We’re saying goodbye to 2015 and ringing in 2016 with the annual Polar Bear Swim followed by theatrical productions, fundraisers, and dining events throughout January. This event list is updated several times a week so check back often and submit your events (for FREE) via the contact form.
January Events in Metro Vancouver
Jump to: Monday, January 4 to Sunday, January 10, 2016
Jump to: Monday, January 11 to Sunday, January 17, 2016
Jump to: Monday, January 18 to Sunday, January 24, 2016
Jump to: Monday, January 25 to Sunday, January 31, 2016
Multi-Day Events
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green below.
Friday, January 1, 2016
Polar Bear Swims: Vancouver, White Rock, North Vancouver
Bipolar Swim, Ambleside Beach, West Vancouver
Gateway Theatre Presents: The Wizard of Oz
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park
Enchanted Nights at the Bloedel Conservatory
Pacific Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol on the Air
Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Tree Chip-In, Surrey
Coquitlam 125: Active Coquitlam
Nat Bailey Farmers Market
Gateway Theatre Presents: The Wizard of Oz
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park
Enchanted Nights at the Bloedel Conservatory
Pacific Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol on the Air
Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Mount Pleasant Tree Chipping
Ten Ten Tapas: Lincoln on Alto Sax
Hastings Park Farmers Market
Gateway Theatre Presents: The Wizard of Oz
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Enchanted Nights at the Bloedel Conservatory
Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink
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There has been a 4.9 magnitude earthquake in Metro Vancouver tonight. It struck 23km north of Victoria and has been felt all around BC’s south coast. The National Tsunami Warning Center confirms there is no tsunami danger.
This quake at 11:39pm follows another that measured 4.4 and struck several hours earlier near San Bernardino, California. [Source: News1130]
No damage has been reported but SkyTrain and Canada Line systems in Vancouver are shutting down so that crews can perform maintenance checks.
Earthquake in Metro Vancouver
In Downtown Vancouver, we experienced a rolling shake in our house. Online, many are reporting of much more of an impact in their area, from the feeling of an explosion to much more intense shaking.
https://twitter.com/ElEhYouAreEh/status/682114465710510080
https://twitter.com/nlpaiva/status/682114834905731072
https://twitter.com/wordcakes/status/682114145437650944
Information on what to do in the event of an earthquake is available online through the City of Vancouver. The city offers free planning workshops several times a month.
You can also follow EmergencyInfoBC on Twitter and make sure your 72 hour emergency preparedness kit is ready.
Update 12:20am: Natural Resources Canada says magnitude 4.3; US Geo Survey says 4.9. Still no reports of any damage. BC Hydro says there is no damage to transmission or distribution systems, and no power outages due to the earthquake.
It was in 1920 that Peter Pantages created the Polar Bear Swim Club in Vancouver and the brisk ocean dip has been a New Year’s Day tradition for the last 96 years.
Peter Pantages on a snowy Vancouver beach in 1927. Archives# CVA 99-1786.
Polar Bear Swim Vancouver
The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim takes place at 2:30pm on the first day of each new year. Costumes and the Peter Pantages Memorial 100 yard swim race are the highlights of this event. To be a club member you must register before the swim, it’s free. Prizes are drawn from all registrations. Register in front of the English Bay Bathhouse between 12:30pm and 2:30pm on January 1. The Greater Vancouver Food Bank will be accepting donations of non-perishable food or cash.
Around the 1950s, the participation was approximately 250 to 300 swimmers. Today, anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 swimmers participate (record to-date 2,550 in 2014) and 5,000 to 10,000 spectators come out to cheer them on.
Polar Bear Swim White Rock
The 46th annual Polar Bear Swim in White Rock will take place January 1, 2016 and will feature music, coffee, hot chocolate and hot dog vendors. Onsite registration opens at 11:00am, and swim begins at 12:00pm. Participants are encouraged to dress in costumes, and gather for the noon plunge at the legendary “white rock” just east of the White Rock Pier.
Polar Bear Swim North Vancouver
Deep Cove Panorama Park hosts the annual Penguin Plunge on January 1st from 12:30pm to 3:00pm, with the plunge promptly taking place at 2:00pm. Enjoy live music, food and refreshments. Registration is free but donations are accepted, supporting North Shore Rescue.
From arctic wilderness and prairie grasses, to coastal rainforests, the world’s highest tides, and UNESCO sites. Canada’s 46 National Parks are all unique and they’re here for us to protect, and enjoy. Starting in January, you can start planning your spring, summer, and fall camping as the Parks Canada online reservation system launches.
Parks Canada Camping Reservations
With more and more families planning their summer vacations well in advance, Parks Canada is launching its online campground reservation system in January 2016, three months earlier than last year, to make it easier for visitors to plan their trips.
From cozy cabin-like oTENTiks, and full-service and equipped campsites, to a mix of drive-in, hike-in and boat-in sites, there is a unique experience awaiting campers of all interests only a few hours from Victoria and Vancouver.
Stay closer to home and enjoy Long Beach at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve’s Green Point Campground, or check out a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Rockies in Yoho National Park, which I got to know really well this past summer.
For BC travel, make your reservations for Fort Langley and Fort Rodd Hill national historic sites, as well as Gulf Islands National Park Reserve starting January 5, 2016. Pacific Rim and Gulf Islands national park reserves open for reservations starting January 11, 2016. For Yoho National Park,reservations open on January 12. A full list of reservation dates and options is available online through Parks Canada.
2015 is coming to a close and to ring in 2016 in style, with friends and loved ones, here are a few options for a Family Friendly New Year’s Eve in Vancouver:
Family First Night at Mt Seymour
When: December 31, 2015 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Info: Website/Ticket Link
Tickets include entry, hot apple cider, s’mores, music, party favours, tobogganing, demo lessons, Scavenger Hunt and live entertainment. Purchase add-ons like snowshoe/chocolate fondue tour and the tubing.
Take the free Mt Seymour Shuttle Bus. It will leave from Parkgate Centre (in front of the Library) at: 5:30pm, 6:15pm, 7:00pm. The Shuttle Bus will return from Mt Seymour to Parkgate Centre at 9:15pm and 10:00pm.
Family New Year’s at Grouse Mountain
When: December 31, 2015 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Info: Website/Ticket Link
Enjoy entertainment and fun for all ages. Skate on the 8,000-square foot mountaintop pond, take a snow carpet down the new Sliding Zone and be awed by the magical outdoor Light Walk around Blue Grouse Lake. Early 9:00pm countdown and fireworks. Hot chocolate and s’mores will also be offered outside of the chalet, as well as in the First Nations híwus feasthouse.
Access to the New Year’s Eve celebration is included with your Annual Local’s Pass, Y2Play or Winter Season Pass. If you don’t have a pass special general admission pricing is available including a $49.95 Family Ticket Rate. Valid for 2 adults and 2 children/youth up to 18 years old.
Family Friendly Variety Show
When: December 31, 2015 at 8:00pm
Info: Website/Ticket Link
Ring in 2016 with host funny-man Daniel Zindler and his cast of fools including circus acrobats, a magician, and even a marching band. It all ends early with one of Vancouver’s largest balloon drops letting you party afterwards or put the kids to bed.
Robson Square Ice Rink
When: December 31, 2015 from 9:00am to 11:00pm on December 31, 2015
Info: Enjoy free family skating at Robson Square ice rink. Rentals are available for $4 (includes helmet) as well as ice cleats ($2).
NYE Vancouver at Canada Place
When: December 31, 2015 from 6:00pm to Midnight
Info: Website/Ticket Link
This free, public event will have live music, multicultural programming and entertainment, and fireworks. The event will utilize outdoor space at Canada Place and surrounding areas along Canada Place Way from Howe Street to Burrard Street.
Starting at 6:00pm there will be free concerts from Current Swell, We Are the City, Dear Rouge, The Matinee, and Bed of Stars. This stage will have an early countdown at 9:00pm for younger guests. Midnight fireworks will be lit off in Coal Harbour. VIP viewing tickets are sold out but you can secure your spot along the harbour to view them for free.
Holiday Events
If you missed out on some of the Christmas events around Vancouver, attractions like Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park, Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge, and Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden are all still open through the new year.
