A brand new week with new events to discover! Let’s get it started!
Here are our picks of great things to do in Vancouver from January 13 to 19, including Hot Chocolate Festival, AME Roundup’s Discovery Day, and more.
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
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Rich Won
What: The 15th annual Hot Chocolate Fest is returning once again this year. Enjoy tasty and unique hot chocolate creations from numerous spots in and around Vancouver.
This year, 17 new spots are participating, including a brewery, a rabbit rescue sanctuary, and a late-night cafe and bar in Chinatown.
When: January 18 to February 14, 2025
Where: Participating restaurants and cafes in and around Vancouver
What: The Vancouver Maritime Museum hosts the feature exhibit, Heartbeat of a Vessel by Jo Scott-b. Artworks on display will spotlight how each valve and gauge in an engine has a story to tell.
When: Now until May 2025
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Vancouver Maritime Museum – 1905 Ogden Avenue, Vancouver
Cost: $14-$18.50, free for children 5 and under with a paying adult (max 2 free children per 1 adult)
What: Calling all whimsical winter lovers! The Robson Square Ice Rink is open for the new skating season and all ages are invited to hit the ice.
Located under the covered outdoor plaza at Robson Square, the rink operates seasonally when temperatures begin to dip. Skating is free, and those without skates can rent them on-site for a fee. Helmets are mandatory for anyone under the age of 12.
The downtown Vancouver wintry tradition will operate until the end of February.
When: Open daily until February 28, 2025
Time: 9 am to 9 pm (holiday hours apply on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day)
Where: Robson Square — 800 Robson Street, Vancouver; beneath Robson Street and Howe Street
Cost: Free for all ages if you bring your skates. Skate rentals are also available for a fee
Jeremy Hotz
What: Canadian comedian Jeremy Hotz brings his Très Misérables! Tour to the Great Canadian Casino Vancouver. Jeremy is a multiple Gemini nominee, was a former writer on The Jon Stewart Show, and has performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Show with David Letterman.
When: January 18, 2025
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Purchase online
What: I Remember, written, performed, and choreographed by Joe Laughlin, is a dive into the memories and lessons he learned from his 40 years as a dancer. Expect an emotional, moving, and relatable look at aging and why we should always keep moving.
When: January 15 to 18, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Firehall Arts Centre — 280 East Cordova Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Sliding scale of $30-$100; purchase online
What: A gallery at the BC Sports Hall of Fame is helping to open doors for the next generation of Indigenous athletes and coaches through an innovative virtual reality experience.
The Digital Indigenous Sport Gallery (DISG) spotlights the accomplishments and contributions of Indigenous athletes, coaches, and builders throughout sports history and culture. Guests can interact with 3D artifacts, explore the Indigenous Sport Gallery, and meet Hall of Fame First Nations and Métis athletes.
When: Wednesdays to Sundays
Time: 10 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4:45 pm)
Where: BC Place (Gate A), 777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver
Tickets: $12-$20, with family admission available and children 4 and under free with adult admission. Purchase online
Bob Frid/Imagn Images
What: The Canucks have two games at Rogers Arena this week, including the LA Kings visiting on Thursday, January 16 and the Edmonton Oilers in town on Saturday, January 18.
When: January 16 and 18, 2025
Time: 7 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online
What: Genre-defying singer and actor Dua Salah brings the I Should Call Them World Tour to the Biltmore on January 18 in support of her debut EP of the same name.
When: January 18, 2025
Time: Doors 7 pm
Where: Biltmore Cabaret – 2755 Prince Edward Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $25 plus fees, purchase online
What: Vancouver Mysteries invites super sleuths to try and solve the strange hauntings happening in the downtown core. Paranormal investigators will use all of their skills to explore four different hauntings while learning about life in the city in the 1910s, 1930s and 1970s along the journey.
When: Daily
Time: Various times
Where: Secret location to be revealed to players
Cost: $35 per player plus GST. Purchase Online
What: Enjoy a night of live music, dancing, and delicious Ukrainian food at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre. There will be performances by the Barvinok Choir, Vancouver Ukrainian Folk Orchestra, Dovbush Dancers, and more.
When: January 18
Where: The Ukrainian Cultural Centre — 805 E Pender, Vancouver
Time: 5:45 pm
Cost: $105 for general admission
What: Cross the world-famous bridge, lit end-to-end with a changing multi-colour display, and sway high above the illuminated Capilano River. Journey into a glittering rainforest and walk high above the forest floor on a transformed Treetops Adventure. Finally, walk along the sparkling cliffside pathway of Cliffwalk.
