Home Vancouver for Kids Things to do on the Family Day Long Weekend in Vancouver

Things to do on the Family Day Long Weekend in Vancouver

February 1, 2025

Looking for something to do on the BC Family Day long weekend in February in Vancouver? There are so many fun activities to choose from.

In 2026 the long weekend starts on Friday, February 13th (one day before Valentine’s Day). It then runs until the holiday Monday of February 16th.

Continue reading or see our article about What’s Happening This Weekend to learn about top Family Day activities that take place in the Lower Mainland.

Family Day activities listed in this article include events in the following municipalities:

Click any of the above locations to jump to events in a particular region, or simply continue reading to see what’s going on throughout the Lower Mainland.

Family Day Activities in Vancouver

One of the biggest events on the holiday weekend most years is FAN EXPO Vancouver. It’s a Comic-Con-style event featuring everything to do with comics, superheroes, anime and Hollywood celebrities at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The event runs from February 14th to 16th in 2026.

If you enjoy comedy, Just For Laughs Vancouver runs over the long weekend. In 2026, the festival happens from February 12th until the 22nd. It features world-class comedians at various venues. Great comedy also takes place at The Improv Centre on Granville Island.

If you like virtual reality, especially VR games, then a place you’ll want to check out during this long weekend is Zero Latency. The VR game centre has locations in Vancouver and Langley.

The weekend also features some big musical performances. Mozart’s Così fan tutte is at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre with Vancouver Opera on February 12th and 15th. There are also concerts with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on the 13th and 14th featuring the music of Brahms and Tchaikovsky.

Typical Family Day Activities in the Lower Mainland

Depending on what you like to do, and who to do it with, you are sure to find something you’ll like from our list of great Family Day long weekend activities and places to visit. See below for a list of events, attractions and activities in the City of Vancouver. Then, even further below, you’ll find things to do on the North Shore and in the Fraser Valley, Maple Ridge, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, New Westminster and the Sea-to-Sky Region.

Superheroes at Vancouver Fan Expo — FAN Expo Vancouver

Vancouver Family Day Events and Attractions

Below is a list of events that took place on the Family Day long weekend in the City of Vancouver this year, followed by a list of attractions with special activities.

Family Day Events in the City of Vancouver

Just For Laughs Vancouver – the comedy festival was in town between February 12th and 22nd in 2026, with dozens of shows on the February long weekend.
Metro Theatre – the theatre company presents its romantic comedy show Barefoot in the Park in South Vancouver until February 154th.
What the Frock Productions – the Bacon & L’eggs drag show and brunch event happens at the Howe Sound Taphouse on February 15th in 2026.
Vancouver Opera – the Italian opera production Così fan tutte took place at Queen Elizabeth Theatre on February 7th, 12th and 15th in 2025.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra – the orchestra performs Brahms’ Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 at the Orpheum Theatre on February 13th and 14th.
Scotiabank Dance Centre – the Matriarchs Uprising 2026 dance shows runs from February 16th to 21st.
FAN EXPO Vancouver – a comic, superhero, science fiction and pop culture convention and trade show that often happens on Family Day long weekend at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The event features a number of well-known celebrities. There are also workshops, presentations and a large vendor market where you can buy all kinds of wonderful things. In 2026 FAN EXPO happens from February 14th to 16th.

Family Day Attractions and Activities in the City of Vancouver

Vancouver Mysteries – the games company offers outdoor adventures for people to play on the streets of downtown Vancouver. You can choose between a secret mission game, crime-solving game, ghost-busting and a superheroes game. Special events this time of year also include mystery dining experiences The Legend of the Gastown Gold and The Case of the Hotel Detective.
FlyOver Canada – the multisensory theatre at Canada Place had a couple of different shows in February, 2026, including ones about Canada and Iceland.
BC Sports Hall of Fame – family passes are good for two adults and two children or youth. They usually cost $55. On the holiday Monday in 2025, however, they cost just $40. 2026 details are to be confirmed.
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in Vancouver takes place on all three days of the long weekend in 2026. Tours include the Lost Souls of Gastown and Sinners & Sweets (formerly the Hidden History & Sweet Treats Tour).
LunarFest – free family-friendly activities happen all weekend at various spots around downtown Vancouver.
Chinese Canadian Museum – special family-friendly activities typically happen at the museum in Chinatown on the holiday Monday. Exact details for 2026 are TBC.

