The final weekend of 2023 is upon us. There’s so much you can do to celebrate the year that was and ring in 2024. Here are 17 fun and exciting things to do in Metro Vancouver this long weekend.
Things to do in Metro Vancouver this long weekend
New Year’s Eve at Grouse Mountain
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About: Celebrate the New Year at Grouse Mountain with a dazzling fireworks show! The North Vancouver mountain resort will be putting on a spectacular firework display at the skating pond beginning at 9pm.
Date: December 31, 2023
Address: Grouse Mountain – 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Time: 9pm
About: Presented by Port of Vancouver, experience the nostalgic tradition of the Woodward’s Windows, Canada’s North light display, including “Chrismoose,” their 15 ft. tall moose light sculpture.
Date: December 1, 2023 to January 2, 2024
Address: Canada Place – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Time: 7pm and 9:30pm
Cost: Various prices
About: Guests will discover more than one million lights decorating 15 acres of VanDusen Botanical Garden. Stroll along the lakeside and get in the holiday spirit with the return of Dancing Lights.
Date: November 24, 2023 to January 7, 2024
Location: VanDusen Botanical Garden – 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Time: 4pm to 10pm
Tickets: Various prices
About: Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver (800 Robson Street), this magical experience is perfect for the entire family.
Date: December 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024
Address: Robson Square – 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
Time: 9am to 9pm
Cost: $5 skate rentals
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About: One of Vancouver’s most beloved New Year’s traditions is back for another year! The 104th Vancouver Polar Bear Swim is taking place at English Bay on Monday, January 1st, 2024. The 2023 swim saw over 6,000 people brave the cold waters off English Bay as they celebrated the start of a new year.
Date: January 1, 2024
Address: English Bay Beach – Beach Avenue, Vancouver
Time: 12pm to 4pm
Cost: FREE
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
About: Beginning November 17th, visit the popular suspension bridge and see it lit end-to-end with a changing multi-colour display, and gaze at the illuminated Capilano River below. Park visitors will come across a glowing rainforest and walk high above the forest floor on Treetops Adventure’s seven suspended bridges, twinkling from treetop to forest floor.
Date: November 17, 2023 to January 21, 2024
Location: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
Time: 11am to 9pm
Tickets: Various prices
About: Head down to the beach to enjoy a stroll along the seaside and see the 20 ft. Christmas tree, an illuminated tunnel, and much more!
Date: December 2, 2023 to January 7, 2024
Location: White Rock waterfront
Tickets: FREE
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About: Visitors get to walk through the 1.2 km pathway around Lafarge Lake that gets transformed into a winter wonderland. Awe-inspiring seasonal lights and beautiful displays will definitely get you and the entire family in the holiday spirit.
Date: Open until end of February 2024
Location: Town Centre Park – 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Time: 5pm to 8pm
Tickets: FREE
About: Come skate at Metro Vancouver’s largest outdoor skating rink! The skate plaza offers daily skating, as well as free helmets and skate aides
Date: December 1, 2023 to March 3, 2024
Location: The Shipyards – 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Time: Various times
Tickets: FREE
About: A New Year’s Eve party like no other, ring in the new year at Cirque NYE 2024. Attendees will get to enjoy 3 rooms on 2 floors, featuring performances, jugglers and more.
Date: December 31, 2023
Location: Science World – 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
Time: 9pm to 2:30am
Tickets: Various prices
About: Ring in the New Year in The Lobby Lounge and RawBar. Fairmont Pacific Rim is throwing their first-ever Masquerade party, inviting guests to ring in the New Year in style. Prepare for a night of reverie starting with a black carpet arrival, Dom Pérignon champagne, remarkable live entertainment including the Jim Kwan trio-band and DJ Kyprios, acrobatic performances, a 360 Instagram action camera, a midnight surprise, and much more.
Date: December 31, 2023
Location: Fairmont Pacific Rim – 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices
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About: Bundle up the family and join us for a holiday experience like no other, as our iconic 1961 locomotive once again winds its way through the magical Stanley Park forest, alight with thousands of sparkling lights.
Date: November 30, 2023 to January 6, 2024
Location: Pipeline Road in Stanley Park
Time: 4pm to 10pm
Tickets: Various prices
About: Visitors will get to stroll along Harrison’s promenade, while taking in the warm glow of Christmas lights and charming winter window paintings. These magical lights highlight the local wildlife and the Sasquatch’s favourite Harrison Hot Springs activities. Holiday lights will illuminate the 2 km long waterfront space and promise to be magical.
Date: November 18, 2023 to January 7, 2024
Location: Harrison Lakefront – Harrison Hot Springs
Time: Dusk to 11pm
Tickets: FREE
About: Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA show has once again taken over the Big Top in Vancouver. KOOZA combines acrobatic performance and the art of clowning, while exploring fear, identity, recognition and power.
Date: October 21 to December 31, 2023
Location: Concord Pacific Place – 88 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
Time: Various show times
Tsawwassen Polar Bear Swim 2023
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About: The Tsawwassen Polar Bear Swim returns on monday, January 1st, 2024 and promises to be entertaining! The free event is a refreshing way to start off the New Year and will include fire pits with marshmallow roasting, snowball games, treasure hunt, bean bag toss, drum circle, and face painting
Date: January 1, 2024
Location: Centennial Beach – 570 Boundary Bay Road, Delta
Time: 11:45am to 1:30pm
Tickets: FREE
Whistler Blackcomb’s Fire & Ice Show
About: Head up to Whistler this winter to see a spectacular display of skills and cultural sharing. World-class athletes jump and flip through a blazing ring of fire to the beats of a live DJ. Learn about the legend of Spo7ez, a village shared by the Squamish Nation and the Lil’wat Nation and see a performance by world champion hoop dancer, Alex Wells.
The show will be held every Sunday until March 12th, 2024.
Date: December 31, 2023 to March 12, 2024
Location: Skier’s Plaza in Whistler Village (base of Whistler and Excalibur Gondolas)
Time: 7pm (8:30pm on NYE)
Tickets: FREE
About: Get your groove on this New Yea’s Eve at this roller rink party featuring the one and only Uncle Smiley! They’ve got everything you need for an unforgettable night – great music, a lively atmosphere, and a chance to show off your skating skills.
Date: December 31, 2023
Location: Rollerland building at the PNE – 21 N Renfrew Street, Vancouver
Time: 9am to 1pm
Tickets: $29 – $49
For more local events, visit our events calendar.