Where We Spent a Wake Window: Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Location & Parking:
The theatre is downtown so we took a cab down to save the time and cost of parking.
Set your GPS to: The Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver V6B 3L4.
Official info: https://www.vancouversymphony.ca/series/kids-concerts/
The Damage Report ($):
All children $20, Adults $36. Babies 6 months and younger are free - once you’ve purchased your tickets you can contact the theatre via email or phone to book the complimentary baby ticket.
Wheely friendly? Yes, you can bring your stroller. We didn’t, but there is a designated parking area for the stroller right outside the theatre doors.
We chose seats in the back incase all things fell apart and we had to leave. We didn’t!
The Snack Situation:
There is a concession stand with various snacks available before the show - it closes soon after the performance starts. Only credit and debit cards are accepted.
Potty Proximity:
Easy. There are bathrooms with change tables available on the Balcony, Mezzanine and Lower lobby levels.
Mum Musings:
Every now and again we get lucky when Jamie isn't working on the weekend or having to study, so he joins us on our adventures around the city. Credit to him for finding the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) kids concert series- what a gem and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon! We went to watch "How the Gimquat Found her Song."
Yuyu loves to sing and make her own 'music,' but similar to taking her to the theatre (you can read about our full kids' theatre experiences here), I wondered if this would be a waste of money and time. Again, we were pleasantly surprised. If we lived in Vancouver for longer I definitely would have got the subscription to attend all 4 of the kids concert series. https://www.vancouversymphony.ca/series/kids-concerts/
The Opulent Orpheum Theatre
Not a place I pictured taking a toddler. But, as the saying goes, "dress for the part you want?" I wanted a sweet little girl who would sit and enjoy the concert. It was the perfect occasion to wear a custom-made jacket my mum had made for her (I, on the other hand, was six months pregnant, so if it wasn't stretchy, I wasn't wearing it). I didn’t have to worry about Yuyu sitting still or being quiet because the whole venue was filled with kids and their families, which felt special - my people.
Concert Hacks for Toddlers
Pre-Show Fun: The show starts at 2 PM, but starting at 1 PM, they have an interactive Playzone in the lobby with instruments and toys for kids to try before the show starts. We didn’t get there in enough time to actually try any instruments ( she was napping) but it looked fun. And what a great way to add to the experience and exposure of musical instruments.
The Content: The show was neat to watch, seeing how the story and the actors tied in seamlessly with the grand Orchestra playing - this narration and theatrical element was key to keeping Yuyu engaged!
Seating Strategy: When booking your tickets, select your seats carefully. We booked seats near the back and at the end of the aisle - this allows for the quick exit we needed with Yuyu, if required!
Toddler Tolerance Level:
The actual show is about one hour, which is the perfect sweet spot. We also waited after the show for the chance to take photos with the cast.
Nap Roulette Options?
We spent the rest of the afternoon at the Pacific Centre mall which was a close walk away.
They cast were available for pictures after the show.
Author
I’m Mimi, the writer behind Mi & Yu. This blog was born out of a year spent exploring Vancouver with my toddler Yuyu and newborn son Gabe while my husband Jamie worked through a demanding fellowship.
What started as a way to survive the newborn phase turned into a collection of tried-and-tested family adventures, real reviews, tested logistics, and the occasional toddler meltdown included. Now back home in Newfoundland, I’m sharing those adventures so other parents can skip the decision fatigue and get straight to the fun part.
