New Year’s Eve 2018 Celebrations in Vancouver

Photo by Hermes Rivera.

If you’re in Vancouver for the New Year, here are several options to ring in 2019!

New Year’s Eve at The Peak of Vancouver

Grouse Mountain runs three events to choose from so you can pick what best fits your ideal night! There’s the New Year’s Eve Gala, which is 19+ and includes the finest dining experiences in one of three venues. Taking one look at the different menu options already has taste buds watering. To top off dinner, the dancing begins once the clock strikes 10 pm. There is also Grouse Mountain’s Family New Year’s Eve Celebration with ice skating, fire performances, live music around the skate pond and fireworks! This event sells out quick, so grab your tickets as soon as possible. The final event is the Snowshoe Fondue. Make your way through a guided tour on snowshoeing trails and top it off with a fondue dinner in the Timber Room. There are various starting times throughout the day so pick the time that works best for you! More information on each of these events can be found online on the Grouse Mountain’s events page. 

Mount Seymour Family First Night New Year’s Eve Party

The longest running family-friendly New Year’s event is the place to be for young families with early bedtimes. The event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 pm and only costs $30 for admission. There will be so much to do, from laser tobogganing, snowshoeing, s’mores, family-friendly entertainment, crafts to a fireworks display! A pro-tip for first-time visitors is to take advantage of the free shuttle service from the Parkgate Community Centre in North Vancouver, especially if you are not driving a car with winter tires. Tickets for this event also sell out quick, so buy in advance to avoid missing out! 

Polar Bear Swim 2019

This one is harder to explain, but the Polar Bear Swim is an annual tradition. Vancouver’s Polar Bear Swim is the longest and largest running polar bear swim, with a record-setting 2,550 official entries in 2014! An item for the bucket list, hundreds of participants dress up in fancy costumes and plunge into the cold waters of English Bay on New Year’s Day. Whether you feel particularly brave at the start of 2019 or want to watch the spectacle, the swim will start at 2:30 pm at English Bay. The Greater Vancouver Food Bank will also be accepting donations during the annual swim, find out more information here.

TransLink will also offer free rides from 5 pm until 5 am on New Year’s Eve, to make sure everyone gets home safely. Whether you are taking the SeaBus, SkyTrain, or Canada Line plan ahead and check the amended schedules. 

Holiday Inn and Suites North Vancouver wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season! If you’re looking for a place to stay in North Vancouver that’s close to all the mountain festivities, take advantage of our special packages - including the Mount Seymour Snow Special so you can ski and stay close without worry. 

New Year’s Eve is a busy time, so plan your stay in advance!