Ten cool things to do close to home this Victoria Day long weekend
It’s the queen’s birthday (Victoria that is) but instead of running away, you can have a lot of good fun here in Vancouver. The May long weekend is when things really get rolling, and the scent of summer is in the air. Think roller coasters and rides, the circus or rodeo, farmers and night markets and yes, even outdoor swimming! In the event of rain or overbearing heat, we’ve got some fun indoor activities too.
Go swimming … outside!
Saturday-Monday, May 18-20 2019, Vancouver
Many outdoor pools open this weekend including the newly renovated Kits Pool, fan fave New Brighton, Hillcrest’s ‘ideal for little ones’ outdoor pool and the spectacular Second Beach pool at Stanley Park. Suit up and take the littles to one of Vancouver’s spectacular outdoor pools. If all goes well, you may even need sunscreen.
Jurassic Quest
Friday-Sunday, May 17 – 20 2019, Vancouver
Dino-lovers are going to want to go to this epic dinosaur event at the Convention Centre. Jurassic Quest features 80 replicas, true to life-sized dinosaurs from the very small, to the gigantic. See dinosaurs move, roar and roam and interact with baby dinosaurs and teens dinosaurs. And that’s not all! There will be dinosaur themed rides, a baby dinosaur show, a bounce house, a science station, a dino cinema and a toddler petting zoo and a whole lot more.
International Museum Day $2 Entry to MOV
Saturday May 18, Vancouver
International Museum Day is this Saturday, and you can visit the Museum of Vancouver for only $2 all day long. Check out the Wild Things exhibition’s live eagle cam and view rare surviving artwork created by Indigenous children as part of the There is Truth Here exhibit.
>> International Museums Day at the MOV
Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair
Saturday – Monday May 18-20, 2019, Surrey
Yee haw! Don your stetson and cowboy boots because the The Cloverdale Rodeo is here this weekend with four days of Bareback Riding, Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding and more. If that’s a tad extreme, head to the fair for midway, games and rides, go-karts at the Inland Cone Zone, pig and corgi races, ribs at Rib Fest and axemen at the Lumberjack show.
>> Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair
Royal Canadian Family Circus
Saturday – Monday, May 18-20 2019 Richmond
Run away to the circus this long weekend! The Royal Canadian Family Circus hits Richmond this long weekend with high-flying acrobatics, death-defying tricks, clowning and towering feats of strength, teetering towers of balanced bodies, extreme bending and devilishly precarious aerials!
>> Royal Canadian Family Circus
Pup Academy TV Test Screening
Saturday, May 18 2019, Vancouver
Got pup-obsessed kids between 5 and 10 years old? Head to Vancity Theatre on Saturday for a free screening of an exclusive look at the upcoming television show “Pup Academy.” Includes complementary popcorn and drinks, a fun, short response survey and cool prizes!
>> Pup Academy TV Test Screening
Richmond Night Market
Saturday – Monday, May 18-20 2019 Richmond
Crazy delicious and highly Instagrammable Asian snacks and street food is what the market is know for – think bubble everything, grilled squid, piled high mango desserts, dragon’s beard candy, grilled cheese as well as lantern drinks, live entertainment, bouncy castles, and a madcap energy that’s second to none.
A Day Out with Thomas
Saturday – Monday May 18-20 2019, Squamish
Mini railways are great and all but if you have a BIG Thomas the Tank Engine fan in the house, then a trip to Squamish for A Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine at the WestCoast Railway Heritage Park is a must. Get on the steaming locomotive for a 20-25 minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine™ and meet Sir Topham Hatt™, the Controller of the Railway. There’s also story-telling, an imagination station, temporary tattoos and more.
Farmers Market
Kitsilano (Sundays) and Trout Lake (Saturdays) Farmers Markets are up and running for the summer now. This means farm fresh fruit, veg and baked goods. And now many of the markets have craft beer, local fish and hormone-free meats. And for the kiddies, there’s typically live music (and cookies) and the odd balloon twister or two! Have a green thumb? This will be the spot for seedlings.
Playland
Saturday-Monday May 18-20, 2019, Vancouver
It’s time to scarf back hot dogs, cotton candy and mini donuts and then ride the Hellivator! Okay maybe not. Playland is now open weekends with loads of cute rides for the littles. Spin your way through a magical land on Bug Whirled, a new coaster ride or peddle your way to the clouds flapping your wings on The Flutterbye, or take the plunge on the mechanical Dizzy Drop.
>> Playland
Arts Umbrella – Expressions Theatre Festival
Sunday May 19 2019, Vancouver
Check out a matinee of James and Giant Peach. Tickets are only $12 a pop for this family friendly show about a boy who lives inside a giant peach with a cast of colourful characters, and embarks on an epic journey to New York City. The show features Arts Umbrella’s pre-professional actors aged 17-22.
>> Arts Umbrella Expressions Festival
Banner photo credit: The Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair
