February might be a frigid month, but we’re feeling fine about it! Why? Well, we’ve got tons of great events, activities, and more to look forward to! From sports to concerts to food festivals, February is going to be anything but boring, and we’re here to help you pick your plans!
Here are the best things to do around Vancouver this February.
Food and Drink
Grab a hot chocolate
There are few things better to enjoy during cold weather than a nice hot chocolate. And, with the Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Fest currently happening, you’ve got tons of things to try! Vegan, decadent, outrageous… the list goes on, so we rounded up some of our top picks for this year.
When: On until February 14th
Where: Click the link above for our picks
Enjoy some of the city’s heated patios
On the flipside, if we get a few nice and sunny days this month, you might want to make the most of them. Don’t worry about where to go either, just check out our guide! From beautiful vistas to unique concepts and more, there’s a patio calling for you, whatever you’re in the mood for.
Where: Click the link above for more info
Try a new restaurant
To complete the trio, those looking for something new should keep in mind all the incredible restaurants that opened in the city last year. We’ve got hotspots, hidden gems, new offerings, and everything else you could ask for in a city that’s already got one of the best scenes in the country.
Where: Click the link above for more info
Swing by your local Farmers Market
You better believe that we think a trip to the farmers market is worthwhile any time of year! Picking up great groceries from local producers? This requires no selling on our part.
Where: Locations around Vancouver
Activities
Go for a winter walk
If you feel like you need to earn a trip to a new restaurant or a patio, or if you just love the outdoors, then this is for you. Vancouver has got no shortage of incredible destinations for winter walks, and we’re lucky to be one of the few cities in the country where even on a cold day, you’re not going to be freezing after five minutes.
Where: Click the link above for our picks
Snowshoeing
There are a ton of snowshoe trails to enjoy all around Vancouver, but Grouse Mountain does boast ‘The Snowshoe Grind’, which is a tamed-down, winter version of the ever-popular trail up the mountain. Looking for something even more adventurous (and cheaper)? Then you might want to try a day trip to Squamish.
When: Open throughout February
Where: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Cost: $61
Cross-Country Skiing
While snowshoeing is a toss-up for the best place to go, cross-country skiing has a clear-cut winner in Metro Vancouver. 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 February
Where: 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver
Cost: $25+
Snow Tubing
Tubing (or tobogganing) is certainly a rare opportunity for Vancouverites. Luckily, you can enjoy both on dedicated hills at Mt. Seymour. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a family-friendly day trip, or as a way to unwind after a day on the actual slopes.
When: Open throughout February
Where: 1700 Mt Seymour Road, North Vancouver
Cost: $29
Downhill Skiing
Speaking of actual slopes, we can’t forget that all three of Metro Vancouver’s mountains offer great, close-to-home on-piste options. This is a no-brainer pick, so all we’ll say is that you’re better off playing hooky during the week than trying to visit on the weekend.
When: Open throughout February
Where: 1700 Mt Seymour Road, North Vancouver, 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver and 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Varies
Shipyards Skate Plaza
If you’re wanting to slap on the skates, then our first choice is the Shipyards Skate Plaza, which is actually the largest skating rink in the region! Pair that with some stunning views of Vancouver, a wide range of food/drink options nearby, and the fact that it’s free to access, and this is easily worth the SeaBus trip over there.
When: Open throughout February
Where: 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free to access
Robson Square Ice Rink
Next we’ve got the Robson Square Ice Rink, which has returned after a hiatus last year. The ever-popular downtown location ensures that this is going to be busy throughout the winter, so make sure to try and get there outside of peak hours for the best experience.
When: Open throughout February
Where: 800 Robson Street
Cost: Free to access
Rolla Skate Club at the PNE
In contrast, a permanent spot for roller skating has returned to Vancouver! The beloved Rolla Skate Club has managed to take over the Rollerland space at the PNE, and are offering weekly skating sessions that are available for the whole family or adults-only!
When: Saturdays throughout February
Where: 21 N Renfrew Street
Cost: $15+
Live Events
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks just keep looking better and better! If you’re hoping to catch them on the upswing, then make sure to buy tickets to one of their next home games. And, you’re in luck, because they’re hosting a whopping 6 of them this month, facing off against teams ranging from the Flames to the Kraken.
