While days are shorter in Metro Vancouver during the winter, events, holiday lights, and very Metro Vancouver winter things to do lighten us up in this often-gloomy season. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, transit can take you to destinations to experience the best of Metro Vancouver in winter!

Wherever you go, plan your trip using our Trip Planner.

Things to do most of the winter season

Go ice skating at Robson Square or The Shipyards

There’s plenty of low-cost outdoor ice skating in our region. In some, you only pay for the skates and ice cleats rental. They’re also located near transit hubs!

• ? The Shipyards is only steps away from Lonsdale Quay SeaBus terminal and bus exchange.
• ? Robson Square is near Canada Line’s Vancouver City Centre.

Ski, snowboard, and/or snowshoe at Grouse Mountain

Experience a variety of winter sports at Grouse Mountain ski resort! Bring the kids over for a fun time at Santa’s workshop during the holidays. Being at the peak of Vancouver and covered in snow, it’s like meeting Santa at the North Pole!

• ? Grouse Mountain is served by routes 232 and 236 Grouse Mountain.

See holiday lights

Holidays in Vancouver aren’t complete without holiday lights illuminating our chilly winter nights. VanDusen Botanical Garden is one of many destinations that offer breathtaking holiday light displays. You can also have a one-of-a-kind experience for free at Lafarge Lake just steps away from Lafarge Lake–Douglas Station!

• ? VanDusen Botanical Garden is served by routes 17 Oak/Downtown, R4 RapidBus 41st Ave to UBC/Joyce Station, and 10 Granville/Downtown.

Watch a Canucks home game

Join hundreds of commuters wearing Canucks jerseys on the Expo Line as they make their way to Rogers Arena, near Stadium—Chinatown Station, for a Vancouver Canucks home game.

• ? Rogers Arena is steps away from Expo Line’s Stadium–Chinatown Station.

Shop at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet is a place to go if you’re shopping for last-minute gifts or like to window shop for fun. It has 80 designer brands, each offering irresistible deals all year round.

• ? McArthurGlen Designer Outlet is located near Canada Line’s Templeton Station.

Watch movies at Cineplex or Landmark Cinemas on Tuesdays

Level up your movie experience by watching them on a big screen. You can watch movies at discounted prices on Tuesdays at Cineplex and at participating Landmark Cinemas theaters!

• ? Search a nearby theatre and plan your route using our Trip Planner.

Fly over Canada at FlyOver Canada

Soar across Canada at FlyOver Canada, an immersive 4D flight simulation experience. It’s a bucket list-worthy experience you’d want to have at least once in your life.

• ? FlyOver Canada is located at Canada Place near Waterfront Station.

Things to do in December

Visit the Vancouver Christmas Market

Experiencing the holidays at Vancouver Christmas Market is a Christmas tradition for many Vancouverites. Savour traditional German food and hot cocoa or apple cider on a Vancouver Christmas Market mug collectible, ride the holiday carousel, and of course, sing along to live Christmas music!

• ? Vancouver Christmas Market is set up at Canada Place, steps away from Waterfront Station.

Things to do in January

Go for a Polar Bear Swim on January 1st

Start the new year with a challenge and go for a frosty plunge at English Bay. This Vancouver trend dates to 1920 when a small number of swimmers took the plunge into English Bay on New Year’s Day. It went from around 10 swimmers to a record-breaking 2,550 entries in 2014.

• ? English Bay is served by many downtown Vancouver routes including 5 Robson/Downtown and 6 Davie/Downtown.

Watch the Lunar New Year parade

With a huge population of East and Southeast Asian communities in Metro Vancouver, Lunar New Year is one of the most celebrated and impressive annual events. The Lunar New Parade is a popular celebration in downtown Vancouver’s Chinatown.

• ? Chinatown is located near Expo Line’s Stadium—Chinatown Station.

Discover restaurants at the Vancouver Dine Out

Canada’s largest food and drink festival is here in Vancouver, allowing culinary enthusiasts to taste the best flavours of the city. The Vancouver Dine Out is a staple of the winter season offering a fixed-price menu deal at 300 participating restaurants, wineries, craft breweries, and suppliers. Take transit to skip the hassle and costs of parking in downtown Vancouver.

• ? Participating restaurants are located across Vancouver. Find your route using our Trip Planner.

Things to do in February

Try unique hot chocolate drinks during the Hot Chocolate Festival

This could be the first time you’ve heard of a Hot Chocolate Festival — and yes, it’s real! The Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival features our region’s best chocolatiers, pastry shops, bakeries, cafes, as well as gelato and ice cream makers uniting to make the humble hot chocolate hotter than ever before.

• ? Participating locations are located across Vancouver. Find your route using our Trip Planner.

Join the fun at Vancouver Winter Pride Festival

Organized by the same committee that hosts the Pride Parade in August, the Vancouver Winter Pride Festival features and celebrates 2SLGBTQAI+ talents in a week of not-to-miss performances. Everything from drag shows to comedy shows, and even a ball!

• ? Vancouver Winter Pride Festival events are located at various locations in Vancouver. Find your route using our Trip Planner.

Which winter events and activities did we miss? Let us know in the comments!