 adults, $130 family rate for two adults and three kids

A bit further afield between Vancouver and Squamish, but kids are sure to have a blast at the Britannia Mine Museum. Underground tours, a live action show, and a chance to pan for gold. The museum is offering half-price admission on Family Day weekend. Advance reservations recommended.

Sea to Sky Gondola

Tourists on the viewing platform at the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish.
Tourists on the viewing platform at the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish. Photo by Ric Ernst /PNG

Where: 36800 Highway 99, Squamish

When: Ongoing; complimentary tube park tickets from Feb. 19-21

Tickets: $18.95 child 6-12, $32.95 youth 13-18, $50.95 senior, $55.95 adults, $121.95 family with two adults two child/youth

The Sea to Sky Gondola was closed for last year’s Family Day after vandals cut the gondola’s cable in September 2020. This year, the attraction is open for the long weekend and beckons with its awe-inspiring views, snowshoe trails, and suspension bridge thrills. Free tube park tickets are available for the Family Day weekend.


Know of a good Family Day event that’s not on our list? Email us.

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Williams Lake Family Day Fireworks Postponed But Weekend Events Will Go On

Williams Lake Family Day Fireworks Postponed But Weekend Events Will Go On



The City of Williams Lake made the decision to cancel its Family Day fireworks that were scheduled for Monday, February 21st.

The City said in a release yesterday it was due to unforeseen circumstances and icy conditions at the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds however it will be rescheduled for another date.

Chief Administrative Officer Gary Muraca said, “Safety concerns for both the public and the horses due to icy conditions were brought to the City’s attention by the community so the City made the difficult decision to call off the fireworks.”

All other Family Day weekend events are scheduled to take place this Sunday and Monday and will be free of charge.

All Provincial Health Office regulations and guidelines will be followed.