This Family Day long weekend just got more fun as Carousel Theatre for Young People presents its 1st Annual Family Forward Festival. Families of all kinds are invited to gather on Granville Island from Saturday, February 14 to Monday, February 16 for a weekend of by-donation events, plays, documentaries, live music, drag, storytelling and dance parties, there’s something for everyone!
Carousel’s Co-Artistic & Managing Director, Dave Deveau explains, “The idea behind this festival has been years in the making, and we’re thrilled to finally share it with audiences! What better way to celebrate Family Day long weekend than by being surrounded by our shared love for the live performing arts with family of all kinds – biological and chosen alike! My household is intergenerational, and we love being able to show up with everybody (in my household’s case, ages 2-85) and for everybody to have a great time. That’s what this festival is all about. And since tickets are by donation, we hope to see you at many events!”
The Family Forward Festival line up includes:
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Storytime with Peach Cobblah & Rose Butch
At 11am @ Carousel Theatre Studios, 1411 Cartwright Street
Festivalweekend begins with local drag legends, celebrating families of all shapes and sizes through readings of favourite inclusive books, and a colourful array of sing-alongs.
Drag Doc Double Bill: Becoming Ruby & Drag Is For Everyone!
At 5pm @ Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright Street
Winnipeg’s Ruby Chopstix along with local guests present a double bill of short documentaries celebrating the art of drag and how it serves young people! Featuring Becoming Ruby (about her life and career) by Quan Luong & Drag Is For Everyone (about Carousel’s own drag camp!) by David Ng & Jenn Sungshine. The screenings will be followed by a live drag show featuring local drag superstars Shay Dior and Karmella Barr!
SUNDAY, FEB 15
Club Carousel: Baby Rave
10am & 11am @ Carousel Theatre Studios, 1411 Cartwright Street
Everyone’s favourite kid-centric family dance party returns.
Buwa: Live in Concert!
2pm @ Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright Street
Making their first Vancouver apperance Buwa, an exciting Nigerian-Canadian contemporary soul artist, presents an all-ages blend of songs & stories.
The Gift Exchange by Meghan Gardiner
5pm @ Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright Street
Having been home-schooled by her tree-loving landscaper father on a small Gulf Island, Phoebe Wallace is now heading to grade five in public school! She is excited by the announcement of a holiday gift exchange, but when she draws the name of the most popular girl in school, things start to go sideways.
Witness the first public staged reading of this environmental comedy, originally commissioned by Carousel Theatre for Young People. Directed by Larisse Campbell, and featuring Carol Chu, Tanner Zerr, Emma Slipp, Chris Lam, and Gabrielle Nebrida-Pepin.
MONDAY, FEB 16
The Family Flame
2pm @ Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright Street
Join Deborah Williams and an incredible lineup of storytellers telling TRUE stories from their lives, all of which celebrate the power of family!
CTYP Community Celebration
3pm @ Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright Street
The Family Forward Festival wraps up with a dance party – dance and celebrate families in all their diverse forms with music from Carousel’s live in-house DJ Softieshan plus there will be snacks and a special announcement of Carousel Theatre’s 50th Anniversary Season line-up.
Carousel Theatre for Young People first-ever Family Forward Festival takes place February 14 to 16, 2026 on Granville Island at Carousel Theatre Studios, 1411 Cartwright Street and Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright Street. All events are by-donation (suggested $15), to find more details and register to attend visit carouseltheatre.ca