A new year is here and as we roll into January, the calendar will slowly begin to fill with activities to help us through to the next holiday (Family Day in February). Watch for festivals, meetups, dinning events and more throughout the month as this list is updated daily. Be sure to check back often and feel free to submit your event listing to be included.

Photo credit: notorious_bill on Flickr

Jump to: Thursday, January 2nd to Sunday, January 5th, 2014
Jump to: Sunday, January 6th to Sunday, January 12th, 2014
Jump to: Sunday, January 13th to Sunday, January 19th, 2014
Jump to: Sunday, January 20th to Sunday, January 26th, 2014
Jump to: Sunday, January 27th to Friday, January 31st, 2014

Multi-Day Events

Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green below.

January Events in Metro Vancouver

Thursday, January 2, 2014
Miss604 Night at Robson Square Ice Rink
“Visual Acoustics” Special Documentary Screening
The Great Northwest Showcase at Bill Copeland Sports Centre
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya
Friday, January 3, 2014
Sponsored by Miss604: Friday Late Night Movies at the Rio Theatre
Illuminations Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum
Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
VanDusen Festival of Lights
The Great Northwest Showcase at Bill Copeland Sports Centre
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya

Saturday, January 4, 2014
January Food Truck Fest
The Vancouver Spring Show (VSS)
Christmas Tree Chipping Events
It’s My Wedding Show at TRADEX in Abbotsford
Illuminations Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum
Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
VanDusen Festival of Lights
The Great Northwest Showcase at Bill Copeland Sports Centre
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya

Sunday, January 5, 2014
Christmas Tree Chipping Events
It’s My Wedding Show at TRADEX in Abbotsford
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya

Monday, January 6, 2014
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
MOV 2014 Volunteer Orientation/Info/Appreciation Night
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Ryan Kesler Autograph Event
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Be Inspired Guest Speaker: Christ Brandt
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya
Friday, January 10, 2014
Sponsored by Miss604: Friday Late Night Movies at the Rio Theatre
Opening Reception: Typo
Capilano Students’ Union: Concert4Change
Tarantino Burlesque at Vancouver Fan Club
Arts Club on Tour in North Vancouver: Driving Miss Daisy
Italian Film Festival Opens
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya

Saturday, January 11, 2014
Canucks for Kids Super Skills
Canadian Beer Pong Tournament in Burnaby
January Food Truck Festival
Nordic Culture Days: Day of Dance
Vancouver Art Gallery: Charles Edenshaw – Curator’s Tour / Robin K. Wright
Vancouver Shogi Club
VSO Pops: 50 Years of James Bond
Arts Club on Tour in Maple Ridge: Driving Miss Daisy
Italian Film Festival
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya

Sunday, January 12, 2014
Roedde House’s Second Sunday Series presents East/West
Noodle Mania Vancouver
No Pants SkyTrain Ride
Children (under 12) Free at the Vancouver Art Gallery
Italian Film Festival
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya

Monday, January 13, 2014
Stanley Park Ecology Society Event: Mysteries of a Feasting Forest
Living Your Ideal Global Life Summit
Italian Film Festival
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
YWCA Women of Distinction Awards Nomination Information Session
PuSh Festival Opens
TJ Dawe: Medicine at Firehall Arts
Italian Film Festival
Living Your Ideal Global Life Summit
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
KNOWSHOW Vancouver
Movie Night at Surrey Central City Library
Italian Film Festival
PuSh Festival
TJ Dawe: Medicine at Firehall Arts
Living Your Ideal Global Life Summit
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Secrets of the Historic Penthouse Nightclub Tour
Premier Screening of the Documentary “Not Business As Usual”
Classical Coffee Concert with Sarah Hagen & Marcus Takizawa
Italian Film Festival
KNOWSHOW Vancouver
PuSh Festival
TJ Dawe: Medicine at Firehall Arts
Living Your Ideal Global Life Summit
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya
Friday, January 17, 2014
Sponsored by Miss604: Friday Late Night Movies at the Rio Theatre
CITR’s Nardwuar Video Vault
Dine Out Vancouver Begins
Canada’s Top Ten Films at The Cinematheque
KNOWSHOW Vancouver
PuSh Festival
TJ Dawe: Medicine at Firehall Arts
Living Your Ideal Global Life Summit
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya

