Children’s Festivals & Events in the Lower Mainland
The following calendar features family-friendly festivals, fairs, parades, cultural celebrations and seasonal events in Vancouver and other communities throughout the Lower Mainland.
January Festivals & Events
- Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge – a festive holiday lights event at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
- Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden – one of Metro Vancouver’s most popular holiday attractions featuring millions of lights.
To see what other events are happening this month in the Lower Mainland, check out Vancouver’s Best Places’ January Calendar of Events.
February Festivals & Events
- Fan Expo Vancouver – a large pop culture convention with celebrities, cosplay, comics and family-friendly entertainment.
- Spring Festival at the Zoo – seasonal family activities and entertainment at the Greater Vancouver Zoo.
- Lunar New Year Parade – a vibrant parade in Vancouver’s Chinatown celebrating the Lunar New Year.
To learn about other Lower Mainland events taking place this month, see Vancouver’s Best Places’ February Calendar of Events.
March Festivals & Events
- Brazilian Carnaval – a colourful Brazilian-themed celebration with music, dancing and performances.
- Fantasy Farms – spring and Easter-themed activities for children and families.
- Festival du Bois – a francophone festival in Coquitlam with live music, maple treats and family activities.
- Hoppy Heights – a springtime family event with activities, games and Easter-themed fun.
- Magic of Spring at Taves Farm – springtime attractions and activities for families at Taves Family Farms.
- Big Easter Run – a family-friendly running event with races for different ages.
- Sweet Spring Festival at Greendale Acres – an Easter and spring celebration with farm activities and attractions.
- Sea to Sky Model Train Show – a train-themed event featuring model railway displays and exhibits.
For more festivals and events happening in the Lower Mainland this month, see Vancouver’s Best Places’ March Calendar of Events.
April Festivals & Events
- Chilliwack Plowing Match – a long-running agricultural event with tractor competitions and family activities.
- Chilliwack Party in the Park – a community celebration with live entertainment, games and family fun.
- Fantasy Farms – springtime family attractions and Easter activities.
- Magic of Spring at Taves Farm – springtime attractions and activities for families at Taves Family Farms.
- Party for the Planet – Surrey’s Earth Day celebration featuring live entertainment, exhibits and children’s activities.
- Sweet Spring Festival at Greendale Acres – spring and Easter-themed activities on a family-friendly farm.
To see what else is happening this month in the Lower Mainland, see Vancouver’s Best Places’ April Calendar of Events.
May Festivals & Events
- BC Polish Festival – a cultural celebration featuring Polish food, music, dancing and family entertainment.
- Buddy & Friends Children’s Festival – a children’s festival with entertainment, activities and performances for young families.
- Fort Langley May Day Fair & Parade – a historic community celebration with a parade, fair and family activities.
- Hyack Festival & Parade – New Westminster’s long-running festival featuring a parade and community events.
- Ladner May Days – a family-friendly festival with a parade, rides and live entertainment.
- Port Coquitlam May Days – a popular community festival with rides, entertainment and a parade.
- Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a major children’s arts festival on Granville Island featuring performances and activities.
For more events taking place in the Lower Mainland this month, check out Vancouver’s Best Places’ May Calendar of Events.
June Festivals & Events
- Hats off Day – Burnaby’s family-friendly street festival with a parade, live music and activities.
- Langley Community Day – a local celebration with entertainment, food and activities for families.
- Scandinavian Midsummer Festival – a Nordic-themed festival with dancing, food and cultural activities.
- ScotFestBC – a Scottish festival with Highland dancing, pipe bands and cultural entertainment.
- Vancouver International Children’s Festival – some years the children’s festival continues into the first days of June.
- Various FIFA World Cup-related events take place including the following:
- FIFA World Cup Games – World Cup soccer matches hosted at BC Place.
- FIFA Fan Festival – public viewing celebrations and entertainment at the PNE during the FIFA World Cup.
- Richmond Celebrates Soccer – community soccer-viewing events at select parks and locations.
- Soccer in the Square – live match broadcasts in a pet-friendly area in UBC’s Wesbrook Village.
- Summer of Soccer – four festive soccer-themed events at locations in Coquitlam.
- Surrey Soccer Fan Zones – community viewing parties and entertainment for soccer fans at Surrey Civic Plaza, South Surrey Athletic Park and the Cloverdale Agriplex.
- Canyon Kick-Off – Capilano Suspension Bridge Park has a soccer theme during the course of the tournament.
To see what else is happening this month in the Lower Mainland, see Vancouver’s Best Places’ June Calendar of Events.
July Festivals & Events
- Abbotsford Agrifair – an agricultural fair with rides, farm exhibits and entertainment.
- Canada Day Celebrations take place all over the place including in the following communities:
- Maple Ridge – family-friendly Canada Day celebrations with live entertainment and fireworks.
- North Vancouver – Canada Day celebrations with music, activities and fireworks.
- Port Coquitlam – family entertainment, live music and fireworks.
- Richmond – the Steveston Salmon Festival features a parade, live entertainment, a salmon BBQ, and more.
- Surrey – one of Western Canada’s largest Canada Day celebrations.
- City of Vancouver – celebrations around the city with concerts and family activities.
- Carnaval del Sol – a Latin American festival featuring music, food and cultural performances.
- Chiquitzin Kids Fiesta – a children’s event connected with Carnaval del Sol featuring games and activities.
- Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival – a summer arts and music festival with performances and family programming.
- Golden Spike Days – a family festival in Port Moody with rides, concerts and activities.
- Various FIFA World Cup-related events take place including the following:
- FIFA World Cup Games – World Cup soccer matches hosted at BC Place.
- FIFA Fan Festival – public viewing celebrations and entertainment at the PNE during the FIFA World Cup.
- Richmond Celebrates Soccer – community soccer-viewing events at select parks and locations.
- Soccer in the Square – live match broadcasts in a pet-friendly area in UBC’s Wesbrook Village.
- Summer of Soccer – four festive soccer-themed events at locations in Coquitlam.
- Surrey Soccer Fan Zones – community viewing parties and entertainment for soccer fans at Surrey Civic Plaza, South Surrey Athletic Park and the Cloverdale Agriplex.
- Canyon Kick-Off – Capilano Suspension Bridge Park has a soccer theme during the course of the tournament.
- Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest – a country music festival with concerts and family activities.
- Playland – Vancouver’s famous amusement park at the PNE grounds.
- Port Moody Ribfest – a summertime festival with barbecue vendors, music and family entertainment.
- Chilliwack Ribfest – a family-friendly rib festival with food, entertainment and activities.
- Soccer in the Square at UBC – outdoor soccer viewing events and activities.
- Steveston Salmon Festival – Richmond’s long-running Canada Day celebration with a parade and family activities.
- Theatre Under the Stars – outdoor musical theatre performances at Stanley Park.
- Vancouver Summer Movies – free outdoor movie screenings in Metro Vancouver parks and public spaces.
For more events taking place this month in the Lower Mainland, see Vancouver’s Best Places’ July Calendar of Events.
August Festivals & Events
- Abbotsford Agrifair – an agricultural fair with rides, entertainment and exhibits.
- Brigade Days at Fort Langley – a historical event recreating the fur trade era.
- Celebrate BC – a multicultural festival with food, performances and family activities.
- Chilliwack Corn Festival – a community event celebrating local corn with activities and entertainment.
- Chilliwack Rodeo – rodeo competitions and western-themed family entertainment.
- Langley Ribfest – a rib festival with food vendors, music and family fun.
- PNE Fair – Vancouver’s famous summer fair with rides, concerts and attractions.
- Playland – Vancouver’s amusement park featuring rides and attractions.
- Sky’s No Limit: Girls Fly Too – an aviation event encouraging girls to explore aviation careers.
- Squamish Logger Days – a festival celebrating logging heritage with competitions and family activities.
- Theatre Under the Stars – outdoor musical theatre performances at Stanley Park.
- Tsawwassen Sun Festival – a family-friendly community festival with parades and entertainment.
- Vancouver Summer Movies – free outdoor movie screenings in Metro Vancouver.
To see what else is happening this month in the Lower Mainland, see Vancouver’s Best Places’ August Calendar of Events.
September Festivals & Events
- Carnavalito on the Road – a Latin-themed cultural celebration with performances and activities.
- Circo Osorio Circus – a travelling circus featuring acrobatics and family entertainment.
- Douglas Day at Fort Langley – a historic event celebrating the founding of British Columbia.
- Festivibe – a youth-focused festival with music and entertainment.
- Flats Fest – a community festival with live music, food and entertainment.
- Fort Langley International Ukulele Festival – a music festival celebrating ukulele culture and performances.
- Maple Ridge Car Free Day & Our Neck of the Woods – a community street festival with entertainment and activities.
- Nikkei Matsuri – a Japanese cultural festival featuring food, performances and family activities.
- PNE Fair – the annual summer fair continues into early September.
- Polish Festival Vancouver – a celebration of Polish culture with music, dancing and food.
- Stinking Rose Garlic Festival – a family-friendly community festival celebrating garlic and local food in Chilliwack.
- Terry Fox Runs – annual fundraising runs held in communities across Canada.
For more events happening in the Lower Mainland this month, check out Vancouver’s Best Places’ September Calendar of Events.
October Festivals & Events
- Canyon Frights – Halloween-themed attractions and decorations at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
- Celebrate the Night – a family-friendly Halloween event with entertainment and activities.
- Central Spark – Burnaby’s Halloween celebration with performances and family fun.
- Chilliwack Corn Maze at Greendale Acres – a seasonal attraction with mazes and farm activities.
- Circo Osorio Circus – a travelling circus with family-friendly performances.
- Fort Langley Cranberry Festival – a popular fall festival celebrating cranberries and local culture.
- Fright Nights at the PNE – a Halloween attraction recommended for older children and teens.
- Haunted Village at Burnaby Village – a family-friendly Halloween experience at Burnaby Village Museum.
- Harvest Days at VanDusen Garden – autumn-themed family activities and seasonal fun.
- Petey’s Pumpkin Patch – pumpkin patch attractions and family activities.
- Pumpkins After Dark – illuminated pumpkin displays and Halloween attractions.
- Richmond Halloween Fireworks – a Halloween-themed fireworks event in Richmond.
- Taves Farm Pumpkin Patch – pumpkin patch attractions and fall family fun.
- Vancouver Comic & Toy Show – a pop culture event featuring toys, comics and collectibles.
To learn about other events taking place in the Lower Mainland this month, see Vancouver’s Best Places’ October Calendar of Events.
November Festivals & Events
- Bear Creek Light Festival – a holiday lights event in Surrey’s Bear Creek Park.
- Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge – a festive holiday lights experience.
- Christmas Glow in Langley – an indoor holiday light festival with themed displays.
- Christmas in the Square & Winter Market in Port Coquitlam – a holiday celebration with lights, entertainment and market vendors.
- Cirque du Soleil – world-famous circus performances with acrobatics and theatrical production. (Note: this event takes place in this month about once every two years.)
- Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden – a popular holiday lights attraction.
- Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum – festive lights and holiday activities at Burnaby Village Museum.
- Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam – a free holiday lights attraction around Lafarge Lake.
- Lights by the Lake at Harrison Hot Springs – holiday lights displays around Harrison Hot Springs.
- Louis Riel Day at Fort Langley – a historical event with family-friendly programming.
- Shipyards Christmas Market – a holiday market in North Vancouver.
- Surrey Tree Lighting Festival – a major holiday event with entertainment, lights and activities.
- Vancouver Christmas Market – a German-inspired holiday market downtown.
For more events taking place in the Lower Mainland this month, see Vancouver’s Best Places’ November Calendar of Events.
December Festivals & Events
- Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge – a festive holiday lights attraction at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
- Christmas Glow in Langley – a holiday lights festival with indoor festive displays.
- Chilliwack Rotary Christmas Parade – a holiday parade with decorated floats and entertainment.
- Christmas in the Square & Winter Market in Port Coquitlam – a holiday celebration with lights, entertainment and market vendors.
- Cirque du Soleil – world-famous circus performances with acrobatics and theatrical production. (Note: this event takes place in this month about once every two years.)
- CPKC Holiday Train in Port Coquitlam – a festive train event with live entertainment.
- CPKC Holiday Train in Agassiz, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and Port Moody – holiday train stops in multiple Lower Mainland communities.
- Deep Cove Bonfire Night – a festive community event with bonfires and entertainment.
- Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden – a popular holiday lights attraction.
- Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum – festive displays and family activities at Burnaby Village Museum.
- Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam – a free holiday lights attraction around Lafarge Lake.
- Lights by the Lake at Harrison Hot Springs – holiday lights displays around Harrison Hot Springs.
- Maple Ridge Christmas Festival – holiday entertainment and festive activities in Maple Ridge.
- Merry & Bright at Martini Town – a festive lights attraction and holiday experience.
- Mission Candlelight Parade – a holiday parade and community celebration in Mission.
- Noel Holiday Light Festival in Surrey – a Christmas lights attraction and winter-themed experience.
- Parade of Lights Port Coquitlam – a festive illuminated parade and holiday celebration.
- Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain – holiday activities and lights at Grouse Mountain.
- Shipyards Christmas Festival – seasonal festivities and entertainment in North Vancouver.
- Shipyards Christmas Market – a festive waterfront holiday market.
- Singing Christmas Tree – a popular holiday musical performance in Metro Vancouver.
- Squamish Holiday Parade – a holiday parade and community celebration in Squamish.
- The Holiday Hi-Light Festival in North Vancouver – festive lights and seasonal entertainment.
- The Nutcracker with Goh Ballet – Vancouver’s famous annual Nutcracker ballet production.
- Timberline Country Christmas in Maple Ridge – a festive holiday attraction with lights and entertainment.
- Surrey Santa Claus Parade & Big Rigs for Kids in Surrey – a holiday parade and truck convoy supporting charities.
- Vancouver Christmas Market – a German-inspired holiday market with food, entertainment and shopping.
- Wassail & Bonfire Night at Dundarave Beach – a festive waterfront celebration with bonfires and music.
- Winter in the City in Port Coquitlam – seasonal festivities with lights and family entertainment.
To see what else is happening this month in the Lower Mainland, see Vancouver’s Best Places’ December Calendar of Events.