20 things to do in Vancouver this weekend

Dec 24 2016, 2:18 am

Christmas weekend has arrived! We know it’s going to be filled with family, and good food but if you’re looking to get out of the house, we suggest you check out the holiday fun happening around the city.

Here are 20 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, Saturday, December 24 and Sunday, December 25.

For more things happening around town, check out our events section.

See also

Saturday, December 24

Vancouver Christmas Market 2016

  • What: The Vancouver Christmas Market is here with a bigger edition of old country tradition at its brand new home at Jack Poole Plaza. Making things merry and bright at the expansive seaside site, visitors are invited to indulge in the authentic German market’s array of mouth-watering delicacies and so much more.
  • Where: Jack Poole Plaza – 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
  • When: Now until December 30; open daily 11 am to 9 pm, closed 6 pm on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day
  • Tickets: $8 online

Saturday Morning Qi Gong

  • What: This is a class that everyone can participate in from youngsters to seniors. Hing will show you how to move your body for greater flexibility, balance and well-being. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and flat shoes. All levels welcome.
  • Where: Vital Health Medical Clinic Kitsilano –1855 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
  • When: Saturday, December 24, from 9 am to 10 am
  • Cost: Free. Register online

Last day to see Santa

Santa Claus (Yuganov Konstantin/ Shutterstock)

  • What: It’s the last day for the kids to take pictures with Santa at various malls around town.
  • Where: Metrotown Mall, Oakridge Mall, Park Royal Mall, Lansdowne Mall
  • When: Saturday, December 24, various times, check mall schedules for details
  • Cost: Varies. Check mall websites for details.

Ice Skating at Robson Square

  • What: The Robson Square Ice Rink, located in downtown Vancouver, is open all through the Christmas Holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Skating is free with your own skates, otherwise rentals are available. The rink also features a concession stand with snacks and warm drinks.
  • Where: Robson Square – 800 Robson Square, Vancouver
  • When: The rink is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm Sunday to Thursday, and from 9 am to 11 pm Fridays and Saturdays, until February 14.

Holiday Heights at Bloedel

Holiday Heights at Bloedel Conservatory (@pcz/ Instagram)

  • What: Celebrate the holiday season at the top of Vancouver with Holiday Heights at Bloedel. You can experience a winter wonderland at Queen Elizabeth Park filled with magical lights, festive music, and a holiday scavenger hunt. You can even take a ride on a Ferris wheel at the highest point in the city. Bloedel Conservatory and the Dancing Waters fountain on the plaza will also be lit up throughout the run of Holiday Heights.
  • Where: Queen Elizabeth Park– 4600 Cambie Street, Vancouver
  • When: Holiday Heights at Bloedel runs every evening from 4 to 9 pm between December 9 and January 2.
  • Tickets: $6.75 for adults, $4.50 for youth (13-18), $3.25 for children (4-12).

Enchant 

  • WhatThe world’s biggest Christmas light maze is in VancouverEnchant 2016 includes a breathtaking maze, but tasty food and drinks, a local vendor market, live entertainment, an outdoor fire pit, and much more.
  • Where: 1st and Crowe Street, between the Cambie Street Bridge and Olympic Village
  • When: From November 24 until New Year’s Eve, 4 to 10 pm
  • Tickets: Adults $19.95, kids $14.95. Buy online

Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain 

rosettejoyy/ Instagram

  • What: Grouse Mountain has transformed into a winter wonderland for its annual Peak of Christmas event. This year’s Light Walk features new installations, including a 23-foot reindeer and light walls.
  • Where: Grouse Mountain – 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
  • When: Friday, November 25 to Monday, January 2. For more information and a detailed daily schedule for all Peak of Christmas activities, please check here.
  • Admission: Family Rate for Peak of Christmas festivities includes admission for 2 adults and 2 children/youth (under 18) for $89.95. Guests are reminded that all festive Peak of Christmas activities are complimentary with an Annual or Snow Pass, a Skyride admission ticket.

Christmas at FlyOver Canada

  • What: Christmas at FlyOver Canada takes FlyOver Canada’s spectacular trip across Canada and adds a couple of holiday elements, like helping Santa search for his missing elves and getting an extra 90-second animated view of the North Pole.
  • Where: 201 – 999 Canada Place
  • When: Now until January 2, 9:30 am to 10 pm. 9:30 am to 6 pm on December 24
  • Price: $21.95 for adults, $23.95 for FastLane. Buy tickets online

Nineteen02 Pop-Up Kombucha Shop

  • What: Put on by kombucha brand Nineteen02, the pop-up shop has six rotating taps for kombucha pours, including some of their “12 kombuchas of Christmas” flavours (chocolate orange, for example). Additionally, customers will find hand-blended local teas from Nineteen02, alongside goods from Whisk Match, The Good Oak Soap, CraftedVan, Eve’s crackers, and Spread-Em.
  • Where: 430 Homer Street, Vancouver
  • When:  Now through December 31; Monday through Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.
  • Admission: Free