Don’t forget to snap an Instagram-worthy photo, sip a decadent hot chocolate to the sound of live festive tunes, and get in on all the festive fun of the many kids’ activities around the Park.
Tickets are on sale now and must be purchased in advance online. There are limited tickets available during peak event times, and visits are scheduled in 30-minute arrival increments.
When: Now until January 19, 2025
Time: 11 am to 9 pm daily. Guests are allowed to stay in the park up to an hour after closing.
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, with annual passes (included with admission) available for BC residents. Purchase online
@taylorswift13/X
What: Swifties and fashion enthusiasts are invited to West Vancouver Memorial Library for an insightful conversation between journalist Aleesha Harris and New York Times bestselling author Sarah Chapelle. Chapelle’s latest book, Taylor Swift Style: Fashion Through the Eras, will take you inside the world of the superstar’s iconic looks and show you how the evolution of her outfits mirrors Swift’s musical growth.
Taylor-inspired outfits are welcome and attendees will be entered for a chance to win Chapelle’s book.
When: January 17, 2025
Time: 7 to 8:15 pm
Where: West Vancouver Memorial Library, Welsh Hall — 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
Cost: Free
What: Tightrope Theatre presents F*ck, Marry, Kill, a tale of four friends coming together to relive the good old days at a retreat. Secret desires brewing under the surface are about to spill over, and soon there will be love, sex, wedding, revelations, and at least one murder for the audience to enjoy.
When: Every Saturday starting on January 18, 2025
Time: 9:30 pm
Where: Tightrope Impro Theatre – 2343 Main Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $25 plus fees, purchase online
What: Abbotsford Canucks take on the Ontario Reign in back-to-back games this week at the Abbotsford Centre. Cheer them on Tuesday, January 14 and Wednesday, January 15.
When: January 14 and 15, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Abbotsford Centre – 33800 King Road, Abbotsford
Cost: Various; purchase online
Katie-Ellen Humphries
What: Katie-Ellen is a stand-up comedian, writer and sketch performer who currently splits her time between Vancouver and New York. She is a regular on CBC Radio’s The Debaters, is a founding member of The Lady Show and veteran of award-winning comedy cabaret Atomic Vaudeville.
When: January 17 and 18, 2025
Time: 8 pm (Friday), 7 pm and 9:30 pm (Saturday)
Where: Yuk Yuks Surrey at Elements Casino – 17755 60th Avenue, Surrey
Tickets: $19.05 plus tax on Friday, $20.95 plus tax on Saturday, purchase online
What: Head to BCLIQUOR on Friday, January 17 for a unique opportunity to personalize bottles of Rémy XO with a gold neck collar engraved with a name. It’s the perfect gift for
any cognac enthusiast in your life.
When: January 17, 2025
Time: 4 to 8 pm
Where: BCLIQOUR Park Royal – 735 Park Royal North, West Vancouver
What: AME Roundup Conference hosts a family-focused Discovery Day at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The free event invites all ages to learn about mineral exploration and mining through interactive displays, exhibitors and experiences.
When: January 19, 2025
Time: 10 am and 10:30 am staggered start times
Where: Ballroom A/B, Vancouver Convention Centre East – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Rolla Skate Club
What: Rolla Skate Club hosts a weekly Saturday night roller skating party at Rollerland. Dress to impress and get ready to have fun with the different theme nights. Rental rollerskates and protective gear are included with each ticket, and skaters are invited to also roll in their own gear.
Each Saturday has two time slots: an early all-ages skate and an evening 19+ roller party.
When: Every Saturday
Time: 5 to 7 pm (All ages) and 8 to 11 pm (19+)
Where: Rollerland – 21 N Renfrew St, Vancouver
Tickets: Purchase online
What: Vancouver Public Library hosts a variety of movie screenings for the public at its branches throughout the month, and the best part is they are free to check out.
On Friday, January 17, check out Speak No Evil starring James McAvoy at the Mount Pleasant branch.
When: January 17, 2025
Time: 5:45 pm
Where: VPL Mount Pleasant Branch – 1 Kingsway, Vancouver
Cost: Free
What: Learn about Chinatown’s heritage and culture through hands-on activities during Family Saturdays at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre. The event happens on the third Saturday of each month from 11 am to 1 pm and includes guided tours, prizes, special offers from neighbouring restaurants, and free admission for youth 17 years and under.
When: The third Saturday of each month.
Time: 11 am to 1 pm (Centre is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Where: 168 East Pender Street, Vancouver
Cost: Free for youth 17 and under; an adult must accompany guests under 12. Admission is $10 to $12; purchase online