25 Winter Wonders: Vancouver’s Ultimate Cold-Weather Bucket List

Canada is known for winter. While temperatures are more mild in Vancouver, winter is real.  Here’s our list of the 25 best things to do in winter in Vancouver.

1. Enjoy a Tropical Oasis at Bloedel Conservatory

The Bloedel Conservatory is a greenhouse and aviary in Queen Elizabeth Park. When you walk inside, you quite literally step into a tropical paradise, with hundreds of exotic plants and birds. The temperature inside is also tropical, so it’s a fun way to warm up on a cool fall or winter day.

The admission is under 10 bucks, and it’s definitely worth it. It’s a great date spot or a place to go with a group of nature enthusiast friends. It’s also a great spot to bring the kids so they can learn about and observe an array of beautiful plants, birds, and flowers.

2. Spend the Day at Science World

Science World, also known as Telus World of Science, is a center for science-based exhibits and interactive activities about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and design, and math). There are tons of interesting educational exhibits to check out, and it’s a particularly good spot to visit if you have kids. Kids can find endless hours of entertainment with interactive activities, and admission for children 2 and under is free.

3. Check out the Lonsdale Quay Market

The Lonsdale Quay Market is a large market in North Vancouver. It’s super easy to get to from Downtown Vancouver, just hop on the water taxi and you’ll arrive at the Lonsdale Quay in just 15 minutes. There is an array of unique shops and vendors offering art, clothing, decor, and more. You can also try tons of unique foods at the food hall, or check out one of the nearby restaurants. The area surrounding the Quay Market is also very beautiful, with nice footpaths along the water, views of the Downtown skyline, and live performers filling the area with music. It’s definitely a nice spot to spend the afternoon and see a bit of North Vancouver.

4. Visit the Vancouver Art Gallery

Spending an afternoon at an art gallery to escape the cold is one of my favorite past times. If you’re visiting Vancouver, you should definitely check out the Vancouver Art Gallery. There is a permanent collection of fine arts, as well as rotating featured collections. There is also the Gallery Bistro if you feel like grabbing lunch after. Admission is also by donations on Tuesday evenings, so that is a great time to come. Otherwise, admission is $29, but it’s still totally worth it.

5. Be Amazed at the Vancouver Aquarium

If you’re looking for something equally entertaining and educational, you should visit the Vancouver Aquarium! The Vancouver Aquarium is the largest in all of Canada, and it’s a “center for marine research, ocean literacy education, climate activism, conservation, and marine animal rehabilitation”[8]. All of the mammals at the Vancouver Aquarium are rescued and are in rehabilitation, so you can feel good when you visit. It’s a great spot for the whole family!

6. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

There’s nothing that says ‘fall’ like picking your own pumpkin at a pumpkin patch. Plus, you don’t even have to leave the city to do it! Head over to Southlands Heritage Farm in South Vancouver to pick out your own pumpkin, and pay a visit to the farm animals. The pumpkin patch is open starting October 10th, so if you’re looking for something special to do this fall you should definitely check it out.

7. Get Spooked at Fright Nights at Playland

Fright Nights is an annual spooky event put on by the Playland amusement park. It occurs all October long, and the theme park is completely transformed into a haunted nightmare. There are tons of haunted houses, creepy attractions, and your favorite rides open at night. Actors dressed up in scary costumes also roam the grounds ready to scare you at any minute! It’s a lot of fun if you’re a horror buff, or just like a good scare every once in a while. It’s a super unique experience in Vancouver.

8. Enjoy the Changing Colors

Vancouver has a pretty temperate climate, so you can still enjoy most of the same outdoor activities in the fall that you would in the summer. So definitely get out there, enjoy the fresh air, and see the beautiful changing colors of the trees. The Stanley Park Seawall is a great place to see tons of different sides of Vancouver, or you can take a stroll with a warm coffee through one of Vancouver’s many parks.

9. Go Ice Skating at Robson Square

One of Vancouver’s most popular wintertime tourist attractions is the Robson Square Ice Rink. Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, this outdoor ice rink attracts hundreds of visitors every single day in the winter season. The icing on the cake (pun intended) is that this ice rink is completely free to use! However, there is a fee for rental skates. It’s an awesome all-ages activity and you get to enjoy it right downtown.

10. See the Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden

Every winter the VanDusen Botanical Garden puts on a spectacular wintertime festival, the VanDusen Festival of Lights. During this festival, the botanical gardens are transformed into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights in all sorts of displays and arrangements. There are also hot chocolate and hot apple cider vendors, and some small rides to enjoy. It’s a really fun place to be when you want to get into that holiday spirit and it’s a massively popular event.

11. Do Some Christmas Shopping at the Vancouver Christmas Market

Whether you’ve got some last-minute Christmas Shopping, or you just want to get into the holiday spirit, you should definitely check out the Vancouver Christmas Market. You can find specialty artisan gifts, home decor, festive decorations, and tons of delicious food here. There is also often live music and other activities for folks of all ages. If you’re in Vancouver come Christmas time you should definitely pay a visit here.

12. Hit the Slopes

If you’re a skier or snowboarder visiting Vancouver, then you’re likely feeling like a kid in a candy store right now, because there are 3 mountains to ski and board at within 40 minutes from downtown Vancouver. Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour are all mountains on the North Shore of Vancouver that have incredible skiing and snowboarding, and they’re not even an hour away. You can get a day pass and spend the day on the mountain, or stay at one of the hotels or resorts there and make a trip out of it. A little bit further away is one of the most popular ski and board destinations in all of Canada, Whistler. It’s about 2 hours outside of Vancouver, but it is renowned as one of the best destinations for winter sports.

