
For many, Christmas Day is a chance to spend the day lounging at home with their families. But for those looking to escape the house and do something a little different, there are a number of different businesses that are 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 what’s open on Christmas Day in Vancouver.
Local ski hills

Grouse Mountain / Facebook
Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is open Christmas Day. What better way to enjoy that holiday than with fresh powder? Grouse has the longest Christmas Day hours out of all the local mountains.

Mount Seymour / Facebook
Mount Seymour
Another great mountain to enjoy a white Christmas on.

Cypress Mountain / Facebook
Cypress Mountain
The West Vancouver mountain is open Christmas Day as well.
Christmas Day hours: 9 am to 4 pm.
Movie Theatres

Movie Theatre / Shutterstock
Vancouver Aquarium

The Vancouver Aquarium is open on Christmas Day. (Rainer Plendl/Shutterstock)
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
Christmas at Canada Place
View this post on Instagram
Experience the Avenue of Trees, the Woodward’s Windows, and the Sails of Light.
Where: Canada Place
Hours: 11 am to 8 pm
Robson Square skating rink
View this post on Instagram
Strap on your skates and glide across the ice in downtown Vancouver on Christmas Day. It’s free if you bring your own skates.
Where: 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
Christmas Tree at Robson Square

Jenn Chan / Flickr
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
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 display 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
View this post on Instagram
As the only community pool open on Christmas Day, why not take the opportunity to go for dip before the big Christmas dinner?
Hours: 9 am to 4 pm
SoulCycle Yaletown
View this post on Instagram
What better way to take a proactive approach to those holiday pounds you’re eventually going to have to work off, after all the Christmas feasting?
Christmas Day: 9:30 am / 10:45 am / 11:45 am
Quick food fixes
View this post on Instagram
Not feeling all the eggnog, turkey, or fruitcake?
Not to worry: Numerous fast food and convenience store chains are still open on Christmas Day, including Starbucks, McDonald’s, select Subways, Tim Hortons, and 7-11s.
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 Christmas Day:
- Granville Liquor Store – 2658 Granville Street
- 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
