The days are longer, the weather is warmer and families can look forward to a fabulously fun Spring Break ahead of them! If you stay in town, you’re in luck because this weekend kicks off two weeks of fun. Have family visiting over the break? There are plenty of cheap and free indoor and outdoor activities to keep all ages occupied. If you’re still looking for a last-minute Spring Break Camp, check out our guide. St. Patrick’s Day is also happening this weekend, and while there aren’t too many events for families, there are still a few fun ones happening in Metro Vancouver

Here are our top picks for family-friendly events for the weekend of March 15-17, 2024

1. It’s Okay to Be Different

An ideal show for ages 3-8 years old, “It’s Okay to Be Different” is bundled into a one-hour format with showtimes conveniently occurring over Spring Break. At a time when it is challenging to find appropriate activities and camps for preschool and primary-aged students, “It’s Okay to Be Different” not only offers a wonderful opportunity for young ones to attend a show specifically geared towards them but also offers an opportunity to connect and discuss important topics against the backdrop of an entertaining show.

2. CelticFest Live Concert (Free!)

Kick up your heels and celebrate (an early) St. Patrick’s Day with a rousing outdoor concert and family-friendly programming! As part of CelticFest, the Live Concert is celebrating 20 years of great fun in Vancouver. This event runs all day (10am-10pm!) so pop by for a little while or make a day out of it.

3. Spring Break Salmon Run

Learn about the life cycle of Pacific Salmon at the incredible Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Kids under 17 are FREE, and with interactive activities, scavenger hunts, and plenty of neat areas to explore, your family can easily spend a day touring the site and learning about the Salmon Run.

4. Easter Train at Bear Creek Park

Opening day is March 16th if you want to get a hop on your Easter activities this year! Enjoy a train ride through the forest dripping in Easter decor. The train will go around the forest and stop where the Easter egg hunt and fun begins. The Easter Bunny itself will be on hand for photos.

5. Brunch at the Blarney Stone

Back in the day, I spent a good slice of time kicking up my heels at the Blarney Stone. Now is your chance to go back (at a respectable hour!) and enjoy a delicious brunch with your family. An Irish Brunch will be served from 9am-11am, with plenty of live entertainment on stage throughout the day. When the clock strikes 5pm, it turns back into a 19+ establishment.

6. Film Club

Join Cinematique’s Film Club and watch films from around the world as you enjoy a bag of popcorn. The films change on the 3rd Sunday of every month, and March 17th’s film is the Japanese flick “The Castle of Cagliostro.”

7. Family-friendly Nowruz Celebration

March 16th is Persian New Year and the HR MacMillan Space Centre is hosting a family-friendly party to ring in the new year! There will be live music, entertainment, science demonstrations and a presentation on the history of Nowruz. Due to the later start time, the event is best suited for families with kids ages 7 and up.


But wait…There’s more!

Love our list of awesome kid-friendly activities to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend? Then you’ll love our monthly guides too! Take a look at What’s Happening in March.  Don’t forget to bookmark our events calendar to stay in the know on awesome events happening in your neighbourhood!

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