Saturday, January 18, 2014
Artisan’s Fair at River Market
Year of the Horse Celebration at Central City Library
Vancouver Institute Public Lectures
Ladies Learning Code: WordPress for Beginners
Danielle Horwitz Social Justice Award: Artists for Education
Danse Lhasa Danse
Divers’ Weekend 2014 at the Vancouver Aquarium
Jerry Doucette and Bands in a Show of Hearts for Variety
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival Begins
January Food Truck Festival
Dine Out Vancouver
PuSh Festival
TJ Dawe: Medicine at Firehall Arts
Canada’s Top Ten Films at The Cinematheque
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Ivan Sayers Historical Fashion Show at Hycroft
River District Munchkin Matinee: The Croods
Lost Lagoon’s Secrets: A Stanley Park Historical Walking Tour
Cinema Sunday presents Singin’ in the Rain
West End Brunch Crawl
Divers’ Weekend 2014 at the Vancouver Aquarium
Children (under 12) Free at the Vancouver Art Gallery
Dine Out Vancouver
PuSh Festival
TJ Dawe: Medicine at Firehall Arts
Canada’s Top Ten Films at The Cinematheque
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival

Monday, January 20, 2014
Dine Out Vancouver + Follow Me Foodie Present: 6 Course Discourse
Forks Over Knives Movie Screening
Campaign Launch: Love our Bodies, Love Ourselves Wristband Challenge
The Modern Pantry: Cheese Tasting Class
Dine Out Vancouver
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
PuSh Festival
TJ Dawe: Medicine at Firehall Arts
On Stage at The Cultch: Uncle Vanya
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Sustainable Vancouver: Evening Lecture at Hycroft
Small Business Council Meetup
Taste BC Fundraising Event
Edge City Social at Central City Brew Pub
Dine Out Vancouver
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
PuSh Festival
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Vancouver Boat Show at BC Place
Dine Out Vancouver
Robson Square Ice Rink 80’s Theme Night 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
PuSh Festival
TJ Dawe: Medicine at Firehall Arts
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Start Fresh: Kick Start 2014. Get Savvier with Your Money
Mike Allen Quartet with Hugh Fraser at The Cultch
CBC Toque Sessions Free Concert Series
Oyama Sausage’s Choucroute/Sourkraut Festival
Vancouver Boat Show at BC Place
Dine Out Vancouver
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
PuSh Festival
TJ Dawe: Medicine at Firehall Arts
Friday, January 24, 2014
Sponsored by Miss604: Friday Late Night Movies at the Rio Theatre
4th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon
West Vancouver Aquatic Centre 10 Year Anniversary
Family Splatter Workshop at 4Cats Art Studio
Vancouver Motorcycle Show in Abbotsford
CBC Toque Sessions Free Concert Series
The Cellar: Paul Filek, Wolfschach, Feller (unplugged), Miranda English
Oyama Sausage’s Choucroute/Sourkraut Festival
Vancouver Boat Show at BC Place
Dine Out Vancouver
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
Canada’s Top Ten Films at The Cinematheque
PuSh Festival
TJ Dawe: Medicine at Firehall Arts

Saturday, January 25, 2014
3rd Annual Robbie Burns Day Marathon Reading
mutt & moggy Grand Opening Celebration, Burnaby
Chinese New Year Celebration at West End Community Centre
Family day at the Contemporary Art Gallery
New Westminster Festival of Volunteers
Family Literacy Day at Guildford
Chinatown Walk & Dim Sum with John Atkin
Variety Show of Hearts Telethon
Indie I Do Wedding Show
The Cellar: Gibson presents Magneta Lane w/ Bed of Stars, Clouds of Analog & Bobby’s Cane
Art Starts Workshops: Vancouver
The Airborne Toxic Event: Charity Concert
Family Day at the Contemporary Art Gallery
Vancouver Shogi Club
Vive les Voyageurs Winter Festival at Fort Langley
Vancouver Gluten Free Expo
January Food Truck Festival
Oyama Sausage’s Choucroute/Sourkraut Festival
Vancouver Boat Show at BC Place
Vancouver Motorcycle Show in Abbotsford
Dine Out Vancouver
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
Canada’s Top Ten Films at The Cinematheque
PuSh Festival
Sunday, January 26, 2014
ICONS: A New Vintage Market
BC Alzheimer’s Society – Walk for Memories
10th Annual OVATION Awards
East Side Brunch Crawl
Cooking with Preet: Fundamentals of Food, Juice & Smoothies
Family Literacy Day at North Vancouver Library
Meet and Greet with Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi Hosts
Flea Market at West End Community Centre
Vive les Voyageurs Winter Festival at Fort Langley
Aussie Day at ANZA feat. TripleJ Hottest 100
Vancouver Gluten Free Expo
Art Starts Workshops: New Westminster
Children (under 12) Free at the Vancouver Art Gallery
Oyama Sausage’s Choucroute/Sourkraut Festival
Vancouver Boat Show at BC Place
Vancouver Motorcycle Show in Abbotsford
Dine Out Vancouver
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
Canada’s Top Ten Films at The Cinematheque
PuSh Festival

