Holy mackerel, folks! Here we are, at the tail end of another pretty weird year. Well, we’re already looking forward to 2022, whatever it may bring. If you’re hoping to get on that level, then we’ve got some great ways to spend the week leading up to New Year’s.
Here are the 10 best things to do in Vancouver this week.
Check out a new restaurant
One bright spot this year was that Vancouver got a whole bunch of amazing new restaurants for you to enjoy! Order up some pickup or delivery, or, head down to check one out in person! Either way, some delicious food awaits you.
Where: Click the link above for more info
Find some Boxing Day Deals
It’s nice that Boxing Day has more or less turned into Boxing Week these past few years. Check your favourite spots to see if they’ve got anything lined up for you. Need a place to start? We rounded up some of the best deals to find around the city as well.
Where: Click the link above for more info
Imagine Picasso
This is one of the last weeks to check out this immersive installation focusing on the iconic painter. The exhibition comes from the same folks as Imagine Van Gogh, so you can expect some seriously high-quality, and immersive, projections of the famous artist’s work.
When: Open throughout the week
Where: 1055 Canada Place
Tickets: $34.99
Polygon Gallery
Or, maybe you want to see some more traditional art! This admission-by-donation gallery on the North Shore has two exhibitions to check out this month. One focuses on the city’s punk subculture, while the other is a solo exhibition from the world-renowned artist Steven Shearer.
When: Open Wednesday to Friday
Where: 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Cost: By donation
Go Ice Skating
We’re pleased as punch that both of Metro Vancouver’s ice skating areas have reopened for the winter! Head down to the Shipyards Skate Plaza and Robson Square Ice Rink for some hot laps with family or friends. Plus, if you bring your own skates, both of these options are free!
When: Open throughout the week
Where: 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver and 800 Robson Street
Cost: Free to access
Bloedel Conservatory
On the flipside, why not enjoy a little natural wonder? Your best bet is the Bloedel Conservatory, which houses hundreds of tropical plants and birds. That’s right, this is your own local oasis, and it’s sure to help you overcome those rainy (or snowy) day blues.
When: Open throughout the week
Where: 4600 Cambie Street
Cost: $7.05
VanDusen Festival of Lights
With well over a million lights and a wide variety of installations, the Festival of Lights at VanDusen is another must-see option in the city. After all, it combines an incredible setting with some mind-boggling technology, and that’s a winning combination.
When: Open throughout the week
Where: 5251 Oak Street
Tickets: $17.50
Canyon Lights
Arguably one of the best holiday lights options in all of Canada, Canyon Lights transforms the already-stunning Capilano Suspension Bridge into an unforgettable experience. Sure, everyone you’ve ever met has seen it, but there’s good reason for that.
When: Open throughout the week
Where: 3735 Capilano Road
Tickets: $54.95
Cross-Country Skiing at Cypress
Cypress Mountain boasts some of the best, and most popular, cross-country trails in all of Canada. Head out during the day for a fun expedition, or, enjoy the 7.5km of lit trails at night!
When: Open throughout the week
Where: 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver
Cost: $25+ for GA
Celebrate NYE from home
While the city won’t have its usual NYE festivities, or really any NYE festivities for that matter, that doesn’t mean you can’t ring in the New Year with some fun. You can do virtual drinking games with pals, tune into a New Year’s Eve special. If you really want to go nuts, try Netflix’s recommendation of bringing in the New Year with a perfectly-timed scene from Shrek.
If you start watching Shrek at 10:39:04 on New Years Eve, a bunch of magical fairy tale creatures will start playing the Eddie Murphy & Smash Mouth version of “I’m a Believer” precisely at midnight, in case anyone is looking for the perfect way to celebrate
— Netflix (@netflix) December 30, 2018
