Vancouver’s 2023 January calendar features important dates and events in the Lower Mainland including festivals, Lunar New Year events and winter activities.
JANUARY – FEBRUARY – MARCH – APRIL
MAY – JUNE – JULY – AUGUST – SEPTEMBER
Vancouver’s January Calendar of Events
- Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day (stat holiday)
- January 22 – Lunar New Year
- Jan. 25 – Robbie Burns Day (birthday of Scotland’s national poet)
(Note: Schedules are subject to change, especially because of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, see official event websites for the most up-to-date details.)
Vancouver January Events in 2023
Below is what’s happening on the different days of the month in January in the Lower Mainland. Alternatively, for a list of events that cost nothing or only very little, see our article about Free Events in January.
Note: Schedules are subject to change – check official websites for exact details.
Monday, January 30, 2023
- PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival with shows at various venues.
- Vancouver LunarFest – today features an exhibit at Granville Island featuring natural dye fabric art by a Taiwanese artist. There are also The Lantern City art installations to admire at Jack Pool Plaza, Granville Island and outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.
- FlyOver Canada – the multi-dimensional film about Canada shows at Canada Place.
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver.
- Foxtrail Scavenger Hunts – scavenger hunt-style adventures around Vancouver for teams of 2 to 6 players.
- Lower Mainland Ski Hills – skiing, snowboarding and other snow sport opportunities at the following resorts:
- Grouse, Cypress & Mt. Seymour on the North Shore.
- Sasquatch Mountain in the Fraser Valley.
- Whistler Blackcomb in the Sea to Sky region.
- Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town. So it’s not really a “festival.” It’s more just an excuse to enjoy a hot winter treat!
- Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants. To learn more, also check out the following articles:
- Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver.
- Skating at the Shipyards – ice skating in North Vancouver. Free admission (and skates can be rented).
- Lights at Lafarge – light displays around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake.
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – a family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!
- Winterlust – domed dining at the H2 Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore Hotel for parties of 1 to 6 guests. (Minimum spend requirements apply.)
- Historical Chinatown Tours – walking tours in Vancouver’s Chinatown with Judy Lam Maxwell.
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
- PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival with shows at various venues.
- Vancouver LunarFest – today features an exhibit at Granville Island featuring natural dye fabric art by a Taiwanese artist. There are also The Lantern City art installations to admire at Jack Pool Plaza, Granville Island and outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.
- FlyOver Canada – the multi-dimensional film about Canada shows at Canada Place.
- Lower Mainland Ski Hills – skiing, snowboarding and other snow sport opportunities at the following resorts:
- Grouse, Cypress & Mt. Seymour on the North Shore.
- Sasquatch Mountain in the Fraser Valley.
- Whistler Blackcomb in the Sea to Sky region.
- For ski conditions and to see how the mountains compare click Vancouver Ski Hills & Snow Conditions.
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver.
- Foxtrail Scavenger Hunts – scavenger hunt-style adventures around Vancouver for teams of 2 to 6 players.
- Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver.
- Skating at the Shipyards – ice skating at the giant outdoor covered rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver. Free admission (and skates can be rented).
- Lights at Lafarge – light displays around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake.
- Winterlust – domed dining at the H2 Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore Hotel for parties of 1 to 6 guests. (Minimum spend requirements apply.)
- Historical Chinatown Tours – walking tours in Vancouver’s Chinatown with Judy Lam Maxwell.
- Cheap Movie Night – at most theatres throughout the Lower Mainland.
Food-Related Events
- Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town. So it’s not really a “festival.” It’s more just an excuse to enjoy a hot winter treat!
- Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants. To learn more, also check out the following articles:
- Vancouver Street Food City – a dozen or more food trucks fill the square outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street as part of the Dine Out Vancouver Festival.
To return to the top of the page, click January Calendar.
To see what’s happening next month, click February Calendar.
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
- PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival with shows at various venues.
- Vancouver International Boat Show – a trade show featuring yachts, marine equipment and boating-related services at Granville Island and BC Place Stadium.
