Sparkling ocean, majestic mountains, beautiful foliage, and rainforests make the city of Vancouver one of the planet’s most beautiful cities. The residents of the city are warm and welcoming and the streets here are safe and clean at night or day for the entire year. You can enjoy gourmet meals, spectacular attractions and sights, outdoor adventure, theatre, sporting events, and live entertainment during your visit to Vancouver. The city also offers easy and quick access to the Canadian Rockies, Vancouver Island, Victoria, and Whistler, and endless land and sports activities irrespective of whether you are on a look out for pure family fun or extreme sports. Here are our recommendations on the top 10 things to do in winter in Vancouver.
1. Don't miss the Annual Santa Claus Parade
It is one of the most important free Christmas events with Santa, marching bands, and floats on December 2, 2018, in downtown Vancouver. This annual tradition attracts more than 300,000 people and usually lasts for about 2 hours. The event features more than 2,500 participants, hundreds of volunteers and around 60 community organizations. Come, and be a part of this unique event in this Canadian city.
Annual Santa Claus Parade
Address: Begins at 12 noon at Broughton Street, Vancouver, Canada
2. Show up at the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Vancouver’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Movement was originally started to raise funds in support of the Canadian wing of “Make A Wish Foundation” that fulfills wishes for kids suffering from a life-threatening ailment. The movement uses the money raised from the wildest and biggest party of the season to support these kids. You should definitely try to attend this wonderful bash to celebrate the holiday season with your friends, feel the music, and help in fulfilling the wishes of the ailing kids.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Address: Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, Canada
Website: Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
3. Let your hair down at Contact (Winter Music Festival)
Posted by Contact Festival on Thursday, January 9, 2020
Every year, the city of Vancouver hosts a music and dance festival, which is known as the Contact Winter Music Festival. The festival is regarded as the biggest indoor party in Western Canada and hosts some of the most accomplished names in the field. The impressive lineup features well-known international DJs, promising local talents, rising stars, and other music artists to entertain thousands of audiences.
Contact Winter Music Festival
Address: EDM Electronic House, Vancouver, Canada
Website: Contact Winter Music Festival
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4. Ejoy the Hot Chocolate Festival
You will invariably fall in love with the cocoa-fuel festival in case you are a die-hard chocoholic. The festival features an unbelievable and amazing collection of specialty and exotic hot chocolates. More than 20 best restaurants and cafes in Vancouver serve mugs of hot chocolates in limited edition such as Mexican hot chocolate with a twist, varieties of hazelnut hot chocolate, and much more.
Hot Chocolate Festival
Address: Various locations, Vancouver, Canada
Website: Hot Chocolate Festival
Vancouver Tour Guide
Nazila Najafi
I have over ten years of experience in the Tourism and Hospitality industry. My professional/volunteer background as a researcher, remote travel columnist, travel agent, travel consultant, and walking/step-on guide has helped me provide my VIP (private/group) tours with a memorable experience. As a professional Canadian Tour Guide Association of British Columbia member, I have been actively running mainly private cultural tours in Vancouver since 2019.
5. Visit the Vancouver Christmas Market
The Vancouver Christmas Market is known to spread the festive spirit and the Old World Tradition every year. It is an immensely cherished holiday event that also features an authentic and delightful German feast to attract the foodies. Take a leisurely stroll along the twinkling pathway in the crisp chilly air in a Christmas village inspired from European villages. Also, discover interesting treasures that can be stuffed in your Christmas stockings or placed under your Christmas tree. Festive foodies get a chance to savor a special mulled wine called Glühwein, different kinds of savory and sweet epicurean delights, and a choice of Austrian and German beers.
Visit the Vancouver Christmas Market
Address: Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 3G3
Website: Visit the Vancouver Christmas Market
6. Enjoy a romantic dinner cruise on New Year Eve (from USD 195.0)
Avail this exquisite Vancouver Harbor New Year’s Eve dinner cruise, which lasts for four hours and is your chance to celebrate the New Year in style with that special someone in your life or a group of close friends. Come to the Vancouver Harbor and hop into your boat in the evening as we head out straight onto the magical waves. Relish a lip-smacking dinner with special cuisines like the Pacific sablefish filet and enjoy the music being played by the live band. Raise a toast, drink, and dance into the night prior to coming back to harbor.
New Year's Eve Dinner Cruise through Vancouver Harbor
Duration: 4 hours
7. Ski across the magnificent Grouse Mountain (from USD 64.0)
Enjoy the beauty of the majestic Grouse Mountain with this full-day ticket for an experience in snow lift. Many regard the site as the winter playground of Vancouver. You can take a Skyride to reach the mountaintop and select from two terrain parks, four chairlifts, 14 night runs, and 33 snowboard and ski runs among others. Enjoy access to the mountaintop Chalet, chairlifts, and Skyride using your ticker from 9 am in the morning to 10 pm.
Grouse Mountain Full Day Snow Lift Ticket
Duration: 2 to 8 hours
8. Go Sleighing through the snow (from USD 1.0)
It is a special five-day trip including a two-night stay in Baniff along with an exciting sleigh ride and an exotic Christmas dinner. You will cover a distance of 2,000 km (1242.742 mi) on this trip and will also have a day to try out a thrilling winter activity such as boarding/skiing at Lake Louise, ice walking or dog sledding. Alternatively, you can also enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep and explore the sights and shops of Baniff.
Rockies Christmas Premium Tour
Duration: 5 days
9. Go musical on a karaoke trolley tour (from USD 45.0)
It is once in a lifetime opportunity to get into the real holiday spirit with this amazing trolley tour that covers two top light displays of Vancouver — VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Festival of Lights and Bright Nights at Stanley Park. Once you have boarded the motorized trolley, there will be fun galore with holiday music karaoke. Enjoy festive frolicking in this fabulous winter wonderland. We will halt at the light displays while you can purchase some snacks and a drink.
Vancouver Holiday Lights and Karaoke Tour
Duration: 3 hours
10. Walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge (from USD 36.0)
If you are planning to visit Vancouver during this magical winter, it is a perfect chance to get immersed at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park of the city. You can enjoy a colorful forest tour and marvel at the fabulous decorations while crossing this suspension bridge. Take a stroll through the tall trees including the tallest Christmas tree of the world. Alternatively, halt for some child-friendly activities such as cookie decoration and card making or enjoy a hot drink while relaxing at a rustic café.
Winter Wonderland at Vancouver’s Capilano Bridge Ticket
Duration: 1 day
Vivacious Vancouver
With so much to see and do in this beautiful city in the winters, how about making it your next travel destination during the holiday season? You will have a scintillating vacation with these above-listed top 10 things to do in winter in Vancouver and beat the cold for sure.
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