New Year's Eve Events for Families

Ring in the New Year with your family at events around Vancouver. From holiday attractions to daytime celebrations for kids, there are lots of family-friendly New Year's Eve events in Vancouver this year.

New Year's Eve at Grouse Mountain

Known as the Peak of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain offers fun winter activities including skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, outdoor ice skating, and their famous light walk. On New Year's Eve, they also have fireworks and special menus at their restaurants. Since they close at 9 pm, the kids won't have to stay up late to enjoy the festivities.

Happy Noon Year Family Storytime

If you've got little ones, Vancouver Public Library's Happy Noon Year might be just what you're looking for. Join librarians at libraries across the city for a toddler-friendly storytime at 11:30 am on December 31st, then join the countdown at noon instead of midnight. This program is offered at the Hastings, nə́c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona, Mount Pleasant, Marpole, West Point Grey, and Champlain Heights branches.

New Year's Eve Variety Show

This year marks the 11th annual Circus3 New Year's Eve Variety Show at the Vancouver Playhouse. The family-friendly show starts at 7:30 pm and includes acrobats, jugglers, music, and more. It finishes with a huge balloon drop so the kids can feel like they rang in the New Year while still getting to bed well before midnight.

Glam Fam New Year's Eve Family Roller Skate Party

Head to Rollerland at the PNE for the Glam Fam New Year's Eve Family Skate Party. Organized by Rolla Skate Club, a small, women-owned, community-first business, the all-ages skate features music by DJ Prototype from 7 pm to 10 pm. Skate rentals are included in with admission tickets.

Outdoor Ice Skating

Celebrate the New Year with a family skate at the Robson Square Ice Rink. The rink is open until 9 pm on December 31 and will feature beats by DJ El Nino. Skating is free and skate rentals (which include a helmet) are just $5.

In North Vancouver, the Shipyards Skate Plaza is also hosting a free New Year's Eve family skate from 5 to 8 pm featuring a live DJ. Skate rentals for adults ($7) and kids ($5) are available and skating is free.

Noon Year's Eve at Kidtropolis

Richmond's Kidtropolis indoor playground is hosting daytime New Year's Eve celebrations at noon and 3 pm on December 31st. Kids will love the balloon drop, dance party, noisemakers, party hats, and more. If you bring a group, you can enjoy their VIP package that includes a decorated party room, sparkling apple juice for toasting, popcorn, and mini donuts.

Holiday Attractions

Many of Vancouver's holiday attractions are open on December 31. Take the kids to Flyover Canada's Soar with Santa experience. It's an immersive sleigh ride experience that includes motion, sights, sounds, scents, and of course, Santa.

The suspension bridge, Cliffwalk, and other areas of the park are decked out in millions of twinkling lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge for the Canyon Lights event. They are open until 9 pm on December 31.

Wander the paths at VanDusen Botanical Garden's Festival of Lights to enjoy gorgeous holiday light displays including the Dancing Light Show, offered every 20 minutes. The gardens close at 10 pm on December 31.

Ring in the New Year at Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam's Town Centre Park. The lights are on between 4 pm and 10 pm on December 31st. Admission to the 1.2-kilometre-long light display is free.