Another weekend has arrived, Vancouver! We won’t lie to you, if you like good food and drinks, then the next few days are going to be fantastic, with not one but two massive festivals arriving in the city. Contrast that with a few more outdoorsy and adventurous options, and it’s a one-two punch that can’t be beat!
Here are the 10 best things to do in Vancouver this weekend.
Dine Out Vancouver
Dine Out is, without question, one of the most important food festivals in Western Canada, if not the entire country. But, with hundreds of spots joining in on the fun, picking your first spot can be the hardest part. Don’t worry about it- just click the link above for some of our top picks.
When: Starts Friday, January 14th
Where: All around Vancouver
Cost: $20+
Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Fest
On the flipside, those looking for a great beverage this week will easily find one during Hot Chocolate Fest! Much like Dine Out, the variety can get overwhelming fast, so we’re here to help! Click the link above for the options that stood out the most to us.
When: Starts Saturday, January 15th
Where: All around Metro Vancouver
Ice Skating around Vancouver
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 weekend
Where: 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver and 800 Robson Street
Cost: Free to access
Polygon Gallery
If you’re heading to the Shipyards to skate, then definitely leave some time to check out this admission-by-donation art gallery! This is the last weekend to check out the OG Punk exhibit, which focuses on Vancouver’s relatively small, but incredibly interesting, punk subculture.
When: Open throughout the weekend
Where: 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Cost: By donation
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 weekend
Where: 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver
Cost: $25+ for GA
Snowshoeing at Grouse Mountain
While there are a ton of snowshoe trails to enjoy all around Vancouver, 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 January
Where: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Cost: $61
Snow Tubing
Tubing (or tobogganing) is certainly a rare opportunity for Vancouverites. If your local hill doesn’t have what you need, 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 the week
Where: 1700 Mt Seymour Road, North Vancouver
Cost: $29
Pick up a new book
Maybe the great outdoors aren’t calling you this week. Hey, not a problem, maybe instead you grab a new book to cozy up with! If you need a place to start, Read Local BC has put out a list of the best selling books to come out of the province in 2021, and we’ve got the details!
Where: The link above has more info
Or check out a really old one
One crazy bit of news to come out of Vancouver this week was that UBC has acquired an almost 400-year old book and want to show it off. Not just any book, though- we’re talking about the Holy Grail of Shakespeare’s writing, the First Folio, which had a copy recently sell for almost $10M USD.
When: Starts Saturday, January 15th
Where: 750 Hornby Street (showing at the Vancouver Art Gallery)
Cost: $24
That’s what we’ve got in mind for this weekend, Vancouver! Have some fun out there and stay safe!
