Things to Do in Vancouver – December 2025

Ice Skating at Robson Square
Through February 28, 2026
Robson Street is a busy place to be in December, so we always like to factor in a little recreation. Catching an exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery is one way to go, but we always enjoy adding skating at the Robson Square Ice Rink into the mix. Under twinkly lights and glass domes that can act as umbrellas in rain or snow (yes, it’s so very Vancouver), the skating is free of charge! No skates? No problem. Rentals are only $5 and you’ll get a helmet with them as well. The rink is open from 9 am to 9 pm every day, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day when hours are a little shorter.

Free Spirit Vancouver Non-Alc Tasting Event
December 8
Whether you’re 100% booze-free, a zebra-striper, sober-curious, or just like a little variety in your drink selection, there are a lot of alcohol-free options out there vying for our attention and beverage budgets! Happening at Main Street’s Heritage Hall, Free Spirit is a tasting event bringing together over 50 non-alc beverage brands, meaning you get to sample your way around the room and find some new favourites. Conveniently happening before Christmas means that you’ll have zero-proof options on hand for holiday parties, and lots of choice for Dry January.

VSO Presents The Holiday, Home Alone and Elf in Concert
December 4 & 5, 17 & 18, and 19 & 20
This is definitely a holiday event but it’s also non-traditional. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra – at home at the grand Orpheum theatre – offers a full calendar of holiday programming, but our favourite is the Movie Nights at the VSO series. It runs throughout the year, but in December they feature some of our favourite festive flicks. This year’s picks are rom-com The Holiday, plus family favourites Home Alone and Elf. Watch the movie and enjoy the score played live by the VSO.

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
December 21
The shortest day of the year is celebrated at the annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival in two Vancouver neighbourhoods—Yaletown and Granville Island. In the run up to the solstice, participants can join lantern-making workshops so they’re ready to join the processions on December 21. Each neighbourhood has a slightly different program of events, but they both include lantern processions, other performances, and a lantern labyrinth. Tickets are required for the workshops and the labyrinth, but taking part in the processions is free.