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60+ Things to do in Vancouver in Winter in 2023-24

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Canada is a wonderful place to spend your Christmas holidays. And in this post, we will highlight some delightful things to do in Vancouver in winter. From Christmas markets, festive events, ice skating, and shopping, Vancouver will not disappoint you!

60+ Things to do in Vancouver in Winter 2023 and 2024: Attractions, tours & festivals

Pin for Vancouver Canada
Vancouver Canada Winter

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Vancouver is located in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is one of the metro cities in Canada with high living costs, but that brings in ample work opportunities (yes there is competition), skyscrapers, luxury hotels, lots of greenery, and quick access to mountain views.

Our experience and tips on using this guide

We have traveled and visited Vancouver numerous times throughout the years we lived in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Vancouver is home to one of the biggest airports in the country, and we fly from there often. In doing so, we always squeeze in 1-3 days in Vancouver to explore, and enjoy weekend getaways!

Vancouver in winter
Visiting Vancouver in winter

This guide is divided into 4 sections – we have included things to do in metro Vancouver in winter, followed by outdoor activities near Vancity, and festivals and light events. You will also find travel tips and packing information here as well!

1. Wander Downtown Vancouver

One of the amazing free things to do in Vancouver in winter is to walk the downtown area and soak in festive lights and the views of the waterfront. Make sure you are dressed warmly, and you have your camera out to snap the holiday decor. 

Vancouver downtown
Vancouver downtown in winter

During winters, you can expect cafes and restaurants to have a seasonal (and delightful) menu which you can order. At Robson Street, you can admire the big Christmas tree all lit up for the season. 

2. Drive through Stanley Park

In the winter, drive through Stanley Park and admire the various structures inside this amazing urban park.

Stanley Park in winter
Stanley Park – Harry Jerome Statue

On our first trip to the city, we embarked on the hop on and hop off tour that took us through Stanley Park (with photo stops), and it was amazing to check out attractions like – Totem poles, the Girl in a wetsuit, Harry Jerome Statue, and the cute Brockton Point Lighthouse. 

Night scene of downtown in Stanley Park, Vancouver Canada
Night scene of downtown in Stanley Park, Vancouver Canada

You can also embark on the Vancouver Holiday Lights and Karaoke Trolley to admire the illuminating Bright Nights at Stanley Park and beyond. Click to grab tickets for the Christmas Lights tour.

3. Go ice skating in Vancouver’s Robson Square

In the winter Vancouver opens up ice skating rinks in various parts of the city. Most notable among them are located at Robson Square (they are open from December to February) and at the Vancouver Skate Plaza. 

Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - December 31, 2018: Crowd of people are ice skating in Robson Square during New Year's Eve.
Ice skating in Robson Square during New Year’s Eve.

You can rent ice skates at Robson Square for $5 CAD / pair, and skating is absolutely free. 

4. Enjoy a winter walking tour with a local

Book a walking tour with a Vancouver local to understand the city’s history and hit all the highlights. You are helping a local business by booking a tour! 

5. Drink hot chocolate (or my favorite peppermint mocha!)

Festive cheer is even more delightful when you have a cuppa of hot chocolate in your hands. The chill in the air and a warm drink will brighten your day.

There are so many cafes in the Downtown area as well as Robson Street where you can stop by and pick up a drink (including my favorite Peppermint Mocha!)

Hot Chocolate & Vancouver waterfront

6. Enjoy festive lights at the Canada Place

Canada Place in the downtown area is all decked up for the festive season. You can experience lights and decorations here like the Avenue of Christmas Trees, Sails of Light, and many winter lights displays. This is completely free, so don’t miss it. 

7. Fly with Santa at FlyOver Canada

Enjoy Christmas with Santa, at FlyOver Canada in downtown Vancouver. You can fly with Santa across Canada, and get into the festive spirit. 

FlyOver Canada is a unique way to experience various Canadian destinations from one spot, you can virtually fly over the landmarks, and feel the wind gust, or the warm breeze – all from the heart of Vancouver.

Tickets start at $25 CAD per adult entry, and you get 10% discount when booking online. 

8. Check out festive lights in Chinatown

Admire decorations and festive menus in various spots in Vancouver’s Chinatown. If you are in town in December (Dec 21st), you can attend the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival. 

9. Capilano Suspension Bridge in winter

Located in North Vancouver, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is an all-round destination. It is open every day (except December 25), and during winters it’s amazing with lovely Christmas decorations and festive lights. Get tickets for Canyon Lights Events in Capilano Bridge Park

Capilano Bridge Things to do in Vancouver in winter
Capilano Bridge Things to do in Vancouver in winter

Capilano in the daytime and the evening is very different but so worth the visit.

Note: Some days due to snow and slippery conditions, attractions such as TreeTops Adventure may not be open (and you get a discounted entry ticket in that case). You will be able to cross the bridge though.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Opt for a free bus to the CapBridge Park, from Canada Place in Vancouver downtown. 

10. Enjoy the chill in the air by a bonfire

Enjoy bonfires (and don’t forget warm cocoa) in West Vancouver’s Dundarave Park at night. Wrap yourself in a warm blanket and listen to live music, with friends and family. 

11. Go on a sunset buffet tour

Enjoy a sunset meal on a cruise with your loved one, as you ring in the festive season. These cruises are for 2.50 hours, and they come with a delicious meal (charged per person).

12. Admire Lions Gate Bridge

The Lions Gate Bridge is a beautiful green colored suspension bridge in Vancouver. Officially known as the First Narrows Bridge, it connects the City of Vancouver to the District of North and West Vancouver. 

Lions Gate Bridge all lit up

On a warm sunny day, you can check out the bridge from the Prospect Point Lookout, or if it’s too cold just drive through the bridge to look at this engineering marvel.  

13. Visit the Prospect Point Lookout

I know it’s cold. But if you love winters, and a little snow head to the Prospect Point Lookout to soak in views of the Lions Gate Bridge, the waters, and the cold chill!

Lions Gate Bridge from Prospect Point Lookout in winter
Lions Gate Bridge from Prospect Point Lookout in winter

14. Check out the Gastown District Festive Lights

The Steam Clock at the Gastown District is pretty popular, and it made it to our Vancouver Bucket list.

During the winter, it is a warm sight to see the smoke coming out of the clock. The entire district is filled with Victorian-style buildings and looks very European in the winter. 

Steam Clock Gastown in winter
Steam Clock Gastown in winter

15. Gastown Food tour

When you are in Gastown, opt for a delicious food tour and go restaurant and bar hopping in the Vancity. Vancouver’s culinary scene is delightful! Check out this highly recommended food tour here

16. Shop at the Robson Street

Love to shop? Head to Robson Street to score great deals for the holiday season. Shop deals on premium clothing labels, electronics, or gifts for loved ones. 

17. Visit the Vancouver Art Museum 

Visit the world-class Vancouver Art Museum, which boasts 4 floors of temporary exhibitions and the installation of 4 iconic works by Emily Carr. You can also take a guided tour of the permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Add this attraction to your Vancouver winter itinerary (when it’s too cold outside).

18. Feast at a Vancouver Restaurant 

Pig out at one of the seafood restaurants (or any downtown multi-cuisine restaurant) and relish the delicious culinary scene of Vancouver City. It is known to be a foodie destination for a reason. 

19. Explore Granville Island

Make a trip to Granville Island for a few hours. Granville Island is a shopping district, located across False Creek from Downtown Vancouver and under the south end of the Granville Street Bridge.

Enjoy beer and a cocktail at the Granville Island

On the island, you can check out the Granville Island Public Market and buy local produce and delicacies. 

