Welcome to the first full week of December, everyone. With the holiday season in full swing, these lists are only going to get more and more action-packed this month. From self-care at Lux Skin Lab to the VanDusen Festival of Lights, here are 10 of the best things to do around Vancouver this week (December 5-9).
VanDusen Festival of Lights
View this post on Instagram
The holiday season at VanDusen Botanical Garden is marked by festive light displays and scenic walks through the illuminated lakeside path, surrounded by over one million Dancing Lights across the garden’s 15 acres. And given the popularity of this festive event, going sometime during the week if you can is probably a good idea!
When: Until January 2nd
Where: 5251 Oak Street
Cost: $21
Holly Cole
Not to be confused with Natalie Cole, Holly Cole is a Canadian jazz singer from Halifax known for her trio in her namesake group, The Holly Cole Trio. Her many accolades include three JUNO awards and multiple multi-platinum album sales awards. And she’ll be taking center stage this week at the PNE as part of their Holiday Night Concert series.
When: Friday, December 9th
Where: 2901 East Hastings
Cost: $39-$59
Treat yourself to a day at Lux Skin Lab
Are you looking to unveil your most striking self? After what has been one helluva year, we all deserve a little bit (or a lot) of self-care. And Lux Skin Lab is the perfect spot to kick off your beauty journey! Being specialists in custom beauty & medical innovation, this female-owned clinic offers a variety of cutting-edge treatments to help you look, and most importantly FEEL, your best.
When:
Burnaby: Mon-Thurs 10 AM-6 PM, Fri 10 AM-5 PM, Sat 10 AM-4 PM
North Vancouver: Tues-Thurs 10 AM-6 PM, Fri 10 AM-5 PM, Sat 10 AM-4 PM
Where:
Burnaby: 1312 – 4525 Lougheed Hwy
North Vancouver: 974 Marine Drive
Cost: prices vary per treatment. Visit their website for a full list of options.
Check out a holiday-themed pop-up bar
View this post on Instagram
It’s not the holiday season until you sip on something tasty and festive at a pop-up bar. And luckily for folks in Vancouver, there is no shortage of options when it comes to holiday drinks. So start booking those happy hour hangs and special occasion dinners, because all of these pop-ups are officially open for business.
Where: See our picks above
Hit the slopes
Any avid skier or snowboarder will tell you – it’s far better to venture to one of the three closest ski hills to Vancouver during the work week than on the weekend. So we thought we’d share this list of go-to slopes in the area to encourage your winter adventures!
Where: See our picks above
Beyond King Tut
View this post on Instagram
This immersive experience commemorates the one-hundred-year-old discovery of King Tut’s tomb by archaeologists in Egypt. And what’s more, you don’t need to be a history buff to meet the Egyptian Gods of the Underworld or travel with King Tut in his quest for immortality. Explore a photo-realistic recreation of his tomb and treasures, and get ready to learn more about ancient Egypt through nine total galleries.
When: On until Sunday, January 8th
Where: 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver Convention Centre East
Cost: $23.99 to $83.99
Go on a winter stroll
While it might make getting around a little (or a lot) more difficult, there’s no denying that our city transforms into a winter wonderland when it snows. If you’re looking to enjoy a nice stroll this season, here are some great options to start with – from mountain climbs to inner-city parks. Just be sure to wear some quality winter boots!
Where: See our picks above
Drop-in skating at Doug Mitchell
While the outdoor rinks in Robson Square and the Shipyards deserve all the love they’ve been getting, we want to highlight another great option for drop-in skating. As long as you reserve a spot online for the public drop-in of your choice, a skate sesh at Doug Mitchell is definitely in the cards this week. Skate some laps during their public or figure skating sessions, drop in for family hockey, and more.
Note that entry is first-come, first-serve and subject to capacity limits.
When: Friday, December 2nd to February 28th, 2023
Where: 800 Robson Street
Cost: $7 for adult public skate (free for UBC students)
Check out the Lunch Bar pop-up at Kafka’s
View this post on Instagram
Warm up with a bowl of stew or a hot sandwich at Lunch Bar, Kafka Gastown’s newest venture. And to sweeten the pot, the new Lunch Bar is serving up weekly stew specials for $13.50 – one vegan and one meat. And what’s more, both are served with a slice of fresh-baked focaccia.
Where: 151 West Hastings Street
Save it for a rainy (or snowy) day
Why go with one rainy day activity when we could share all our fave picks?? And since quite a bit of snow is underway, that’s all the more reason to be cozy and enjoy some fun indoors. Luckily, these make for some amazing wintertime memories without breaking the bank.
Where: See our picks above
And that’s a wrap on this week, folks! Stay warm and be sure to be on the lookout for snow-related delays.
