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Christmas Day: What's open in Vancouver?

It's undeniably quiet on Christmas and that's part of its special charm — eat, drink and be merry. But if you do want to get out and share some of that Christmas cheer, there are places to go and things to do even on Christmas day.

It's a great time to visit with family, but that doesn't mean you have to stay in

CBC News ·
The Vancouver Christmas Market is over for another year, but there's still lots to do on Christmas day. (Vancouver Christmas Market)

It's undeniably quiet on Christmas and that's part of its special charm — a day to eat, drink and be merry — a great day to take it easy and be with family and friends.  

But if you do want to get out and share some of that Christmas cheer, there are places to go and things to do even on Christmas day.

Ice skating 

  • Robson Square Ice Rink is open from 12 to 5 p.m PT. Skating is free with your own skates or you can rent skates. The rink also features a concession with snacks and warm drinks. 
    The Robson Square Ice Rink in downtown Vancouver opened on Dec. 1. Skating is free with your own skates. Skaters can also hire rental skates. (robsonsquare.com)
  • Trout Lake Rink at 3350 Victoria Drive is one of the city's Olympic amenities and was a training location for figure skaters. Skate on an NHL size hockey rink!
    • Public skate: 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. 
    • Family fun hockey: 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
    • Public Skate: 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

    • The ski hills

    Cypress Mountain is open from 10 a.m. PT - 3:30 p.m. It has received 2 to 3 cm of new snow on Wednesday. There is limited skiing for experts. The "Easy Rider" will also be open for beginners with limited width. The Eagle Express is open with the Skate Park.

    One of Grouse Mountain's snow guns hard at work. (Grouse Mountain/Facebook)

    Grouse Mountain Skyride is open from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

    • Lupins Cafe is open from 10:45 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
    • Grouse Grind Coffee Bar is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • Altitudes Bistro is open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
    • The Observatory is closed.

    The Vancouver Aquarium

    Scuba Claus returns to the Vancouver Aquarium's Strait of Georgia exhibit for another year. (Vancouver Aquarium)

    This year's holiday festivity at the aquarium features a giant walk-through Christmas tree in the ocean courtyard, an outdoor maze of decorated trees featuring shows and interactive displays and a one-of-a-kind 4.5 metre tall marine debris tree by the B.C. artist Pete Clarkson.

    Movie theatres

    Treat yourself to one of the many movies opening for Christmas day around town. The much talked about comedy, The Interview, spoofing North Korea won't be one of them, but you can watch it online. 

    "Into the Woods" opens Christmas Day in Vancouver (Disney)

    There's always Into the Woods, Disney's adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine musical mashup of several Grimm fairy tales. The movie is a re-imagining of classic tales including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk and others.

    Vancouver restaurants

    • ARC Restaurant: Coal Harbour
    • Copper Chimney: Downtown.Indian food 
    • forage: West End
    • ​Gyu-Kaku on Broadway: Japanese
    • Showcase Restaurant & Bar: Downtown

    Golf Courses

    • Fraserview Golf Course
    • Langara Golf Course
    • McCleery Golf Course

    Grocery stores

    • T&T Supermarket
    • SuperValu on Commercial

    Liquor Stores

    • Granville Liquor Store 
    • Legacy Liquor Store
    • Brewery Creek Cold Beer & Win

    Malls

    • Some Shopper's Drug Mart stores are open
    • