On February 11th, 2013 British Columbians will celebrate our first official holiday dedicated to families. B.C. Family Day will be a great opportunity to go out and discover some of the incredible activities British Columbia has to offer! Spending time outdoors and enjoying some winter sport or a visiting your local recreation centre, art gallery or museum, or a day out for brunch or lunch and then taking in the shops near your neighbourhood, or spending a special evening out at your favourite local restaurant, our province is blessed with countless opportunities to spend quality time together.
Looking for some inspiration?
The BC Government Blog has compiled a very good list of events and activities for B.C. Day and we’ve shared some of that info here. But be sure to keep checking their Blog for up-to-date info: http://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcfamilyday/
Here are some affordable ideas for how you can spend this special day with your loved ones:
Special events
Cranbrook, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Prince George, Vancouver and Victoria will each host free special events featuring activities for families and kids of all ages, with crafts, interactive activities, and celebrations of the province’s cultural heritage and natural beauty.
Click on the city closest to you for details on what’s going on in your area, or check out the listings below of other Family Day opportunities.
Vancouver
Join us at the Vancouver Art Gallery space for a day of all-ages activities and concerts including local Juno award winners Said the Whale as well as street entertainment, face painting, a hockey shoot out, local artists and more! Other highlights will include educational activities from Science World, Britannia Mining Museum, and the Royal BC Museum. Free ice skate rentals and skating will add to the fun below Robson Street at the Robson Square Ice Rink only a few steps away. Keep your eyes peeled for your favourite mascots and stilt walkers!
Download the performance schedule
Location: The Georgia Street (North) Plaza, Vancouver Art Gallery at Howe and GeorgiaGeorgia and Howe
Time: Monday, February 11th 11:00am – 7:00pm
Note:We would like to remind our visitors for the event Howe Street will be closed from Georgia St. to Robson St. and to expect traffic diversions. Where possible please take public transit to attend our event. There is also underground parking available nearby at Pacific Center. The parkade entrances are located on Howe St north of Dunsmuir (just past Sephora) and also on the north west corner of Robson and Howe St with access via Robson St (across from Chapters).
Victoria
Come on down to Ship Point in the Inner Harbour for a day-long series of concerts by some great local bands and performers, including popular indie rockers Current Swell and one of Canada’s legendary and ageless rock bands – Trooper! Get your face painted, try our scavenger hunt, learn something new, or take a tour of HMCS Saskatoon a Canadian Forces ship.
Download the performance schedule
Location: Ship Point, Inner Harbour, Victoria B.C.
Time: Monday, February 11th 11:00am – 7:00pm
Note:Parking downtown will be free at on-street meters and at City parkades on Family Day. Although Bastion Square Parkade at 575 Yates Street will be closed for maintenance, free parking will be available at the City’s four other parkades. For more information, visit: www.victoria.ca/parking
Nanaimo
Come and shake it up a little in Nanaimo on B.C. Family Day. Enjoy a free skate or a free swim at the community centre and arena on Third Street. See how B.C. Family Day is being done Nanaimo style! Make sure you check out the four activity zones as well!
Location: Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and Nanaimo Ice Centre – 741 Third Street / Ice Centre- 750 third street
Time: Monday, February 11th 12:00pm- 5:00pm
Prince George
It’s a Prince of a holiday in Prince George. At The Exploration Place people will be able to take advantage of free admission for the day. Chase away the Feblue-aries with the new holiday. Don’t forget to see what’s going on at the four activity zones!
Location: The Exploration Place 333 Becott Place, (at the end of 20th Ave., in Fort George Park)
Time: Monday, February 11th 10am- 4:00pm
Kelowna
Kelowna throws its doors open to B.C. Family Day. Swimming at the Parkinson recreation centre is free to the public. Splash around at the pool or meet up with your friends at the activity zones
Location: Parkinson Recreation Centre 1800 Parkinson Way
Time: Monday, February 11th 10:00am- 3:00pm
Kamloops
If you’re near Kamloops you’re in for a treat. For B.C. Family Day, the Tournament Capital Centre becomes a B.C. Family Day hub where you can have a free swim and check out the B.C. Family Day activity zones. Come out and see what’s going on.
Location: Tournament Capital Centre , 910 McGill Road
Time: NOTE: this event will take place on Sunday, February 10 from 10:00am- 4:00pm
Cranbrook
Cranbrook’s B.C. Family Day event will bring affordable fun to families all over the region! A free swim and a visit to the activity zones are great way to spend the day.
Location: Western Financial Place, 1777 2nd Street North
Time: Monday, February 11th 12:00pm- 5:00pm
Other Family Day Activities and Events
Below are other Family Day events and activities happening across the province. This listing will be updated as we hear about more great things to do. Event details may be subject to local organization changes.
Comox
Events at the Comox Community Centre including:
- Activities include Pickleball for all ages, Children’s games, family Zumba, Fencing, Plasma Car Races, TRX demos, Box Fit demos, Jiu Jitsu demos, Gymnastics Open Gym and Preschool Play.
