20 fantastic things to do in Vancouver this week: Jan. 12 to 18

A brand new week with new events to discover! Let’s get it started!

Here are our picks of 20 great things to do in Vancouver from Jan. 12 to 18, including the Hot Chocolate Festival, MENA Film Fest, and more.

Be sure to view our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.

To stay up to date on everything happening in Metro Vancouver, B.C., and beyond, sign up for our newsletters.

Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival 2026

What: Taking place from Jan. 17 to Feb. 14, 100 vendors in the Greater Vancouver area will be serving up tasty and unique hot chocolate creations. There will be 100 participating vendors and a whopping total of 234 different flavours to try.

Previous years saw plenty of wacky and wonderful drinks like a hot chocolate with marinara sauce and Hot Cheetos, a Dragon Ball Z-themed drink, and even some hot chocolates that are illegal south of the border.

When: Jan. 17 to Feb. 14, 2026 (specific vendor/drink dates may vary)
Where: Locations in and around Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers

What: The Canucks welcome Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers for a matchup at Rogers Arena on Saturday, Jan. 17.

When: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online

Spectre in Concert

What: Hop in your Aston Martin DB10 and head down to the Orpheum Theatre for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Spectre in concert. Enjoy Daniel Craig’s outing as James Bond on the big screen, along with a full symphony orchestra bringing composer Thomas Newman’s musical score to life.

When: Jan. 14 and 15, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: The Orpheum – 601 Smithe St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various, purchase online

MENA Film Festival

What: Films from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) regions get the spotlight at the seventh edition of the festival, which is happening at the Vancouver Playhouse (opening ceremony) and the VIFF Centre. Check out over 40 shorts and feature films, industry events, panel discussions, and more.

When: Jan. 15 to 23, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Vancouver Playhouse and VIFF Centre
Cost: Various prices, purchase online.

Canada Strong Pass

What: Those wanting to watch their spending this time of year, while discovering some amazing attractions and destinations near Vancouver, are in luck this year with the return of the Canada Strong Pass.

Until Jan. 15, 2026, families can once again enjoy free and discounted access to parks, national galleries, museums, and even rail travel.

When: Various days of operation
Time: Various hours of operation
Where: Various attractions and destinations near Vancouver. See the list online.

The Sunday Service

What: The Sunday Service is an award-winning improv comedy troupe that has performed together since 2005. Head down to the Fox Cabaret to wrap up your weekend with a night of laughter. Each show will be inspired by the audience’s suggestions, and you never know when a surprise guest may show up to join the fun.

When: Every Sunday
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: The Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main Street, Vancouver
Cost: Sliding scale $10-$25, purchase online

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

What: Cross the world-famous bridge, lit end-to-end with a changing multi-colour display, and sway high above the illuminated Capilano River. Journey into a glittering rainforest and walk high above the forest floor on a transformed Treetops Adventure. Finally, walk along the sparkling cliffside pathway of Cliffwalk. 

Don’t forget to snap an Instagram-worthy photo, sip a decadent hot chocolate to the sound of live festive tunes and get in on all the festive fun of the many children’s activities around the Park.

When: Now until Jan. 18, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Guests are allowed to stay in the park up to an hour after closing.
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – 3735 Capilano Rd., North Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, with annual passes (included with admission) available for BC residents. Purchase online

Bradley Sakawsky’s Pro Comedy

What: Vancouver comedian Bradley Sakawsky presents a radical night of laughs inside a skateboard shop. Get ready for a lineup of the city’s funniest comedians curated by Sakaswsky, with huge laughs, unique points of view, and more.

Performers include Dave Harris, Alannah Sharp, Jonny Divito, and more.

When: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Flatspot Longboard Shop — 112 East Pender St., Vancouver
Tickets: Early bird at $14.95, $20 at the door, purchase online

Robson Square Ice Rink

What: Located under the covered outdoor plaza at Robson Square, the rink operates seasonally when temperatures begin to dip. Over 100,000 skaters are expected to visit each year.

Skating is free for all ages. Those without skates can rent them on-site for a fee, and helmets are mandatory for anyone under the age of 12.

When: Open daily until Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Robson Square — 800 Robson St., Vancouver; beneath Robson Street and Howe Street
Cost: Free for all ages if you bring your skates. Skate rentals are also available for a fee.