During the Christmas season, you can shop for souvenirs and gifts from Granville Island. The district is home to many seafood restaurants as well. Try our favorite fish and chips with a chilled beer in the afternoon. 

Inside Granville Island
Inside Granville Island

20. Take in city views from Vancouver Lookout 

Take in Vancity views from Vancouver Lookout, a 147 metre high observation tower. The tower boasts a glass elevator that takes you to an observation deck, which greets you with 360° views of the city.

Ticket prices for the observation tower are $18.95 CAD per adult entry. If you are feeling adventurous climb 32 storeys and enjoy a free beer. Vancouver Lookout also has a revolving sky restaurant on-site called the Top Of Vancouver.

21. Eat at theTop Of Vancouver Restaurant

As the name suggests, this restaurant literally takes you to the top of Vancouver (from the Lookout Tower).

Dine at the Top of Vancouver Restaurant, a revolving restaurant with 360 views of the city, and celebrate the holiday season in style!

22. Stay at a fancy waterfront hotel

Vancouver’s waterfront area is filled with 5-star, heritage hotels starting with the Fairmont Waterfront and the Pan Pacific hotel. Room rates start at $350 CAD per night, but the views are so worth it for a romantic staycation in the city!

23. Visit the Bloedel Conservatory: Vancouver Winter Attractions 

Queen Elizabeth Park is a wonderful oasis in central Vancouver. In the winter, it is even more exciting when you step foot into the Bloedel Conservatory

When it is cold or rainy outside, head to the conservatory and learn about free-flying exotic birds, plants, and flowers. The conservatory is home to about 700+ varieties of birds fauna and flora that are kept in a temperature-controlled environment.

24. Learn about cultures at the Museum of Anthropology

The UBC Museum of Anthropology is an amazing resource to learn about First Nations peoples and other cultural communities in Canada. The museum is very tranquil, and history-anthropology enthusiasts will definitely like it here. 

Set aside 2 to 3 hours to completely explore the museum. Admission tickets start at $18 CAD+. Parking is available on-site.  

25. Watch Polar Bear Swim on New Years

You can cheer or swim with the Polar bears in the English Bay to start off the New Year. For 2024, the event is set for January 1st. The event runs from 12:00 pm until around 3:30 pm. This is one of the coolest free things to do in Vancouver winters. 

The English Bay Polar Bear Swim is one of its kind, and it has been a tradition since 1920. In 2020 it marked its centenary celebrations.

26. Watch a Vancouver Canucks game

Vancouver Canucks is an ice hockey team in Canada (based out of Vancouver). They compete in the National Hockey League – NHL. When in town, you can watch them play at the Rogers Arena. 

Or head to one of these bars for a sports night,

  • The Sports Bar at the Rogers Arena
  • Red Card Sports Bar + Eatery
  • St Augustine

27. Enjoy afternoon high tea at Patisserie fur Elise

Located on Hamilton Street, this cute pastry shop – Patisserie fur Elise – transports you to England with its charming tea service. This French pastry shop, housed in a Victorian home, is your perfect Instagrammable location for all things fancy food-related. 

28. Join a brewery tour

Vancouver has quite a long brewery history. It boasts of a rich beer community owing to its status as a port city. You can join a brewery tour in Vancouver to learn about its rich past, go behind the scenes of how beer is brewed, and try various samplings. 

Here is a 3 hour beer tour, offered by a local guide. In this tour, you will embark on the route that takes you to Parallel 49, Bomber, and Off The Rail, with tastings and snacks at each location and a behind-the-scenes tour of the brewing process.

29. Stop at the Olympic Cauldron: Jack Poole Plaza

Vancouver hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, and we highly recommend paying a visit to the Whistler Sliding Center to take part in fun winter activities.

Olympic Cauldron in winter Vancouver
Olympic Cauldron

If you are staying in town for your trip, you can visit the Olympic Plaza in downtown Vancouver. Free to explore. 

