Family Day, Feb. 17, is just around the corner, bringing many Victorians a day off and an opportunity to spend time with loved ones. With many events set to be held around the region, there will be no shortage of things to do.
Saanich marks the holiday with the Saanich Family Arts Festival. The event will welcome kids and families of all ages to the Cedar Hill Recreation and Arts Centre, where they can explore several artistic activities. The day will be led by arts centre staff and feature guest instructors from the region’s arts and culture community, as well as live performances.
The centre's main gallery will also feature a youth exhibition titled Growing Together: Art by Young People from the Arts at Cedar Hill, showcasing creative expressions from young people who participated in weekly classes at the centre.
Attendees can create their own artwork by experimenting with clay hand-building, stitching, stamping, storytelling, robotics and other crafting activities.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, at 3220 Cedar Hill Rd.
For music lovers, Pacific Opera Victoria and the Victoria Symphony are inviting families to a free open house. The organizations promise a day of creativity, music and behind-the-scenes exploration. It runs from noon to 3 p.m. at Victoria’s Royal Theatre, where they are preparing for the opening of Rachel Portman’s The Little Prince.
“It is a chance to see the theatre and the whole production from a different point of view—from the stage of the Royal to the backstage labyrinth,” said Brenna Corner, artistic director of Pacific Opera.
In the West Shore, Royal Bay in Colwood will host a family fun day at Meadow Park. The fun includes a family photo booth, an inflatable bouncy zone, and a bubble dome filled with floating balloons, along with warm drinks and quality time with neighbours.
Langford’s Outpost Board Game Cafe will celebrate Family Day by offering free access to the largest selection of playable board games in the West Shore.
Up on the Peninsula, the Sidney Museum will welcome families to its popular Lego brick exhibit, featuring Lego Certified Professional Robin Sather, hundreds of Lego sets on display, and a Lego scavenger hunt along Beacon Avenue.
Finally, the Royal BC Museum will offer admission by donation, giving families a chance to check out the 60th edition of the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit, along with new additions to museum staples such as Old Town, New Approach: The Hayashi Photography Studio. IMAX Victoria will also offer $2 admission to documentary film screenings.
