Update: The event is fully SOLD OUT. Ticket sales are now closed and no waitlist is being offered. Instead, families may wish to attend the Youth Talent Show at the Chan Centre. Tickets (for only the talent show) can be purchased through the Chan Centre.
Celebrate Family Day on UBC campus on February 18 with arts and culture activities, STEM workshops, kid-friendly tours, special performances and so much more! Join over 20 UBC departments, faculties, campus attractions, and student organizations, as they entertain, inspire and educate you at Kids Take Over UBC!
About
Kids Take Over UBC! is an open-door arts and culture festival that invites families to explore UBC’s world-class assets and public spaces together, while interacting with artists, musicians, dancers and more. Held annually on the Sunday of Family Day weekend, the event was inspired by Takeover Day, first launched in the UK to celebrate children and young people’s contributions to museums, galleries, arts organizations, archives and heritage sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
Who can attend Kids Take Over UBC?
Everyone is welcome! This includes families from UBC (students, faculty, staff and alumni), UNA, Acadia Park, Musqueam, and other families that live in Metro Vancouver and beyond. You'll find activities for all-ages, from kids to youths — we think the activities will bring out the kid in everyone!
Where does Kids Take Over UBC take place?
All across the UBC Vancouver campus! This year, we are excited to bring you an array of fun activities spanning the entire campus—from the Arts and Culture District, to our new outdoor stage at Lee Square Plaza, to Beaty Biodiversity Museum and beyond. For a full list of participating locations and activities, check out our online schedule.
How much are tickets?
Tickets start at $7 per child, with discounted rates for UBC, UNA and Musqueam community members. Tickets provide full access to all programming and admission to participating venues. For ticket prices (by audience) and to purchase your tickets, visit the ticketing site here.
Please note that tickets are non-refundable once purchased, however you are able to transfer them to another family.
What does my ticket include?
Your Kids Take Over UBC ticket includes access to all the activities and entry into participating venues. The 7th annual Kids Take Over UBC festival features 20+ campus partners working together to offer you a day of fun, learning, and special memories at UBC. You can expect a variety of arts & culture activities and workshops, guided tours, live entertainment, and much more. For full list of activities and partners, check out the online schedule.
There's so much to see and do, and it's up to you and your family to decide how to spend the day. Most activities are offered as drop in style (no pre-registration required), with some sessions open for the duration of the festival, while some are scheduled for a specific time. We highly recommend planning your day in advance to ensure you fill your day with what interests you. Check out our guide to planning your best day at Kids Take Over UBC for sample itineraries and tips from past guests!
How do I get to campus?
UBC is easily accessible by public transportation, walking and cycling, or driving. To plan your trip via public transportation, check out the Translink Trip Planner. And don't forget, kids 12 and under ride Translink services, free of charge!
Is the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) participating in the festival?
The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) is temporarily closed for seismic upgrades and will not be participating in the festival this year.
EVENT DAY
What do I need to know about event check in?
On event day, if you don't have your event package yet, start your day at Lee Square Plaza (across the UBC Bookstore) to check in at the welcome tent and pick up your event package. The welcome tent is open from 10am-2pm, and you can check in anytime within the opening hours.
For check in, please have ready a digital or printed copy of your registration invoice. Your event package includes special Kids Take Over badges for every ticketholder. Please ensure everyone (adults and children) wears their badge in a visible spot as your badge is required to access all Kids Take Over activities and entry into participating venues.
Can I purchase tickets for the event on the day of?
The event is sold out and tickets will not be sold on site. Kids Take Over UBC sells out in advance every year and we recommend purchasing your tickets as soon as possible. Due to venue capacities, once the event is sold out, additional tickets will not be released.
I selected advance check in in my registration. How does it work?
If you selected the advance check in option, you can check in and pick up your event package before the event on Friday, February 16. On event day, you'll be able to skip the check in line and head straight to your first activity. Don't forget to bring your event package with you and put on your badge!
