The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim is officially returning to English Bay for 2023! This will be the first in-person swim event in three years, and will mark the 103rd anniversary of the annual New Year’s Day tradition.
Registration:Registration is now open, and participants should register in advance to receive their participation certificate.
The event moved to a “digital dip” at the last minute in 2022, in accordance with COVID-19 public health orders. This year, swimmers and spectators will be welcomed back to take their annual frigid swim in the waters at English Bay.
“Vancouver’s Polar Bear Swim is one of the largest and oldest in the world, and we’re delighted the Park Board is able to once again host such an important and fun community tradition,” said Tony Syskakis, Supervisor of Aquatics for the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. “It’s always amazing to see so many people come together to start the year off with an exciting challenge.”
Indoor spaces will be available including change rooms, washrooms, lockers, or warming tents, however, it is always recommended swimmers to come swim-ready. Portable toilets will be available on site.
Organizers will also be bringing back other fan favourites including live DJ, food trucks and more.
Swimmers entering the 100-yard race should meet behind the start line. The first three swimmers to touch the marker buoy by the lifeguard boat should give their names to the lifeguard.
After the swim, participants can pick up their commemorative button at the centre-tower Family Zone or Information Tents spread throughout the beach.
The event will have a designated family area along with an accessible beach mat for participants.
2023 Polar Bear Swim commemorative merchandise, such as hoodies, toque and t-shirts are available for purchase online with a limited amount available for purchase on site.
Additional safety considerations
If you have a heart problem – just watch.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Please leave your dog at home.
Do not drink. Alcohol does not warm you up; it accelerates hypothermia.
Do not stay in the water longer than 15 minutes. Body heat is lost 25 times faster in water than in air.
Do not remove your clothing until swim time. The swim will be started by a flag and siren.
History of the swim
In 1920, Peter Pantages and nine other brave swimmers started their New Year in style by plunging into the chilly waters of English Bay. The group became known as the Vancouver Polar Bear Club. Since then, the swim has grown into a much loved highlight of the holiday season.
Polar Bear Swim Founder Peter Pantages. Photo 1927 by Stuart Thomson.
Peter’s granddaughter, Lisa Pantages, will also be joining for her 61st swim – all but two have been at English Bay.
“I’m so excited our community can be together once again this year, and to experience the energy down at the beach,” said Pantages. “Whether it’s your first Polar Bear Swim or your 40th, everyone goes in with the same spirit, and out with a fresh outlook on the New Year.”
Follow Miss604Holidays this season for the latest arts and culture activities, attraction and event news »
Events have been slowly making a comeback this year and while some of the big festivities may not be on the calendar, there are quite a few local attractions that are offering some fun for a family friendly New Year’s Eve in Vancouver, and beyond:
Family Friendly New Year’s Eve in Vancouver – Ring in 2023
The Robson Square ice rink will have live entertainment on December 31st, with Rumba Calzada on stage from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The rink will be open until 11:00pm. It’s free to skate if you bring your own skates, otherwise there is a $5 rental fee.
Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum will be open until 9:00pm on New Year’s Eve. This free, family-friendly attraction dazzles with lights, music, and sweet treats around a 10 acre open air museum site.
The Vancouver Maritime Museum has planned a whole lineup of activities on December 31st, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. The St. Roch’s bells will ring in 2023!
There’s a New Year’s Eve Toonie Skate at Kensington Complex in Burnaby. Drop-in, have fun gliding on the ice and enjoy family-friendly activities. Admission is $2 per person and free for children 3 years and under. Skates and helmet are included in the admission fee.
Visit the Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain on December 31st for snowshoeing, ice skating, a stroll through the mountaintop light walk and more.
Skate at the Winter Ice Palace in Surrey on December 31st, at the Cloverdale Arena (6090 176 Street). Last session ends at 6:00pm.
And a reminder, TransLink is offering free transit for all services this New Year’s Eve from 5:00pm until 5:00am on January 1. During these hours, fare gates at SkyTrain stations will remain open and customers won’t be required to tap Compass Cards or other payment methods. Customers who begin trips before 5:00pm are advised to tap out as normal to ensure they’re charged the correct fare.
This list will be updated as more event details become available.
Follow Miss604Holidays this season for the latest arts and culture activities, attraction and event news »
Sometimes the holidays get so busy that the only time you actually have to slow down and hang out with friends or loved ones is the exact day when everything might be closed! Luckily, if you’re looking to see what’s open on Christmas Day in Vancouver (December 25, 2022) here are a few options:
Open on Christmas Day in Vancouver 2022
Lights & Festive Displays
In Downtown Vancouver, visit St Paul’s Lights of Hope in front of the historic hospital site. While you’re in the area, walk on over to Nelson & Bute to see home heritage homes lit up with holiday flare or to the front of the art gallery along Georgia for more lights at the Silber Family Agam Menorah and Downtown Vancouver Christmas tree.
