49th Annual Vancouver International Children’s Festival — Ignite the Imagination: A week of Wonder awaits

Vancouver, BC (April 21, 2026) - The 49th Annual Vancouver International Children’s Festival returns to Granville Island from May 25 – May 31, offering an exciting week of world-class theatre, music, dance, circus, puppetry and storytelling and a chance for families to unplug and experience the magic of live, screen-free entertainment together. 

This year’s lineup features 14 professional performing artists from as far-reaching as Italy, Denmark and South Korea. With 80 scheduled performances, the Festival remains a premier destination for families looking to ignite joy and create lasting memories. 

2026 Cultural Spotlight: South Korea 

This year, the Festival is proud to feature a special focus on South Korean arts and culture. Audiences can experience the world-class imagination of Doodle POP and the immersive puppetry of Me & The Forest (a BC/South Korea co-production). The celebration continues with a dedicated Korean Cultural Activity Tent and a rotation of traditional Korean musicians and dancers performing on our outdoor stage.

“For 49 years, we have offered Metro Vancouver families a rare opportunity to experience international, professional theatre, music, and circus created specifically for young audiences,” says Katharine Carol, the Festival’s Artistic and Executive Director. “At a time when so much of childhood is spent on screens, this is a space to connect through live performance, creativity, and play. Through the stories we share and the artists we invite, we strive to ensure every child can see themselves reflected in the magic of the Festival.”

2026 Show Highlights

The 2026 Festival boasts a high-energy mix of local favorites and international stars:

• BENCHED: Daring contemporary dance and high-energy feats of athleticism.
• The Merry Marching Band: Zany, whimsical circus antics for all ages.
• Nimihitowin!: A breathtaking feast of traditional Indigenous music and dance.
• Comedy Patrol: High-octane comic mayhem mixed with acrobatics
• Missy D: Soul-stirring hip-hop and rap from one of Vancouver’s celebrated local artists.

The Activity Village: Beyond the Stage

Every show ticket includes access to the Festival’s popular Activity Village. Located in the heart of Granville Island, the Activity Village offers over a dozen hands-on arts experiences for all ages, ranging from circus skills and face painting to interactive scavenger hunts, ensuring a full day of creative engagement.

Ticket Information

Tickets are available now at ChildrensFestival.ca or on-site during the Festival at the box office (located between Festival House and the Waterfront Theatre).

• Child/Senior Tickets: Starting at $15.00 (+ tax/fees)
• Adult Tickets: Starting at $26.00 (+ tax/fees)

The Vancouver International Children’s Festival gratefully acknowledges the following for their generous support:  The City of Vancouver Cultural Services, the BC Arts Council, The Government of British Columbia — Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, the Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, CMHC Granville Island, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority proudly representing the Port of Vancouver, Amacon Foundation, Odlum Brown, Costco Business Centre, Sun Safe BC, Diamond Foundation, Squamish Nation, Waves Coffee, City TV, Omni, Stir Arts & Culture Vancouver, WestCoast Families, VancouverMom.ca and Fairchild Media Group.

About the Vancouver International Children’s Festival

The longest running professional performing arts festival for young audiences and the first of its kind in North America and Europe, the Vancouver International Children’s Festival presents the world’s finest music, theatre, dance, puppetry, acrobatics and storytelling, as well as creative arts activities for the entire family. Families come from near and far to experience this extraordinary annual arts festival created specifically for children and families. We are dedicated to providing creative, diverse programming that engages and delights our young audience.

2026 Featured performers

International & Premieres

• BENCHED (Uppercut Dance Theater, Denmark)
  A high-energy dance show that transforms the everyday bench into a stage for humor and breathtaking physicality. Five fearless dancers explore space, connection, and falling off the edge. Ages 7 and up.
• ARCHIPELAGO (Teatro Telaio,Italy) | North American Premiere 
  An immersive experience where children step into a darkened space to find a glowing cluster of tinyislands, each offering a playful question or hands-on interaction. Co-presented with Boca del Lupo’s Micro Performance Series. Ages 7–12. 
• DOODLE POP (Brush Theatre, South Korea)
  A mischievous duo’s drawings come to life, taking the audience on a magical journey beneath the waves. Co-presented with Carousel Theatre for Young People. Ages 3–8.
• COMEDY PATROL (Poliquin-Simms2, Québec) | English Canada Premiere
  The lights are on, the stage is set, and the little officers are on patrol…well, sort of. When singer Rizotto refuses to appear for the concert, chaos erupts! Acrobatics, musical mishaps, and comic misfires turn order into hilarious mayhem. All Ages.
• ME & THE FOREST (Boca del Lupo and ArtstageSAN, British Columbia/South Korea) | World Premiere
  Step into a world where you can hear the thoughts of an ancient tree and connect with nature like never before. Using massive puppets and immersive audio, this interactive experience lets you converse with the wonders of the natural world. Ages 8 and up.

