The Vancouver International Children’s Festival is a festival for young children. It takes place on Granville Island in late May or early June each year.

The dates for 2024 are May 27th to June 2nd. Other kid-friendly events happening around the same time are Ladner May Days, Thomas the Train (at the Railway Museum of BC in Squamish) and the Hyack Parade & Festival. Earlier in May, there is also the Royal Canadian International Circus (which is in Surrey and Richmond between May 2nd and 20th).

To learn about other things your kids might like to do, see our May Calendar, June Calendar or article about Vancouver Activities for Children. For details about the Vancouver International Children’s Festival, continue reading.

This article contains the following information about the festival:

Schedule | What to Expect | Admission | Tips & Advice | Other Information

Vancouver International Children‘s Festival

The Vancouver International Children’s Festival features theatre, music, dance, circus, puppetry and storytelling performances. It’s not a giant festival, but it’s a really good one and fun for young children.

Festival Schedule

A variety of in-person events take place during the festival this year. Below is the 2024 schedule of events.

Monday, May 27th, 2024

Robot Song – a live musical theatre show by Australia’s Arena Theatre for ages 8 and above. The show takes place at Performance Works on Granville Island from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

Tree – a gentle live theatre show for babies at the Carousel Studio. Show times are from 10:00 am to 10:40 am and from 12:00 pm to 12:40 pm.
360 ALLSTARS – an energetic urban circus show featuring BMX stunts, basketball tricks, breakdancing and more at the Granville Island Stage. Show times are from 10:30 am to 11:20 am. You can catch the show again from 12:30 pm to 1:20 pm.
Nimihitowin! – Indigenous powwow, hoop and Métis jigging at the Revue Stage from 10:30 am to 11:25 am.
Otosan – a puppetry show with projections and original music for ages 4 and above at The Nest from 10:30 am to 11:15 am. The show plays again from 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm.
Coastal Wolf Pack Salish Songs and Stories – traditional Salish music and dancing at the Waterfront Theatre from 10:30 am to 11:10 am and from 12:30 pm to 1:10 pm.
Robot Song – a live musical theatre show by Australia’s Arena Theatre for ages 8 and above. The show takes place at Performance Works on Granville Island from 10:30 am to 11:30 am and again from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.
Fred Penner – relaxing live music for children at the Revue Stage from 12:30 pm to 1:20 pm and from 6:30 pm to 7:20 pm.
One of a Kind – live theatre, music and movement based on true stories at The Nest from 6:30 pm to 7:20 pm.

Wednesday, May 29th, 2024

Tree – a gentle live theatre show for babies at the Carousel Studio from 10:00 am to 10:40 am. The show plays again from 12:00 pm to 12:40 pm.
360 ALLSTARS – an energetic urban circus show featuring BMX stunts, basketball tricks, breakdancing and more at the Granville Island Stage from 10:30 am to 11:20 am.
Nimihitowin! – Indigenous powwow, hoop and Métis jigging at the Revue Stage from 10:30 am to 11:25 am.
Jam Side Up! – interactive comedy, magic, theatre and more by The Kif-Kaf Sisters at Performance Works on Granville Island from 10:30 am to 11:10 am.
Coastal Wolf Pack Salish Songs and Stories – traditional Salish music and dancing at the Waterfront Theatre from 10:30 am to 11:10 am and again from 12:30 pm to 1:10 pm.
One of a Kind – live theatre, music and movement based on true stories at The Nest from 10:30 am to 11:20 am.
Otosan – a puppetry show with projections and original music for ages 4 and above at The Nest from 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm.
The Starting Point of Missy D: 1, 2, 3 Let’s Go, Let’s Go – empowering hip-hop and soul music at the Granville Island Stage from 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm.
Robot Song – a live musical theatre show by Australia’s Arena Theatre for ages 8 and above. The show takes place at Performance Works on Granville Island from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.
Fred Penner – relaxing live music for children at the Revue Stage from 12:30 pm to 1:20 pm.

