Home Special Events Spring Break in Vancouver

Spring Break in Vancouver

Modified date: January 13, 2021

There’s so much to do in Vancouver for kids during the school Spring Break holidays including camps, special deals at attractions and other fun stuff.

This article contains information about the following topics:

Click on any of the above links to jump to a specific topic, or continue reading to learn all about River District Vancouver’s various events.

What to do at Spring Break in Metro Vancouver

Spring Break for most public schools in the Lower Mainland takes place from March 15th until March 26th in 2021.

Below are activities being offered during Spring Break in 2020. 2021 will likely be comparable (although hopefully with fewer event cancellations).

Special Events During Spring Break

There are special Spring Break events in Vancouver, Coquitlam, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, North Shore, New Westminster and other parts of town. There are also special Spring Break Movie Deals throughout the Lower Mainland. Check it all out!

Spring Break in Vancouver

Shen Yun – the spectacular world-famous American-based Chinese performing arts production comes to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from March 13th to 22nd in 2020. The show is highly recommended. (CANCELLED)
Vancouver TheatreSports – comedy improv shows take place at the Improv Centre on Granville Island on Wednesdays to Sundays. There is also a special St. Patrick’s Day performance on Tuesday, March 17th. 7:30 shows are recommended for audiences ages 8 and older. (CANCELLED)
Vancouver Art Gallery – the museum has offered hands-on art activities during the afternoons of at least one week of Spring Break as well as free admission for children ages 12 and under when accompanied by an adult in past years. In 2020 the workshops are at noon on the weekdays of March 23rd to 27th. (CANCELLED)
CelticFest Vancouver – a variety of St. Patrick-themed activities take place around the week of March 17th including a number of activities that are more for adults. The festival in 2020 will likely be much smaller than it used to be, but likely still include a small number of interesting activities. (CANCELLED)
Playdome – an indoor carnival with amusement rides and midway games at BC Place Stadium between March 20th and the 28th. This is without a question a “best place to be” for children and youth, especially on rainy days! (CANCELLED)
FlyOver Canada – multi-dimensional films take place at FlyOver Canada throughout the year. The attraction usually has a special feature show around Spring Break. This year it’s FlyOver Iceland – a special new feature Icelandic-themed film where you get to soar over Iceland (plus see the regular FlyOver Canada show too if you want). FlyOver Iceland runs until May 3rd in 2020. (CANCELLED)
Stair Climbing at the Vancouver Lookout – the Urban Climb takes place every Tuesday in March 2020 between 4:30 and 6:30 pm. That’s when people can hike up the 633 steps to the top of the landmark attraction. The cost is $5 but includes a complimentary beer at the top (for adults ages 19+) and a $5 food coupon for all participants. (CANCELLED)
Spring Break Movies – a number of child-friendly films show for just $2.99 on various mornings during Spring Break most years at the International Village Mall in Chinatown. (CANCELLED)
Monster Jam – a Monster Truck show and competition takes place at the Pacific Coliseum at the PNE on the Saturday and Sunday of March 14th and 15th (so on the weekend at the very start of the school Spring Break holidays). (CANCELLED)
In 2021, the Imagine Van Gogh Exhibition is expected to be in town. It’s scheduled to take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre from March 19th and April 23rd in 2021. The event features giant immersive displays depicting dozens of the Dutch artist’s paintings.

Spring Break in Burnaby

Spring Break at Burnaby Village – special activities take place at the outdoor museum from March 16th to 27th, 2020, from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Admission is free during Spring Break but carousel rides and guided tours cost extra. (CANCELLED)
Burnaby Rec Centres – most years the City of Burnaby’s website lists Spring Break camps taking place at its recreational facilities (as well as at the Burnaby Art Gallery in some years). In 2020 there are camps at Cameron, Willingdon, Burnaby Village, Ron McLean Park, the Shadbolt Centre, Bonsor, Edmonds, Wesburn, Creekside and Charles Rummel locations. (CANCELLED)
Spring Break Movies – a number of child-friendly films show for just $2.99 on various mornings during Spring Break at the Cineplex Metropolis Theatre at 4700 Kingsway in Metrotown. (CANCELLED)

Spring Break in Coquitlam

Place des Arts – all sorts of visual and performing arts programs for grades K to 9 take place at the facility at 1120 Brunette Avenue over Spring Break. (CANCELLED)
Evergreen Cultural Centre – the Spring Break Festival at this community facility from March 17th to 19th in 2020 features shows about Beauty & the Beast and Peter Pan. Tickets cost between about $10 and $15. (CANCELLED)
Spring Break Movies – a number of child-friendly films show for just $2.99 on various mornings during Spring Break most years at Coquitlam’s Cineplex Cinemas at 170 Schoolhouse Street. (CANCELLED)

Spring Break in Richmond

Richmond Oval – the Olympic recreational facilities in Richmond offers a dozen and a half different sports camps over Spring Break in 2020. (CANCELLED)
Spring Break Movies – a number of child-friendly films show for just $2.99 on various mornings during Spring Break most years at Richmond’s SilverCity Riverport Cinemas at 14211 Entertainment Way. (CANCELLED)
Gulf of Georgia Cannery – extra activities are offered at the historic site during Spring Break. The same as last year, in 2020 there is a mystery theme where visitors get a detective kit, find clues and solve a mystery. The drop-in event runs from March 16th until the 29th in 2020. Admission for folk ages 18+ costs about $11.90 or $10.20 for seniors. Admission is free for children and youth ages 17 and under when accompanied by a paying adult. (CANCELLED)

Spring Break in Surrey

Spring Break Camps – rec centres throughout Surrey offer special Spring Break day camps for kids. (CANCELLED: all Surrey rec centres are closed until further notice.)
- Note: The City of Surrey also offers a Family Fun Pass where the whole family can enjoy access to recreational facilities for an extra low price. The passes are valid for the second half of March and cost between $6.25 and $25 per person depending on one’s age.
Spring Break Movies – a number of child-friendly films show for just $2.99 on various mornings during Spring Break most years at Surrey’s Strawberry Hill Cinemas at 12161-72nd Avenue. Films also show for just $3.00 at Landmark Cinemas at 15051-101st Avenue in Surrey Guildford. (CANCELLED)

Spring Break on the North Shore

Anything Goes – the popular Broadway musical is performed by Highlands United Productions in North Vancouver’s Edgemont Village from March 18th until the 22nd. (CANCELLED)
Persian New Year Fire Festival – live music and fire jumping opportunities take place at West Vancouver’s Ambleside Park on a weekday evening on March 17 in 2020. (CANCELLED FOR 2020.)
West Van Spring Break Camps – the West Vancouver Recreation Centre offers dozens of Spring Break camps including programs involving acting, LEGO, science and other topics. (CANCELLED)
West Van Wet & Wild Passes – West Vancouver Rec offers a special pass for $14 that’s good for 14 days of swimming, skating and a few other activities. Passes are good for children ages 3 to 12 between March 16th and the 29th in 2020. (Note: West Van Rec doesn’t seem to advertise the deal on their website, but they do promote it on Twitter and Facebook.) (CANCELLED)
North Van Arts Camps – the North Vancouver Community Arts Council offers both nature and performing arts-themed Spring Break camps in 2020. (CANCELLED)
Pool & Play Passes – North Vancouver recreation centres offer special 2-and-a-half-week swim, skate and open gym access for children over the course of Spring Break. Passes cost just $5.25 and are good for the second half of the month of March. (CANCELLED)
Spring Break Movies – a number of child-friendly films show for just $2.99 on various mornings during Spring Break most years at North Vancouver’s Cineplex Park & Tilford at 200-333 Brooksbank Avenue. (CANCELLED)

Spring Break in New Westminster

New West Community Centres – the City of New Westminster has a brochure about Spring Break activities happening at various locations. Check it out! (CANCELLED)
Spring Break Movies – a number of child-friendly films show for just $3.00 on various mornings during Spring Break most years at Landmark Cinemas at 390-800 Carnarvon Street. (CANCELLED)

