28 free things to do in Vancouver this February

Feb 1 2018, 3:01 pm

Planning for a frugal February? We’re here to help with our list of fun free events happening in Vancouver this month!

From Family Day to Lunar New Year, here are 28 free things to do around the city this February.

For more things happening around town, check out our events section.

Celebrate Family Day

Family Day at Summit

  • What: Enjoy Family Day with a baking class, bouncy castle, board games, badminton, popcorn and gym games. All ages welcome.
  • When: Friday, February 9, 2018
  • Time: 3 to 5 pm
  • Where: Summit Community Centre – 1450 Parkway Boulevard, Coquitlam
  • Admission: Free

Family Day at West Richmond Community Centre

  • What: Bring your family and fuel up with a free pancake breakfast, arts and crafts and family style games.
  • When: Saturday, February 10, 2018
  • Time: 9:30 am to 12 pm
  • Where: West Richmond Community Centre – 9180 No. 1 Rd, Richmond
  • Admission: Free

Family Day at Pinetree

  • What: Bring the family to Pinetree for Family Day drop-in and enjoy bouncy castle, popcorn, and gym games. Appropriate for children up to 12 years, with parents.
  • When: Sunday, February 11, 2018
  • Time: 1 to 3 pm
  • Where: Pinetree Community Centre – 1260 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
  • Admission: Free

Family Fun Days at the Nature Park

  • What: Visit Richmond Nature Park for adventurous family fun. Explore the bog through special scavenger hunts, then stop by the Woodland photo booth. Choose a wacky animal prop, snap a family portrait and create a take-home twig picture frame.
  • When: Saturday, February 10 to Monday, February 12, 2018
  • Times: 11 am to 4 pm
  • Where: Richmond Nature Park – 11851 Westminster Hwy, Richmond
  • Admission: Free, though admission are appreciated

Family Flag Day at the Historic Stewart Farm

  • What: Go back in time for a unique family experience at the Historic Stewart Farm in South Surrey. The free, fun-filled drop-in event for all ages includes a chance to make a family crest, pioneer children’s games, a guided tour of the house, and more.
  • When: Monday, February 12, 2018
  • Time: 12 to 3 pm
  • Where: Historic Stewart Farm – 13723 Crescent Rd, Surrey
  • Admission: Free

For the Love of Nature

  • What: ​Celebrate nature with family and loved ones on Family Day weekend.  Enjoy arts and crafts activities that expand your ability to observe and appreciate nature.
  • When: Monday, February 12, 2018
  • When: 11 am to 2 pm
  • Where:  Burnaby Lake Regional Park, Burnaby Lake Nature House – 4519 Piper Avenue, Burnaby
  • Admission: Free

Family Day at Surrey Nature Centre

  • What: ​Celebrate being a family outdoors at the Surrey Nature Centre. Test your skills at the family challenge station, go on a guided nature walk, join a story time and more.
  • When: Monday, February 12, 2018
  • Time: 10 am to 2 pm
  • Where: Surrey Nature Centre – 14225 Green Timbers Way, Surrey
  • Admission: Free

Happy Lunar New Year

Aberdeen Centre’s Chinese New Year Flower & Gift Fair

  • What: Ring in the Year of the Dog and stock up your supplies at this annual Chinese New Year Flower & Gift Fair. Featuring booths specializing in Chinese New Year themed decorations, traditional snacks, sweets and foods, gifts, toys, fresh flowers and plants, and more.
  • When: Friday, February 9, 2018 to Sunday, February 18, 2018
  • Time: 11 am to 7 pm
  • Where: Aberdeen Centre – 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond
  • Admission: Free

Lunar New Year Fest

  • What: Celebrate Lunar New Year at Central City with free family fun. Cultural music, dance, crafts, lucky draws, a traditional lion dance, and more. Plus a free goodie bag giveaway for the first 300 people at the event.
  • When: Monday, February 12, 2018
  • Time: 11 am to 4 pm
  • Where: Central City Shopping Centre – 10153 King George Blvd, Surrey
  • Admission: Free

Chinese New Year Festival at Lansdowne Centre

  • What: A full day of free family fun including a Lion Dance, Money God visits, live traditional and modern stage performances, community booths, giveaways and more.
  • When: Saturday, February 17, 2018
  • Time: 12:30 to 5 pm
  • Where: Lansdowne Centre – 5300 No. 3 Rd., Richmond
  • Admission: Free