30. Explore Science World

The Science World opens its doors to young and old with amazing exhibitions, creative technology, and more. They are open all year long. Entry tickets start at CAD 33.

Vancouver Science World at night

In the winter months, they have a Winter Activity Pack, where you can wrap yourself in the enchanting world of auroras alongside fellow citizen scientists from the comfort of your home.

You can embark on a virtual journey across the tundra, celebrating the majestic polar bears and more.

Winter Outdoor Activities in and around Vancouver 

In this section, we will cover all the outdoorsy activities that you can enjoy near Vancouver. From cross-country skiing, ice skating, and tobogganing to soft adventure tours, there is lots to do.

Mount Seymour

For activities like fat biking or chasing the northern lights, you will travel about 3 to 7 hours from Vancouver.

31. Drive the Sea to Sky Highway

Enjoy a scenic drive from Vancouver to Whistler or Squamish aka Highway 99. Driving from Vancouver to Whistler can be dangerous at times, especially in the winter. We recommend embarking on this road trip if you are comfortable driving in the winter. 

If you embark on a day tour, the route is still the same. 

32. Outdoor skating at the Vanier Pond Park

Vanier Park is a municipal park, which transforms into a nice outdoor skating rink for families to enjoy in the winter. 

Vanier Pond Park
Vanier Pond Park in winter

33. Go on winter hikes at Lynn Loop (Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge Park)

Lynn Loop at the Suspension Bridge Park is an easy trail to embark on winter hikes. It takes about 2 hours covering just over 5 km (3.1 miles) of ground. You can easily reach Lynn Canyon Loop by public transit. 

This is a great opportunity to admire wildlife, and admire the beauty of Mount Fromme and other nature wonders. 

34. Check out frozen Norvan Falls in North Vancouver

If you looking for winter hikes near Vancouver, embark on a 14 km (8.6 miles) round trip to visit Norvan Falls.

The waterfalls will be completely frozen during this time (at least most of the time) and for a nice winter walk/hike to the falls. It begins at Lynn Headwaters Regional Park and ends after a 7 km (4.34 miles) walk through the wilderness to reach the falls. The terrain is flat all throughout.

35. Enjoy at the Cypress Mountain

Vancouver downtown to Cypress mountains is just 30 minutes away. You can easily take a trip to the mountains by car, and enjoy skiing or winter hiking! 

Trees covered with snow on Cypress Mountain near Vancouver. British Columbia. Canada.

36. Add a romantic fondue tour at the Cypress Mountains

Chocolate and wonderful mountain views are a perfect match. You can add a Fondue Tour at the Cypress Mountains. These tours are conducted in the evening, and they have to be pre-booked to reserve your spot.

Relish fresh fruits, and chocolate fondue, with a hot apple cider. For an additional charge, you can also enjoy a pint of beer.

The fondue tour is offered as a package with snowshoeing options included, along with a guided tour. You can view packages and book here online

37. Take a day trip to the Grouse Mountains

Grouse Mountains is the answer to amazing views, from Vancouver city. Hop on the cable car to take in views of the city, and nearby mountains. During winters the sight is spectacular with beautiful lights and snow-dusted peaks!

38. Go zip lining at the Grouse Mountains 

Feeling adventurous? Opt for zip-lining tours at the Grouse Mountains.

Ziplining at Grouse Mountains involves a 90-minute duration of pure thrill, going between the peaks of Grouse Mountain and Dam Mountain. 

39. Skiing and snowboarding in Grouse Mountains

One of the most popular activities in Grouse Mountains is embarking on snow related outdoor activities like skiing and snowboarding, and the amazing part – you get to soak in amazing city views of Vancouver! 

Photo of Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, BC, Canada

40. Go skiing and tobogganing on Seymour Mountain

Mount Seymour Ski Resort is located only 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver. Mt Seymour is perfect for a quick getaway, and if not skiing consider getting your feet wet into tobogganing, it is SO much fun! 