Special Spring Break Programs for Kids

A number of Vancouver attractions offer special programs and deals for children. Here are some examples from 2020:

CSI Kids Camp – the Vancouver Police Museum offers camps for children ages 9-12 most years. Camps run Wednesday to Friday from March 18th to 20th as well as from March 25th to 27th in 2020, between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. The cost is $130 for three days (which is the same price as it was last year). (CANCELLED)
Cliffhanger Vancouver – climbing wall Spring Break camps run from March 16th to 20th and from March 23rd to the 27th in 2020 at the facility at 670 Industrial Avenue. They run Monday to Friday from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm and cost $225 plus GST per week (which is the same price as last year). The camps are for youth ages 9 to 17. (CANCELLED)
Sasamat Outdoor Centre – day camps run at the facility at Sasamat Lake near Port Moody for children ages 6 to 12. Programs run March 16th to 20th and March 23rd to 27th, 2020, and cost $230 per week (which is just $5 more than last year). (CANCELLED)
YMCA Spring Break Day Camps – the YMCA of Greater Vancouver offers spring break day camp programs at multiple venues in 2020. Locations include Burnaby, Chilliwack, Pitt Meadows, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast. (CANCELLED)
Junior Zoologist Camp – a special Spring Break camp at the Greater Vancouver Zoo for kids ages 7 to 12 who love animals. The camp runs for two weeks and you can sign up for between one and five days. In 2020, camps happen March 19th to 20th and March 23rd to 27th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and cost about $50 per child per day. (CANCELLED)
Aquarium Camps – Spring Break camps take place at the Vancouver Aquarium for kids ages 4 to 12. (CANCELLED)
Area Rec Centres – community centres and recreational facilities throughout the Lower Mainland offer special camps and other activities for children over Spring Break. Check out a location near you! Just a few examples include camps in the following places:
- Burnaby – Burnaby Village Museum and area rec centres have activities throughout the two weeks. (CANCELLED)
- New Westminster – activities include crafts, science, pottery, sports, cartooning, Dungeons & Dragons, magic, cooking, a babysitting course and other fun topics. The camps run from March 16th until the 29th in 2020 and prices vary. (CANCELLED)
- Port Moody – the city offers an Epic Spring Break Camp for youth in grades 6 to 12 from March 16th until the 20th in 2020 at a cost of $195 per week (which compares with $185 last year). They also have Spring Break Camps for children ages 5 to 10 and Preschool Spring Break Camps for kids ages 3 to 5.
- Richmond Oval – Spring Break camps in 2020 run during the weeks of March 16th to 20th and 23rd to 27th. Camp topics include badminton, baseball, climbing, dance, floorball, girls-only, hockey, multi-sport, rowing, skating, soccer, sports leadership and volleyball. (CANCELLED)
- Surrey – recreation facilities throughout the city offer day camp programs for children in 2020. There are single day camps, weekly camps and performing arts, sports, visual arts and themed camps (including ones about animals, bugs, cooking, dinosaurs and other topics). (CANCELLED)
- West Vancouver – Spring Break camps at the rec centre in 2020 include everything from dance to acting, gymnastics, swimming, LEGO, science, golf, hockey, basketball and more. (CANCELLED)

Free Activities in Vancouver at Spring Break

Check out the top free places for kids for great Spring Break activities that won’t cost anything (except maybe for parking and the transportation to get there). They include parks, places to ride bikes and other great outdoor activities.

Other Things to Do with Kids in Vancouver in March

Whether it’s Spring Break or not, there are plenty of great things to do with children in Vancouver during the month of March. Check out Vancouver’s Best Places for Children for a list of the top places to take children any time of the year. Indoor attractions will be especially popular if the weather is rainy, and Vancouver’s many beautiful parks will be perfect for a visit if the weather is good.

For more March things to do in general, check out Vancouver’s Best Places’ March Calendar of Events and Activities.

For more ideas on things to do during Spring Break, check out the following: