Carnival Time in Richmond!

With winter winding down and temperatures rising, it’s time to head outside for some family-friendly excitement. And that means a visit to Richmond’s Lansdowne Centre Spring Carnival, an annual pop-up midway presented by West Coast Amusements. The much-loved local tradition is back for the 2025 season and this year it’s running from March 27 to April 13. Pick a date and you’ll soon be riding the Zipper, Spider or Expo Wheel; aiming for plush toy prizes in fun sideshow games; and diving into tasty fairground treats from corn dogs to cotton candy. Read on for the inside track on this year’s event––then gather your friends and family and head on over!

FOR FANS OF GREAT VIEWS

Ease yourself in with one of the carnival’s calmest rides. The lofty Expo Wheel towers over the entire site, giving you the chance to survey the fairground and surrounding city centre from above. An ideal option for families looking to ride together, we love the magical nighttime glow of its twinkling neon lights.

Among the 25 or so additional rides at this year’s event, we also love the traditional Carousel, where colourful cavorting horses pirouette beneath a big-top-style canopy. Looking for a great date night idea? Hop in the saddle here and snap some selfies of you and your partner.

FOR INSTANT THRILLS

Now that your stomach is primed for some serious swirling, there are several ways to crank it up. Groans, giggles and G-force are the common denominators on adrenalin-fueled rides like the Sizzler and the Tornado, where you whizz around and up and down in your seat.

We also love the carnival’s green-hued Hulk ride, fast-spinning Tilt-a-Whirl and black-tentacled Spider––which whisks you like an egg in an omelette bowl. It’s the kind of experience your stomach wants you to stop but your tingling brain can’t wait to try again.

FOR SCREAMERS

Many carnival fans aren’t content until they’ve screeched themselves giddy. And that’s the point of several of this year’s rides. Fireball spins you around and around like a jet-propelled hamster in a wheel. Zero Gravity and Starship 3000 both churn you like a T-shirt in a washing machine. And Super Shot inches you to a great height before dropping you (and eventually your stomach) like a stone.

But it’s the Zipper that often triggers the loudest midway shrieks. Who doesn’t want to climb into a tiny metal cage that tumbles, gyrates and upends you in midair until you––and all your fellow passengers––are pleading for mercy?

FOR FRIGHT FANS

The best midways don’t just focus on flipping your stomach like a pancake, of course. Consider checking out this year’s Cuckoo Haus­­—an obstacle course attraction with moving walkways, spinning beer barrel walls and wacky Bavarian beer hall artwork. Be prepared for wobbly legs when you’re done!

FOR KIDS

There’s also a huge array of child-friendly attractions at the 2025 carnival. Junior transport fans will love hopping aboard the Mini Jets, Kite Flyer and Choo Choo Charlie rides plus the prehistoric-themed Rock Town. They can also gyrate on the Berry Go Round strawberry ride or glide on a colourful pachyderm on the Elephants ride.

Most children will also love exploring Raiders, a walk-through obstacle course with slides, rope bridges and more. A few steps away, the Super Slide is a multicoloured sit-down course with an undulating track. And if they’re keen to test their head for heights, make sure they also try the Spring Ride elevator attraction.

FOR GAME FANS

To qualify as a proper midway, there should also be lots of opportunities to win big (and we mean big). In fact, if you think you don’t need a humungous, googly-eyed unicorn plushy in your life, think again.

Every year, there’s a great range of carnival games to check out here, inviting you to shoot, bowl, hook a duck, dart a balloon and much more. Just remember that if you snag a stuffed hippopotamus that’s the size of an actual hippopotamus, you’ll have to carry it around all day.

FOR FAIRGROUND FOODIES

Carnival cuisine is also essential to your visit. Sidestep dinner and you’ll be able to (almost) guiltlessly nibble on poutine, candy apples, corn dogs and those freshly-made, must-eat mini donuts. Pro-tip: it’s probably best to visit the food stands after you ride the Zipper.

And if you’re hungry for more substantial dishes, don’t forget that Lansdowne Centre’s food court and restaurants are just a short walk away and offer a full menu of diverse options––although hours may differ from those of the carnival.

IF YOU GO:

The 2025 Lansdowne Centre Spring Carnival runs from March 27 to April 13 and is located a few steps from Canada Line’s Lansdowne Station. Entry is free, while ride coupons are $1.50 each—rides require between three and six coupons. You can also buy a Red Book of 20 coupons ($27) or a Blue Book of 40 coupons ($48).

Additional options include a $50 wristband, which includes access to all rides for one day. You can also head to the Guest Services counter inside the mall and pick-up a flyer that covers six rides for $24––you then redeem this offer at the fairground ticket booth.

The dates and times for the 2025 carnival are listed below. Note that these hours are approximate and may change due to weather and guest attendance numbers.

• Thursday March 27 (noon to 10pm)
• Friday March 28 (noon to 10:00pm)
• Saturday March 29 (noon to 10:00pm)
• Sunday March 30 (noon to 10:00pm)
• Monday Match 31 (CLOSED)
• Tuesday April 1 (CLOSED)
• Wednesday Apr 2 (3:00pm to 10:00pm)
• Thursday April 3 (3:00pm to 10:00pm)
• Friday Apr 4 (3:00pm to 10:00pm)
• Saturday April 5 (noon to 10:00pm)
• Sunday April 6 (noon to 10:00pm)
• Monday April 7 (CLOSED)
• Tuesday April 8 (CLOSED)
• Wednesday April 9 (3:00pm to 10:00pm)
• Thursday Apr 10 (3:00pm to 10:00pm)
• Friday April 11 (3:00pm 10:00pm)
• Saturday April 12 (noon to 10:00pm)
• Sunday April 13 (noon to 6:00pm)

Last Updated on March 21, 2025 by Tourism Richmond