Making it till midnight on New Year’s Eve can be a struggle for many of us parents. You can either pretend to live on the east coast and watch the ball drop at 9pm on TV or you can try one of these 6 family friendly New Year’s Eve events in Vancouver, early countdowns included.
1. Bright Nights in Stanley Park
See over 3 million twinkling lights on display at the magical Bright Nights Train Plaza in Stanley Park. Ride the Bright Nights Christmas Train for some extra special fun. Open from 11am to 11pm on New Year’s Eve. Entrance to the Bright Nights Train Plaza is by donation. Riding the train costs $11 for adults, $7 for kids aged 3-17, and tots aged 2 and under are free.
2. Early Countdowns & Celebration at Robson Square
The New Year’s Eve events at Robson Square downtown include sugar cookie decorating, live stage performances, music, dancing, and free ice skating. An early countdown is at 7:30pm for the little ones (and tired parents) and includes glow sticks and noisemakers. Events start at 4pm. Free admission.
3. Vancouver Playhouse Variety Show
The Vancouver Playhouse will be providing entertainment for the whole family with live music, magicians, acrobats, jugglers, and comedy acts. The show starts at 2pm and again at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $20.
4. Festival of Lights at VanDusen
Expect dancing lights on the lake, gnome performances, puppet shows, and more at the VanDusen Botanical Garden Festival of Lights for New Year’s Eve. Events start at 4:30pm. Tickets are $14.25 for adults, $10.50 for kids aged 13-18, $7.75 for kids aged 3-12, and tots aged 2 and under are free.
5. Family First Night at Mount Seymour
Celebrate Family First Night on the mountain with tubing, tobogganing, fire pits, treats, music, party favours, live entertainment, and an early countdown at 9pm. Events start at 5pm. Tickets start at $10 per person.
6. Whistler Presents: New Year’s Eve Celebration
A little farther afield, take in the evening’s festivities throughout Whistler Village with music, arts, crafts, entertainment, food, ice skating, dancing, fireworks, and an early countdown. Events start at 6pm. Tickets start at $15 for adults and kids aged 13 and up, $10 for kids 12 and under, and tots aged 2 and under are free.
Last modified: December 27, 2017
Tickets for the New Year’s Eve Variety Show at the Vancouver Playhouse at available via http://www.vancouvercabaret.com or their box office at 604-817-1315.