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A million twinkling lights illuminating dark days in the most unlikely of places. Hot drinks with a unique twist that warm you from the inside as you explore the city. And a scuba diving Santa?! This is winter in Vancouver, and it’s not what you’d expect.
As a local, I can honestly say, winter in Vancouver is not that bad. Snow dusted mountains provide a beautiful backdrop to the city, and you won’t have to deal with the same crowds you’ll see in the summer.
There’s also tons to do, both indoors and outdoors. Don’t believe me? Keep reading to learn about my favorite festive fun ideas in Vancouver this winter – tried and tested.
Winter in Vancouver
While the rest of Canada spends months buried in snow and sub-zero weather, Vancouver remains rather mild. There are the odd days of snow, and it can get a little chilly every now and again. But for the most part, Vancouver’s biggest problem in the winter is rain. Which isn’t a problem if you’re prepared.
As long as you pack your rainproof jacket, maybe an umbrella, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy Vancouver in a quieter season. The city is just as magical as it is the rest of the year, and there are just as many indoor activities as outdoor ones to help with those rainy days in Vancouver.
Serviced by a major international airport, Vancouver is easy to get to even in the winter. Spending longer in the area? Head up to Whistler for skiing or other winter snow-related activities. Or enjoy a short ferry ride to Vancouver Island to visit Victoria or the world famous Butchart Gardens.
Where to stay this winter in Vancouver
You won’t find many Airbnb or VRBO style accommodations in Vancouver, since short term rentals are very restricted. Currently people can only rent out their primary residence, vs. having a bunch of different properties they rent out. As such, hotels will be the main choice you have for where to stay in Vancouver this winter.
But not to worry, the hotels in Vancouver are all very well decorated during the winter months which will make them even more appealing places to stay. Festive lights, decorated trees in the lobby, they have it all.
My personal favorite is the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – one of the most festive hotels in the city. The Hotel Georgia is also a sight to see, and both hotels are centrally located.
For something a little lower in cost, I love the Sheraton Wall Centre or the more independent boutique hotel Georgian Court. The Sandman Suites Vancouver-Davie Street in the heart of the West End is perfect for longer stays as rooms have a kitchenette and living area.
Fun Festive Ideas in Vancouver
Winter in Vancouver shouldn’t be overlooked. Sure, summer typically has nicer weather, but not all winter days are dreary. There are some lovely crisp clear days where you can get outside, and on the less nice days you’ll be able to explore some of the incredible indoor activities in Vancouver.
As a local, I’ll guarantee you’ll have lots of fun in the city in winter. In fact, I’ve spent years finding the best things to do in winter in Vancouver. So here are some of my favorite Vancouver winter activities you don’t want to miss.
VAN DUSEN GARDEN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
One way to literally brighten up the otherwise dark and potentially dull months is by adding a million colorful lights. That’s exactly what you’ll find at one of Vancouver’s best loved gardens, VanDusen Botanical Garden.
Each winter in Vancouver brings the annual Festival of Lights where the garden is decorated all the way to the tree tops. Illuminated pathways lead you around a wonderful winter garden extravaganza – make sure to grab a hot drink from one of the vendors in the garden to warm you as you go.
The festival typically lasts for around 6 weeks from the last week in November to the first week of January. Plan your trip between 4pm and 10pm, arrive early for parking availability or take Bus #17-Oak from downtown dropping right outside. Remember to dress warm.
2024 dates are yet to be confirmed, however in 2023 season the Festival of Lights ran November 24, 2023 to January 7, 2024.
WINTER ICE SKATING AT ROBSON SQUARE
You know winter in Vancouver has officially arrived when the downtown Robson Square ice skating rink opens. Located under the Robson Square plaza, next to UBC’s downtown campus, is the city’s famous open air skating rink.
The ice rink is seasonal, and is usually open from the beginning of December to the end of February from 9am to 9pm. Although check their official site for accurate times and dates ahead of your visit. 2023 dates were December 1 – February 29, 2024 so expect similar dates this year.
