Home Special Events Spring Break in Vancouver

Spring Break in Vancouver

Modified date: March 22, 2021

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

Everything got cancelled last year though because of COVID-19. There will also be less happening than usual in 2021 for the same reason. Attractions with special activities that are open this year, however, include the Britannia Mine Museum, the Fraser River Discovery Centre and the Burnaby Village Museum. Continue reading below for more details.

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 Vancouver’s various Spring Break events and activities.

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 that are scheduled to happen this Spring Break, followed by activities that would usually occur in normal years. As you’ll see, some things plan to go ahead in 2021. A number of things won’t be happening again this year though, and the status of many activities is still to be determined.

ADVENTURE GAMES IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER!

Activities that are definitely happening over Spring Break in 2021 are crime solving, secret agent and superhero adventure games with Vancouver Mysteries in downtown Vancouver! They are fun, safe, outdoors and terrific ways to spend time with the family during the holidays. For a limited time, if you book a game with at least three people and use the promo code BESTPLACES2021 you’ll save 10%. To book your game visit the Vancouver Mysteries Website (and don’t forget to use the code).

Note: Most of the games are recommended for people ages 12 and up (with children needing to play with adults). There is a special family version of the Heroes & Villains game, however, which is good for children ages 8 and older to play with their parents.

Spring Break in Vancouver

The following list of events is divided into ones that might take place in 2021 and ones that took place last year but likely won’t in 2021.

Possible 2021 Spring Break Activities

Imagine Van Gogh – the travelling art exhibition is expected to be in town in the spring of 2021. It’s scheduled to take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre from March 19th until sometime in May. The event features giant immersive displays depicting dozens of the Dutch artist’s paintings.
CelticFest Vancouver – a variety of St. Patrick-themed activities usually take place around the week of March 17th (including a number of activities that are more for adults). The festival got cancelled last year. Operating as a virtual event for the first time ever, CelticFest plans to run from March 11th until March 20th in 2021.
Vancouver Art Gallery – the museum has offered art activities and free admission for children ages 12 and under during Spring Break in past years. In 2020 the workshops got cancelled. A series of online activities happen in 2021 during the week of March 15th to 19th.

Past Activities Likely NOT Happening in 2021

FlyOver Canada – the attraction usually has a special feature show around Spring Break. Last year it was FlyOver Iceland. Last year’s shows got cancelled though because of COVID-19. It’s unlikely the venue will be open in March of 2021 too.
Playdome – an indoor carnival with amusement rides and midway games at BC Place Stadium. In years when it does take place, this is without a question a “best place to be” for children and youth, especially on rainy days! It was cancelled at the last minute though in 2020 and isn’t scheduled to return in 2021.
Stair Climbing at the Vancouver Lookout – the Urban Climb usually takes place on Tuesday afternoons in March. At the event people can hike up the 633 steps to the top of the landmark attraction. The cost is around $5 but includes a complimentary beer at the top (for adults ages 19+) and a $5 food coupon for all participants. (Note: The Vancouver Lookout has been closed as a drop-in attraction for several months and continues to be so as of early March in 2021.)
Spring Break Movies – child-friendly films show for just $2.99 on various mornings during Spring Break most years at the International Village Mall in Chinatown. Whether they can or not in 2021 is to be determined. It’s very unlikely they will be happening in 2021, however, because of COVID-19. As of the beginning of March, all cinemas in BC are closed.

Whatever you do during Spring Break in 2021, keep safe and be responsible! Avoid non-essential travel and follow public health authority regulations.

Spring Break in Burnaby

Spring Break at Burnaby Village – special activities take place at the outdoor museum during Spring Break, from March 15th to the 26th. Admission is free, but attendance is limited so tickets must be reserved in advance.
Burnaby Rec Centres – the City of Burnaby’s website lists Spring Break camps that take place at its recreational facilities (as well as at the Burnaby Art Gallery in some years). Camps were cancelled in 2020, but they are happening again in 2021.
Spring Break Movies – a number of child-friendly films show for just $2.99 on various mornings during Spring Break most years at the Cineplex Metropolis Theatre in Metrotown. It’s very unlikely they will be happening in 2021, however, because of COVID-19.

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 over Spring Break most years. They were all cancelled in 2020. Camps are scheduled to happen though in 2021.
Evergreen Cultural Centre – the Spring Break Festival at this community facility was going to feature shows about Beauty & the Beast and Peter Pan in 2020. It all got cancelled last year though and likely won’t be happening again in 2021.
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. They were all cancelled last year and likely won’t happen again in 2021.

Spring Break in Richmond

Richmond Oval – the Olympic recreational facilities in Richmond usually offer a number of different sports camps over Spring Break. They were all cancelled last year, but they are scheduled to take place again this year.
Gulf of Georgia Cannery – extra activities are offered at the historic site during Spring Break most years. The same as the year before, in 2020 there was a mystery theme where visitors got a detective kit and had to find clues and solve a mystery. Admission for folk ages 18+ cost about $12. Admission was free for children and youth ages 17 and under when accompanied by a paying adult. The event was cancelled last year and likely won’t happen again in 2021 (although exact details are to be confirmed).
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. They didn’t happen last year and likely won’t again in 2021, as theatres remain closed for the time being.

Spring Break in Surrey

Spring Break Camps – rec centres throughout Surrey offer special Spring Break day camps for kids most years. They were all cancelled last year, but some have returned in 2021.
- Note: The City of Surrey also offers a Family Fun Pass some years where the whole family can enjoy access to recreational facilities for an extra low price. The passes are usually valid for the second half of March and cost between around $7 and $25 per person depending on one’s age. This may or may not be the case in 2021.
Spring Break Movies – a number of child-friendly films usually show for just $2.99 on various mornings during Spring Break most years at Surrey’s Strawberry Hill Cinemas. Films also show for just $3.00 at Landmark Cinemas at 15051-101st Avenue in Surrey Guildford. (Note: As of early March 2021 cinemas have not been allowed to operate for a few months. As a result, it’s highly unlikely they’ll be open during the school holidays this year.)