Monday, January 27, 2014
Railway Club Comedy ft Charlie Demers
Dine Out Vancouver
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
Canada’s Top Ten Films at The Cinematheque
PuSh Festival
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Dine Out Vancouver
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
PuSh Festival
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Women’s Drinking Club at Doolin’s: Wines of Spain
Robson Square Ice Rink Brazilian Carnaval Theme Night 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Dine Out Vancouver
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
Canada’s Top Ten Films at The Cinematheque
PuSh Festival
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Pecha Kucha Night Vancouver
Vancouver TheatreSports: Grapes of Laugh
A Bout to Change: Charity Boxing Event
The Modern Pantry: Olive Oil Tasting Class
Royal Winnipeg Ballet on Tour: Romeo + Juliet
Americana North at Vancouver Fan Club
TABOO Naughty but Nice Sex Show
CBC Toque Sessions Free Concert Series
Dine Out Vancouver
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
PuSh Festival
Friday, January 31, 2014
Sponsored by Miss604: Friday Late Night Movies at the Rio Theatre
HOBIYEE 2014 Ts’amiks Edition at the PNE Forum
Chinese New Year Lion Dance at Lonsdale Quay
Opening Reception at Gallery Gachet: 365 Days
Connor Roff Debut EP Release Party!
The Cellar: Tenant, Trace The Sky, Kiss of the King, Electric Demons
NorthFest at the Rickshaw Theatre
Royal Winnipeg Ballet on Tour: Romeo + Juliet
TABOO Naughty but Nice Sex Show
CBC Toque Sessions Free Concert Series
Dine Out Vancouver
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
PuSh Festival

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One of the best parts about my job as an author, freelance writer, WordPress theme developer and founder of this blog is that I can work from just about anywhere in the world. Over the last three years alone I have taken my trusty laptop to three continents and have continued to write about life, history, and events in Vancouver from wherever I land. In 2013, John and I didn’t get outside of North America but we did explore much more of our backyard together.

Here are just a few of my travel highlights from the last twelve months: Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim returns to English Bay for the 94th year on January 1, 2014.

Update: If you’re looking for January 2015 events, find them here.

New Year’s Day 1939 + 2011. Archives# CVA 371-836 + Photo credit: Michael Kalus – Michael Kalus Print

It was in 1920 that Peter Pantages created the club and the brisk ocean dip has been a New Year’s tradition ever since. Peter’s family still carries on the tradition of the Polar Bear Swim Club today.

Polar Bear Swim 2012. Photo credit: bcbusinesshub on Flickr

Around the 1950s, the participation was approximately 250 to 300 swimmers, and six lifeguards and one supervisor were used for safety supervision. Today, anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 swimmers participate (record to-date 2,246 in 2011) and 5,000 to 10,000 spectators making it necessary for the Park Board to construct a fenced enclosure for the swimmers.

The first three swimmers to reach the marker buoy in the 100-yard race will receive trophies. Commemorative Polar Bear Swim Club buttons will be available to bathers after the swim (limited quantity). Limited edition commemorative t-shirts will be on sale.

Participation is free but you must be registered with the club in order to do the swim. Registration is from 12:30pm to 2:30pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012 in front of the bath house in English Bay.

Please also bring a donation for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank to help make a difference with this event. The Cactus Club Café at English Bay will be giving out free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate with a donation to the Food Bank.

White Rock Polar Bear Swim. Photo credit: Tyler Ingram on Flickr

Polar Bear Swim White Rock

If you can’t make it downtown, there is also a Polar Bear Swim in White Rock benefitting the Peace Arch Monarch Lions Club. This event also has a legacy, going strong for 44 years. Registration begins 10:00am and the swim will take place at 12:00pm. Swimmers are to meet at the “white rock”.

