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
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
- Polar Bear Swim – an icy cold dip in the waters of English Bay at 2:30 pm to celebrate the New Year. Thousands of people are expected! Click Polar Bear Swims for details.
- Penguin Plunge – live music and festivities from 12:30 until 3 pm at Deep Cove‘s Panorama Park in North Vancouver with a quick dip in the ocean for those that dare at 2 pm. Click Polar Bear Swims for details.
- White Rock Polar Bear Swim – the Rotary Clubs of White Rock & South Surrey host the 48th annual Polar Bear swim at White Rock Beach at noon. Click Polar Bear Swims for details.
- Vancouver New Year’s Day Fat Ass 50K Run and Freeze Your Fat Ass Swim – a 1 km to 50 km run and swim beginning at Brockton Oval in Stanley Park at 9 am. Cost is about $25. (To be confirmed for 2018.)
- Vancouver Giants Hockey – against Prince George 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.
- Christmas Activities
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Bright Nights – last day of the season for the world-famous Christmas lights and miniature train rides at Stanley Park.
- Peak of Christmas – Christmas holiday activities at Grouse Mountain.
- Heritage Christmas – Christmas lights and seasonal activities at Burnaby Village Museum.
- Gingerbread Lane – free Christmas gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Regency.
- 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.
- Holiday Heights at Bloedel – Christmas lights, glowing plants, a Ferris wheel and family fun at the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park (to be confirmed).
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
- Vancouver Canucks Hockey – against Anaheim at Rogers Arena.
- Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
- Christmas Activities
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Heritage Christmas – Christmas lights and seasonal activities at Burnaby Village Museum.
- Peak of Christmas – 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 (to be confirmed).
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
- Cheap night at most Lower Mainland movie theatres.
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
- Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
- Christmas Activities
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Peak of Christmas – 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 (to be confirmed).
- Heritage Christmas – Christmas lights and seasonal activities at Burnaby Village Museum.
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
Thursday, January 4, 2018
- Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
- Christmas Activities
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Peak of Christmas – 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 (to be confirmed).
- Heritage Christmas – Christmas lights and seasonal activities at Burnaby Village Museum.
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
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 on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Christmas Activities
- 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 (to be confirmed).
- 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 (to be confirmed).
- Heritage Christmas – Christmas lights and seasonal activities at Burnaby Village Museum.
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
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.
- Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am until 11 pm.
- Christmas Activities
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Peak of Christmas – last day of the season for the Christmas holiday activities at Grouse Mountain (to be confirmed).
- 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 (to be confirmed).
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
- 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.
- Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver from 9 am to 9 pm.
- 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 (to be confirmed).
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
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 (to be confirmed).
- 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 (to be confirmed).
- 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
- 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 (to be confirmed).
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
Thursday, January 11, 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 (to be confirmed).
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
Friday, January 12, 2018
- 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 (to be confirmed).
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
Saturday, January 13, 2018
- 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 (to be confirmed).
- 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.
Sunday, January 14, 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 (to be confirmed).
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Chinese Lantern Festival – light displays and live entertainment at the PNE.
- 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.
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 (to be confirmed).
- 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 – an international performing arts festival (January 16 to February 4, 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 (to be confirmed).
- 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
- Vancouver International Boat Show – at both BC Place Stadium and the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina (January 17-21, 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.
- 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 (to be confirmed).
- 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.
- 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 at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way (to be confirmed).
- 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 International Boat Show – at both BC Place Stadium and the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina.
- PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
- Vancouver Giants Hockey – against Victoria at the Langley Events Centre.
- 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 – first day of the season for special deals at hundreds of local restaurants (January 19 to February 4, 2018).
- 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 (to be confirmed).
- 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.
Saturday, January 20, 2018
- Vancouver International Boat Show – at both BC Place Stadium and the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina.
- PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
- Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
- 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 (to be confirmed).
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Sunday, January 21, 2018
- Vancouver International Boat Show – last day of the show at both BC Place Stadium and the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina.
- 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.
- Lights at Lafarge – last day of the winter light displays around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake for the season (to be confirmed).
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- 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).
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.
- Shred for the Cause Ladies Night – ladies ski for a minimum $10 donation at Mount Seymour from 6 to 10 pm.
- Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
- PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
- Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
- PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
- Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
- 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.
Friday, January 26, 2018
- PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
- Vancouver Giants Hockey – against Victoria at the Langley Events Centre.
- Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants.
- 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.
- 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.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
- PuSh Festival – an international performing arts festival.
- 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.
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).
- 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.
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 $10 donation at Mount Seymour from 6 to 10 pm.
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.
- 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.
Click February Calendar for a list of what’s happening in February.
Other Events
The following activities also take place in January on various dates:
- Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town (January 18 until February 14, but dates to be confirmed).
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 or Mount Seymour ski hills.
- Eat out as much as you can in restaurants all over town during the Dine Out Vancouver Festival the last two weeks 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.
- Celebrate the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Fire Chicken begins on January 28 and the Chinese New Year Parade takes place that weekend, in Chinatown along Pender Street, Gore and Keefer starting at 11 am. Other Chinese New Year Festivities also take place in Chinatown at the International Village Mall at 88 West Pender Street, as well as at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
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.