Spring Break in White Rock

White Rock Spring Break Camps – the City of White Rock is hosting various camps for kids over Spring Break. There are sports camps, creative camps and more. Be sure to book as soon as possible!

Spring Break on the North Shore

West Van Spring Break Camps – the West Vancouver Recreation Centre is offering 2021 Spring Break camps including programs involving acting, golf, gymnastics and other topics.
North Van Arts Camps – the North Vancouver Community Arts Council offers both nature and performing arts-themed Spring Break camps most years. In 2021 Camp Creative is happening in both the first and second week of Spring Break.
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 most years. Passes cost just $5 or so and are good for the second half of the month of March. The offer was cancelled last year because of COVID-19 and likely won’t be offered in 2021 either.
West Van Wet & Wild Passes – West Vancouver Rec often offers a special discounted pass for swimming, skating and a few other activities over the school holidays. (Note: West Van Rec doesn’t seem to advertise the deal on their website some years, but instead promote it on Twitter and Facebook.) The deal was cancelled last year and 2021 details are to be confirmed.
Persian New Year Fire Festival – live music and fire jumping opportunities usually take place at West Vancouver’s Ambleside Park on a weekday evening in mid-March. The event was cancelled last year and likely won’t happen in 2021 either.

Spring Break in Maple Ridge

City of Maple Ridge Programs – as part of the city’s recreational activity guides, various camps involving art, the outdoors and more are being offering in 2021.
ACT Arts Centre – a variety of half and full-day Spring Break camps are open for registration in 2021. Prices vary and topics include dancing, technology and fine arts.
Wild & Immersive Programs – two different camps are being offered in 2021 for kids between 5 and 12 years old. The camps involve exploring and learning about nature through fun activities in Maple Ridge.
WildPlay Element Park – a outdoor family-friendly adventure park with ropes courses and ziplines.

Hanging Around at WildPlay Maple Ridge — WildPlay in Maple Ridge

Spring Break in New Westminster

Fraser River Discovery Centre – the child-friendly museum is open daily from March 13th to the 28th. Outdoor tours and interactive activities are available, but timeslots must be reserved ahead of time.
New West Community Centres – the City of New Westminster has a brochure about Spring Break activities happening at various locations in 2021. Things to do include drop-in aquatics, Spring Break day camps and more.
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. They got cancelled last year and likely won’t be happening in 2021 either.

Spring Break in the Fraser Valley

Maan Farms – the Barnyard Adventureland at the family-friendly farm in Abbotsford is open for Spring Break from March 13th until the 28th. They also plan to have a Drive-Thru Easter Event on April 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

Spring Break in the Sea to Sky Region

Britannia Mine Museum – the historic mine and museum is offering special activities during Spring Break this year. Advanced registration is required.

Special Spring Break Programs for Kids

A number of Vancouver attractions offer special programs and deals for children. Below are some examples from 2020, some of which are happening again in 2021.

Sasamat Outdoor Centre – day camps run most years at the facility at Sasamat Lake near Port Moody for children ages 6 to 12. The cost last year was going to be $230 per week. Last year’s camps all got cancelled. It looks like they plan to go ahead though in 2021 at a cost of $250 per one-week session.
Junior Zoologist Camp – a special Spring Break camp often happens at the Greater Vancouver Zoo for kids ages 7 to 12. The camp is running in both weeks of Spring Break in 2021 and registration costs $300 for each five-day period.
CSI Kids Camp – the Vancouver Police Museum offers camps for children ages 9-12 most years. The cost last year was going to be $130 for three days. Last year’s camps all got cancelled though and 2021 details are to be confirmed.
Cliffhanger Vancouver – climbing wall Spring Break camps were going to run for a week at a time in 2020 at the facility at 670 Industrial Avenue. The cost was going to be $225 plus GST per week. The camps were for youth ages 9 to 17. In the end they all got cancelled in 2020, and it doesn’t look like the Spring Break camps are happening in 2021 either.
YMCA Spring Break Day Camps – the YMCA of Greater Vancouver offers spring break day camp programs at multiple venues most years. Locations include Burnaby, Chilliwack, Pitt Meadows, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast. 2021 details are to be confirmed, but the camps likely won’t be happening because of COVID-19.

Rec Centre Activities

Area Rec Centres – community centres throughout the Lower Mainland offer special camps and other activities for children over Spring Break most years. Check out a location near you! Just a few examples include camps in the following places:
- Burnaby – area rec centres have activities throughout the two weeks. The Burnaby Village Museum is usually open too.
- Maple Ridge – a variety of outdoor activities and camps are running in 2021. Topics include art, nature, leadership and more.
- New Westminster – activities in a typical year include crafts, science, pottery, sports, cartooning, magic, cooking, babysitting and other topics. Select activities and camps are being offered in 2021.
- Port Moody – the city is offering Spring Break camps for youth that feature outdoor games, creative exercises and more.
- Richmond Oval – camp topics in 2021 include badminton, floorball, climbing, and more.
- Surrey – recreation facilities are offering performing arts, sports, and themed camps. They all got cancelled last year but some have returned in 2021.
- West Vancouver – camps that are being offered in 2021 include golf, gymnastics, skating, acting and more.

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 Activities will be especially popular if the weather is rainy, and Vancouver’s many beautiful Parks and Places in Nature 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: