Vancouver’s 2018 January calendar features important dates and events in the Lower Mainland including festivals, shows and recommended winter activities.

JANUARY – FEBRUARY – MARCH – APRIL

MAY – JUNE – JULY – AUGUST – SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER – DECEMBER

January Events Calendar

Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day (Stat Holiday)
Jan. 25 – Robbie Burns Day (birthday of Scotland’s national poet).

January Events in Vancouver

Below is what’s happening on the different days of the month in January. Note: schedules are subject to change – check official websites for exact details.

Monday, January 1, 2018

Polar Bear Swims – events that include swims in the ocean take place at English Bay, in North Vancouver’s Deep Cove, at the beach in White Rock, at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody and at Boundary Bay Regional Park in Delta. All are free to watch and either free or inexpensive to swim at.
Great Blue Heron Nature Walk – the annual event takes place at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve at 5200 Sumas Prairie Road in Chilliwack from 1:00 until 2:00 pm.
Robson Square Skating – free ice skating on the covered rink behind the Vancouver Art Gallery between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm.
Bright Nights – holiday illuminations at Stanley Park (by donation).
Heritage Christmas – free festive lights and Christmas displays at Burnaby Village.
Lights at Lafarge – Christmas lights in Coquitlam at Lafarge Lake from 4:30 until after 1:00 am.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Vancouver Art Gallery – admission from 5:00 to 9:00 pm is by donation (because it’s Tuesday).
Robson Square Skating – free ice skating on the covered rink all day behind the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Bright Nights – holiday illuminations at Stanley Park (by donation).
Bear Creek Miniature Train – Christmas-themed train rides at Bear Creek Park in Surrey.
Heritage Christmas – free festive lights and Christmas displays at Burnaby Village.
Lights at Lafarge – Christmas lights in Coquitlam at Lafarge Lake between 4:30 and 11:00 pm.
Tuesday is cheap night at most movie cinemas. So the shows aren’t free, but they are extra inexpensive!

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Robson Square Skating – free ice skating on the covered rink behind the Vancouver Art Gallery between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm.
Bright Nights – holiday illuminations at Stanley Park (by donation).
Bear Creek Miniature Train – Christmas-themed train rides at Bear Creek Park in Surrey.
Lights at Lafarge – Christmas lights in Coquitlam at Lafarge Lake between 4:30 and 11:00 pm.
Heritage Christmas – festive lights and Christmas displays at Burnaby Village.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Robson Square Skating – free ice skating on the covered rink behind the Vancouver Art Gallery between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm.
Bright Nights – holiday illuminations at Stanley Park (by donation).
Bear Creek Miniature Train – Christmas-themed train rides at Bear Creek Park in Surrey.
Lights at Lafarge – Christmas lights in Coquitlam at Lafarge Lake between 4:30 and 11:00 pm.
Heritage Christmas – festive lights and Christmas displays at Burnaby Village.

Friday, January 5, 2018

Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am until 11 pm.
Christmas Activities
- Bright Nights – world-famous Christmas lights and miniature train rides at Stanley Park. Admission by donation.
- Bear Creek Miniature Train – last weekend of the season for Christmas-themed train rides at Bear Creek Park in Surrey.
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Peak of Christmas – last weekend of the season for the Christmas holiday activities at Grouse Mountain.
- Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
- Heritage Christmas – Christmas lights and seasonal activities at Burnaby Village Museum.
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
- Festival of Lights – Christmas lights and festivities at VanDusen Garden from 4:30 to 9:00 pm.
- Holiday Heights at Bloedel – Christmas lights and glowing plants at the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park.
- FlyOver Canada Christmas – holiday-themed flying theatre rides at Canada Place.

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Nat Bailey Winter Farmers Market – between 10 am and 2 pm at Vancouver’s Nat Bailey Stadium at 4601 Ontario Street.
Royal City Farmers Market – from 11 am until 3 pm in the 600 block of New Westminster’s Belmont Street.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am until 11 pm.
Christmas Activities
- Bright Nights – last day of the season for the world-famous Christmas lights and miniature train rides at Stanley Park.
- Bear Creek Miniature Train – last weekend of the season for Christmas-themed train rides at Bear Creek Park in Surrey.
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Peak of Christmas – last weekend of the season for the Christmas holiday activities at Grouse Mountain.
- Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
- Festival of Lights – Christmas lights and festivities at VanDusen Garden from 4:30 to 9:00 pm.
- Holiday Heights at Bloedel – Christmas lights and glowing plants at the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park.
- FlyOver Canada Christmas – holiday-themed flying theatre rides at Canada Place.

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Sunday Markets
- Hastings Park Farmers Market – at Hastings Skatepark by the PNE off Renfrew Street from 10 am to 2 pm.
- Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – from 10 am until 2 pm at 300 Ioco Road.
- Cloverdale Flea Market – a massive at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey from 6 am until 3 pm.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Jazz Vespers – on Sunday afternoons at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church at 1022 Nelson Street between 4 and 5 pm. Admission is by donation. Even if you aren’t “church-y,” if you like Jazz and beautiful buildings it’s worth checking out.
Christmas Activities
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
- Peak of Christmas – last day of the season for the Christmas holiday activities at Grouse Mountain.
- Bear Creek Miniature Train – last day of the season for Christmas-themed train rides at Bear Creek Park in Surrey.
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
- Festival of Lights – Christmas lights and festivities at VanDusen Garden from 4:30 to 9:00 pm.
- Holiday Heights at Bloedel – last day of the season for the Christmas event at the Bloedel Conservatory.
- FlyOver Canada Christmas – final day of the season for the holiday-themed flying theatre rides at Canada Place.

Monday, January 8, 2018

Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.

Tuesday, January 9, 2019

Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
Cheap night at most Lower Mainland movie theatres.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

National Ice Skating Championships – Canada’s top skaters compete at UBC’s Thunderbird Sports Centre at 6066 Thunderbird Boulevard. Tickets are about $20 to $70.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Music on the Bow – free live music featuring local artists at the Trout Lake Community Centre at 3360 Victoria Drive. Today features Rain City Swing from 7 to 9 pm.
National Ice Skating Championships – Canada’s top skaters compete at UBC’s Thunderbird Sports Centre at 6066 Thunderbird Boulevard. Tickets are about $20 to $70.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.

Friday, January 12, 2018

National Ice Skating Championships – Canada’s top skaters compete at UBC’s Thunderbird Sports Centre at 6066 Thunderbird Boulevard. Tickets are about $20 to $70.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am until 11 pm.
Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

It’s My Wedding – a wedding trade show at Tradex in Abbotsford.
Gluten Free Expo – a gluten-free food trade show at Canada Place.
National Ice Skating Championships – Canada’s top skaters compete at UBC’s Thunderbird Sports Centre at 6066 Thunderbird Boulevard. Tickets are about $20 to $70.
Vancouver Giants Hockey – against Kelowna at the Langley Events Centre.
Nat Bailey Winter Farmers Market – between 10 am and 2 pm at Vancouver’s Nat Bailey Stadium at 4601 Ontario Street.
Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am until 11 pm.
Family Favourites Movies – a kid-friendly film shows at select Cineplex theatres for just $2.99 at 11 am.

Sunday, January 14, 2018

It’s My Wedding – a wedding trade show at Tradex in Abbotsford.
Gluten Free Expo – a gluten-free food trade show at Canada Place.
National Ice Skating Championships – Canada’s top skaters compete at UBC’s Thunderbird Sports Centre at 6066 Thunderbird Boulevard. Tickets are about $20 to $70.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
Sunday Markets
- Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – from 10 am until 2 pm at 300 Ioco Road.
- Hastings Park Farmers Market – at Hastings Skatepark by the PNE off Renfrew Street from 10 am to 2 pm.
- Cloverdale Flea Market – a massive at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey from 6 am until 3 pm.
Jazz Vespers
- Jazz Vespers – at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church at 1022 Nelson Street between 4 and 5 pm. Admission is by donation. Even if you aren’t “church-y,” if you like Jazz and beautiful buildings it’s worth checking out.
- Jazz Vespers in Surrey – at Northwood United Church at 8855 156th Street in Surrey from 4 to 5 pm. Admission by donation.

Monday, January 15, 2018

Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

PuSh Festival – the first day of the season for the international performing arts festival (January 16 to February 4, 2018).
Music on the Bow – free live music featuring local artists at the Trout Lake Community Centre at 3360 Victoria Drive. Today features Chris Ronald from 7 to 8 pm.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
Cheap night at most Lower Mainland movie theatres.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Vancouver International Boat Show – at both BC Place Stadium and the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina (January 17-21, 2018).
Music on the Bow – free live music featuring local artists at the Trout Lake Community Centre at 3360 Victoria Drive. Today features the Blue Lasso Band from 1 to 3 pm and the Soda Crackers from 7 to 8 pm.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Vancouver International Boat Show – at both BC Place Stadium and the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina.
Beaty Nocturnal – the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC is open by donation tonight from 5 to 8:30 pm. Guided tours are at 7 pm.
PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.

Friday, January 19, 2018

Vancouver Motorcycle Show – a motorbike trade show at Tradex in Abbotsford.
PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Vancouver Giants Hockey – against Victoria at the Langley Events Centre.
Friday Night Live – live music, storytelling and a guest artist in North Vancouver at 3201 Mountain Highway. Cost is $10 and free for children 12 & under. Tonight’s show features Beverley Elliot.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – first day of the season for special deals at hundreds of local restaurants (January 19 to February 4, 2018).
- Dine Out Grand Tasting – the inaugural grand opening gala event for the Dine Out Vanouver Festival at the Orpheum Theatre. Tickets cost $68.
- East Vancouver Craft Beer and Food Tour – a hop-on hop-off tour of local breweries as part of the Dine Out Vanouver Festival. Cost is $99.50 excluding tip.
Vancouver International Boat Show – at both BC Place Stadium and the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina.
Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am until 11 pm.

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Vancouver Motorcycle Show – a motorbike trade show at Tradex in Abbotsford.
PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
- East Vancouver Craft Beer and Food Tour – a hop-on hop-off tour of local breweries as part of the Dine Out Vanouver Festival. Cost is $99.50 excluding tip.
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town.
Vancouver International Boat Show – at both BC Place Stadium and the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina.
Family Favourites Movies – a kid-friendly film shows at select Cineplex theatres for just $2.99 at 11 am.
Elvis Elvis Elvis – at the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam in the Molson Canadian Theatre at 8 pm.
Vancouver Giants Hockey – against Portland at the Langley Events Centre.
Nat Bailey Winter Farmers Market – between 10 am and 2 pm at Vancouver’s Nat Bailey Stadium at 4601 Ontario Street.
Royal City Winter Farmers Market – in the 600 block of Belmont Street in New Westminster from 11 am until 3 pm.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am until 11 pm.
Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Vancouver Motorcycle Show – a motorbike trade show at Tradex in Abbotsford.
PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town.
Vancouver International Boat Show – last day of the show at both BC Place Stadium and the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina.
Lights at Lafarge – last day of the winter light displays around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake for the season.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Chinese Lantern Festival – last day of the season for the light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
Sunday Markets
- Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – from 10 am until 2 pm at 300 Ioco Road.
- Hastings Park Farmers Market – from 10 am to 2 pm at Hastings Skatepark by the PNE (at Renfrew Street and Pandora).
- Cloverdale Flea Market – a massive at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey from 6 am until 3 pm.
Jazz Vespers – at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church at 1022 Nelson Street between 4 and 5 pm. Admission is by donation. Even if you aren’t “church-y,” if you like Jazz and beautiful buildings it’s worth checking out.

Monday, January 22, 2018

PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
Street Food City – 20 or so food trucks gather in the north plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street from 11 am to 3 pm as part of the Dine Out Vancouver Festival.
Shred for the Cause Ladies Night – ladies ski for a minimum $15 donation at Mount Seymour from 6 to 10 pm.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

40 Under 40 Awards – presented by Business in Vancouver at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Tickets are $195 to $225.
PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
Street Food City – 20 or so food trucks gather in the north plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street from 11 am to 3 pm as part of the Dine Out Vancouver Festival.
Vancouver Canucks Hockey – against Los Angeles at Rogers Arena.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town.
Cheap night at most Lower Mainland movie theatres.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
Street Food City – 20 or so food trucks gather in the north plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street from 11 am to 3 pm as part of the Dine Out Vancouver Festival.
Adam Sandler – live with surprise special guests at the Orpheum Theatre.
Vancouver Giants Hockey – against Spokane at the Langley Events Centre.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Robbie Burns Day (birthday of Scotland’s national poet).
Pacific Agriculture Show – a farm equipment trade show at Tradex in Abbotsford.
PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
- East Vancouver Craft Beer and Food Tour – a hop-on hop-off tour of local breweries as part of the Dine Out Vanouver Festival. Cost is $99.50 excluding tip.
- Street Food City – 20 or so food trucks gather in the north plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street from 11 am to 3 pm as part of the Dine Out Vancouver Festival.
Vancouver Canucks Hockey – against Buffalo at Rogers Arena.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town.

Friday, January 26, 2018

PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Pacific Agriculture Show – a farm equipment trade show at Tradex in Abbotsford.
Vancouver Giants Hockey – against Victoria at the Langley Events Centre.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
- East Vancouver Craft Beer and Food Tour – a hop-on hop-off tour of local breweries as part of the Dine Out Vanouver Festival. Cost is $99.50 excluding tip.
- Street Food City – 20 or so food trucks gather in the north plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street from 11 am to 3 pm as part of the Dine Out Vancouver Festival.
Bruce Cockburn Bone On Bone Tour – at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall.
Vancouver Chamber Choir – Rivers of Light concert at Dunbar Ryerson United Church at 2195 West 45th Avenue.
Friday Night Live – live music, storytelling and a guest artist in North Vancouver at 3201 Mountain Highway. Cost is $10 and free for children 12 & under. Tonight’s show features dancer Caroline Bergonzoni.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am until 11 pm.
Canyon Lights – last weekend of the season for the Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town.

Saturday, January 27, 2018

PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
March Hare – the Vancouver party band plays at the Hard Rock Casino (no cover charge).
Pacific Agriculture Show – a farm equipment trade show at Tradex in Abbotsford.
Family Favourites Movies – a kid-friendly film shows at select Cineplex theatres for just $2.99 at 11 am.
Canyon Lights – last weekend of the season for the Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Nat Bailey Winter Farmers Market – between 10 am and 2 pm at Vancouver’s Nat Bailey Stadium at 4601 Ontario Street.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am until 11 pm.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
- East Vancouver Craft Beer and Food Tour – a hop-on hop-off tour of local breweries as part of the Dine Out Vanouver Festival. Cost is $99.50 excluding tip.
- Street Food City – 20 or so food trucks gather in the north plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street from 11 am to 5 pm as part of the Dine Out Vancouver Festival.
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Canyon Lights – last weekend of the season for the Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Cannery Farmers Market – indoors at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery at 12138 Fourth Avenue in Richmond from 10 am to 3 pm (with FREE admission to the Cannery).
Vancouver Chilly Chace – 5K, 10K, 15K and half marathon routes around False Creek.
Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – from 10 am until 2 pm at 300 Ioco Road.
Hastings Park Farmers Market – from 10 am to 2 pm at Hastings Skatepark by the PNE (at Renfrew Street and Pandora).
Cloverdale Flea Market – a massive at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey from 6 am until 3 pm.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
Street Food City – 20 or so food trucks gather in the north plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street from 11 am to 5 pm as part of the Dine Out Vancouver Festival.
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town.
Jazz Vespers
- Jazz Vespers – at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church at 1022 Nelson Street between 4 and 5 pm. Admission is by donation. Even if you aren’t “church-y,” if you like Jazz and beautiful buildings it’s worth checking out.
- Jazz Vespers in Surrey – Jazz also takes place at Northwood United Church at 8855 156th Street in Surrey roughly every second Sunday from 4 to 5 pm. Today’s special guests are the Glenda Rae Trio.

Monday, January 29, 2018

PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
Shred for the Cause Ladies Night – ladies ski for a minimum $15 donation at Mount Seymour from 6 to 10 pm.
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
Vancouver Canucks Hockey – against Colorado at Rogers Arena.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town.
Cheap night at most Lower Mainland movie theatres.

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
Vancouver Giants Hockey – against Calgary at the Langley Events Centre.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town.

Click February Calendar for a list of what’s happening in February.

January 2019 Events

The following events take place in January 2019:

The Illusionists – a Broadway Across Canada production at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 630 Hamilton Street (January 15-20, 2019).
The Motorcycle Show Vancouver – a motorbike trade show at Tradex in Abbotsford (January 18-20, 2019)

Top Things to do in January

For a detailed list of the Best Things to do in January, click the above icon. Other recommended top activities include the following:

Go skiing at Whistler-Blackcomb, Cypress, Grouse, Mount Seymour or Sasquatch Mountain ski hills.
Eat out as much as you can in restaurants all over town during the Dine Out Vancouver Festival the last two weeks or so of the month.
Visit one of Vancouver’s best places for indoor activities as the weather forecast will probably include a lot of rain. Top recommendations include Science World or the Vancouver Aquarium if you have young kids, or the Museum of Anthropology at UBC or Museum of Vancouver if you like museums.
Free ice skating at Robson Square all month at the corner of Robson and Howe.
Visit the UBC Botanical Garden and Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC if it’s a sunny day. Winter is definitely not their finest time of year, but admission is by donation until the spring.
If it’s miserable outside, then also check out Vancouver’s Best Things to do on a Rainy Day.

For more, check out Vancouver’s Best Places for Winter Activities.

Typical January Weather

January in Vancouver is typically fairly cloudy, cool and wet, with average high temperatures of 6 or so degrees Celsius (or 43 F), and the lows around 1 (or 34 F).

January gets an average of about 150 mm of rain (or 6 inches), making it the third wettest month of the year on average. Except for in the higher elevations, it doesn’t snow often in Metro Vancouver – only a little each year, and it doesn’t stay long – but it can snow. Sometimes January can be surprising though, with unexpected consecutive days of sun.

Recommended Activities

January can be one of the best months for skiing in Vancouver, as the cold weather and precipitation can make for lots of snow on the mountains, plus it’s after the December holidays so the crowds are much less.

For downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing (at Seymour and Cypress), cross-country skiing (at Cypress) and snowshoeing (especially at Seymour and Grouse Mountain), hit the hills on the North Shore. There is also skating at most community rec centres (so good places to go on rainy days), and free skating in downtown Vancouver at Robson Square at 800 Robson Street.

Although not typically a great month weather-wise, January can be the best time of the year to visit the city and sample its culinary talents.

If you are in town during the last two weeks of the month (plus often the first couple of days in February), then definitely check out the Dine Out Vancouver Festival where close to 250 restaurants in the region offer special multi-course menus at exceptional rates (and some hotels offer fantastic deals too). Want to stay inside and eat great food all day at some of Vancouver’s best restaurants, then visit Vancouver in the latter half of January.

JANUARY in Vancouver 2018