In addition to the above, further below is a list of attractions with free admission in the City of Vancouver on the long weekend, followed by lists of things to do elsewhere in the Lower Mainland.

VANCOUVER WINE FESTIVAL

It’s not during the Family Day long weekend, and it doesn’t include kid-friendly events. But an amazing festival that also happen in February this year is the Vancouver International Wine Festival. Running from March 7th to 14th in 2026, it’s the largest event of its kind in North America.

Places with Free Admission

The following places in the City of Vancouver normally charge for admission, but not on one or two days on the Family Day long weekend.

Vancouver Maritime Museum – admission to the museum at Vanier Park is by donation on Family Day. There are also often a few special activities on the holiday Monday.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre – Vancouver Civic Theatres hosts a Family Day Open House on the Saturday of the long weekend most years. When it happens, the event features a Family Comedy Stage, free hot chocolate and other activities at the theatre. Visit the Vancouver Civic Theatres website for the most up to date details on the event’s status for 2026.

Family Day on The North Shore

Things to do on the Family Day long weekend in North Vancouver and West Vancouver include the following:

Love Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge – the attraction is decorated with a Valentine’s Day theme from January 30th until February 22nd in 2026. The place looks so amazing at night. It’s a perfect place not just for dates, but also for families.
Presentation House Theatre – the theatre hosts the comedy production The Baking Show Show: The Play, from February 12th to 15th in 2026.
MONOVA – family-friendly activities take place at the Museum of North Vancouver on the holiday Monday. Admission is also “pay what you can” that day.
Fireworks at Cypress – the ski hill in West Vancouver has family-friendly activities all weekend, including fireworks on the Sunday most years. This is the case again in 2026.
Grouse Mountain – in addition to skiing and snowboarding, last year there was a fireworks display at 7:00 pm on February 16th. The fireworks are pretty good and usually last for about five minutes. Ski tickets for kids ages 12 and under are also usually free on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday. 2026 details are TBC.

BOAT PARTY IN VANCOUVER

February 13th to 16th in 2026 is the Family Day long weekend, which also happens to include Valentine’s Day. On the long weekend last year there was a Valentine’s Day Dinner Boat Cruise with Vancouver Boat Parties. This is a popular event, not for families, but for young adults, couples and their friends. In addition to dinner and beautiful views of the Vancouver skyline, there is DJ music and dancing. 2026 details are TBC.

Family Day Events in the Fraser Valley

The following events happen on the February long weekend in 2026:

Fort Langley – special family-friendly activities take place at the Fort Langley National Historic Site on the holiday Monday. Regular admission rates apply. As always, children and youth under the age of 18 entered for free.
Sasquatch Mountain – the resort is open for skiing on the long weekend. There are typically lots of fun things for families to do. Last year, if you bought a ticket for the tubing, you could get a free cup of cocoa.
Goat Yoga at Maan Farms – the Abbotsford farm hosts two sessions of Goat Yoga on February 14th and 16th in 2026. They include an hour of traditional Hatha yoga surrounded by goats. The yoga is then followed by a healthy meal and wine pairing (or strawberry lemonade).

Family Day Events in New Westminster

Family Fun on the Fraser – fun activities typically happen at the Fraser River Discovery Centre on the holiday Monday. Last year there was the Love is in the Air event. Admission was free. Hopefully something similar happens in 2026.

Family Day Activities in Maple Ridge

Ropes Course Adventures – one of the most fun, family-friendly attractions in the Lower Mainland is WildPlay in Maple Ridge. The outdoor centre has ropes courses, ziplines, axe-throwing opportunities and other activities. WildPlay is closed for a few weeks at the beginning of the year, but starts back up again on February 14th in 2026, so just in time for the Family Day long weekend! (TIP: If you use the promo code VBP15 you can save 15% on admission.)
Family Day at ACC – in 2025 a free event took place at the Albion Community Centre on Monday, February 17th. Activities between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm included Zumba, face painting and crafts. There was popcorn too.

