Enjoy free admission or join a number of virtual programs from anywhere in the province as the Royal B.C. Museum and IMAX Victoria celebrate Family Day on Monday.
Along with free admission to the museum and IMAX for children, youth, seniors and students, visitors can enjoy fiddle, flamenco and jazz music in Clifford Carl Hall throughout the day, tour historic Helmcken House or register for one of two special genealogy workshops hosted at the B.C. Archives.
The featured exhibit is the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition.
IMAX Victoria will screen a special slate of Family Day films, including the return of Pandas and Flight of the Butterflies.
Family-centric digital programs include a three-part webinar, Behind the Scenes of the Museum, and access to Learning Portal programs, including the museum’s newest, Vietnamese Canadian Experiences in B.C.
The event is made possible through a grant from the provincial government.
Exhibitions and galleries in the museum are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday.
The Finding Family workshops at the B.C. Archives (registration required) run from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Helmcken House is open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Virtual Behind the Scenes — online and screened on the second floor — takes place at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.
Free live music performances in Clifford Carl Hall include: B.C. Fiddle Orchestra from 11:30 a.m. to noon; Flamenco performance from 1:30 to 2 p.m. and a Ukrainian jazz performance from 2:30 to 3 p.m.
The Royal B.C. Museum is at 675 Belleville St.
For more information, go to royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/family-day.
Here are a few other events on offer for the Family Day weekend:
City of Victoria: A free Family Day event is set for Monday from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Royal Athletic Park. Activities include family-friendly music, mini-field soccer, bouncy castle, lawn games and base running with Harvey the HarbourCats mascot.
Family Day at the Legislature. Explore inside the Parliament Buildings and join family-friendly activities on Monday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saanich’s Family Arts Festival returns to the Cedar Hill Recreation and Arts Centre on Monday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants can try clay hand-building in the pottery studio, stitching, mask-making, playing with robotics and getting creative with a variety of arts and crafts activities. Live music and cultural performances from local groups will take place throughout the day.
Esquimalt Recreation Centre at 527 Fraser St. will host a free 2023 Family Day event Monday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Activities include kindergym, skating, swimming as well as a variety of other family activities. The event also includes an Esquimalt Lions pancake breakfast by donation, with all funds raised going back into the Esquimalt community. Go to esquimalt.ca for more information.
Family Day 2023 events at the Sidney Museum, from Saturday to Monday, including LEGO-themed activities. Check out the museum’s display of more than 200 LEGO sets and participate in a Sidney-wide scavenger hunt. Businesses and organizations from all over town will have LEGO sets from the collection on display in their windows and storefronts — find them all and be entered in a draw to win a LEGO prize. Presented by Peninsula Co-op.