Vancouver Warriors Country Night

What: The Vancouver Warriors take on the San Diego Seals during their always-popular Country Night at Rogers Arena. There will be country music and giveaways to enjoy all evening long.

When: Friday, Jan. 16, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online

Family Saturdays at Chinatown Storytelling Centre

What: Learn about Chinatown’s heritage and culture through hands-on activities during Family Saturdays at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre. The event happens on the third Saturday of each month from 12 to 3 p.m. and includes themed activities for guests and free admission for youth 17 years and under.

When: The third Saturday of each month.
Time: 12 to 3 p.m. (Centre is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Where: 168 East Pender St., Vancouver
Cost: Free for youth 17 and under; an adult must accompany guests under 12. Admission is $10 to $12; purchase online

Malanka 2026

What: Enjoy a night of live music, dancing, and delicious food with the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians. There will be a Ukrainian dance and music concert, performances by Edmonton’s Broken Banjos, and more.

When: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
Where: The Ukrainian Cultural Centre — 805 E Pender, Vancouver
Time: 5:30 p.m. to late
Tickets: Online

Whose Live Anyways?

What: “Whose Live Anyway?” features Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff Davis and Joel Murray. Together, they perform many of the hilarious games made famous on their Emmy-nominated TV series, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, which aired from 1998 to 2004 and returned to the airwaves from 2013 to 2024.

When: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 630 Hamilton St., Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, purchase online

Vancouver Giants

What: The Vancouver Giants continue their WHL season by taking on the Penticton Vees on Friday, Jan. 16 and the Prince George Cougars on Sunday, Jan. 18 at the Langley Events Centre.

When: Jan. 16 and 18, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. (Friday), 4 p.m. (Sunday)
Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200th St, Langley
Cost: Various; purchase online

Nature Work Parties

What: Help remove invasive plants and clean up litter at various parks in Surrey this winter. Tools and training will be provided, and all ages are welcome.

Nature Work Parties are drop-in, rain or shine, though events may be cancelled in high winds or extreme weather conditions. Participants are also asked to wear appropriate clothing for outdoor winter activities.

When: Jan. 17, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. staggered start times
Where: Various parks in Surrey
Cost: Free

Vancouver International Boat Show

What: Think you might need a bigger boat? Whether you have one or not, head to the Vancouver International Boat Show to tour some of the finest watercraft on the market and think about sailing away to somewhere warmer.

There will be live seminars, exhibits, prize giveaways, and more to discover at this year’s show. Presented by BoatingBC Association.

When: Jan. 14 to 18, 2026
Time: Various plans
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre and Granville Island
Cost: Various prices; children 16 years and under are free. Purchase online

Riley Park Winter Farmers’ Market

What: Visitors will find over 85 farms and producers and a selection of food and coffee trucks. Shop for fruits and veggies, eggs and dairy, meat, prepared food, craft beverages, craft items, and more.

When: Every Saturday until Mar. 28, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 50 E 30th Ave. and Ontario St., Vancouver

Vancouver Public Library Movie Screening – The Long Walk

What: Vancouver Public Library hosts a variety of movie screenings for the public at its branches throughout the month, and the best part is that they are free to check out.

On Friday, Jan. 16, check out the critically-acclaimed The Long Walk at VPL’s Mount Pleasant Branch.

When: Friday, Jan. 16, 2026
Time: 5:45 to 7:45 p.m.
Where: VPL Mount Pleasant Branch – 1 Kingsway, Vancouver
Cost: Free

Hockey Day in Canada Punjabi – Live from Surrey

What: Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada brings Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi to Surrey for a full day of events.

The broadcasters will be live on site at the Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex from 1 to 7 p.m. Then, from 7 to 10 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.), head to the Museum of Surrey for a free evening screening of the Edmonton Oilers versus Vancouver Canucks game.

There will be exhibitor booths, light refreshments, hockey-themed interactive activities, and more.

When: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
Time: 1 to 10 p.m.
Where: Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex and Museum of Surrey
Cost: Free

Lights at Lafarge

What: Lights at Lafarge, Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor winter lights display, is back again for another holiday season.

The annual tradition illuminates Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam throughout the season, with over 100,000 twinkling lights to enjoy until the end of February. Guests of all ages can explore the outdoor display that wraps its way entirely around the lake, leading them on a 1.2 km loop through themed zones.

When: Now until Monday, Feb. 16, 2026
Time: Nightly from 4 to 11 p.m.
Where: Town Centre Park – 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Cost: Free