It’s free to skate, although rentals are available for a fee if you don’t have your own skates. The rink is covered so the weather doesn’t affect your fun, but you can still get great views of the city skyline as you take in one of Vancouver’s most fun winter activities.
FESTIVE VANCOUVER DINNER CRUISE
Vancouver is surrounded by water, so what better way to really see the city than by boat. During the summer months there are lots of dinner cruises and harbour tours around Vancouver, but winter in Vancouver brings a new kind of boat cruise. The festive dinner cruise.
Take to the water for an evening meal with a cityscape view and a little festive cheer. Tours come with holiday buffet dinner, carol singers and other festive music throughout the month of December. Join in with the singing or just sit back and relax.
Book with Harbour Cruises for a lovely winter evening activity on your trip to Vancouver. Having done this trip dozens of times (full disclosure, I did used to work there), I can confirm it’s a fun night.
Festive Dinner Cruise dates yet to be announced for 2024, however last year’s dates were December 6-21 on select days of the week.
VANCOUVER CHRISTMAS MARKET
Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, you can’t deny the magical atmosphere that goes alongside Christmas markets. While the best are obviously always going to be in Europe, Vancouver does pretty well for itself. In fact, this is one of my favorite things to do in Vancouver in winter.
From mid-November until Christmas Eve each year the Vancouver Christmas Market is open at the Jack Poole Plaza overlooking the harbor. With the Olympic torch as the centerpiece, and stunning views all around, this winter wonderland is full of traditional European foods and festive crafts for purchase.
Find authentic German decorations, hand carved trinkets, warm winter sweaters and hearty Bavarian cuisine. My go to is usually some delicious spaetzle followed by a yummy apple strudel. Don’t forget to wash it down with some glühwein as you listen to live music while wandering around the market.
TOP TRAVEL TIP: Unlike European markets, Vancouver’s Christmas market does have an entry fee of $15-20. If you’re around for a while, I’d suggest upgrading to a season pass so you can visit as much as you like.
Vancouver Christmas market dates are yet to be confirmed for 2024. Dates in 2023 were November 16 to December 24.
VANCOUVER HOT CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL
Helping Vancouverites beat the January blues for a long time now is the annual Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival. It goes for a full month from mid-January, with over 100 different locations throughout the city creating fabulously inventive drinks to try.
Each participating location creates one or two unique hot chocolate drinks – and a snack to go with them. There’s nothing more to it that deciding which on the list you want to try first. Embrace the obscure or settle for the traditional. Me? I like a bit of both.
One year I enjoyed a delicious lavender hot chocolate with lemon cookie. Another involved marinara sauce, basil and hot Cheetos in the hot chocolate. Are you brave enough to try some of the most unusual flavor combinations?
TOP TRAVEL TIP: One of the most fun places is the Vancouver Aquarium where they serve the drinks in aquatic themed mugs, and the hot chocolate is often refillable. I’m now the proud owner of a red octopus mug – no regrets!
Hot Chocolate Festival dates for 2025 are yet to be announced, however 2024 dates were January 13 to February 14.
WINTER ON GROUSE MOUNTAIN
Winter in Vancouver doesn’t get much more incredible than on top of one of the city’s north shore mountains. Grouse Mountain really goes all out for the festive season and you can make a whole day of it. I usually do. 2024 dates yet to be confirmed, but 2023 dates were November 24 to December 24.
Ride the gondola up the mountain where you can rent skates at the outdoor, mountain-top skating rink. Or head inside to watch a winter classic short movie in the theater like The Grinch or A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Visit Santa in his workshop, and get to meet some real life reindeer. There are winter light walks in the snow, and hot drinks and food inside the visitor center when you need to warm up.
Tickets aren’t cheap, at $80 per adult for the mountain pass including gondola ride. But you really can spend a long time here. Add on snowshoe or sled rentals to really make the most of your trip.
