Richmond Children's Arts Festival

The Richmond Children’s Arts Festival takes place at the Richmond Cultural Centre every year on Family Day which in 2023 is on Monday, February 20th.

Family Day Arts Festival in Richmond

Held annually at the Richmond Cultural Centre at 7700 Minoru Gate, the Richmond Children’s Arts Festival usually runs from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm on the Monday of the BC Family Day Long Weekend. As well as art classes, there are performers, book readings and entertaining clowns at the event.

The festival is a popular event and suitable for children up to around 12 years of age. Most kids though are younger.

In 2022, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the festival happened as a virtual event. In 2023 there are in-person offerings and self-guided activities to enjoy from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on February 20th.

Admission Rates

General admission into the festival is free. Creativity Classes, however, cost extra. See below for details.

Children’s Festival Classes

Creativity Classes are offered for $10 each in 2023 and pre-registration is required. Below are a few of the classes that are available during this year’s festival.

Create Your Own Storybook Character
Dance & Movement with Edward Sembatya
Circus Workshop with Circus West
Bollywood Star with Karima Essa
Broadway Bound: Musical Theatre with Jill Raymond
Clay Creations with Serisa Fitz-James

For the full list of Creativity Classes or to register now, visit the Children’s Arts Festival website.

Performances and Presentations

At the 2023 Richmond Children’s Arts Festival there are three stages that performances take place on. A variety of performers put on shows throughout the day. See below for the full schedule of events for 2023.

Once Upon A Stage

On the Once Upon A Stage various musicians and entertainers perform. The 2023 schedule for the Once Upon A Stage is as follows:

10:00 am – Peter G-G
11:15 am – ShowStoppers
12:15 pm – Ginalina and Band
1:00 pm – Harrison Lee Yo Yo Art
1:45 pm – Infinitus String Trio
3:00 pm – Penny Pom Pom

Rockin' Robin Children's Entertainer — Rockin’ Robin

Imagination Stage

More live entertainment takes place on the Imagination Stage with the following groups on February 20th in 2023:

10:30 am – Circus West
1:15 pm – Bollywood Star
2:45 pm – Uzume Taiko Drumming

Kid’s Place

There are also live music and reading presentations in the Kid’s Place area at the following times in 2023:

10:45 am – Sharon Dulay Readings and Activities
11:45 am – Kung Jaadee Songs and Readings
12:45 pm – Dawn Lo Illustrator Presentation
3:00 pm – Peter G-G

Imagination Stations

The 2023 Richmond Children’s Arts Festival features free Imagination Stations. The following drop-in activities are available throughout the day from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.