7 Family-friendly Ways to Celebrate the Victoria Day Long Weekend

From rodeos to night markets to fairs, we’ve rounded up the best events to keep you and the family busy all weekend long

1. Fun at the fair

Giddy up and ride on over to the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair for a full long weekend of live music, exhilarating rides, and a tree-choppin’, -splittin’ and -climbin’ performance by the West Coast Lumberjacks that’s not to be missed. And on the rodeo side of things, the world’s best cowgirls and cowboys square off in roughstock events like bull riding, saddle bronc riding and ladies barrel racing. (Can I get a yee-haw!) Finally, make sure to check out all those guilty-pleasure eats, including the finger-lickin’ good Rib Zone.
6050 176 Street, Surrey; tickets available from $10

2. Celebrate at the Fort Langley Parade and Fair

Head over to Fort Langley for the 95th annual May Day Parade and fair. The parade begins Monday at 11 a.m., commencing at Church Street and ending in Fort Langley Community Park, where the duly anointed May Queens and their royal parties will be welcomed by live bagpipes. After that, it’s party time in the park until 4 p.m., with the traditional maypole folk dancing, children’s rides, live entertainment, mini-golf and oh-so-much food. Make sure you get to the parade early to secure a prime viewing spot.

3. Get active at Whistler GO Fest

Whistler’s Great Outdoors Festival returns from Friday, May 19 to Sunday, May 21, giving you the perfect excuse to explore and embrace beautiful B.C. From a self-guided tour down Whistler’s River of Golden Dreams to stand-up paddle boarding, live music and so much more, there’ll be plenty of outdoor adventures to get the blood and adrenaline pumping all weekend long.
 

4. Shop the local night markets

Make the most of the breezy spring evenings with the finest weekend night markets Richmond has to offer. A great alternative to restaurant dining, discover different tastes and join in on community celebrations. Head to Richmond Night Market for shopping, games, rides, festival-style foods and a trip through the Magical Dino Park. Or check out the new Illumination Summer Night Market for over 300 food and retail vendors; the latter also features the continent’s largest summer light show installation, which includes nine different striking and sparkly designs, as well as 30 giant teddy bears positioned throughout the market representing cultures from around the world.
Richmond Night Market: 8351 River Road; Victoria Day weekend hours: Friday & Saturday: 7 p.m.-midnight; Sunday & Monday: 7 p.m.-11 p.m.; general admission $3.75 (kids under 10 and seniors over 60 free). Illumination Summer Night Market: 12631 Vulcan Way; Victoria Day weekend hours: 7 p.m.-midnight; general admission $3 (kids under 5 and seniors over 60 free)

5. Go car crazy at the All British Field Meet

Rev those engines, because the All British Field Meet is back for their 32nd year on Saturday, May 20th. Displaying over 450 British-built classics from throughout history, it’s the largest show of its kind to hit Western Canada. But no worries: you don’t have to be a car enthusiast to partake. Surrounded by the beautiful gardens of VanDusen, visitors can also enjoy the scenery to the live, dulcet tones of the Little Mountain Brass Band, while sampling a variety of food trucks. Then, on Sunday, there’s the All British Vancouver to Whistler Run, wherein over 100 of these classic cars will make their way up the Sea and Sky Highway for a second show at the Olympic Plaza. It’s a convoy you won’t want to miss.
5251 Oak Street; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; ticket prices vary

6. Play at Playland

An oldie but a goodie, PNE Playland is powering up for another summer. Favourites like the Corkscrew and Wooden Roller Coaster are sure to get pulses racing, whilst three new family rides, Bug Whirled, The Flutterbye and Dizzy Drop, are perfect for the little one. So take in the sweet aroma of freshly made doughnuts and plan for a weekend filled with family fun… and probably a lot of screaming.
2901 East Hastings St; open all long weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; tickets available from $25 online

7. Eat like royalty

If you needed an excuse to gorge yourself on cake, well, look no further. It’s said that Queen Victoria herself loved a slice of Victoria sponge cake with her afternoon tea—so much so, they actually named it after her. And if it’s good enough for the Queen, it sure is good enough for the likes of us. So in honour of Victoria Day, and its namesake monarch, get your mixing bowl ready, dust off your aprons and try out this  classic Victoria sponge cake recipe that’s fit for a royal (not to mention a certain magical British nanny).