Advance check in will take place inside the UBC Alumni Centre on Friday, February 16, from 12:30pm-3:30pm. The person picking up your event package must bring a copy of the ticket invoice (digital or printed) and one piece of photo ID that matches the name given in the registration.
I'm planning to drive to the event. How does event parking work?
Thanks to the generous support of UBC Parking, Kids Take Over UBC guests have the option to park at a discounted day rate of $4. The discounted rate is only available for parking on Sunday, February 18, 2024 from 9am until 11:59pm, and in either Health Sciences Parkade (2250 Health Sciences Mall) or Rose Garden Parkade (6278 NW Marine Drive).
If you're interested in the discounted parking, please indicate this in your registration to recieve further information on how to redeem event parking. An email with instructions will be sent out the week of the event.
How do I find my way around campus?
An event map will be provided with your event package and directional signs will be out to guide you around campus. We suggest using our interactive wayfinding map (bookmark this page!) for directions to navigate around campus. Feel free to also ask staff at the check in tent or at each venue for wayfinding support. If you have any accessibility needs, please let us know when you register.
Where are the washrooms and water refill stations?
All venues have washrooms and water stations available. Remember to bring your reusable water bottles!
Where can I take my child for some quiet time?
There is a lot going on during Kids Take Over UBC, and your child may need a bit of quiet time away from the crowds. We have two designated quiet rooms for families, located in the following buildings:
Frederic Laserre Building (Arts and Culture District)
- 6333 Memorial Road
- Lower Level, Classroom: #5C
- Access Door on Main Mall at the corner of Memorial Rd
Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre
- 6163 University Boulevard
- Polygon Holmes Classroom, located on the 2nd floor
Are the venues accessible?
All participating venues have accessible entrances and routes. Staff at check in and all venues are happy to advise with suggested routes. For more information about campus accessibility and maps of accessible entrances, visit the transportation planning website. If you or someone in your group have accessibility related needs, please let us know in your registration or contact us at info.utown@ubc.ca and we can support your full participation in the event.
What food and drink options are available on campus?
The following places are open on Sundays. Please check the website to confirm opening hours:
- Loafe Cafe (connected to the Alumni Centre) serves locally roasted coffee, fresh baked goods, sandwiches and more. Enjoy $2 kids hot chocolate and baked goods from 10am-5pm.
- University Boulevard Central offers a variety of dining options, including Body Energy Club, JJ Beans, Downlow Chicken Shack, Jamjar Canteen, Rain or Shine Ice Cream and more.
- Triple O's at David Lam Research Centre (2015 Main Mall) serves great tasting burgers, hand-scooped milkshakes, thick-cut fried and their secret Triple “O” sauce.
- In The Nest:
- Blue Chip Cafe offers UBC’s famous Blue Chip Cookies plus made-to-order deli-style sandwiches, Bernoulli’s bagels, fresh pastries, and hand-crafted organic fair trade coffees and teas, as well as specialty barista drinks and fruit smoothies.
- There are also plenty of open indoor seating here to take a break and enjoy your own packed lunches!
Who puts on Kids Take Over UBC?
Kids Take Over UBC is hosted by UBC Campus + Community Planning, in partnership with UBC Arts & Culture District.
We wouldn't be able to put on this festival without the support of the many campus partners that host family-friendly activities in their venues and across the campus. Thank you to this year's participating campus partners:
- Alumni Engagement: Faculties of Education, Arts, Science, Dentistry, Applied Science, and Sauder School of Business
- Asian Library
- Beaty Biodiversity Museum
- Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery
- Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
- The Department of Theatre & Film
- UBC Opera, School of Music
- First Nations House of Learning
- X̱wi7x̱wa Library
- UBC Thunderbird Marching Band
- UBC Botanical Garden – Nitobe Garden
- University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA)
- Pacific Museum of Earth
Kids Take Over UBC takes place on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) people. We humbly extend our gratitude to the traditional stewards and caretakers of these lands and acknowledge the incredible priviledge of living, working, learning and playing here.
Learn more about traditional Musqueam lands, history and culture.
Have other questions?
Please contact: info.utown@ubc.ca