Explore the city

Groundhog Day in Newton

  • What: Join Lou Jack the Groundhog in the Save-on-Foods Underground for a pyjama party to celebrate an early Groundhog Day. Complete with a petting zoo, mini golf, crafts, games, Science World demos, hot chocolate, live children’s entertainer and more. Plus start the day off with a free pancake breakfast and stick around to see if winter is ending early.
  • When: Saturday, February 3, 2018
  • Time: 10 am
  • Where: Save-on-Foods Underground – 7320 King George Boulevard, Surrey
  • Admission: Free

Art Reception: Surfacing and Canadian Songstress

  • What: The opening reception for Surfacing by Sharon W. Huget, and Canadian Songstress by Joyelle Brandt. Refreshments will be served, with artists in attendance.
  • When: Sunday, February 4, 2018
  • Start: 1 to 3:30 pm
  • Where: Silk Art Gallery – 2419 Clarke Street, Port Moody
  • Admission: Free

U40 Networking Social

  • What: Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce U40 Leaders of Tomorrow help motivate young and emerging professionals to come together to network, share ideas and become leaders of Langley. Come and enjoy complimentary appetizers and a business card draw for prizes.
  • When: Wednesday, February 7, 2018
  • Time: 4:30 to 6:30 pm
  • Where: Earls Kitchen + Bar Langley – 600-6339 200 Street, Langley
  • Register: Online, Free

Literary Friends Speed Chatting

  • What: Bring two of your favourite books, or movies based on books, that you would love to tell a new friend about. You’ll have five minutes to chat with each person in the room about your favourites and theirs. A librarian will host the event and help you place holds on the new recommended reads. Light refreshments served, space is limited to 12 participants.
  • When: Wednesday, February 14, 2018
  • Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
  • Where: Burnaby Public Library – Cameron Branch – 9523 Cameron Street, Burnaby
  • Register: Online, Free

Guided Tour at Lulu Island Winery

  • What: Learn the process of winemaking from harvesting to crushing to bottling.  Complete the tour with wine tasting, including famous Canadian ice wine, with soft cheese and fruits to pair with. Lastly, bring home a little gift to share with friends and family.
  • When: Thursday, February 15 to Wednesday, February 28, 2018
  • Time: 11 am to 2 pm
  • Where: Lulu Island Winery – 16880 Westminster Hwy., Richmond
  • Admission: Free with advanced booking. RSVP by calling 604-232-9839

Celebrating Métis Art

  • What: Join Lisa Shepherd, Métis Artist, as she leads a free drop-in workshop that explores traditional Métis beadwork through an easy-to-draw pencil crayon project. Everyone’s individual completed art piece will be collected at the end of the workshop and displayed together in a larger collective art piece. Free bannock and prize giveaways. Open to Métis Youth and anyone interested in learning about Métis Culture.
  • When: Friday, February 16, 2018
  • Time: 3 to 6 pm
  • Where: City Centre Library – 10350 University Drive, Surrey
  • Admission: Free

Celebrate Heritage Day!

  • What: Celebrate Heritage Day in Port Moody with family-friendly activities at the Civic Centre and walking tours along historic Clarke Street. Enjoy performances by The Squares Barbershop Quartet, Beauty Shop Dolls, Port Moody Secondary School students, and children’s entertainer The Ta-Daa Lady. Play old-fashioned games and get your photo taken with vintage props in a black-and-white photo booth.
  • When: Saturday, February 17, 2018
  • Time: 11 am to 3 pm
  • Where:
    • Civic Centre – 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody
    • Station Museum – 2734 Murray Street, Port Moody
    • Clarke Street, Port Moody
  • Admission: Free

Stuffie Sleepover

  • What: Ever wonder what your stuffed animals do when you’re not around? Come to our stuffed animal storytime and tuck in your stuffie for a night at the library.
  • When: Monday, February 19, 2018
  • Time: 6:15 to 7 pm
  • Where: Terry Fox Library – 2470 Mary Hill Road, Port Coquitlam
  • Admission: Free

Winter Jazz: A Cure for Seasonal Affective Disorder

  • What: The short but sweet series will feature a total of seven local and international groups, including Scandinavian jazz quintet Atomic, Juno-nominated bassist Jodi Proznick, singer/songwriter Marin Patenaude, roots rockers, The Sumner Brothers, vocalist Alicia Hansen, Thelonious Monk-inspired jazzers Monk’s Music, and indie fave Jasper Sloan Yip.
  • When: Friday, February 23 to Sunday, February 25, 2018
  • Time: Showtimes vary, see website for details
  • Where: Performance Works – 1218 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
  • Admission: Free

