Photo: Ashkan Forouzani/Unplash
Beat the winter chill with a warm mug of hot chocolate. The Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival is celebrating its 14th year with over 160 types of hot chocolate.
The 2024 edition of the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival runs from January 13 to February 14, 2024. You can find over 100 participating shops in 10 different neighbourhoods across Greater Vancouver. Use the virtual map to find a spot near you. Get cozy at a cafe or take your cocoa to-go and enjoy it as you stroll.
Map via Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
With clouds of whipped cream, sprinkles, syrups, and cookies adorning these creative concoctions, be sure to take a photo of your hot chocolate before you sip. Tag @hotchocolatefest on Instagram and use the hashtag #HCFphotocontest2024 in your caption for a chance to win prizes from participating vendors. The grand prize is $500 of gift cards – think of all the hot chocolate you could buy!
The Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival event also supports charitable partners Fresh to Families and Growing Chefs. Both organizations focus on helping children and families in need get access to healthy, locally-grown food.
In 2024, cafes and shops across Vancouver have come up with over 160 unique hot chocolate flavours. You’ll find everything from classic hot cocoa to avant-garde creations and everything in between. Some locations also have gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options.
Here are just a few of the hot chocolates you can sample at this year’s festival:
The Pie Hole
Photo: The Pie Hole/Instagram
Vancouver’s most famous pie shop has joined in on the hot chocolate fun. The Pie Hole has two flavours to try this year and each comes with its own mini pie. Barrel of Chunky Monkeys is made with dark chocolate and banana caramel syrup. The Apple Pie Hot Chocolate includes brown sugar apple butter and cinnamon-spiced white chocolate. Get a to-go hot chocolate from their West 4th location, then stroll down the hill to Kits Beach to enjoy a view of the snowy North Shore Mountains.
Where: 1864 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver and 7832 6th Street, Burnaby
Vancouver Aquarium
Photo: Vancouver Aquarium
Combine a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium with an ocean-themed hot chocolate. Try the Hot Shark’olate or the Otteryly Decadent hot chocolate at the Aquarium’s Courtyard Cafe. The Hot Shark’olate is described as a “rich and creamy fin-dulgence”. It’s made with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and sprinkles and comes in a souvenir shark mug. Or try the dark chocolate Otterly Decadent, which is served with an adorable otter sugar cookie.
Where: 845 Avison Way, Stanley Park, Vancouver
Caffe Artigiano
Photo: Caffe Artigiano/Instagram
Caffe Artigiano has 14 locations across Vancouver and one in Whistler. Pick up a hot chocolate from their Hornby location, then browse the shops along nearby Robson Street. This year they whipped up two hot chocolate options: S’morelicious Hot Chocolate is a blend of chocolate and rosemary vanilla syrup that is topped with marshmallow whip and a bite-sized s’more cookie. Or try the dark chocolate and spiced Chocolate Caliente. It comes with a cinnamon sugar churro.
Where: Fifteen locations across Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Langley, and Whistler.
Mon Paris Patisserie
Photo: Mon Paris Patisserie/Manson Ward
Burnaby-based Mon Paris Patisserie has two hot chocolate flavours that pay tribute to France’s most famous regions. La Provence is a 72% dark chocolate infused with lavender. It comes with a lavender macaron and a lemon cookie. Or try La Normandie, a milk chocolate drink with caramel and apple. It’s served with a caramel macaron and a sable Breton cookie. Mon Paris is located just a few blocks from Central Park. Why not get your hot chocolate to go and sip it as you wander the tree-lined trails?
Where: 4396 Beresford Street, Burnaby
Apertivo Truck
Photo: Apertivo Truck
Track down Apertivo Truck for two nut-milk-based hot chocolates. The Roasted Chestnut Hot Chocolate comes with a sea salted chocolate and chestnut cookie. And the Royal Tiger is made with butterscotch drizzle and comes with a tiger nut chunk cookie. Apertivo is a mobile food truck. Find them at the Riley Park and Hastings Park winter farmer’s markets on weekends. Browsing the produce and artisan crafts is much better when you’ve got a mug of hot chocolate to warm your hands!
Where: See the truck schedule here.