Vancouver This Weekend

Wondering what to do in Vancouver this weekend? Lots of events are happening in the Lower Mainland including festivals, theatre performances and more.

See below for a list of what’s taking place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For a list of what’s happening on other days of the month, see our January calendar of events.

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Weekend Overview | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Other Upcoming Events

Events This Weekend in Vancouver

Highlights of the weekend of January 16th to 18th, 2026, include the Vancouver International Boat Show and Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival. Sunday is also the final day of the season for Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge. Also happening is Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience at Stanley Park and Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam, plus snow sports on Lower Mainland Ski Hills.

Other things to do this weekend include walking tours with Forbidden Vancouver, outdoor adventure games with Vancouver Mysteries, and indoor virtual reality games with Zero Latency. There are also lots of great museums to visit including the Chinese Canadian Museum, Vancouver Maritime Museum, Fort Langley, Britannia Mine and many others. There is also improvisational theatre at The Improv Centre and multidimensional films at Flyover which run all year.

See below for a list of what’s taking place, when and where. As you’ll see, so much is happening in the Lower Mainland!

Friday, January 16th, 2026

Vancouver International Boat Show – an event featuring yachts, marine equipment and boating-related services at Granville Island and BC Place Stadium.
The Legend of the Gastown Gold – an indoor detective game that’s played at a hotel in downtown Vancouver near Gastown.
Vancouver Giants Hockey – the Giants play against Penticton at the Langley Events Centre.
Canyon Lights at Capilano Bridge – Christmas light displays at the world-famous suspension bridge. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass to the attraction for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience – a touring attraction that’s set up in Stanley Park.

Featured Attractions & Activities

Flyover at Canada Place – the films Awaken Canada and Legendary Iceland show at the multi-dimensional theatre in downtown Vancouver.
Winterlust – domed dining at the H Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore Hotel for parties of 1 to 6 guests. (Minimum spend requirements apply.)
Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on games.)
The Improv Centre – live improvisational theatre at Granville Island. Today’s shows are Theatresports and New Year, New Me.
Lights at Lafarge – light displays around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake.
Bright Walk in White Rock – holiday illuminations at the waterfront in White Rock.
Vancouver Maritime Museum – a family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!
Chinese Canadian Museum – a museum full of interesting information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP10 and you’ll save 10%.)
Fort Langley National Historic Site – where you can learn about early BC history.
Britannia Mine – the historic mining museum at Britannia Beach (which is half an hour north of Horseshoe Bay on the way to Squamish and Whistler).

Winter Sports Events & 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.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver.
Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating at the giant outdoor covered rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.

Saturday, January 17th, 2026

Vancouver International Boat Show – an event featuring yachts, marine equipment and boating-related services at Granville Island and BC Place Stadium.
Vancouver Canucks Hockey – the team plays against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena.
Canyon Lights at Capilano Bridge – Christmas light displays at the world-famous suspension bridge. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass to the attraction for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
Riley Park Farmers Market – at Vancouver’s Nat Bailey Stadium at 4601 Ontario Street.
Sinners & Sweets Tour – a walking tour that includes tasty treats in downtown Vancouver with Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours.
Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on games.)
The Case of the Hotel Detective – a murder-mystery game that’s played at a hotel in downtown Vancouver near Gastown. (One or more teams of two players can join it.)
Bright Walk in White Rock – holiday illuminations at the waterfront in White Rock.
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience – a touring attraction that’s set up in Stanley Park.
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.
Winterlust – domed dining at the H Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore Hotel for parties of 1 to 6 guests. (Minimum spend requirements apply.)

Theatre, Concerts & Other Entertainment

Concert Series: A Celebration of Robbie Burns – an event with the band Blackthorn celebrating Scotland’s most famous poet at Place des Arts in Coquitlam.
The Improv Centre – live improvisational theatre at Granville Island. Today’s shows are Theatresports and New Year, New Me.
Flyover at Canada Place – the films Awaken Canada and Legendary Iceland show at the multi-dimensional theatre in downtown Vancouver.
Tune Slayers with First Impressions Theatre – a night of live music at Deep Cove Shaw Theatre in North Vancouver.