Polar Bear Swim Deep Cove

Deep Cove is holding a Penguin Plunge at 2:00pm in Panorama Cove, with pledge proceeds going to the Seymour Art Gallery. Enjoy activities from 12:30pm to 3:00pm in the park with food, music and a costume contest.

Polar Bear Swim Port Moody

The Rocky Point Park Penguin Plunge will be a thrill for those at the other end of Burrard Inlet. Registration starts at 12:00pm with the dip taking place at 1:00pm, hosted by the Pleasantside Community Association.

If you have a live, cut Christmas tree that you will need to dispose of over the next week or so, there are several tree chipping and tree recycling options in Vancouver.

Photo credit: mrlerone on Flickr

Where to Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Vancouver

Christmas Tree Chipping

City of Vancouver staff and Lions Club volunteers provide Christmas tree chipping events where they are chipped then taken to the Vancouver Landfill to be composted. Cash and non-perishable food donations collected at the events is distributed to local charities.

Drop-off your Christmas tree on Saturday, January 4th and Sunday, January 5th, 2014 from 10:00am to 4:00pm at one of these locations:

Kerrisdale Community Ice Rink parking lot
(5670 E Blvd, north of 41st Ave)

Kitsilano Beach parking lot
(Cornwall Ave and Arbutus St)

Sunset Beach upper parking lot
(Beach Ave and Broughton St)

Rona Home & Garden
(Grandview store – 2727 E 12th Ave)

Tree Chipping for Mount Pleasant Elementary School
Sunday, January 5, 2014 only from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Kingsgate Mall (370 East Broadway) lower east side parking lot
All proceeds here go to building a new playground at the school

City Yard Waste Pick-Up

You can also put your tree out with your yard waste to be collected by the City of drop the tree off at a landfill or transfer station. Crews will collect Christmas trees with yard waste, on your regular collection day, until January 31. Christmas trees are collected manually, using a different truck than the regular yard waste truck. If your Christmas tree is not collected on your scheduled yard waste day, leave it set out for a later pickup.

Be sure to remove all decorations and tinsel, place the tree on its side, 1m away from your garbage and green bins, leave the tree loose (do not place the tree in a bag, or bundle it with string or rope). Read more from the City of Vancouver online.

Surrey

There are two locations for tree chipping in Surrey on Saturday, January 4, 2014. This first is Newton Athletic Park (128 Street & 74 Ave) from 10:00am to 4:00pm and the other is the Adams Road PAC Tree Chipping and Bottle Drive from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

It’s been more than 7 days since I’ve posted the Vancouver Photos of the Week so I have plenty of images to choose from in the Miss604 Flickr Pool. Snow, sunshine, Christmas lights, waterfront scenes, shipwrecks and sunsets. I’ve decided to roll these into the final roundup of 2013 and going into 2014, I’ll also be featuring photos that have been tagged #Photos604 on Instagram.

Vancouver Photos of the Week

Photo credit: TimCheung604 on Flickr

Photo credit: Ruth and Dave & Ruth and Dave on Flickr

Photo credit: Zorro1968 & TheVancouverGuy & SeaSide Signs ~ Vancouver, BC on Flickr

Photo credit: [Rikki] Julius Reque on Flickr

Photo credit: bcbusinesshub & bcbusinesshub & bcbusinesshub on Flickr

Photo credit: Winson Tang on Flickr

Photo credit: Matzuda & Matzuda on Flickr

Photo credit: Claude Schneider & Claude Schneider & Claude Schneider on Flickr

Photo credit: Chris Maki & colink. on Flickr

Photo credit: colink. on Flickr

Photo credit: Eric Flexyourhead & Chris Maki on Flickr

Photo credit: notorious_bill on Flickr

Photo credit: greatscott94 on Flickr

Photo credit: Alexis Birkill Photography on Flickr

Photo credit: Clayton Perry Photoworks on Flickr

Photo credit: Change Xia & SeaSide Signs ~ Vancouver, BC on Flickr

Photo credit: Jose B.G. Santos on Flickr

Photo credit: vladimirmegan & Winson Tang on Flickr

Photo credit: Shaadi Faris & ziggyzachy on Flickr

Photo credit: Alexis Birkill Photography on Flickr

As always, please click through on these images to view more work from the photographers and feel free to share your own photos with the Miss604 Flickr Pool. View all photo collections here.