Whistler Children’s Festival 2022

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An adventure along the Cultural Connector

This year, with a new format and surprises around every corner, enjoy not one but TWO weekends filled to the brim with adventures along the Cultural Connector. We’re talkin’ arts and crafts, dance parties, yoga, face painting, circus acts, magic shows and internationally acclaimed children’s performers! No wonder we need two weekends.

The final two weekends in May, the Maury Young Arts Centre will host back-to-back performances and workshops with the likes of Wills Jams, Kellie Haines and Native Thunder to name a few! Start your imagination engines, unlock your creativity, and most importantly, get ready to have FUN!

There are also many FREE activities to enjoy every day of the Festival – from art scavenger hunts to entertainment on the Village Stroll and balloon twisting outside of the Arts Centre. Get your walking (or dancing) shoes on and prepare for a jam-packed family adventure along Whistler’s own Cultural Connector!

2022 Dates: May 20 – 22 & May 27 – 29

Website: www.whistlerchildrensfestival.com

History:

As Whistler’s longest-running festival since 1983, WCF began as a way to introduce school-aged children to a variety of visual and performing arts disciplines by artists from across BC and Canada.

Now, returning for its 39^th year, the Whistler Children’s Festival has gone through a few changes, but has remained a family favourite. With a change of date, rebranding, and expansion to two weekends at the end of May the programming is focused in the Arts Centre and along Whistler’s Cultural Connector.

For the past two years the festival has taken place in a largely online format due Covid-19 health regulations, but in 2022 the festival returns to live performances, workshops, and in-person experiences.

Key Facts and Figures:

2022 is the 39^th year of the Whistler Children’s Festival.
Whistler Children’s Festival is Whistler’s longest running festival and beloved family focused annual celebration.
Theatre presentations from 14 different local and regional groups.
Workshops presented by 9 different local and regional arts practitioners and facilitators.

2022 Event Highlights:

The Whistler Children’s Festival (WCF) is Arts Whistler’s (AW) largest annual program. It yields a significant opportunity to deepen our connection to local and regional artists, performers, and cultural organizations. The WCF’s main activities can be broken down into four categories; theatre presentations, workshops, the Family Arts Adventure, roving animation and activations, all involving professional artists.

THEATRE PRESENTATIONS: This year back-to-back performances are scheduled to take the stage in the heart of Whistler Village at the Maury Young Arts Centre. A diverse range of presentations are programmed, including circus skills, music, magic, comedy, acting, creative education and dance.

WORKSHOPS: All festival workshops are led by professional artists from the Sea to Sky Corridor and BC. The workshops offer meaningful opportunities to connect our community and the artists and provide children with access to artistic experiences that are not readily available otherwise.

FAMILY ARTS ADVENTURE – WALKING TOUR: The Family Arts Adventure (FAA) is a free activity that leads children and families along Whistler’s Cultural Connector, including roving animation and free activations. The FAA fosters active family interactions – mobilizing families to get outside and participate in creative, educational play and exercise.