Winter Sports Activities

Hockey Day Canada Punjabi Live – a special event at the Museum of Surrey where the Canucks vs. Edmonton NHL hockey game will be broadcast live. Admission is free and includes refreshments.
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver.
Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating at the giant outdoor covered rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
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.

Featured Attractions

Looking for interesting places to visit? Then check out the following:
- Fort Langley National Historic Site – where you can learn about early BC history.
- Britannia Mine Museum – formerly the largest copper mine in the British Empire.
- Chinese Canadian Museum – a museum in Vancouver’s Chinatown with historical and cultural information about Chinese Canadians.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge – the world-famous attraction is a great place to visit, especially if you’re a BC resident who can get an annual pass for the same price as a single-day ticket!
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – a family-friendly museum at Vanier Park where, if you use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER, you can save 25%!
- Haunting of Vancouver Film Tour – a walking tour where you’ll learn about ghost stories, history and iconic horror film productions in downtown Vancouver.
- Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. TIP: Use the promo code VBP10 and you’ll save 10%.
For more ideas on places to visit, see our articles about Metro Vancouver’s Top 100 Places, Best Places on a Rainy Day, Lower Mainland Parks and Best Places for Children.

Sunday, January 18th, 2026

Vancouver International Boat Show – an event featuring yachts, marine equipment and boating-related services at Granville Island and BC Place Stadium.
Canyon Lights at Capilano Bridge – Christmas light displays at the world-famous suspension bridge. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass to the attraction for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
Vancouver Giants Hockey – the Giants play against Prince George at the Langley Events Centre.
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!
Bright Walk in White Rock – holiday illuminations at the waterfront in White Rock.
Lights at Lafarge – light displays around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake.
The Case of the Hotel Detective – a murder-mystery game that’s played at a hotel in downtown Vancouver near Gastown. (One or more teams of two players can join it.)

Shows & Entertainment

The Improv Centre – live improvisational theatre at Granville Island. Today’s show is Theatresports.
Flyover at Canada Place – the films Awaken Canada and Legendary Iceland show at the multi-dimensional theatre in downtown Vancouver.

Sunday Markets

Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – at 300 Ioco Road.
Cloverdale Flea Market – at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey.

Featured Attractions and Activities

Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on games.)
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience – a touring attraction that’s set up in Stanley Park.
Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP10 and you’ll save 10%.)
Robson Square Ice Skating – free at the corner of Robson and Howe in downtown Vancouver.
Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating at the giant outdoor covered rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
Winterlust – domed dining at the H Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore Hotel for parties of 1 to 6 guests. (Minimum spend requirements apply.)
Capilano Suspension Bridge – the world-famous attraction is a great place to visit.
For more ideas on places to visit, see our articles about Metro Vancouver’s Top 100 Places, Best Places on a Rainy Day, Lower Mainland Parks and Best Places for Children.

Featured Historical Sites & Museums

Fort Langley National Historic Site – where you can learn about early BC history.
Britannia Mine Museum – formerly the largest copper mine in the British Empire.
Chinese Canadian Museum – a museum full of interesting information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Vancouver Maritime Museum – a family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

Highlights of the weekend of January 23rd to 25th, 2026, include the PuSh Festival, Robbie Burns Day activities and the Vancouver Chilly Chase. There is also the Dine Out Vancouver Festival which includes special events like the Killer Birthday Dinner Theatre with Vancouver Mysteries.

For folks who like art, at Place des Arts in Coquitlam there is an Exhibition Opening Reception. For those who like music and theatre, Barefoot in the Park by Neil Diamond shows at Metro Theatre in Vancouver and Jim Byrnes performs at First Impressions Theatre in North Vancouver.

This time of year there are also snow sport activities at Lower Mainland Ski Hills, improvisational theatre at The Improv Centre on Granville Island, and multidimensional films at Flyover at Canada Place.

Other things to do next weekend include walking tours with Forbidden Vancouver, outdoor adventure games with Vancouver Mysteries, and indoor virtual reality games with Zero Latency. There are also lots of great museums to visit including the Chinese Canadian Museum, Vancouver Maritime Museum, Fort Langley, Britannia Mine, Museum of Surrey and many others.