New Year’s Eve Events in Vancouver: Family

Comments 7 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Update December 2014: If you’re looking for the 2014-2015 listing you can find it here.
Update December 2011: If you’re looking for the 2011-2012 listing you can find it here.

John and I have been in Iowa to ring in the last three years and 2011 will be no exception. The kids get their own bottle of sparkling apple juice, party favours abound, and the television is flipped from network to network waiting for that iconic ball to drop. Vancouver hasn’t had a major kid-friendly event for New Year’s Eve in several years however I found a few activities around the region in case you’d like to get out with the family.

Surrey
Cloverdale is hosting a Winter Ice Palace this month and will be open from 11:00am until 4:00pm on New Year’s Eve.

White Rock
Centennial Arena in White Rock is offering a Countdown to 2011 skating event. The arena is located at 14600 North Bluff Road and family skate times are 12:30pm – 2:30pm (I have yet to confirm the special event skate times if they are different from the family skate).

Vancouver
The Renfrew Park Community Centre is hosting a New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance from 6:00pm on December 31st. Located at 2929 East 22nd Avenue, Vancouver this event is family-friendly and will include party favours, snacks, full dinner, door prizes, and champagne at midnight. Call Cheryl at (604) 257-8388 to book your spot.

Families can also enjoy Christmas activities that they may have missed earlier in the month such as Bright Nights in Stanley Park.

Downtown
Robson Square will host ice skating and a New Year’s Eve celebration from 5:00pm until 9:00pm December 31st. There will be live entertainment and an early countdown for the kids.

Burnaby
On New Year’s Day the Bill Copeland Sports Centre (3676 Kensington) will host a special family skate from 5:00pm until 8:00pm (regular rates and admission apply).

New Westminster
While it’s not exactly on New Year’s Eve, New Westminster is hosting the Winter Festival of Fun on December 29th. Starting at 10:30am, children age 5-10 can check out the festivities at the public library at 716 6th Avenue.

West Vancouver
The Dundarave Festival of Lights is on now until January 7th. Check out a forest of decorated trees with the family on New Years Eve with some hot chocolate in-hand.

Whistler
Home of the only First Night event I could find, Whistler’s Village Square and Conference Centre will host entertainment for the entire family on December 31st. Entry fees are $15 adults/ $8 – 12 years and under, or evening fee of $20 adult and $10 – 12 and under, 2 years and under are free. This is a no-alcohol event with an early countdown for the kids at 9:30pm and fireworks.

Should you know of any other family-friendly New Year’s Eve events, please feel free to drop a note in the comments.

Update December 2011: If you’re looking for the 2011-2012 listing you can find it here.

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7 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. MikeSunday, December 26th, 2010 — 5:06pm PST

    Lots to choose from that are family friendly and affordable events.

  2. Venture VancouverWednesday, December 29th, 2010 — 5:33pm PST

    Are there not any fireworks in Downtown such as at Canada Place or English Bay areas where families can gather for the countdown to the new year

  3. JoeyWednesday, December 29th, 2010 — 10:42pm PST

    I was wondering the same thing! Are there no fireworks downtown?

  4. LoriThursday, December 30th, 2010 — 9:28pm PST

    I was hoping there would be indoor activities (bouncy castle, magician, face painting) for school age children in downtown areas. Anything later than 7:30pm is difficult for families with children to take part in, especially in downtown area. Community centers don’t have any of these activities, odd since Halloween has these activities available.

  5. imimFriday, December 31st, 2010 — 1:19pm PST

    Yep, basically there’s nothing here for families. None of these these events seem interesting at all if you live in downtown with a kid or 2. What a disappointment.

  6. Rebecca Bollwitt, Miss604 Rebecca BollwittFriday, December 31st, 2010 — 1:51pm PST

    @imim Please see my listing above (repeated below) for downtown. While there isn’t much, the Robson Square festivities are perfect for families downtown.

    Downtown
    Robson Square will host ice skating and a New Year’s Eve celebration from 5:00pm until 9:00pm December 31st. There will be live entertainment and an early countdown for the kids.

  7. MarcFriday, December 31st, 2010 — 6:07pm PST

    Today on the Mountain – Friday, December 31
    Let’s ring in the New Year together!

    This is it! The countdown to 2011. Whatever your resolution is, let’s ring in the New Year together at Mt Seymour. Family First Night is taking place tonight from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the SnowPlay Park and Enquist Lodge. Stop by and enjoy an evening of fun and enjoy an early countdown to the new year.

    If you are looking for a truly unique experience, our New Year’s Eve Chocolate Fondue Snowshoe tour is going out tonight at 7:00pm.

    Mt Seymour will be operating on regular holiday hours for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and will be open until 10:00pm in the downhill area. The snowshoe trails will be open until 4:00pm and the SnowPlay Park will be open until 9:00pm.

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