Top 10 Vancouver Winter Events & Activities

Things to Do in Vancouver BC in December, January & February

By Dana Lynch

Updated 05/01/17

Winter in Vancouver, BC, is a special time of year. Packed with events and activities, winter in Vancouver is the season for skiing and snowboarding, Christmas events, New Year's celebrations, multicultural festivals, and more! Use this guide to find the best things to do in Vancouver this winter, with events and activities for December, January, and February.

  • 01 of 10

    Vancouver Skiing & Snow Sports

    skiing whistler blackcomb alpine
    ••• skiing whistler blackcomb alpine. © Whistler Blackcomb / Paul Morrison

    When it comes to Vancouver winter activities, nothing is more popular than hitting the slopes! Vancouver is perfectly situated for skiers and snowboarders: there are five amazing ski and snowboard resorts--including some of the top venues in North America--just a short distance away. It's also ideal for the snowshoeing, too, with trails for every skill level, from beginner to expert.

  • 02 of 10

    Free Ice Skating at Robson Square

    Vancouver Winter Events & Activities: Robson Square Ice Rink
    ••• Robson Square Ice Rink.

    Since reopening for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, the free outdoor ice skating at Robson Square has become one of Vancouver's most popular winter activities. Located at 800 Robson Street (just across from the Vancouver Art Gallery in the heart of downtown Vancouver), the Robson Square Ice Rink is open from early December 2016 - February 28, 2017. Skating is free; skate rentals are $4, helmets and ice cleats are $2.

  • 03 of 10

    Winter Activities on Grouse Mountain

    Vancouver Winter Events & Activities: Grouse Mountain
    ••• Grouse Mountain Peak of Christmas. Image Courtesy of Grouse Mountain

    Grouse Mountain, located just 20 minutes north of downtown Vancouver, is a mini epicenter for Vancouver winter activities. Not only can you ski, snowboard and snowshoe on Grouse Mountain, you can enjoy a winter wonderland of events and activities, including outdoor ice skating, sleigh rides, and December's Peak of Christmas.

  • 04 of 10

    Christmas Events in Vancouver

    Rogers_Santa_Parade.jpg
    ••• Santa at the Vancouver Rogers Santa Claus Parade. Image Courtesy of Greg Descantes / Rogers Santa Claus Parade

    Christmas in Vancouver doesn't just happen on December 25--it takes up the whole month of December!

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Vancouver Boxing Day Sales

    Sale_ChristopherFurlong.jpg
    ••• Photo © Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

    The biggest shopping event of the year is also one of Vancouver's biggest winter events: Boxing Day! Boxing Day (December 26) is a holiday in Canada but it's best known for being the day when everything in Vancouver--fashion, electronics, home furnishings, and more--goes on sale.

  • 06 of 10

    Vancouver New Year's Eve Celebrations

    ••• Image Courtesy of NYEVAN via Facebook

    In Vancouver for New Year's Eve? Then get ready to party! Vancouver New Year's Eve celebrations run the gamut from the elegant to the hedonistic, with even a few all-ages events thrown in!

  • 07 of 10

    Vancouver Indoor Winter Activites for Kids (& Adults)

    Extreme air park vancouver bc
    ••• Extreme air park indoor trampoline. Image Courtesy of Extreme Air Park

    As a parent of a toddler, I know how hard it can be to find Vancouver winter activities for kids that won't be too cold or too rainy. (Not that kids can't ski and snowboard, too.) Luckily, Vancouver has lots of options for indoor winter activities for kids of all ages, including ice skating, indoor climbing, indoor playlands and more.

  • 08 of 10

    Dine Out Vancouver

    2012_PlatedAndPairedAtThePublicMarket.jpg
    ••• Dine Out Vancouver: Plated & Paired at the Granville Island Public Market. Image Courtesy of Dine Out Vancouver / Tourism Vancouver

    Started in 2002 by Tourism Vancouver, Dine Out has become one of the most popular Vancouver winter events. A city-wide culinary event, Dine Out offers discount menus at over 200 Metro Vancouver restaurants--letting you "taste drive" new cuisine for less, as well as special events around town. Dine Out Vancouver runs from January 20 - February 5, 2017.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade & Festival

    Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade 2013
    ••• Chinese New Year Parade 2013. Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver

    One of the best Vancouver winter events is the annual Chinese New Year Parade in Vancouver's historic Chinatown, a cultural extravaganza that's one of the city's biggest and best annual parades.

  • 10 of 10

    Special Vancouver Winter Events & Festivals

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    ••• Dumpling Fest at Lunar Fest Vancouver. Image Courtesy of Lunar Fest Vancouver

    When it comes to Vancouver winter events, December, January, and February are chock full of art and cultural festivals!