Top Local’s Travel Tip: Got a car? Enjoy a cheaper snowshoeing experience at Cypress Mountain. There’s no gondola ride, but parking is free and access to snowshoe trails starts at around $20 per person. Rentals are extra, but it’s still overall cheaper than Grouse. With your own snowshoes you can head up the Hollyburn Peak trail for FREE, accessing from the same area.
WINTER AND HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIRS
I love a good craft fair, I’m sure you do too. Winter in Vancouver brings out even more local artisans and crafters. Granville Island is a top spot all year round for local crafts, but even more so in winter with some festive twists.
The Downtown Vancouver Farmers Market runs until December 18th on Wednesday afternoons. And Vancouver’s biggest craft event, Circle Craft is held in early November each year (November 6-10 in 2024). As well you’ll find lots of local, smaller craft fairs in nearby Steveston or North Vancouver’s Shipyards. Check out this link for details on more local craft events.
Or how about doing your own arts and crafts? Last year my friend and I made our own holiday wreaths. It was a fun way to spend a morning, and the wreath lasted the whole holiday season.
While my skills might need to be honed just a little more, you can be as creative as you want with your wreath, once you’ve mastered the basics. I know I’ll be planning to do this again this year.
Take a trip out to Delta and make your wreath at the Southlands Grange. Or Darts Hill Garden Park in Surrey offer classes too. Expect to pay between $60 and $100 for most classes you’ll find – but buying a wreath isn’t cheap either, and this is way more fun. Most classes won’t be in the city, so you’ll be best with a vehicle to get there.
CAPILANO CANYON LIGHTS
VanDusen Botanical Garden isn’t the only place that goes all out when it comes to lights. Each year Canyon Lights is a winter festival at Capilano Suspension Bridge park. Already one of Vancouver’s top attractions, this place gets a winter makeover that turns the most gloomy winter day into a enchanting experience with the help of the multicolored light displays.
Take the FREE shuttle bus from Canada Place, or drive yourself to Capilano in North Vancouver. Either way, you’ll be there in 30-minutes and it’s a great place to spend a couple of hours.
There’s lots to see, including the Treetops Adventure, the Cliff Walk, and the famous suspension bridge itself. Tickets aren’t cheap – upwards of $70 for an adult ticket. Psst, locals – BC Residents can get an annual pass for the price of one entry.
Canyon Lights typically runs from the end of November to the second or third week in January. 2024 season dates are from November 22, 2024 to January 19, 2025. This is one of the best things to do in Vancouver in winter – don’t let the price put you off.
FOODIE FESTIVALS IN VANCOUVER
Foodies will love Vancouver. Not only do we have some great restaurants, but we love a foodie festival – and Insta-worthy treats.
Even better? A lot of our food festivals are in the quieter winter months – something to look forward to when the weather isn’t as nice. As well as the Hot Chocolate Festival mentioned earlier, why not visit during the annual Dine Out Vancouver festival or keep an eye on other local festivals.
Dine Out Vancouver offers multi-course tasting meals at many of Vancouver’s top restaurants. Fixed price menus start at $20 per person, up to around $65 per person (depending on the restaurant). It’s the perfect way to try new things (and new places).
I always go to a few places each year during Dine Out and have discovered some incredible places. Typically Dine Out Vancouver runs for two weeks around the end of January. 2025 dates have yet to be announced, however 2024 dates were January 17 – February 4.
In November 2023 Vancouver also had a Croissant Crawl where Vancouver cafés and bakeries created unique versions of everyone’s favorite French pastry. Learn from my mistakes: don’t indulge in too many in one day. Watch out for similar events during your visit.
STANLEY PARK BRIGHT NIGHTS TRAIN
In the heart of Vancouver’s Stanley Park is a miniature train. And while it’s a fun activity for kids during the summer, it gets even more fun around the festive season.
As well as a Halloween train in October, they often have a Christmassy experience called the Bright Nights Train. Meet Santa, enjoy some snacks and experience Stanley Park in a unique way. By train.
