15 fun things to do in Vancouver this weekend: Dec. 26 to 28

Contact Winter Music Festival

What: Contact Winter Music Festival is returning to Vancouver, and some massive stars are coming for the party.

Canada’s largest indoor winter music festival is taking over the Pacific Coliseum on Friday, Dec. 26 and Saturday, Dec. 27.

This year’s headliners include Grammy Award-nominated duo Slander and DJ of the Year winner Eric Prydz.

When: Friday, Dec. 26 and Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025
Where: Pacific Coliseum — 100 N. Renfrew St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Petunia and the Vipers

What: Vancouver’s own Petunia and The Vipers are throwing a huge party at The Rio Theatre, and you’re invited. Get ready to party at the “hillbilly-flavoured-swing inflected-ragtime-goodtime-thunderously rolling-one-of-a-kind-you-don’t-want-to-miss-this-sort-of-a-show” featuring special guest Spank Williams.

When: Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025
Time: 9 p.m.
Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
Tickets: $20 early bird plus fees, $25 plus fees online, $30 plus fees at the door. Purchase online

Blast off at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

What: There are few things more infinitely interesting than space, and the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre does an amazing job of capturing its wonder. There is plenty to be awed by at the space centre, including two theatres, a gallery and an observatory, shows in the Dome Vancouver, and more.

When: Open Monday to Sunday (Closed Christmas Day)
Time: Holiday hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (New Year’s Eve), 1 to 5 p.m. (New Year’s Day)
Where: 1100 Chestnut St., Vancouver
Cost: $21.95 to $24, children ages five and under are free. Memberships also available. Purchase online

Gingerbread Lane at Hyatt Regency Vancouver

What: A huge gingerbread display is back for its 33rd year in Vancouver as the Hyatt Regency once again plays host to the popular festive tradition.

When: Now until Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025
Time: Regular hotel hours
Where: Hyatt Regency Vancouver — 655 Burrard St., Vancouver
Admission: Free

Surrey Civic Plaza Ice Rink

What: This is the first-ever activation of the public plaza in Surrey City Centre with an outdoor ice rink, and the City of Surrey is aiming to potentially turn this into a new annual civic tradition.

The ice rink spans an area of 4,000 sq. ft., with 5,000 gallons of water used to create the slick surface. Moreover, it is fully covered under a large tent, protecting it from inclement weather.

When: Open daily until Monday, Feb. 16, 2026
Time: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. (holiday hours of 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. apply on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day)
Where: Surrey Civic Plaza — 13450 104th Ave., Surrey
Cost: Free for all ages. Skate rentals are also available for a fee.

Forbidden Vancouver’s Holiday History and Hot Chocolate Tour

What: Get festive and forbidden this season with the  Holiday History and Hot Chocolate Tour. Acclaimed guided walking tours company Forbidden Vancouver invites you to step inside downtown’s iconic buildings and discover stories of intrigue, jealousy and murder.

Guests will also enjoy beautiful holiday displays in some of Vancouver’s finest hotel lobbies, get a private viewing inside the Marine Building, and stay warm with a delicious hot chocolate at the award-winning Mink Chocolates.

When: Daily until Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 (no tour on Christmas and New Year’s Day)
Time: Various start times
Where: Starts at the corner of Robson Street and Granville Street
Cost: $44.90-$49. Purchase online

Best of 2025 at Vancity Theatre

What: Head to VIFF Centre – Vancity Theatre for the Best of 2025 series.

The Best of 2025 is VIFF’s annual roundup of 10 of the best films of the year. Dive into the curated list of diverse, sexy, thrilling, challenging, and masterful movies on the big screen before they’re gone. Highlights include Sinners, Weapons and One Battle After Another.

When: Various dates from Dec. 26, 2025, to Jan. 8, 2026
Time: Various times. See the full schedule online.
Where: VIFF Centre – 1181 Seymour St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Hasan Hates Ronny | Ronny Hates Hasan

What: Acclaimed comedians Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng engage in a debate to the death, airing their grievances about America, each other, and each other’s family trees, for the audience at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Expect a night of laughs in the no-holds-barred show between the comedy heavyweights.

When: Dec. 26 and 27, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre — 630 Hamilton St., Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, purchase online

Vancouver Giants vs Kamloops Blazers

What: The Vancouver Giants continue their latest WHL season with a game against the Kamloops Blazers at Langley Events Centre on Sunday, Dec. 28.

When: Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025
Time: 4 p.m.
Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200th St., Langley
Cost: Various; purchase online

B.C. northern lights tours

What: Whisk away on a premium all-inclusive northern lights tour from Vancouver. Experience an extraordinary winter escape in British Columbia’s remote Rockies, witness dazzling Aurora displays, soak in natural hot springs, and savour gourmet meals at a cozy lakeside lodge.

Choose from New Year’s Eve, Lunar New Year, or March Aurora departures for an unforgettable blend of wilderness luxury and northern magic.

When: Dec. 28, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2026 (NYE), Feb. 18 to 22, 2026 (Lunar NY), March 18 to 22, 2026 (Equinox)
Where: Pitt Meadows and Northern B.C.
Tickets: $4,700, purchase online

O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy

What: When catastrophe strikes at James and Jamesy’s Christmas tea party, the friends leap into action, finding innovative and hilarious solutions to keep them afloat. These masters of physical comedy—with over 20 comedy awards to their name—sweep the audience out to sea in a jolly aquatic escapade brimming with whimsy, action, and ingenuity in a celebration of friendship at Christmas.

When: Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025
Time: 3 and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Massey Theatre — 735 8th Ave, New Westminster,
Tickets: Purchase online

Noel Surrey and Bright Nights

What: Noel Surrey will feature massive displays, stunning LED forests, and photo opportunities, along with 300 ft. of light tunnels.

Take a stroll around the pond at Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre to enjoy the accessible Bright Nights light display, produced through thousands of volunteer hours by over 800 firefighters.

Bright Nights has roots in Surrey and is the single largest fundraiser each year for the Burn Fund, which provides life-saving, life-supporting, and life-enriching services to people in B.C.

When: Now until Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025
Time: Various time slots
Where: Cloverdale Fairgrounds, Surrey
Admission: $17 to $22 from Monday to Thursday, $19 to $25 from Friday to Sunday, and free for children six and under. Purchase online

Miracle at Old Yale Brewing

What: Old Yale Brewing is celebrating the festive season with over a dozen themed cocktails, including the Koala La La La, Rudolph’s Replacement, and Candy Cane Lane.

When: Now until Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025
Where: Old Yale Abbotsford — 33738 Laurel St.; 404-44550 South Sumas Rd., Chilliwack

Winter Ice Palace

What: The 26th annual Winter Ice Palace transforms the Cloverdale Arena into a wintry wonderland. Invite your friends and family to join you for a festive skate, complete with holiday lights, colourful decorations, and seasonal music.

When: Now until Jan. 4, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Cloverdale Ice Arena – 6090 176th St., Surrey
Cost: $5 per person, $3.50 for skate rentals, $1.75 for helmet rentals. Free admission for annual Recreation Pass holders