Tobogganing involves sliding downhill over snow! Sounds exciting right?  

Toboganing in Mount Seymour

41. Heli skiing in Coastal Mountain 

Embark on a heli-skiing tour in a small group, and be mesmerized by spectacular ski terrain. Be ready to cruise down wide-open powder bowls for a fun adventurous day!

42. Go cross country skiing in Whistler 

Located only an hour and a half away from Vancouver, Whistler is an amazing place for cross-country skiing and other winter activities.

With world-class resort and ski facilities, you can’t go wrong with a day or weekend trip to Whistler from Vancouver. 

Whistler Canadian Bucket list

43. Go sliding at the Canadian Bobsleigh 

The Whistler Sliding Centre is a Canadian bobsleigh, and skeleton track located in Whistler. It hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics and is part of the Whistler Blackcomb resort. This is a perfect addition to winter getaways from Vancouver. 

It doesn’t matter if you are new to these rides, there are instructors available. They provide you with a safety orientation, before heading into a 4-person bobsleigh. With many twists and turns (and at a speed of 125+ kph), you will feel the force and the adrenaline rush!

Bobsleigh and skeleton rides are available seasonally from December through to the end of March. 

44. Enjoy festive lights in the resort town of Whistler (nonskiers)

Whistler resort town turns into a Christmas town with mountain views and festive lights. Whistler is perfect for a day trip from Vancouver.

Main Street: Whistler Village in the winter.

As a non-skier, you can feast in their restaurants, go Christmas shopping, and relax in the lap of nature or at Scandinave Spa. 

45. Take a day trip to Victoria to admire the festivities

Enjoy a day-long tour to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. This includes a 1.50-hour scenic ferry ride to Victoria, and you get to explore Government Street, Chinatown, and the Inner Harbour.

Take time to admire ocean views, and eat at artisan cafes, including an afternoon tea at the Fairmount Empress.

46. Enjoy the festivities at the Butchart Gardens

The Butchart Gardens, located near Victoria are wonderfully decked up for the festive season, do make time to stop by there!

Colorful Christmas light at Butchart Gardens

Day or night the gardens are beautiful with fountains, manicured lawns, and seasonal decorations.

Festive Events in Vancouver in Winter

47. Vancouver Christmas Parade 

Christmas Parade is a delightful way to ring in the Xmas season in the city. The Christmas parade is a free event and it takes place at the end of November/December.

The parade itself usually starts at noon and lasts for around two hours. You can expect a lot of amazing dance groups and community organizations, marching music bands, and more. 

Don’t forget to dress warmly, and buy yourself a hot drink as you enjoy this festive show! 

In 2023, the event is canceled.

48. Vancouver Christmas Market

Set up in the heart of Vancouver Downtown, the Christmas markets are a great way to experience the winters in the city.

Vancouver Christmas Market

These markets are inspired by the German Christkindlemarkt, and it brings in over 80 vendors showcasing and selling Christmas souvenirs and wares. Not to forget food and drinks too. 

This is a ticketed event. Vancouver Christmas Markets are open from November 16 to December 24th, 2023; you can check the details on their website here

49. Christmas Tree Lights at Robson Street

Admire the lights at Robson Street, especially the 76 feet tall Christmas tree at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Enjoy free music, cookies, and hot chocolate.

The event takes place in November and stays up for the entire month of December. 

50. Ride the Vancouver Holiday Lights and Karaoke Trolley

Hop on the Vancouver Holiday Lights and Karaoke Trolley and check out the night lights at Stanley Park (called the Stanley Park Bright Nights), and the VanDusen Festival of Lights.  

Enjoy the fun festive music, as you ride the trolley!

51. Check out the Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

The Capilano suspension bridge in Vancouver, Canada is lighted up for Christmas
The Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver

Canyon Lights is a festive event that takes place at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Typical dates are from December to early January.