Cammidge House Heritage Day

  • What: Head to Cammidge House to celebrate Heritage Week with tea, baked goods and more.
  • When: Sunday, February 25, 2018
  • Where: Boundary Bay Regional Park – Access via Centennial Beach entrance on Boundary Bay Road, Tsawwassen
  • Admission: Free

Art Focus Artists’ Association 25th Anniversary Exhibit

  • What: Art Focus is commemorating its Silver Anniversary by holding a silver-themed exhibit. Oils, watercolour, acrylics, mixed-media and photography are featured in this show held at the Michael Wright Gallery and in The Outlet.
  • When: Now to February 26, 2018
  • Time: 9 am to 6 pm (closed on Sundays)
  • Where: Michael Wright Art Gallery – #200-2253 Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam
  • Admission: Free

Robson Square Ice Rink 2017

february

Robson Square Ice Rink in Vancouver (LeonWang/Shutterstock)

  • What: The provincial government’s Robson Square Ice Rink is free for all ages for those who bring their own skates. Those without skates can rent a pair on-site. A concession stand on the side will also serve warm drinks and snacks.
  • When: Now to February 28, 2018
  • Time: 9 am to 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday; 9 am to 11 pm on Friday and Saturday
  • Where: 800 Robson Street, Vancouver (Robson Street & Howe Street)
  • Admission: Free for all ages if you bring your own skates. Skate rentals are $4, and rentals end 30 minutes before closing time.
  • Note: Helmets are mandatory for children 12 years and under. Robson Square Ice Rink accepts cash only.

Enjoy the great outdoors

Derby Tales Round the Campfire

  • What: Gather round a crackling campfire to bake bannock and listen to tales of nature and life in the wilderness.  Bring a mug for hot chocolate.
  • When: Saturday, February 17, 2018
  • Time: Noon to 3 pm
  • Where: Derby Reach Regional Park – Meet across the road from the Heritage Area on Allard Crescent, north of 96 Avenue and 4 km west of Fort Langley.
  • Admission: Free

Walk Richmond – South Arm Park

  • What: Discover South Arm Park up close with its beautiful trees, greenery and sports amenities.
  • When: Saturday, February 24, 2018
  • Time: 10 to 11 am
  • Meeting Spot: The basketball court to the west of South Arm Community Centre – 8880 Williams Rd, Richmond
  • Admission: Free

Eat fresh with winter farmers’ markets

Hastings Park Winter Farmer’s Market

  • What: Find a great selection of local produce, fish, meat, dairy, artisan prepared foods, baked goods, local crafts, craft alcohol producers, and food trucks.
  • When: Every Sunday to April 29, 2018
  • Time: 10 am to 2 pm
  • Where: Hastings Park Centregrounds – 2901 East Hastings Street
  • Admission: Free

Nat Bailey Stadium Winter Market

  • What: Each week you can look forward to finding locally grown vegetables and fruit, meat and seafood from local ranchers and fishermen, artisan cheese and bread, herbs and seasonal nursery items, baked goods, prepared foods and artisanal crafts.
  • When: Every Saturday to April 21, 2018
  • Time: 10 am to 2 pm
  • Where: Nat Bailey Stadium – 4601 Ontario Street
  • Admission: Free

Gulf of Georgia Cannery Winter Farmer’s Market

february

(Gulf of Georgia Cannery)

  • What: The Cannery Farmers’ Market has products from local food producers and artisans who follow a “Make it, Bake it, Grow it, Catch it” philosophy. BC-produced vegetables, fruits, and meats are the central draw to this market, but there is also entertainment and guided tours of the heritage site (pay by donation).
  • When: Sunday, February 11 and Sunday, February 25, 2018
  • Time: 10 am to 3 pm
  • Where: Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site – 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond
  • Admission: Free

Port Moody Winter Farmers’ Market

  • What: Enjoy local BC products, artisan crafts, and delicious baked goods at the Port Moody Winter Farmers’ Market.
  • When: Every Sunday to April
  • Time: 10 am to 2 pm
  • Where: Port Moody Recreation Complex – 300 Ioco Road, Port Moody
  • Admission: Free
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