Tickets sell out fast for the event which happens annually from the end of November through December. 2024 dates not yet released but dates in 2023 were November 30 – January 6, 2024. Pricing is around $15 per person, although this can change from year to year.
A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE IN VANCOUVER
Enjoy the festive season indoors where it’s warm with a winter show at a local Vancouver theater. Top of my list as a fan of the ballet is always enjoying a performance of The Nutcracker.
The signature seasonal show comes to Vancouver each year. Catch it at the Queen Elizabeth Theater and really get into the Christmas spirit with some classical music. Nutcracker dates this year are December 13-15, 2024.
Speaking of classical music, there are lots of events at the Orpheum Theatre, home of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. From traditional Christmas music, to classical symphony events, and even movies.
One of my favorite events at the VSO are their movie series where a movie plays on the big screen as the orchestra perform the musical score. I’ve seen Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and all other movie/music combos. In December you’ll find Christmas films such as The Snowman or Home Alone.
GINGERBREAD LANE AT THE HYATT REGENCY
Did you ever make a gingerbread house as a kid at Christmas? Well then you’re going to love Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Burrard Street. Each year during the month of December you can enjoy a free indoor event at the Hyatt, inspecting intricate gingerbread designs. 2024 dates not yet released but 2023 dates were from Dec 1-29.
From scale models of local Vancouver buildings, to winter wonderland scenes and more, this is the place to be. Especially since it’s one of the only free Vancouver winter activities.
Grab a hot drink from the nearby café as you check out all the unique designs. It’s a family favorite, and somewhere that I like to go to get in the holiday spirit.
HOLIDAY SPLASH AT THE VANCOUVER AQUARIUM
One of my favorite places to visit during winter in Vancouver is the Vancouver Aquarium. That’s only partly because I like to warm up in the tropical Amazon Gallery after a couple hours walking around Stanley Park. The other reason? All the festive fun.
The Vancouver Aquarium goes all out for the holidays. Want to watch the 4D version of the classic holiday movie Polar Express in their theater. Or maybe catch Santa Claus scuba diving with some of the aquarium’s residents.
There’s plenty to do to fill in a couple of hours at least, which makes the entry cost worth it. Tickets start around $42 per person and Holiday Splash typically runs mid-November to early January.
Holiday Splash 2024 dates yet to be confirmed, however last year it ran from November 12, 2023 to January 7, 2024.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS HOCKEY GAME
An ice hockey game is the perfect way to spend a winter afternoon/evening in Vancouver. There are a lot of die hard Vancouver Canucks fans in the city, but that doesn’t mean visitors aren’t welcome.
Head to Rogers Arena for a regular season game between October and April, with tickets starting around $100pp. Pricing of tickets depends on who they are playing – some of the bigger teams draw a larger crowd.
If you’re looking for a festive fun game to attend I recommend the last game before Christmas. This year, that game is December 23 against the San Jose Sharks. Often this is a holiday celebration night with festive music, drinks and maybe a visit from Santa. Keep an eye on local info for themed hockey nights as usually this info is not shared until closer to the time.
FLYOVER CANADA – WINTER EDITION
Flyover Canada is one of the most unique attractions in Vancouver. Where else can you travel across the entire country in only 15 minutes? State of the art simulators create a multi-sensory journey across this huge country. But winter in Vancouver brings an extra special experience.
Starting in November in the run-up to Christmas you’ll be able to visit during the Christmas edition of Flyover. Here you’ll join Santa in his sleigh being pulled along the country, complete with additional festive elements.
Prepare to Ho-Ho-Hold on tight for something the kids (and big kids) will really enjoy. Tickets start around $30 per person and in 2024 the Soar With Santa experience runs from November 21, 2024 to January 1, 2025.
The Best Way To Spend Winter In Vancouver
Canada in the winter might not appear an obvious choice unless you’re going skiing in the mountains. But even if you do head this way for winter sports in Whistler, don’t overlook spending a few days of winter in Vancouver.