Families at Children's Festival

Thursday, May 30th, 2024

The Starting Point of Missy D: 1, 2, 3 Let’s Go, Let’s Go – empowering hip-hop and soul music at the Granville Island Stage from 10:30 am to 11:15 am and from 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm.
Jam Side Up! – interactive comedy, magic, theatre and more by The Kif-Kaf Sisters at Performance Works on Granville Island from 10:30 to 11:10 am, 12:30 pm to 1:10 pm, and from 6:30 pm to 7:10 pm.
Otosan – a puppetry show with projections and original music for ages 4 and above at The Nest from 10:30 am to 11:15 am.
The Papa Penguin Play – a musical show recommended for ages 8 and below at the Waterfront Theatre from 10:30 am to 11:20 am and from 12:30 pm to 1:20 pm.
Fred Penner – relaxing live music for children at the Revue Stage from 10:30 am to 11:20 am.
Nimihitowin! – Indigenous powwow, hoop and Métis jigging at the Revue Stage from 12:30 pm to 1:25 pm.
One of a Kind – live theatre, music and movement based on true stories at The Nest from 12:30 pm to 1:20 pm.

Friday, May 31st, 2024

Tree – a gentle live theatre show for babies at the Carousel Studio from 10:00 am to 10:40 am and from 12:00 pm to 12:40 pm.
The Starting Point of Missy D: 1, 2, 3 Let’s Go, Let’s Go – empowering hip-hop and soul music at the Granville Island Stage from 10:30 am to 11:15 am.
Nimihitowin! – Indigenous powwow, hoop and Métis jigging at the Revue Stage from 10:30 am to 11:25 am and from 12:30 pm to 1:25 pm.
Jam Side Up! – interactive comedy, magic, theatre and more by The Kif-Kaf Sisters at Performance Works on Granville Island from 10:30 am to 11:10 am.
The Papa Penguin Play – a musical show recommended for ages 8 and below at the Waterfront Theatre from 10:30 am to 11:20 am and again from 12:30 pm to 1:20 pm.
One of a Kind – live theatre, music and movement based on true stories at The Nest from 10:30 am to 11:20 am.
360 ALLSTARS – an energetic urban circus show featuring BMX stunts, basketball tricks, breakdancing and more at the Granville Island Stage from 12:30 pm to 1:20 pm.
Otosan – a puppetry show with projections and original music for ages 4 and above at The Nest from 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm.
Robot Song – a live musical theatre show by Australia’s Arena Theatre for ages 8 and above. The show takes place at Performance Works on Granville Island from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.
Yassama and the Beaded Calabash – a playful show with live dance, music and storytelling by Lua Shayenne at the Revue Stage from 2:30 pm to 3:10 pm.

Saturday, June 1st, 2024

Tree – a gentle live theatre show for babies at the Carousel Studio from 10:00 am to 10:40 am.
Otosan – a puppetry show with projections and original music for ages 4 and above at The Nest from 10:30 am to 11:15 am and from 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm.
Fred Penner – relaxing live music for children at the Revue Stage from 10:30 am to 11:20 am and from 1:00 pm to 1:50 pm.
360 ALLSTARS – an energetic urban circus show featuring BMX stunts, basketball tricks, breakdancing and more at the Granville Island Stage from 11:00 am to 11:50 am and from 1:00 pm to 1:50 pm.
Robot Song – a live musical theatre show by Australia’s Arena Theatre for ages 8 and above. The show takes place at Performance Works on Granville Island from 11:00 am to noon and from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
The Papa Penguin Play – a musical show recommended for ages 8 and below at the Waterfront Theatre from 11:00 am to 11:50 am and from 1:30 pm to 2:20 pm.
Tree, a World in Itself – a multi-sensory show for autistic children ages 4+ at the Carousel Studio from noon to 1:00 pm.
One of a Kind – live theatre, music and movement based on true stories at The Nest from 3:00 pm to 3:40 pm.
Yassama and the Beaded Calabash – a playful show with live dance, music and storytelling by Lua Shayenne at the Revue Stage from 3:00 pm to 3:40 pm.
Jam Side Up! – interactive comedy, magic, theatre and more by The Kif-Kaf Sisters at Performance Works on Granville Island from 4:00 pm to 4:40 pm.
Variety Show – a combination of various 2024 performers at the Granville Island Stage from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Sunday, June 2nd, 2024