When: Games throughout February
Where: 800 Griffiths Way
Cost: Varies
PuSh Festival
For something a little more, let’s say, refined, there’s the PuSh Festival! This long running celebration of performance art has opted for a hybrid setup this year, which means you can check something out in person or stream it from the comfort of your own home.
When: Ends February 6th
Where: In-person and virtual events
Cost: Varies
Caribou
Some concerts (at the time of writing) are still on for Vancouver this month! First up is the Canadian electronic legend Caribou, who will be taking over the Commodore Ballroom for back-to-back concerts.
When: February 18th and 19th
Where: 868 Granville Street
Cost: $61+
JoJo
Speaking of music legends, JoJo is returning to the stage! She’s been putting out new music these past couple of years, with more on the way, but we’d be lying if we said we weren’t mostly recommending this for the chance to hear ‘Too Little Too Late’ in person.
When: February 23rd
Where: 868 Granville Street
Cost: $35+
100 gecs
For the last of the tours, we come to one of the most divisive names in music. 100 gecs has risen to cult-like status, combining all sorts of genres but with an underlying frenetic energy. It’ll be a weird concert to attend, and we like the sounds of that.
When: February 28th
Where: 868 Granville Street
Cost: $39.50+
Hidden Wonders: Speakeasy Magic Experience
Ready for a magical evening? Our top pick is Hidden Wonders, which features maybe one of the best magicians in the entire world. Seriously, Shawn Farquhar has a ton of accolades under his belt, including becoming the first magician ever to fool Penn & Teller not once, but twice.
When: Showtimes throughout February
Where: Location revealed upon purchase, somewhere in New Westminster
Cost: $50+
Arts and Culture
VMF Winter Arts
The Vancouver Mural Fest’s Winter Arts event returns this month! Augmented reality installations will be set up around the city, and there will also be live events and outdoor hangouts to attend, including an open-air stop for drinks and food.
When: February 11th to 27th
Where: Locations around Vancouver
Vancouver Art Gallery
The Vancouver Art Gallery has a ton of limited exhibitions to check out this month, ranging from Vancouver-specific artists to a major exhibition from Yoko Ono. Our top pick, though, is the recently opened exhibition about William Shakespeare, featuring a $10M+ copy of the iconic First Folio.
When: Open throughout February
Where: 750 Hornby Street
Cost: Varies
Bill Reid Gallery
In addition to the permanent collection, folks heading to the Bill Reid Gallery can also check out a temporary exhibit from Sho Sho Esquiro called Doctrine of Discovery, which mixes photography, textiles, and more into one incredible experience.
When: Open throughout February
Where: 639 Hornby Street
Cost: $13
Museum of Vancouver
The Museum of Vancouver is currently showing an exhibition called Boarder X, that focuses on the similarities and contrasts between less ‘reputable’ sports and Indigenous experiences. That alone is worth seeing, but as a bonus, there’s the Neon Vancouver exhibition to check out as well.
When: Open throughout February
Where: 1100 Chestnut Street
Cost: Varies
Misc.
Enjoy the Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year might technically last one day, but the events celebrating it give you tons of options. Check out some art installations, enjoy events at some of the city’s best attractions, and even see what’s going on online.
When: Events until February 21st
Where: Click the link above for our picks
Read a book
Thinking that this is the month you get back to bookworm status? Well, when you’re done browsing some of the city’s best bookstores, keep in mind that a new list of the best-selling books to come out of BC has recently been published.
Where: Click the link above for more info
Bloedel Conservatory
Wanting to take a break from all the winter options? 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 day blues.
When: Open throughout February
Where: 4600 Cambie Street
Cost: $7.05
Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium consistently gets mentioned because it is simply consistently great! It is, after all, one of the best aquarium experiences in the world, and it’s been made better thanks to the new Marine Mammal Rescue exhibit in there.
When: Open throughout February
Where: 845 Avison Way
Cost: $42 for GA
Watch a movie
There’s never a bad time to watch a movie, but the winter just makes the experience that much cozier. Keep your local options in mind, and see what’s playing at the Rio, the Cinematheque, or the VIFF Centre. We guarantee you’ll find something you like!
When: Showtimes throughout February
Where: Locations around Vancouver
Cost: Varies per event
Those are our picks for February, Vancouver! Have fun out there!