- Beyond Van Gogh – a multimedia art exhibition at the Cloverdale Agriplex in Surrey.
- Vancouver Lunarfest – today features an exhibit at Granville Island featuring natural dye fabric art by a Taiwanese artist. There are also The Lantern City art installations to admire at Jack Poole Plaza, Granville Island and outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – in addition to its permanent collection, currently showing is a temporary exhibition about Rum-Running During Prohibition. Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!
- Comedy at The Improv Centre – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island.
- Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants. To learn more, also check out the following articles:
- Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town. So it’s not really a “festival.” It’s more just an excuse to enjoy a hot winter treat!
- Lights at Lafarge – light displays around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake.
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
- Foxtrail Scavenger Hunts – scavenger hunt-style adventures around Vancouver for teams of 2 to 6 players.
- Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Lost Souls of Gastown tour.
- Historical Chinatown Tours – walking tours in Vancouver’s Chinatown with Judy Lam Maxwell.
Outdoor Winter Activities
- Lower Mainland Ski Hills – for ski conditions and to see how the mountains compare click Vancouver Snow Conditions.
- Grouse, Cypress & Mt. Seymour on the North Shore.
- Sasquatch Mountain in the Fraser Valley.
- Whistler Blackcomb in the Sea to Sky region.
- Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating at the giant outdoor covered rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
- Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating at the corner of Robson and Howe.
- Vallea Lumina – an outdoor winter lights attraction in Whistler. (Note: The same venue offers snowmobiling and ziplining experiences.)
- Winterlust – domed dining at the H2 Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore Hotel for parties of 1 to 6 guests. (Minimum spend requirements apply.)
- Vancouver Folk Music Festival AGM – the festival’s annual general meeting takes place at Creekside Community Centre at #1 Athlete’s Way in Olympic Village. (See below for details on why it’s an important meeting.)
MEETING TO DECIDE THE FATE OF FOLK FEST
Vancouver Folk Music Festival AGM – the festival’s annual general meeting takes place at Creekside Community Centre in Olympic Village on February 1st. It’s an important meeting where they plan to vote on whether or not to dissolve the society, which could mean no more Vancouver Folk Music Festival ever again! If you want a say in the future of this great organization, attend the meeting and vote (which means you’ll have to become a member first if you aren’t one already). To learn more, see the Facebook page of the group that’s trying to save the festival!
Thursday, February 2, 2023
- Vancouver International Boat Show – a trade show featuring yachts, marine equipment and boating-related services at Granville Island and BC Place Stadium.
- PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival with shows at various venues.
- Beyond Van Gogh – a multimedia art exhibition at the Cloverdale Agriplex in Surrey.
- Vancouver Lunarfest – today features an exhibit at Granville Island featuring natural dye fabric art by a Taiwanese artist. There are also The Lantern City art installations to admire at Jack Poole Plaza, Granville Island and outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.
- FlyOver Canada – the multi-dimensional film about Canada shows at Canada Place. Also playing at the theatre for a limited time is Soar Over Taiwan.
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – in addition to its permanent collection, currently showing is a temporary exhibition about Rum-Running During Prohibition. Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!
- Lights at Lafarge – light displays around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake.
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
- Foxtrail Scavenger Hunts – scavenger hunt-style adventures around Vancouver for teams of 2 to 6 players.
- Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Lost Souls of Gastown tour.
- Historical Chinatown Tours – walking tours in Vancouver’s Chinatown with Judy Lam Maxwell.
- Comedy at The Improv Centre – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island.
Food & Drink-Related Events
- Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants. To learn more, also check out the following articles:
- Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town. So it’s not really a “festival.” It’s more just an excuse to enjoy a hot winter treat!
Outdoor Winter Activities
- Lower Mainland Ski Hills – for ski conditions and to see how the mountains compare click Vancouver Snow Conditions.
- Grouse, Cypress & Mt. Seymour on the North Shore.
- Sasquatch Mountain in the Fraser Valley.
- Whistler Blackcomb in the Sea to Sky region.
- Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating at the giant outdoor covered rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
- Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating at the corner of Robson and Howe.
- Vallea Lumina – an outdoor winter lights attraction in Whistler. (Note: The same venue offers snowmobiling and ziplining experiences.)
- Winterlust – domed dining at the H2 Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore Hotel for parties of 1 to 6 guests. (Minimum spend requirements apply.)
Beyond Van Gogh is in Surrey from February 1st to March 5th in 2023.
Friday, February 3, 2023
- PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival with shows at various venues.
- Vancouver International Boat Show – a trade show featuring yachts, marine equipment and boating-related services at Granville Island and BC Place Stadium.
- Beyond Van Gogh – a multimedia art exhibition at the Cloverdale Agriplex in Surrey.
- Vancouver Lunarfest – today features an exhibit at Granville Island featuring natural dye fabric art by a Taiwanese artist. There are also The Lantern City art installations to admire at Jack Poole Plaza, Granville Island and outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.
- Early Music Vancouver Concert – Raise, Raise the Voice takes place with countertenor Reginald Mobley at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver.
- Lights at Lafarge – light displays around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake.
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
- Foxtrail Scavenger Hunts – scavenger hunt-style adventures around Vancouver for teams of 2 to 6 players.
- Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Lost Souls of Gastown tour.
- Historical Chinatown Tours – walking tours in Vancouver’s Chinatown with Judy Lam Maxwell.
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – in addition to its permanent collection, currently showing is a temporary exhibition about Rum-Running During Prohibition. Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!
- Comedy at The Improv Centre – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island.
- Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be! For example, a number of North Shore parks are nice this time of year, as are multiple other parks in the region.
Food & Drink-Related Events
- Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants. To learn more, also check out the following articles:
- Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town. So it’s not really a “festival.” It’s more just an excuse to enjoy a hot winter treat!
Outdoor Winter Activities
- Lower Mainland Ski Hills – skiing, snowboarding and other snow sport opportunities at the following resorts:
- Grouse, Cypress & Mt. Seymour on the North Shore.
- Sasquatch Mountain in the Fraser Valley.
- Whistler Blackcomb in the Sea to Sky region.
- For ski conditions and to see how the mountains compare click Vancouver Ski Hills & Snow Conditions.
- Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver.
- Skating at the Shipyards – ice skating at the giant outdoor covered rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver. Free admission (and skates can be rented).
- Vallea Lumina – an outdoor winter lights attraction in Whistler. (Note: The same venue offers snowmobiling and ziplining experiences.)
- Winterlust – domed dining at the H2 Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore Hotel for parties of 1 to 6 guests. (Minimum spend requirements apply.)
Saturday, February 4, 2023
- PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival with shows at various venues.
- Lunar New Year Gala & Rotary District Foundation Dinner – a 10-course dinner, lion dance and auction at Richmond’s Continental Seafood Restaurant with funds raised benefiting the Rotary Foundation, Rotary Hospice House and other projects of the Rotary Club of Richmond.
- Beyond Van Gogh – a multimedia art exhibition at the Cloverdale Agriplex in Surrey.
- Vancouver Lunarfest – today features an exhibit at Granville Island featuring natural dye fabric art by a Taiwanese artist. There are also The Lantern City art installations to admire at Jack Poole Plaza, Granville Island and outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.
- Vancouver International Boat Show – a trade show featuring yachts, marine equipment and boating-related services at Granville Island and BC Place Stadium.
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
- Foxtrail Scavenger Hunts – scavenger hunt-style adventures around Vancouver for teams of 2 to 6 players.
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – in addition to its permanent collection, currently showing is a temporary exhibition about Rum-Running During Prohibition. Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!
- Comedy at The Improv Centre – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island.
- Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town. So it’s not really a “festival.” It’s more just an excuse to enjoy a hot winter treat.
- Lights at Lafarge – light displays around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake.
- Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
- Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Lost Souls of Gastown tour.
- Historical Chinatown Tours – walking tours in Vancouver’s Chinatown with Judy Lam Maxwell.
Saturday Markets
- Riley Park Farmers Market – between 10 am and 2 pm at Vancouver’s Nat Bailey Stadium at 4601 Ontario Street.
- Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World.
Outdoor Winter Activities
- Lower Mainland Ski Hills – for ski conditions and to see how the mountains compare click Vancouver Snow Conditions.
- Grouse, Cypress & Mt. Seymour on the North Shore.
- Sasquatch Mountain in the Fraser Valley.
- Whistler Blackcomb in the Sea to Sky region.
- Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating at the giant outdoor covered rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
- Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating at the corner of Robson and Howe.
- Vallea Lumina – an outdoor winter lights attraction in Whistler. (Note: The same venue offers snowmobiling and ziplining experiences.)
- Winterlust – domed dining at the H2 Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore Hotel for parties of 1 to 6 guests. (Minimum spend requirements apply.)
Sunday, February 5, 2023
- PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival with shows at various venues.
- Beyond Van Gogh – a multimedia art exhibition at the Cloverdale Agriplex in Surrey.
- Vancouver Lunarfest – today features an exhibit at Granville Island featuring natural dye fabric art by a Taiwanese artist. There are also The Lantern City art installations to admire at Jack Poole Plaza, Granville Island and outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.
- Vancouver International Boat Show – a trade show featuring yachts, marine equipment and boating-related services at Granville Island and BC Place Stadium.
- Setsubun – an event with taiko drumming, a community dance and a Sacred Fire at Oppenheimer Park in Vancouver. It’s organized by the Powell Street Festival Society which also hosts a Japanese-themed event at the same venue in the summer. Admission to the event today is free.
- United for Ukraine Gala Dinner – a formal fundraising event by the Maple Hope Foundation with a 3-course dinner, live entertainment, auction and more at The Vancouver Club. All proceeds benefit the needs of Ukrainian people, including medical supplies and help for children.
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – in addition to its permanent collection, currently showing is a temporary exhibition about Rum-Running During Prohibition. Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!
- Comedy at The Improv Centre – live improv theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island.
- Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
- Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town. So it’s not really a “festival.” It’s more just an excuse to enjoy a hot winter treat.
- Lights at Lafarge – light displays around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake.
Outdoor Tours and Adventure Games
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
- Foxtrail Scavenger Hunts – scavenger hunt-style adventures around Vancouver for teams of 2 to 6 players.
- Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Lost Souls of Gastown tour.
- Historical Chinatown Tours – walking tours in Vancouver’s Chinatown with Judy Lam Maxwell.
Sunday Markets
- Hastings Park Farmers Market – at Hastings Skatepark by the PNE.
- Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – at Port Moody’s rec centre at 300 Ioco Road.
- Vancouver Flea Market – at 703 Terminal Avenue not far from Science World.
- Cloverdale Flea Market – a massive weekly flea market that includes some farmers market stalls at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey.
- Abbotsford Flea Market – a giant flea market at Abbotsford Exhibition Park.
Outdoor Winter Activities
- Lower Mainland Ski Hills – skiing, snowboarding and other snow sport opportunities at the following resorts:
- Grouse, Cypress & Mt. Seymour on the North Shore.
- Sasquatch Mountain in the Fraser Valley.
- Whistler Blackcomb in the Sea to Sky region.
- For ski conditions and to see how the mountains compare click Vancouver Ski Hills & Snow Conditions.
- Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver.
- Skating at the Shipyards – ice skating at the giant outdoor covered rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver. Free admission (and skates can be rented).
- Vallea Lumina – an outdoor winter lights attraction in Whistler. (Note: The same venue offers snowmobiling and ziplining experiences.)
- Winterlust – domed dining at the H2 Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore Hotel for parties of 1 to 6 guests. (Minimum spend requirements apply.)
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.
To return to the top of the page, click January Calendar.
To see what’s happening next month, click February Calendar.