The popular Richmond Children’s Arts Festival is returning with free, hands-on fun on BC Family Day (Monday, February 19) from 10:00am to 4:00 pm at the Richmond Cultural Centre. Mayor Malcolm Brodie will be kicking off the event at 11:00am on the “Once Upon A Time Stage” located in the Launchpad area of the Richmond Public Library. 

This annual event serves as an avenue for fostering creativity and artistic exploration among young minds. Entry to the festival site is free and includes drop-in access to a range of creative activities and performances. In addition, children can be pre-registered for scheduled and structured artist-led Creativity Classes through the festival website at ChildrensArtsFestival.ca.

New for 2024, the recently opened Richmond Cultural Centre Annex will be the home of the “Story Time Pavilion” stage. It will feature Haida and Squamish Stories and Songs with Kung Jaadee; Sally's New Look with Richmond illustrator Dawn Lo; and Wild and Wonderful West Coast: Storytelling, Songs, and Movement with Ginalina.

Recognizing Black History Month, artists including Edward Sembatya, will delight audiences with music and dance from East and West Africa. Also new this year is the presentation of the play, Division Infinity Saves the World! at Gateway Theatre. Produced by Vancouver’s Neworld Theatre, the creative team features local artist and former Branscombe House Artist-in-Residence Keely O’Brien, who is known for her immersive art installations throughout Richmond.

The festival aims to encourage discovery and love for the arts to inspire the next generation of artists in our city. The Children’s Arts Festival is produced by the City of Richmond and presented by Lansdowne Centre. The community partner is the Richmond Public Library and the Media Sponsor is the Richmond News.

For full festival details, visit ChildrensArtsFestival.ca.