Festive cheer, holiday activities, bright lights and family-friendly attractions make Vancouver an awesome place to visit in the winter season. Less crowds and off-season hotel pricing tip the scale even more.
So whether you want to catch a scuba diving Santa, enjoy open air ice-skating or wander the brightly lit botanical gardens, don’t miss winter in Vancouver. Top it off with some festive treats at the Christmas market and a night at the theater (or hockey).
Revel in the outdoors up one of the local, snowy mountains, or hide in the warmth of Vancouver’s city attractions. Either way you won’t be bored as winter in Vancouver is truly magical.
If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you spent a winter in Vancouver? What did you do on your visit?
With Christmas just around the corner, we start to think about activities linked to the season and destinations where the Christmas spirit is imbued.
Christmas markets would definitely catch my eye. I’m a fan of cozy atmospheres, hot drinks and Christmas lights 🙂 while visiting the chocolate festival, for a sweet tooth like me, would be the icing on the cake!
In any case, all the activities proposed for this season in Vancouver sound very appealing!
I always enjoy having a trip to a city when the crowds have thinned out and left. It makes for a better experience without the need to compete for space. Winter in Vancouver might not be everyone but to some, its a time to catch up on things and reclaim the city. I can see myself having a lovely stroll along a botanical garden, or join in the locals for a hockey match or better yet, spend a quiet time in some hotels downtown with a plate of sweet treats #flyingbaguette
Jan – https://flyingbaguette.com/
What a great collection of Vancouver’s winter activities that hit most of my favourites. I never miss the foodie events like the hot chocolate festival and Dine Out, but the season wouldn’t be complete without visiting Van Dusen Gardens, seeing The Nutcracker, or taking a youngster on the train ride around Stanley Park.
Lyn | http://www.ramblynjazz.com
Wow! Loads of great things to do in Vancouver in winter time. We do love lights, so VanDusen Botanical Garden and Canyon Lights would be a must-visit. We’d definitely enjoy watching the ice hockey, and the Flyover Canada attraction looks really interesting as well. Love the idea of the food festivals. Dine Out Vancouver sounds like a brilliant – and delicious – initiative. And who couldn’t love a hot chocolate festival?
Oh my god, a hot chocolate festival?!?! Yes! Finally someone understands the magic that is hot chocolate. I’d also love the lights festival. Beautiful 🤩
The Van Dusen Garden Festival of Lights looks awesome, and a great way to repurpose the botanical gardens for winter use. The Festive Vancouver Dinner Cruise sounds great, especially with festive it is. I would do this cruise year round, even if I were the visit in the winter months (past the holidays), even without the festive nature, a view of the cityscape always intrigues me! The Vancouver Christmas Market has the European feel to it, and as someone who may not do Europe anytime soon, I would very much consider this to at least get a taste of it. And finally, while i’m not a hockey fan (football, baseball and NASCAR for me!), I would very much do a Vancouver Canucks game, just to capture the atmosphere of what a hockey game is like in Canada. That’s gotta be a blast!
Wow, winter looks like the perfect time to visit Vancouver! The hot chocolate festival alone is enough to tempt me!
I love Vancouver, but I haven’t been there in the winter. I would love to go to some of the markets. I think Stanley Park would be great in the winter with the train
Traveling for Christmas is a new tradition for my family, thank you for some new ideas! The food looks delicious. Great post!
I’ll be quite frank I never considered visiting Vancouver in Winter, but you’ve made a believer out of me! Vancouver looks absolutely magical during the holiday season. I’d love to check out the hot chocolate festival and the VanDusen Botanical Garden.
We love to visit Vancouver at all times of year. And are always surprised when we visit in the winter – and generally find no snow! The Festival of Lights looks like a good thing for our next winter visit. But we would definitely plan a trip around the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival!
you are getting me in the mood for Christmas!