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Canyon Lights (Capilano Suspension Bridge)

Canyon Lights (Capilano Suspension Bridge)

  • What: The suspension bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, the rainforest and canyon are transformed into a world of festive lights and visual enchantment. See the world’s tallest living Christmas tree (153 feet tall), experience the voice-activated light show, go on a scavenger hunt throughout the park, sing along with the holiday band, take a family photo at the Winter Pavilion, and more.
  • Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge – 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
  • When: November 24 – January 8, 2017; 11 am to 9 pm
  • Tickets: $39.95 for adults, $36.95 for seniors, $32.95 for students, $26.95 for youth (ages 13 to 16) $13.95 for children (ages 6 to 12) and free for children under 6.

Dundarave Festival of Lights

  • What: A West Vancouver tradition returns with the Dundarave Festival of Lights.
  • Where: Dundarave Park – 25th Street and Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver
  • When: Every Saturday until December 31, from noon to 6 pm.

Sunday, December 25

Movie Theatres

Image: Movie Theatre / Shutterstock

  • Movie theatres are always open on Christmas Day. Check your local listings

Vancouver Aquarium

vanaqua

Membership/Vancouver Aquarium

  • What: Spend Christmas Day surrounded by sea creatures at the Vancouver Aquarium. Yes, it’s open, but special hours are in effect for Christmas Day, however.
  • Where: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
  • Christmas Day hours: 11:30 am to 4 pm.
  • Admission: Regular admission rates apply. Check website for details. 

Christmas Tree at Robson Square

Photo credit: Jenn Chan / Flickr

  • What: This gorgeous 50-foot tree is on display at Robson Square and is free to enjoy, perhaps accompanied with a visit to the Robson Square ice rink.
  • Where: 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
  • Admission: Free

St. Paul’s Lights of Hope

lights

Lights of Hope/St. Paul’s Foundation

  • What: The stunning display outside of St. Paul’s Hospital on Burrard Street is the perfect lights display to enjoy on Christmas Day. Take the family or that special someone for a walk and enjoy!
  • Where: 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver
  • Admission: Free

Ski the local mountains

Cypress Mountain Ski Area opens for the season today. (Image: Andy Tam/Shutterstock)

  • Grouse Mountain
    • Grouse Mountain is open Christmas Day. What better way to enjoy than holiday than with fresh powder? Grouse has the longest Christmas Day hours out of all the local mountains.
    • Christmas Day hours: 8:30 am to 6 pm.
  • Mount Seymour
    • Another great mountain to enjoy a white Christmas on.
    • Christmas Day hours: 9 am to 4 pm
  • Cypress Mountain
    • The West Vancouver mountain is open Christmas Day as well.
    • Christmas Day hours: 9 am to 4 pm

Chalet Place, North Vancouver Light Display

North Vancouver house on Chalet Place with Christmas lights (Michael Iwasaka)

North Vancouver house on Chalet Place with Christmas lights (Michael Iwasaka)

  • What: A home up in the high hills of North Vancouver has been lighting up with over 100,000 lights each Christmas for a few years, all in a good cause. The homeowners welcome visitors but encourage a donation to the Harvest Project in return.
  • Where: 4967 Chalet Place, North Vancouver
    When:  Monday, November 28 to Friday, January 6, 2017. On opening night, the lights will be viewable from 6:30 pm, on all other nights, the house will be illuminated from 5:30 pm

Trinity Street

  • What: For well over a decade, homeowners on Trinity Street (between the 2400 and 2900 blocks) in East Vancouver are known for going all out during the holidays. While there might not be an actual festival happening, be sure to pass by the neighbourhood and take in the lights.
  • Where: Trinity Street, Vancouver (between Slocan and Renfrew)
  • When: Throughout winter

Lights at Lafarge Lake

Photo by: Ania Jedrzejewska / Instagram

  • What: See more than 100,000 twinkling lights light up Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake, in a magical, free, outdoor display for visitors of all ages.
  • When: Town Centre Park – 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
  • When: Nightly from dusk to 11 pm, until January 22

Robson Square Skating Rink

  • What: The Robson Square Ice Rink, located in downtown Vancouver, is open all through the Christmas Holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Skating is free with your own skates, otherwise rentals are available. The rink also features a concession stand with snacks and warm drinks.
  • Where: Robson Square – 800 Robson Square, Vancouver
  • When: The rink is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm Sunday to Thursday, and from 9 am to 11 pm Fridays and Saturdays, until February 14.
See also
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