- Facilities will be available for squash, racquetball and walleyball.
- Fitness studio will be open throughout the day for 12 years and up with supervision.
Lower Mainland
Parks Canada Family Day Events– Free entry to historic sites for 16 and younger
Vancouver Art Gallery – Family Day – Noon – 4:00 PM
B.C. Sports Hall of Fame – 50% off admission on Family Day
Vancouver Lookout Family Day Weekend – Tours, scavenger hunts, orienteering start Feb. 9 at 9:00 AM
Community Arts Vancouver & Vancouver Maritime Museum Debridement Project
Workshop with crafts, facepainting and button-making – Family Day – 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
City of Richmond Family Day Events – various times at local community centres all weekend.
Richmond Children’s Arts Festival – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Family Day
Richmond Hockey Day at the Olympic Oval – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on February 9
City of New Westminster Family Day celebration – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
City of Burnaby Family Day at Bonsor Recreation Centre – 9:30 AM – 8:30 Pm
City of Burnaby Family Day att the carousel – 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
City of Burnaby Famly Day Skate at Kensington Recreation Complex – 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
City of Coquitlam Family Day Events – various times and places starting 10:00 AM
City of Delta Family Day – various times and places starting 11:00 AM
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Family Day – various times and places starting 9:30 AM
City of Abbottsford – various times and places starting 9:30 AM
North Shore
Extended swim and skate sessions available at some facilities. Check the schedules or call 604 987 7529 for further details.
West Point Grey
Gym building (4397 West 2nd Avenue) – Family Day
- Free All Ages Zumba class Noon – 1:00 PM, Arts and Crafts,
- Hands on Pottery activities, Playtime equipment, Afternoon Tea and much more 1:00 – 3:00
Town of Langley
W.C. Blair Recreation Centre
Loonie/Toonie swim – 1:30 – 4:30pm
Walnut Grove Community Centre
Bring Back the Play Family Open Gym – 1:30 – 4:30pm Walnut Grove Community Centre
Family Day Tot Romp Ages 9 months – 5 years 10:30am – 12:30pm $2 admission
Chilliwack
- Pancake Breakfast, games, face painting, family gym time and a bouncy castle at the Chilliwack Family YMCA.
- Free Public Skate with free skate rentals at Twin Rinks.
- All Day Free Swim – children bring their parents to swim for free at both the Chilliwack Landing and Cheam Leisure Centres – can enter their name into a draw for one of two three month family passes
Whistler
Free crafts from at Millennium Place Feb 9-11 – 2-3:30 pm.
Sunshine Coast
Family Day Events – various times and places starting 10:4AM
Nelson/Cranbrook
Kootenay Lake Day Fishing Derby February 9-11
Fort Steele Family Day Weekend – February 10 11:00 AM – 3:00 Pm
Princeton
Similkameen Fun in the Snow Day – Family Day 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Shawnigan Lake
Celebrate Family Day with a “Passport to Shawnigan Lake
Smithers
Free skating (parent and tot and the public)
Fernie
Events at Aquatic Centre and Memorial Arena on Family Day:
- Free Swim 1:00-4:00pm; in addition Free Shinny from 12:30-2:00pm and Free Skate from 2:30-4:00pm.
- Special programs include games and activities facilitated throughout the event by City of Fernie program staff at facilities, great food and family prizes.
Williams Lake
- Free skating, and swimming at the community recreation centre.
- Free healthy snacks and/or food during the event.
Revelstoke
- Incorporating Family Day into the final celebration day of Spirit Fest.
- Cordwood Curling Event 9am – 1pm – for family teams of 4. Categories include: Kindergarten – grade 3, grades 4 – 7, youth. Only $10/child. Teams will be given wood rocks to decorate. Prizes for tournament and best decorated rocks
- Free hot chocolate and hotdogs for all the families who take part.
- Free family swim all day (open 1pm-4pm) at the Community Centre to encourage health and wellness and family activity.
Quesnel
- Free swim and fitness class.
Terrace
- Free Swim, Free Public Skating
- Sportsplex open with Free Arts and Craft Sessions in the banquet room, Open Gym with family sports scheduled throughout the day
- Free hot chocolate and hot dogs
Vernon
Chetwynd
- First 23 families get free admission to family & public swim
- Outdoor skating Down Town 12pm-2pm
- Family Baldy Hike 3pm
- Public Xstrata Wall Climbing 12:00-4:00pm
- Family Swim 10:00am-12:00pm – Public Swim 1:00-4:00pm
Vancouver Island
Langford
Family Day at City Centre Park 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Sidney
Sidney Family Day Celebrations 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Time Travel BC Family Day Photo Contest
Take a photo at a museum or heritage site to enter.
Contest runs from Feb 9 to Feb 28, 2013
More info and enter here
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