Spark Stages at Surrey Arts Centre

The Surrey International Children’s Festival used to take place at the Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park in May. Now, Surrey SPARK Stages happens instead.

The original Surrey International Children’s Festival ended in 2019. Surrey SPARK Stages launched in 2022 and has continued under that name since. In 2025 it ran from May 23rd to 25th.

Future editions, including the 2026 event, are expected to offer a similar family-friendly arts experience, although details have not yet been confirmed.

Note: Another event you might be interested in is the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. It features an awesome series of shows and activities for young families on Granville Island, usually in June.

Surrey SPARK Stages Family Weekend

In the past, the Surrey International Children’s Festival aimed to inspire young hearts and minds through the arts. Surrey SPARK Stages followed a similar spirit, but on a smaller scale.

In 2025, SPARK Stages featured a mix of music, dance, circus performances, and hands-on activities. Events included live shows, workshops, and roving entertainment designed for children and families. Activities were spread throughout the Surrey Arts Centre over the festival weekend.

Future editions are expected to follow a similar format.

Dates and Location

In 2025, Surrey SPARK Stages took place from May 23rd to 25th. Events were held at the Surrey Arts Centre, located at 13750 88th Avenue, beside the entrance to Bear Creek Park. The venue hosted both ticketed performances and drop-in activities throughout the weekend.

Dates and locations for 2026 have not yet been announced.

SPARK Stages Admission

All Surrey SPARK Stages performances in 2025 were ticketed. Tickets cost about $19 for kids 12 and under, and $25 for general admission for those aged 13 and up. Admission to performances also included access to activities between shows, such as workshops, puppet shows, and roving entertainment.

Pricing and ticketing details for 2026 are expected to be similar but are yet to be confirmed.

Shows and Experiences

In 2025, Surrey SPARK Stages presented a range of family-focused performances across the weekend.

Shows included A Simple Space, a high-energy circus production by Gravity & Other Myths from Australia, and Braided Spirits, a lively performance featuring music, dance, and comedy led by Indigenous artist Notorious Cree. Other highlights included Ginalina Joins the Circus, a musical show with circus elements, and I Wish I Was a Mountain, a musical theatre production from the UK.

There was also Whipped Up!, an interactive experience designed especially for babies and toddlers, with multiple performances scheduled across all three days. Future festivals are expected to feature a similar mix of performances and age-appropriate experiences.

Surrey International Children's Festival — Surrey International Children’s Festival (From the Past)

Other Things to Do

If you head out to Surrey for SPARK Stages, be sure to check out the Art Gallery at the Surrey Arts Centre while you’re there. It’s small, but free, and often has interesting displays.

Also, be sure to wander around beautiful Bear Creek Park, with its gardens and great children’s play areas, including an awesome water park (which operates seasonally and is subject to water restrictions).

For information on other Metro Vancouver festivals, including the Vancouver International Children’s Festival which takes place around the end of May/beginning of June, check out Vancouver’s Festivals and Events Calendar.

For ideas on other things to do with kids, see Vancouver’s Best Places for Children.