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.

2019 was the last year of the Surrey International Children’s Festival. The first year of Surrey SPARK Stages was 2022 and it has taken place under that name ever since. In 2025 it happens on the weekend of May 23rd to 25th.

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 from May 26th until June 1st in 2025.

Surrey SPARK Stages Family Weekend

In the past the Surrey International Children’s Festival took place each spring with the aim to “inspire young hearts and minds through the arts.” The theme in 2019 was “Seriously.” At the event there were arts and crafts activities, a storytelling tent, live entertainment and various workshops. Surrey SPARK Stages is similar to the former children’s festival, but smaller.

SPARK Stages events that take place in 2025 include music, dance and circus performances. There are also different workshops and roving entertainment at the Surrey Arts Centre. Continue reading below to learn more about this year’s Surrey SPARK Stages events.

Dates and Location

Surrey SPARK Stages take place on the weekend of May 23rd to 25th in 2025.

As usual, this year’s activities are held at the Surrey Arts Centre, located at 13750-88th Avenue. The venue is on the right side of the entrance to Bear Creek Park.

SPARK Stages Admission

All Surrey SPARK Stages events are ticketed. Tickets to each show cost about $19 for kids ages 12 and under. General admission for ages 13 and above costs $25 per show.

Included with admission is access to activities that happen between the shows, such as workshops, puppet shows, roving performances and more.

2025 Shows and Experiences

The following are the shows and performances that happen over the SPARK Stages weekend in 2025. Each show takes place on both the Saturday and Sunday. (Note: Exact details are subject to change.)

A Simple Space – a circus show by Gravity & Other Myths from Australia that features incredible acrobatic feats. It takes place at 11:45 am and 3:30 pm on Saturday, and 11:45 am on Sunday.
Braided Spirits – a lively performing arts show during which the audience is treated to music, dancing and comedy. The show features Indigenous artist Notorious Cree at 3:30 pm on Sunday.
Ginalina Joins the Circus – a music show featuring singer-songwriter Ginalina that also includes some circus elements. It takes place at 2:35 pm on Saturday.
I Wish I Was a Mountain – a musical theatre production from the UK. The show is a modern adaptation of the fairy tale Faldum. The performance starts at 2:30 pm on Sunday.
Whipped Up! – a unique production where babies from the audience become the stars, ordering around a busy waitress who must try and fulfill their every request. The experience runs at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm on Friday, 11:30 am, 1:45 pm and 3:30 pm on Saturday, and 11:30 am, 1:45 pm and 3:30 pm on Sunday.

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, while you’re there be sure to check out the Art Gallery at the Surrey Arts Centre. 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.