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For many, Christmas Day is a chance to spend time lounging at home with their families. However, for those looking to escape the house and do something a little different, there are a number of businesses that will be open across the city.
So whether you feel like enjoying the day on the slopes, catching a movie, or dining on decadent Christmas delights, here’s our list of what’s open on Christmas Day in Vancouver.
Local ski hills
Grouse Mountain

Skier and snowboarder/Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is open on Christmas Day. What better way to enjoy the holiday than with fresh powder? Grouse has the longest Christmas Day hours out of all the local mountains.
Mount Seymour

(Mount Seymour/Facebook)
Another great mountain to enjoy a white Christmas on.
Cypress Mountain

Skiing at Cypress Mountain/Peter Lonergan
The West Vancouver mountain is open on Christmas Day as well.
Movie theatres

Movie theatre/Shutterstock
Vancouver Aquarium

Scuba Claus/Vancouver Aquarium
Spend Christmas Day surrounded by sea creatures at the Vancouver Aquarium. Yes, it’s open, but special hours are in effect for Christmas Day.
Where: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Christmas Day hours: 10:00 am to 4 pm
Christmas at Canada Place

Christmas at Canada Place
Experience the Avenue of Trees, the Woodward’s Windows, and the Sails of Light. This is an entirely outdoor display best viewed after dark.
Robson Square skating rink

Robson Square rink / Shutterstock
Strap on your skates and glide across the ice in downtown Vancouver on Christmas Day. It’s free if you bring your own skates; open Christmas Day from 11 am to 5 pm.
Where: 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
Christmas Tree at Robson Square
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This gorgeous 50-foot tree is on display at Robson Square and is free to enjoy, perhaps accompanied by a visit to the Robson Square ice rink.
Where: 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
St. Paul’s Lights of Hope

St. Paul’s Lights of Hope (Spencer Finlay / Flickr)
The stunning display outside of St. Paul’s Hospital on Burrard Street is the perfect lights activity to enjoy on Christmas Day. Take the family or that special someone for a walk and enjoy!
Where: 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Hillcrest Swimming Pool
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As the only community pool open on Christmas Day, why not take the opportunity to go for a dip before the big Christmas dinner?
Hours: 9 am to 2 pm
Quick food fixes
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Not feeling all the eggnog, turkey, or fruitcake?
Not to worry: A number of fast food and convenience store chains are still open on Christmas Day, including Starbucks, McDonald’s, select Subways, Tim Hortons, and 7-11.
Dining out
If just thinking about preparing dinner on Christmas Day is enough to make you tired, then we’ve got the perfect alternative for you.
Here are a handful of venues in the city that are keeping their doors open on the 25th.
Private liquor stores

Liquor Depot Canada / Facebook
The following private liquor stores in Vancouver are open on Christmas Day:
-
- Jak’s – multiple locations
- Brewery Creek Liquor Store – 3045 Main Street
- Denman Liquor Store – 1060 Denman Street
- Liberty Wine Merchants – 1622 Commercial Drive (this location only)
- Coal Harbour Liquor Store – 1216 West Pender Street
- Spirit of Howe Street – 1275 Granville Street
- East Side Liquor Store – 1445 E. 41st Street
- Value On Liquor Store – 1450 SW Marine Drive
- The Bottle Shop – 1489 East Hastings Street
- Legacy Liquor Store – 1633 Manitoba Street
- Princeton Hotel Liquor Store – 110-1901 Powell Street
- Darby’s Public House and Liquor Store – 2001 MacDonald Street
- Kitsilano Liquor Store – 2289 West Broadway
- Burrard Liquor Store – 2401 Burrard Street
- High Point Beer Wine and Spirits – 2769 East Hastings Street
- Liquor Depot at Cambie – 3415 Cambie Street
- Liquor Depot at Point Grey – 3338 West Broadway
- Jimmy’s Cold Beer and Wine Store – 425 Robson Street
- Pacific Spirits Liquor Store – 4474 Dunbar Street
- Firefly Fine Wines and Ales – 2857 Cambie Street
- Dunbar Liquor Boutique – 5650 Dunbar Street
- Crosstown Liquor Store – 568 Abbott Street
Originally published on December 18, 2019