Music & Headliners

• THE PURSUIT: 1, 2, 3 LET’S GO! (Missy D, British Columbia) | 2024 Francophone Artist of the Year by the Western Canadian Music Awards | En Français / Bilingual
  In a fusion of sounds from her childhood, local hip-hop and soul sensation Missy D blends French melodies with R&B and rap in a celebration of diversity and “feeling all the feels.” All ages.
• WILL’S JAMS: MY BEST FRIENDS (Will’s Jams and friends, British Columbia)
  Juno-nominee Will Stroet performs songs from his 13th album with special guests including Charlotte Diamond and Seeka Sings. Will and his band will have kids (and parents) dancing, singing, and laughing along to his catchy rock-pop tunes. Ages 2–8.
• GLAMILY (Zee Zee Theatre in association with Tara Cheyenne Performance and Carousel Theatre for Young People, British Columbia)
  Part drag show, part lip-sync open mic, and part dress-up party. A spectacular, inclusive evening hosted by Peach Cobblah and local drag talent. All ages. 

Indigenous Storytelling & Dance

• NIMIHITOWIN! (Wild Mint Arts, Alberta)
   Powwow and hoop dance are beautiful expressions of Indigenous Peoples’ rich history and culture. Nimihitowin! will mesmerize audiences with dramatic dancing, spectacular regalia and the subtle beauty of flute songs. Performed by an all-Indigenous crew in collaboration with Stoney and Blackfoot Elders. All ages. 
• HAIDA AND SQUAMISH STORIES & SONGS (Roberta Kennedy [Kung Jaadee], British Columbia)
  Master storyteller Kung Jaadee shares legends of Raven (Yaahl), the trickster and creator, drawing from over 30 years of oral tradition. Ages 5–12.

Circus & Physical Theatre

• THE MERRY MARCHING BAND (Productions Strada, Québec) | Winner of the Opus Award for Best Musical Production for Young Audiences
  A zany brass band is ready to whisk you away on a hilarious musical adventure! Under the guidance of a bossy yet bird-brained bandleader, this merry crew sets off to explore the world (and beyond!). All ages. 
• ALL THE WAY FROM JAPAN (Yuki the Juggler and Cause & Effect Circus, British Columbia) 
  A joyful blend of tradition, comedy, and circus magic! Get ready for a thrilling, hilarious, and mesmerizing show that combines contemporary circus excitement with the magic of Japanese tradition, leaving audiences cheering for more. All ages. 

Early Years (Babies, Toddlers & Preschool)

• BABY SPACE OPERA (Théâtre la Seizième and Foolish Operations, British Columbia)
  Step into the night sky with your little one and share a moment of awe and wonder. Beneath the cosmos, twinkling stars dance and invite little ones to play. What stories do the constellations have to tell? Presented with Théâtre la Seizième and Foolish Operations. Ages 0–2. 
• WILL AND SEEKA: FRIENDS WITH EVERYONE (Will and Seeka, British Columbia) | En Français
  Dance along to catchy songs about colours, the alphabet, days of the week, weather, food, animals, daily routines and family and friends. Kids will leave the show with joyous songs in their hearts and a skip in their step. Ages 2–8. 

Special Events

• THE VARIETY SHOW
  The ultimate Festival “taster” menu! Featuring highlights from BENCHED, The Merry Marching Band, Nimihitowin!, and Comedy Patrol, all hosted by Missy D. All ages. 

Media interview requests please contact:
Joanne Da Silva | Communications Manager
Vancouver International Children’s Festival
e: marketing[@]childrensfestival.ca
t: 604.708.5655