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I love the holidays. The best time of the year. Everyone is so happy and excited for spending time with family. Everyone gets into the holiday spirit and there are so many events happening around the city. Here are 10 of my favorite things to in Vancouver for the Holidays.
Skating at Robson Square
Lace up and let’s go! Photo: Questa
Lace up your skates for some free outdoor skating at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver. If you don’t have your own skates, you can rent them for a small fee as well. There is nothing like skating around with the wind at your hair. Try to go at off peak hours otherwise it gets really crazy and busy with people and kids dashing every which way. Make an evening of it by popping into a nearby coffee shop for some hot chocolate afterwards.
Skiing or Snowshoeing
Many of the local mountains (Cypress, Seymour, Grouse) have now opened or will be soon for the season and that means you can get in a couple extra weeks of skiing and snowboarding. If winter sports aren’t your think, you could also go snowshoeing and experience the beauty that is the coastal mountains. Or, if you rather do neither of these, then you can head to…
The Peak of Christmas
For equally brilliant views of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, without the intensity of outdoor winter activities, then head to the Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain. Surround yourself with Christmas cheer. Go visit Santa’s workshop and Gingerbread Village, or take a sleigh ride through the woods.
Vancouver Christmas Market
Photo: Razvan Marescu
The festive Christmas markets of Germany and other European countries have come to Vancouver. Wander around the various shops will with holiday crafts while sipping on your mulled wine and enjoying a schnitzel or bratwurst. This is something new in Vancouver, and I haven’t had a chance to check it out since returning “home.” I can’t wait to have a little bit of Europe in my life again.
Bright Lights at Stanley Park
Photo: Sonson
Take a short walk in the park and ride on a train while enjoying festive lights all for a good cause at Bright Lights at Stanley Park. Proceeds from the sale of tickets go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, which helps burn survivors and their families. Admission is by donation.
Holiday Lights
View Christmas Lights in the Lower Mainland, 2013 in a larger map. Thanks to The Province for putting together this map.
Take a drive through Vancouver’s neighbourhoods to look at the elaborate lights put on by the people of Vancouver. Some even put on light shows set to music. Check out the above map created by The Province newspaper highlighting some of the best lights this year.
Classical Music Concert
Growing up, I played multiple instruments. Now, I only play on occasion for fun, but my appreciation for great classical music hasn’t waned. It is a Christmas tradition for my family to go listen to a holiday concert whether it is hearing Handel’s Massiah or listening to Christmas carols.
No matter what you do, the holiday season is a magical time in Vancouver. There are so many activities to get you into the holiday spirit. How do you get into the holiday spirit?
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