Family Day in Burnaby

A variety of activities take place at municipal venues throughout Burnaby on the holiday Monday each year. Things to do with the family in 2026 include the following:

Special family-friendly activities usually take place at a number of Burnaby rec centres. Regular admission rates apply in most cases. At Christine Sinclair Community Centre, however, there are sometimes a series of free activities in the afternoon.
Burnaby Village Museum – the museum offers free family-friendly activities on the Family Day Monday.

See the City of Burnaby‘s website to learn more about the above activities.

Family Day Events in Richmond

Richmond Children’s Art Festival – activities and performances both indoors and outdoors at the Richmond Cultural Centre take place on the holiday Monday in 2026. General admission is free. Creativity Classes cost around $10.
A variety of activities usually take place in Richmond on the long weekend. There’s swimming, skating, gym sports, scavenger hunts and other activities at the following places most years.
- Cambie Community Centre – at 12800 Cambie Road
- City Centre Community Centre – at 5900 Minoru Boulevard
- Hamilton Community Centre – at 5140 Smith Drive
- South Arm Community Centre – at 8880 Williams Road
- Steveston Community Centre – at 4111 Moncton Street
- Thompson Community Centre – at 5151 Granville Avenue
- Minoru Centre for Active Living – at 7191 Granville Avenue
- Minoru Arenas – at 7551 Minoru Gate
- Britannia Heritage Shipyards – at 5180 Westwater Drive
- Richmond Nature Park – at 11851 Westminster Highway

See the City of Richmond‘s website to learn more.

Family Day Events in Surrey

Family Day in Surrey – free family-friendly activities usually take place at various venues including recreation centres, Darts Hill Garden Park and other venues.
Museum of Surrey – the museum offers free admission year-round, including when Family Day activities take place. Last year they were on Saturday, February 15th. 2026 details are TBC.

ADVENTURE GAMES

For people wanting to play something fun, Vancouver Mysteries offers outdoor adventure games that take place in downtown Vancouver. They are so much fun. They have secret agent, superhero, detective and ghost-hunting themes. Most games are for adults and older youth. There is a family version of their Heroes & Villains game, though, that younger children can play too.

(TIP: If you use the promo code BESTPLACES10 you’ll save 10% when booking a game online.)

Vsit the vancouvermysteries.com website to learn more.

Family Day in the Sea-to-Sky Region

Britannia Mine – the museum offers 50% off admission for residents of British Columbia during the long weekend most years, whether or not that will be the case again in 2026 is TBC as of late December. If it is, you will have to show your BC ID to get in for half price. (NOTE: Tickets for the holiday Monday usually sell out fast.)
Sea to Sky Gondola – the attraction offered free tubing on the long weekend in 2025, along with a scavenger hunt, music and more. 2026 details are TBC.
Whistler Blackcomb – there should be at least 200 ski trails open on the long weekend this year. Plus, admission is free on Family Day at the Audain Art Museum. On the Saturday, Sunday and Monday, admission is also typically free for children at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

Other Great Places for Families

Check out Vancouver’s Top Rainy Day Activities which are great places to visit any time of year, especially if it’s a rainy weekend in February, which it normally is.
A fabulous place to spend the holiday weekend most years is up at the Lower Mainland’s Ski Hills (although they will likely be more crowded than usual because of the holiday).
If the weather is good then the Family Day long weekend can be an excellent time to enjoy the outdoors. Check out Vancouver’s Parks and Nature for a list of the best places to go. Or take a Frisbee – not your swimsuit – and spend the day hanging out at one of Vancouver’s Best Beaches.
Also, if the weather’s good and you’re looking for a bit of exercise, check out Vancouver’s Best Places to Walk, Jog or Cycle.