Family New Year’s Eve Fun + Things to Do Around Vancouver in January

Vancouver in January is still full of fun events and activities to enjoy with the family. But first? We’ve got New Year’s Eve to consider. If you fancy heading out with the kids as opposed to staying in, there are a number of fun ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Vancouver with the most important people in your life.

Family Celebrations for New Year’s Eve in Vancouver

Circus 3’s New Year’s Eve Variety Show

Vancouver Playhouse, Vancouver
Tuesday, December 31

This New Year’s Eve tradition ends early, so there’s plenty of time to get home to bed with visions of a fresh new year dancing in your heads. This is a family-friendly event but all will have a blast.

Glam Fam New Year’s Eve Family Roller Skate Party

The PNE, 2901 E Hastings St. Vancouver
Tuesday December 31

Head to Rollerland at the PNE for the Glam Fam New Year’s Eve Family Skate Party. Organized by Rolla Skate Club, a small, women-owned, community-first business, the all-ages skate features music by DJ Prototype from 7 – 10pm. Skate rentals are included in with admission tickets.

New Year’s Eve at Grouse Mountain

Grouse Mountain Resort, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Tuesday December 31

Grouse Mountain offers fun winter activities including skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, outdoor ice skating, and their famous light walk. On New Year’s Eve, they have fireworks and special menus at the restaurants. Since everything closes at 9 pm, there’s no need to stay up late to enjoy the festivities.

Happy Noon Year at the Library

Vancouver Public Library; various locations
Tuesday December 31

It’s Happy Noon Year at the VPL! Join librarians at libraries across the city for a toddler-friendly storytime at 11:30 am on December 31st, then join the countdown at noon instead of midnight. This program is offered at the Hastings, nə́c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona, Mount Pleasant, Marpole, West Point Grey, and Champlain Heights branches.

Noon Year’s Eve at Kidtropolis

110–5940 No 2 Rd,. Richmond
Tuesday December 31

Richmond’s Kidtropolis indoor playground is hosting daytime New Year’s Eve celebrations at noon and 3pm on Tuesday December 31st. Kids will love the balloon drop, dance party, noisemakers, party hats, and more. If you bring a group, you can enjoy their VIP package that includes a decorated party room, sparkling apple juice for toasting, popcorn, and mini donuts.

New Year’s Eve Family Party

Rocky Mountain Flatbread, 4186 Main St.
Tuesday December 31

A two-course dinner with the kids at Rocky Mountain Flatbread is a great way to introduce your fam to the notion of a fancy NYE celebration. Enjoy activities for the kids like balloon twisting as well as a countdown to “midnight” along with a sparkling drinks trolley and pizza making. Tickets are $30 per child (2 years old and older)

And once the holiday fun is all over, there’s still plenty to do in the coming weeks to have fun with the whole family. In fact, January in Vancouver is an ideal time to make some plans to try something new. With spring a long ways off (not really, but it feels that way on those rainy grey days), now is a great time to go exploring and find some new activities, outings, and tasty treats to brighten up the winter.

What’s On for Family Fun in Vancouver in January

Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum

When: until January 3
Where: Burnaby
Website: https://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/EN/main/what-s-on/heritage-christmas.html

The holidays are technically over but there’s a few more days yet to squeeze in a visit to Heritage Christmas, presented by Concord Pacific at the Burnaby Village Museum. Take in the sights, sounds and smells of an old fashioned Christmas celebration, with entertainment, demonstrations and more throughout the 10-acre village, which replicates a 1920s era community. Many of the village’s buildings and features are original, having been moved to the museum site for preservation. And if you miss the holiday fun, the museum is still open all year long – just without the Christmas lights and choir singers.

VanDusen Festival of Lights

When: until January 5
Where: Vancouver
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/festival-of-lights.aspx

Just a couple more nights for this favourite spot in Vancouver in January. With more than one million lights over the 15 acres of landscaped gardens at VanDusen Botanical Garden, this is a winter wonderland not to be missed – but it ends on January 5. The display has various themed sections, holiday music and snacks for purchase.

Lights by the Lake

When: until January 12
Where: Harrison Hot Springs
Website: https://tourismharrison.com/lights-by-the-lake/

Head out to the Fraser Valley and take in this unique holiday celebration with light displays along the waterfront in Harrison Hot Springs. The displays highlight local wildlife, including the elusive Sasquatch. Lights are on from dusk to 11 pm, along a two kilometre portion of the waterfront promenade. The Starlight Synthetic Rink runs from Thursday to Monday, 1 pm to 9 pm.

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

When: on now until January 19
Where: North Vancouver
Website: https://www.capbridge.com/events/canyon-lights/  

A popular destination with tourists and locals alike, the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park will transform until late January for the festive Canyon Lights celebration. Cross the bridge, covered in multicoloured lights, then head into the forest via suspended bridges high among the treetops, the forest illuminated with glowing lights. There’s a light tunnel, too. Remember, this one is all outdoors, so dress for the weather.

Robson Square Ice Skating

When: until February 28
Where: Downtown Vancouver
Website: https://www.robsonsquare.com/

This a long-timis e favourite winter activity for Vancouverites with free ice skating and low-cost skate rentals. Taking place at Robson Square in the heart of the downtown core, this is a great activity to kick off a fun day in the city – head to Stanley Park after, or check out some of the fabulous local restaurants (there are plenty of kid-friendly ones!)

Dine Out Vancouver

When: January 22 to February 9
Where: Various locations
Website: https://www.dineoutvancouver.com/

For more than two decades, Dine Out Vancouver has been letting local foodies check out heaps of local restaurants for less-then-regular pricing. Each restaurant in the event creates a three-course menu for a set price and diners can make reservations during the festival for that menu. The event also features wineries and hotel offers, so if you’re looking for a night-out celebration for the parents, this might fit the bill too.

Lights at Lafarge

When: until the end of February
Where: Coquitlam
Website: https://www.coquitlam.ca/784/Lights-at-Lafarge

Didn’t make it over Christmas? Don’t worry, the lights are shining bright for the rest of the month at Lake Lafarge. This light display, which goes up in late November, circles Lafarge Lake at Town Centre Park; this year, two paths will be available to help ease congestion on busy nights.