13. Spend the Day at Whistler Village

Whether you ski or board, or not, Whistler is still a great place to visit. You’ll feel like you’re walking into a winter wonderland. It’s just under 2 hours from the city, so you can make it a day trip, or stay overnight at one of the many hotels and resorts. There are tons of shopping, dining options, bars, and nightclubs in the village, as well as walking and hiking trails.

14. Go Snow Tubing at Mount Seymour

If you’re looking for something more laid back than skiing or snowboarding, you should try snow tubing at Grouse Mountain! The Grouse Mountain Sliding Zone is fun for the whole family, and it’s just about 40 minutes from the city. Rentals cost $33 for 2 hours, but if you’re a full season pass holder it’s free!

15. Cheer on the Canucks at a Hockey Game

If you’re in Vancouver during hockey season (October to April) catch a Canucks game at Rogers Arena! The arena is just outside of Chinatown, so it’s super easy to get to and you won’t have to leave the city. You can cheer on the Vancouver Canucks at their home arena, enjoy a beer, and get a snack from one of the food vendors. There are also tons of sports bars in the area that air the games if that’s more your cup of tea.

16. Go Snowshoeing at Cypress Mountain

If you want to get out into the snow without a set of skis, you should try snowshoeing at Cypress mountain. It’s a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the snowy winter landscape. Cypress is just around 30 minutes from the city, and they have rental snowshoes available so you can just get up and go. There is over 10km of trails for snowshoeing, and when you’re done you can enjoy a hot drink and some lunch at the Hollyburn Lodge!

17. Go on a Tour of Vancouver’s Many Breweries

There are tons of breweries to check out in East Vancouver, like Parallel 49, and East Van Brewing. You can go on a self-guided tour and try a few beers at each place you stop, or spend a few hours at one brewery enjoying a tasting menu. You can also book a brewery tour with companies like Vancouver Brewery Tours, and try tons of unique beers and foods across the city. It’s an awesome way to get a taste of Vancouver and warm up on a chilly fall or winter day.

18. Check out the Santa Claus Parade

The Vancouver Santa Claus Parade is a large parade that takes place in Downtown Vancouver in December. The parade attracts thousands of spectators from all across the city, with people lined up all the way down Georgia Street and Granville Street. Local businesses come to celebrate their Christmas spirit with holiday-themed floats, marching bands, and dancers. It’s the perfect event to bring the kids to, just make sure you dress warmly!

19. Shop Local at the Riley Park Winter Farmers’ Market

Farmer’s Markets are super popular in the summer, but it’s not too often that you find one that’s open during the winter! Luckily, there is the Riley Park winter farmers market at Nat Bailey Stadium. The market occurs every Saturday from November until April and hosts over 70 vendors [9] offering fresh produce, and artisanal products. You can also find food trucks selling hot food and drinks to market attendees.

20. Learn about Vancouver’s History at the Museum of Vancouver

You can learn all about this wonderful city’s history at the Museum of Vancouver (MOV) in Kitsilano. The Museum of Vancouver has a massive collection of artifacts, fine art objects, anthropological exhibits, as well as contemporary art. A big attractor of this museum is the neon sign collection, an array of Vancouver’s past neon signs from as early as the 1930s. It’s a perfect place to escape the rain and learn about the history of the land on which we stand.

21. Celebrate the Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Every winter the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the surrounding canyon is all dressed up in a massive display of Christmas lights. You’ll feel like you’re walking into another Christmas dimension as you cross the bridge. The surrounding park is also covered in lights, and there are plenty of activities, and beautiful photo ops to take advantage of. Top off the night with a hot chocolate at the Dr. Woods Cabin.

22. Take a Winter Hike

Don’t let the inevitable rain spoil your time in the great outdoors. With over half of the year spent under rainfall, if you’re in Vancouver in the Winter, you’re going to see some rain. Just because it’s raining though, doesn’t mean a hike will be any less enjoyable. In fact, hiking trails in the temperate rainforest in Vancouver will be even more lush with a bit of rain. Take a hike through Stanley Park, or the UBC Endowment Lands enjoying the gorgeous smell and vibrant colors of the forest. Just don’t forget your raincoat!

23. Watch the Lighting of the Big Christmas Tree Downtown

Every year you can watch the big Christmas tree get lit up in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery in Downtown Vancouver. A few years ago I stumbled upon the event, and there were crowds of people all waiting excitedly for the big moment. There were also live performers playing Christmas music, and food trucks selling hot chocolate and other seasonal items. It’s a completely free event, and it takes place in late November or early December, so keep your eyes peeled on the Vancouver website for updates.

24. Sponsor a Star at the Lights of Hope

The Lights of Hope is a magnificent Christmas light display at St. Paul’s Hospital, in downtown Vancouver. The entire facade of the building is covered with beautiful Christmas lights, and stars. You can donate to St. Paul’s Hospital to get your name, a loved one’s name or a business name on one of the lit-up stars on the building. Sponsoring a star at St. Paul’s Hospital helps provide help to those who need it most.

25. All Abord the Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park

I remember riding the Stanley Park Christmas Train when I was a little kid! It’s such a fun and festive activity for the entire family. The Christmas Train is a small passenger trolly that weaves its way through a holiday light display in Stanley Park. There is also an area to walk around after the train and check out some more Christmas light displays. You can also enjoy some snacks and warm drinks from the Reindeer Cafe, and a number of food trucks at the plaza.