Vancouver doesn’t ease into the new year, it cannonballs directly into it. From glowing downtown installations and boundary-pushing performances to Canada’s biggest culinary celebration, January in the city serves a full menu of spectacle, culture, and “did-I-really-just-do-that?” moments (looking at you, Polar Bear Swim).
Here’s what’s lighting up the heart of our beautiful city this season.
DESTINATION DOWNTOWN: SKATES, SIPS & THE GREAT LIT ANIMALS SHOWDOWN
Downtown Vancouver transforms into a winter playground every year, a tradition perfectly captured by the glowing installations, seasonal rituals, and immersive city experiences.
This season, the spotlight turns to a new crowd-pleaser: LIT Animals, a playful twist on downtown’s beloved LIT Word installations. Bright, bold, and gloriously photogenic (it’s selfie heaven), these glowing creatures appear throughout the core, each one vying for the city’s affection in a friendly public “contesting” that kicks off January with equal parts whimsy and bragging rights.
Check out DestinationDowntown.co more details as to what you could win.
ROBSON SQUARE: A WINTER CLASSIC, REINVENTED
Just steps from the action, Robson Square Ice Rink continues its reign as one of Vancouver’s most iconic seasonal traditions. Skaters glide beneath towers and twinkle lights while nearby performers (and the occasional enthusiastic tourist) add their own energy to the rink.
After your laps, hotel guests can head to the Après Skate lounge, where warm drinks, local treats, and cozy seating offer a sweet reward for cold noses and wobbly ankles.
A WATERFRONT WANDER WITH GLOW-UPS
Stroll toward Coal Harbour and you’ll find a luminous corridor of light. Trees, displays, reflections off the water all create a romantic (and wildly Instagrammable) frame for your evening. It’s Vancouver at its most cinematic.
JANUARY 1ST: THE POLAR BEAR SWIM: BECAUSE NOTHING SAYS “FRESH START” LIKE THE PACIFIC
Vancouver’s legendary Polar Bear Swim shocks the system in the best possible way. Thousands gather at English Bay to race, plunge, tip-toe, or theatrically belly-flop into the icy waters, all in the grand name of tradition.
Join the courageous masses, or stand proudly onshore with a thermos full of something warm. Either way, it’s a must-see Vancouver ritual that perfectly kicks off the year.
DINE OUT VANCOUVER FESTIVAL: CANADA’S BIGGEST CULINARY CELEBRATION
If the Polar Bear Swim wakes up your body, Dine Out Vancouver Festival wakes up your palate. Each year, the festival brings together hundreds of restaurants across the city, serving inventive fixed-price menus, chef collaborations, pop-up events, brewery tours, cocktail experiences, and more.
Expect:
- Creative multi-course menus at irresistible price points
- International flavours that showcase Vancouver’s culinary diversity
- Special dining events you’ll brag about for months
- A justified refusal to look at your kitchen until February
Whether you’re craving a refined tasting menu or a casual bite in a neighbourhood gem, Dine Out turns the entire city into one giant buffet of possibility.
PUSH INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL: WHERE ART GETS BOLD
This January, Vancouver’s creative pulse beats loudest at the PuSh Festival, an annual celebration of innovative, genre-defying performance. The 2026 festival promises a program that pushes boundaries while digging into the emotional and political currents shaping our world. Expect hybrid art forms, provocative ideas, global perspectives, and intimate works that stay with you long after the lights come up.
It’s the festival for those who like their art daring, thoughtful, and (occasionally) delightfully strange.
PLAN YOUR PERFECT JANUARY ESCAPE
With skating adventures, glowing creatures, culinary delights, avant-garde performances, and a traditional plunge into the Pacific, Vancouver in January blends comfort, creativity, and excitement at every turn. By staying with Stay Vancouver Hotels, you’ll find yourself close to the new year’s action.
Book your getaway now and kick the new year off on the right foot! LEARN MORE