10 totally FREE family events and festivals this June
Vancouver is expensive. We all know that. But we love it for its natural beauty, eco-friendly vibe and local foodie scene. Still a few freebies don’t hurt. Here are some family friendly activities that are long on fun and short on dollars spent … in fact totally free.
10 FREE kids and family events this June in Metro Vancouver
Hats Off Day
June 2nd
Voted Burnaby’s best Festival for over 10 years in a row, on Hats Off Day local businesses take their “hats off” to the community. Hastings Street is shut down to traffic, and filled with excitement, music, street performers, kids activities, and delicious food from Gamma Avenue to Boundary Road. With multiple activities and attractions for all ages, each block has something different going on.
>> Hats Off Day
Tinypreneurs 2nd Annual Event
June 2nd
Pint sized entrepreneurs will be showing off their wares are the 2nd annual marketplace in New Westminister. There will also be games for the children, raffle, gifts, children’s performances, music, craft, dance.
>> Tinypreneurs
Vancouver Landfill Open House
June 2nd
Find out where your garbage, food scraps and green waste ends up. During this free, behind the scenes family-friendly event, you can meet the trained hawks and members of the Bird Control Team, take a guided bus tour of the landfill, and learn about the Landfill’s environmental protection systems. Kids can create crafts from junk, sitting on actual landfill equipment, face painting, free food and refreshments and more!
>> Vancouver Landfill Open House
Italian Day on the Drive
June 10th
The Drive is the epicentre of Italian culture in the city, and this fest is the largest one-day cultural street festival in Vancouver with a 14 block party. A festive community embrace, The Drive comes alive in green, white and red with piazza style animated zones, live music, food, patios, fashion, retail vendors, vehicles, activities, children’s zones and more.
Moms, Pops & Tots
June 5th and 12th
Tuesday morning Moms, Pops & Tots events are filled with twirls, yoga and healthy delicious snacks. Tots have a blast while they dance, learn some yoga moves and making a nutritional snack with dance instructor and Holistic Registered Nutritionist. Classes are designed for children aged 0-5, along with their mom, dad or caregiver. Admission is by donation with all proceeds to Rocky Mountain Flatbread’s school gardening program EarthBites.
Car-Free fest on Main St
June 18th
From Broadway to 30th on Main St, Main Street is the biggest of Vancouver’s Car Free Day festivals spanning 21 blocks with 15 stages and mini-festivals along the entire street. This is a fun, family-friendly event with kid-zones, skateboarders, funky artisan shops and popular food vendors.
Greek Day on Broadway
June 24th
Opa! The food alone is a reason to go to this all Greek all the time fest in the heart of Greek Vancouver on West Broadway, but there’s also fully costumed Greek dancing, bouncy castles and kids activities, and all kinds of festive fun.
National Indigenous Day at Trout Lake
June 21st
Celebrate National Indigenous Day at Trout Lake with a community-based, full day of events. First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people gather to share their spirit, experiences, stories, songs, art and dance with each other and the general community – with a whole day of entertainment, activities, and fun planned for the whole family.
>> National Indigenous Day at Trout Lake
Haida Stories & Songs with Kung Jaadee
Performing traditional Haida legends, while accompanying herself on her hand drum, Kung Jaadee will perform Raven-Trickster stories and involve her audiences with Xaad Kil words and phrases. Come and enjoy the traditional legends of the Haida Nation in honour of National Aboriginal Day! All Ages. Presented by ArtStarts.
>> Haida Stories & Songs with Kung Jaadee
The Vancouver International Jazz Festival Free Stages
June 23-July 1, 2018
Come on baby, let’s go downtown! Free stages of free music, kids’ activities, food trucks, licensed bars, bike parking, at the Georgia and Robson stages on weekend #1. Then the easier for running around Free World Music weekend follows at David Lam Park on June 30th and July 1st at this great all-ages event for families and kids.
For more events (or to submit an event), head over to our Family Events Calendar!