We recommend visiting the Park in the evening to admire all the festive lights in the woods. Check out this year’s dates for Canyon Lights.

52. Carol Ship Parade of Lights in Downtown

Join the festive procession in downtown Vancouver (takes place every weekend in the month of December). It is completely free to admire the parade and the festive lights from downtown. You can opt for (paid) dinner cruises here.

53. Join the Vancouver’s Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival

Head to Chinatown in Vancouver, to attend the pretty Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival.

The festival takes place in various locations including at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden in Chinatown, and Granville Island. This event marks the darkest day of the year (December 21st) and is celebrated keeping the old-world traditions in mind. 

54. Festival of Lights at Van Dusen Botanical Garden

One of the most popular Vancouver Christmas lights is that of the Dusen Botanical Garden. The lights look wonderful in the dark, and the beautiful reflections on the lake make them so stunning.

Path Blue Red Yellow Christmas Trees Lights Reflection Lake Van Dusen Garden Vancouver British Columbia Canada
Path Blue Red Yellow Christmas Trees Lights Reflection Lake Van Dusen Garden Vancouver

In the garden, you will witness pretty dancing lights, with candy cane trees, and gingerbread walk trails. 

55. Christmas in Kerrisdale

Kerrisdale turns into a pretty Christmas village, with everything X-massy related from horse carriage rides, festive food and markets. It turns into a fairy tale of sorts. Best of all it is FREE. Find out the dates for this year’s event

56. Vancouver Christmas Concerts

There are lots of Christmas concerts happening in Metro Vancouver in the winter. Paid concert tickets start at $10 CAD for adults. Here are some of the popular ones to consider:

Other than the listed paid concerts, you can also enjoy free ones. 

  • Singing Christmas Tree concerts can be attended for free (or by donation). It is an annual event that takes place on the 1st and 2nd at 7:30 pm and on the Saturdays and Sundays of December 2nd, 3rd, 9th, and 10th at both 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
  • Vancouver Oratorio Choir Concert is free to attend. Held on November 26, 2023.

57. Attend the Hot Chocolate Festival

The hot chocolate festival is held at the end of January, where you can try different chocolate flavors. 

Dates: January 13th until February 14th in 2024

58. Dine Out Vancouver

Dine Out Vancouver is a 17-day long food festival hosted by Tourism Vancouver, to promote the city’s vibrant culinary scene. The event starts in mid of January and concludes in the first few days in February.

Delicious Fish and Chips in Vancouver

During this festival, you can choose three-course dinners or more at four price points—$15, $25, $35, and $45 CAD. 

Over 300 restaurants participate in this event, so you will have a lot of varieties and options to choose from. Learn more about this event here

59. Celebrate Chinese New Year

If you are planning a Vancouver winter getaway in January, especially around the Chinese New Year, we highly recommend visiting Chinatown to witness the New Year Parade and the festive cheer in the district.

Everything looks very beautiful with the red lanterns and decorations, as the New Year celebrations are in full gear! Free event to attend and participate.

60. Vancouver International Wine Festival

Vancouver International Wine Festival is held at the tail end of the winter season in Vancity (end of February to the beginning of March). It is one of the finest wine fests in the world, attended by over 10 countries, showcasing thousands of wines. 

In 2024, the festival runs from February 24th to March 3rd and the theme is Discover Italy, and is held at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Add this to your list of things to do in Vancouver in February. 

Vancouver In Winter: Planning for your trip, weather, packing & accommodation

In this section below, we will cover travel tips, hotels, and more.

Getting to Vancouver is easy.

FLY

Vancouver is served by the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), located in Richmond, BC. It is about 30 minutes away from the city centre. YVR airport connects Vancouver to the rest of the world. 

Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver International Airport

From Vancouver Airport, you can hop on the SkyTrain to reach downtown in about 30 minutes. SkyTrain from Vancouver Airport to downtown fees: 2 Zone Ticket $9.00 (two-zone fare of $4.00 + YVR Fare of $5). 

Another option to reach Vancouver by flight is to opt for budget airlines (Swoop) and land in Abbotsford. Flight tickets are cheaper, but you will have to take a bus (or rent a car) to reach Vancouver, it takes about an hour or so. 

Views from Canada Place Vancouver in winter
Views from Canada Place Vancouver in winter

DRIVE:

Vancouver is well connected by road from the USA, Alberta and other parts of British Columbia.

  • Whistler to Vancouver: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Seattle USA to Vancouver by road: Seattle to Vancouver is 2 hours and 30 minutes by road
  • Calgary Alberta to Vancouver: 10 hours and 30 minutes by road. You can take a road trip through the Canadian Rockies to reach Vancouver. You can do this route in 2 to 3 days by exploring sights along the way. 

TRAIN:

Trains are available from Toronto and Edmonton to Vancouver, and tickets on VIA Rail typically cost around $45 – $200 CAD. These prices typically increase with the distance traveled.

You can also book scenic train rides from Vancouver to Banff via RockyMountaineer.com

Vancouver in winter weather & temperature 

Vancouver waterfront in winter
Waterfront in Vancouver

Typically winter months in Canada are from December to February. And that holds true for Vancouver as well. However, what is uncommon in Vancity is that the winter temperatures are milder as compared to other parts of Canada. 

So if I were to wear a -20 degree parka, tall warm boots, scarves, gloves, and beanie in Alberta and Saskatchewan, I get by with a light jacket or a thick cardigan, ankle-length boots, and warm cap 🙂 yes, you get it. It is mild. 

Look at the temperature for the 3 months, and depending on your cold threshold pack accordingly. 

Vancouver Winter Weather

Vancouver in winter temperatures
Vancouver in winter temperatures
  • December: 7 degrees C/3 degrees C (H/L), expect 15 days of rain
  • January: 7 degrees C/3 degrees C (H/L), expect 15 days of rain
  • February: 8 degrees C/3 degrees C (H/L), expect 13 days of rain

As you can see, temperatures never go below freezing point, but rains are common. Below you will find packing tips for Vancouver in winter.

Packing for Vancouver winters

  • 1 x warm jacket: Wear a warm waterproof jacket (not like a ski jacket) OR
  • 1 x warm long cardigan or fleece jacket
  • 2 – 3 tops, long sleeve shirts
  • 2 bottoms (I wear my jeans and lightweight thermal leggings)
  • 1 x Scarf
  • 1 x Beanie
  • 1 x Gloves
  • 1 x warm boots, preferably waterproof. Check out my favorite pair
  • 2 -3 warm socks
  • Loungewear for hotel/resort
  • 1 x Ski jacket, and snow pants, if you are heading to mountain resorts
Packing for Vancouver in winter
Packing for Vancouver in winter

Where to stay in Vancouver BC?

We highly recommend Downtown Vancouver for your first trip. You can pretty much walk from your hotel to various landmarks, or take a tour bus from Canada Place. Here are our top picks

  • Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – A 4-star hotel, this property is located very close to many of the attractions and places to visit in Vancouver in winter. The property includes beautiful suites, with downtown views as well as a spa and a lavish restaurant on site. Click to view hotel prices and availability here
  • Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center – Another 4-star property downtown, this Sheraton hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the Burrard light-rail station and 2 km from the waterfront Stanley Park. You can ditch the car, and easily commute using LRT or walk to the waterfront area. View photos and room availability here
  • Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown – This is a 3-star mid-range hotel property in the downtown area. You can easily walk to attractions from here, including the Vancouver Aquarium. The hotel offers a free breakfast to guests and has a spa on-site. More about this hotel here

We hope you enjoyed this list of amazing Vancouver winter activities. If we missed anything do let us know in the comments below!

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