Lights at Lafarge will be open and free, of course, all around Town Centre Park in Coquitlam
Christmas at Canada Place is always open! This free, family experience captures the spirit of the season with beautifully decorated Avenue of Christmas Trees, the nostalgic Woodward’s Windows and a winter wonderland display of lights on Canada’s Great Bright North powered by Best Buy.
The ‘village’ shopping experience is often manufactured and imitated, but rarely duplicated. If you’re looking to buy local while supporting businesses in your region, with a healthy serving of festive charm and holiday cheer all bundled up together, there’s nothing like holiday shopping in Fort Langley.
Little White House & Co., Wendel’s Bookstore & Cafe, BC Buzz Honey General Store, Floralista, Livingroom. Miss604 Photo
Walk up one side of Glover Road and back, Church St or Mavis and you’ll find everything from the latest fashions and home decor trends, to an apothecary, juice bar, mason jar merchant, coffee roaster, multiple bakeries, cafes and bistros.
I used to spend a week in Fort Langley visiting a friend as a kid, and we would shop the hardware store on the corner for nails to shore-up her tree fort, and browse the antique mall to see if anything came in that we could add to our stamp collections. These days, the shopping options are much less limited, although I am truly thankful that the Village Antique Mall is still there, it’s amazing. I mean 10,000 square feet filled with 60 vendor booths stacked with vintage items, antiques and collectibles!
Holiday Shopping in Fort Langley
Here are some shops to add to your itinerary, as featured in my Instagram Reel:
There’s even more to do than eat, drink, sip, shop, attend and events, or stroll the riverfront. Fort Langley is such a quaint, picture-perfect village, that there’s no wonder it has been the setting for dozens of Hallmark hometowns and made-for-TV movie moments. If you’re a fan of the holiday films, or series like When Calls the Heart, there’s actually a whole self-guided film location tour that you can do around the Township of Langley. From the National Historic Site to the Fort Langley Community Hall, and more.
Fort Langley Community Hall, Fort Langley CN Railway Station, Fort Langley National Historic Site – Miss604 Photos
Enter to Win
If you haven’t been to Fort Langley in a while, I highly recommend the visit, especially at this time of year. That’s why I’m giving away a $100 gift card to Saba Bistro.
The Bistro (at 9220 Glover Rd) is the latest venture from the same family that owns Saba Cafe (23343 Mavis Ave). I had an incredible vegan Avocado & Kale Benny for breakfast before my big shopping day, complete with an Americano (Oat) Misto. The sautéed kale, the fresh herb scone, creamy avocado, and “vegan hollandaise” were a symphony of flavour. Their brunch menu has everything from a classic breakfast to a braised short rib has, to a roasted mushroom skillet — and they’re open for lunch and dinner. Be sure to make a reservation as this is one popular spot, and for good reason!
Good luck to all those participating in the contest, and I hope you have a wonderful time shopping local and enjoying this charming destination!
Follow Miss604Holidays this season for the latest arts and culture activities, attraction and event news »
Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience coming to Surrey February 1 to March 5, 2023. This three-dimensional experience will feature more than 300 of the Dutch artist’s paintings.
Beyond Van Gogh in Surrey
Where: Agriplex at Cloverdale Fairgrounds (17798 62 Ave, Surrey)
When: February 1 – March 5, 2023
Sunday – Thursday: 10:00am – 8:00pm (last entry at 7:00pm)
Friday – Saturday: 10:00am – 9:00pm (last entry at 8:00pm)
Prices start at $31.99 for adults and $23.99 for children (ages 5-15), plus ticketing fees may apply
While journeying through Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, witness the iconic masterpieces as highly-detailed projections. These projections include instantly recognizable classics as “The Starry Night,” “Sunflowers” and “Café Terrace at Night”, in addition to many revealing self-portraits.
“This distinctive and unique multimedia artistic adventure is deeply resonating with audiences. Encompassing a refreshing new twist unlike art lovers have seen before, Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experiencegives a new appreciation of this tortured artist’s stunning work. Unsurprisingly millions of people all over the world credit Van Gogh with enhancing their relationship with art. Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience will only strengthen that connection.” – Justin Paquin, producer at Paquin Entertainment Group
Cinematic Van Gogh exhibitions have crossed the ocean from European cities to North America in recent years and have been met with great critical acclaim, with sold-out audiences in every market. During its first Canadian stops in Montreal and Quebec City, the uniqueImagine Van Goghexhibition received widespread praise. Before closing in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Montreal received close to 200,000 visitors and thereafter 75,000 in Quebec City. The exhibit was also very successful during a very similar exhibition in Vancouver in 2021.
Follow Van Gogh Surrey on Facebook and Instagram to learn more, your own photos on social are encouraged to share the experience!
