Looking for the perfect holiday excursion or activity to ‘wow’ your date? Vancouver has plenty of festive things to do that are sure to put you in the mood. From holiday markets, lights, and musicals to some of the most anticipated art shows of the year, you and your date have tons of options. And if you prefer to keep things lowkey to get to know each other a little better, we’ve got a couple of ideas there, too!
So with that in mind, here are 10 magical date ideas to try out over the holidays in Vancouver.
Festival of Lights at VanDusen
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In less than a month’s time, VanDusen Botanical Garden will once again transform into the ultimate holiday-themed destination, complete with over one million twinkling lights. This means it’s the perfect opportunity to take your date through the garden’s famed ‘Dancing Lights’ and immersive light displays – and if you happen to snap a couple of pics in the process, even better!
When: November 24th to January 7th
Where: 5251 Oak Street
Cost: Tickets available November 1st
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Innovation Arts and Entertainment is presenting Dr. Seuss’ beloved story, How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical for seven performances at The Centre in Vancouver from November 14th to 18th. Hailed by The New York Times as “100 times better than any bedtime story,” this classic holiday musical is a great way to capture the heart of a musical theatre lover.
When: November 14th to 18th
Where: 777 Homer Street
Cost: $68 per person
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Every year, the Capilano Suspension Bridge transforms into an illuminated winter wonderland, complete with changing multi-colour displays, a sparkling rainforest below, and a transformed Cliffwalk. If that doesn’t sound like the ultimate opportunity for holiday-themed romance, we don’t know what does!
When: Friday, November 17th to Sunday, January 21st
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, North Vancouver
Cost: $49.95 to $66.95 per adult
Catch a performance at IndieFest
Love immersing yourself in art? IndieFest brings together a plethora of emerging musicians and artists from all walks of life to highlight the stories and people that may have been overshadowed by history. From modern opera and Indigenous art to drag theatre, the festival has it all, taking place across several venues from November 17th to 26th.
When: November 17th to November 26th
Where: Multiple locations in Vancouver
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Eastside Culture Crawl
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And if you’re looking for a free alternative in the arts & culture arena, you can’t do better than the Eastside Culture Crawl, which brings over 500 presenting artists to open studios across Vancouver’s Eastside. Visitors can expect to engage with the local art scene and see a variety of mediums, from paintings, sculptures, pottery, and prints to glassware, furniture, and jewelry.
When: November 16th to 19th
Where: Venues at Columbia Street, First Avenue, Victoria Drive, and the Waterfront
Cost: Free admission
Drop-in pottery or woodworking classes
If you’d prefer to make art of your own, why not try out a drop-in pottery or woodworking class at one of Vancouver’s pottery studios? With community centres across the city, this is a great way to get your hands dirty (no pun intended) and try a new craft. Or if you’re secretly a pro and want to ‘wow’ your date with your skills, that’s always an option, too.
When: Drop-in times here
Where: Locations around Vancouver
Vancouver Christmas Market
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Ah yes, a classic date option with mulled wine and hot pretzels under twinkling lights. Jack Poole Plaza will soon transform into the ultimate winter wonderland for this year’s Vancouver Christmas Market, so get ready to snap a pic or two.
Pro-tip: Plan your date for Tuesday, November 21st or 28th during the market’s Date Nights via Cupid’s Christmas Combo, which gets you two tickets, two bevies, and one Love Lock for $40.
When: November 16th to December 24th
Where: 1055 Canada Place
Cost: $14 for advanced bookings
Reflections Winter Terrace at Rosewood Hotel Georgia
If a classic “let’s get drinks” is the move, a visit to Reflections Winter Terrace is well worth it, with tasty themed cocktails and bites to liven up your mood. And of course, it doesn’t hurt that you’ll be surrounded by festive fairy lights and holiday decor.
When: Open now
Where: 801 West Georgia Street
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Maybe a little bit of music culture is what you’re after. And, you’ll absolutely find it when you sit down in the Orpheum Theatre for a VSO performance. Coming up this month, there’s the Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony on November 10th, A Shakespearean Romp on November 16th, and Louis Armstrong & Friends on November 17th and 18th – to name a few.
Where: 601 Smithe Street
Vancouver Giants
Now, for a more casual date option that has no dress code. For the hockey lovers out there, the Vancouver Giants are playing home games at the Arena Bowl at the Langley Events Centre on November 10th, 17th, 18th, and 25th. Tickets start at just over $20 a pop, and you can view the full list of home games scheduled for this season here.
When: Several dates in November
Where: 7888 200 Street Langley
Cost: $23.70+
So there you have it, Vancouver! We hope this helps with the brainstorming process & gets you and your date out of the house this season.