Tree – a gentle live theatre show for babies at the Carousel Studio at 10:00 am.
Jam Side Up! – interactive comedy, magic, theatre and more by The Kif-Kaf Sisters at Performance Works on Granville Island at 10:30 am.
Fred Penner – relaxing live music for children at the Revue Stage at 10:30 am.
360 ALLSTARS – an energetic urban circus show featuring BMX stunts, basketball tricks, breakdancing and more at the Granville Island Stage at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm.
The Papa Penguin Play – a musical show recommended for ages 8 and below at the Waterfront Theatre at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm.
One of a Kind – live theatre, music and movement based on true stories at The Nest at noon.
Tree, a World in Itself – a multi-sensory show for autistic children ages 4+ at the Carousel Studio at 12:00 pm.
Yassama and the Beaded Calabash – a playful show with live dance, music and storytelling by Lua Shayenne at the Revue Stage at 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm.
Robot Song – a live musical theatre show by Australia’s Arena Theatre for ages 8 and above. The show takes place at Performance Works on Granville Island at 1:00 pm.
Otosan – a puppetry show with projections and original music for ages 4 and above at The Nest at 2:30 pm.
The Starting Point of Missy D: 1, 2, 3 Let’s Go, Let’s Go – empowering hip-hop and soul music at the Granville Island Stage at 3:30 pm.

What to Expect

Thousands of children and their families participate in a wide variety of fun activities.

There are indoor theatre shows, various forms of outdoor entertainment, and activity tents with everything from paper folding to scavenger hunts. There are also venues where you can try out circus tricks or get your face painted. The main shows cost extra. The activities, however, are free with the price of admission.

The festival draws large crowds, especially when the weather is good. As many as 30,000 people attend the event during its week-long run, including school groups on weekdays.

Admission to the Children’s Festival

Ticket prices for in-person events in 2024 are as follows.

One Show Day Pass – $13.50 for children and $23 for adults (includes activity wristband).
Four-Pack Family Pass – $62 (includes one show and activity wristbands for four family members).
Activity Wristband Only – $7 per person (purchased on-site).
Tree Baby Show – $6 for children and $23 for adults.
Variety Show (1.5 hours) – $25 per person.

(Note: Festival prices above are subject to change.)

Life Size Games at VICF

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips and advice to help you make the most of your experience at the Vancouver International Children’s Festival.

TIP #1: Don’t wait until the last minute to buy tickets for the best shows as they’ll likely fill up. Some shows sell out over a month in advance!

TIP #2: If the weather is good consider combining the festival with a family cycling excursion along the False Creek Seawall. Parking can be a challenge during the event. Consider parking elsewhere. That way you can enjoy a scenic bike ride. Other options include using public transit, and/or catching one of the False Creek Ferries or Aquabus to Granville Island. Keep in mind, though, that demand for ferry rides that day might be pretty crazy.

TIP #3: While at Granville Island be sure to also check out the Public Market and explore the island with its gardens, toy stores and play areas. On the day we went a couple of years ago there were dozens of adult Canada geese and their goslings wandering around. This made for some extra fun photos of our own – so don’t forget your camera!

Goose Family at Granville Children's Festival

Other Information

For more information, see the Vancouver Children’s Festival website. And for information about a similar event in Surrey, check out Surrey Sparks Stages.

Check out Vancouver’s Best Places for Children for other ideas on what to do with your kids.

Other articles that might be of interest include the following:

To learn about a similar event a couple of hours north of Vancouver, click Whistler Children’s Festival.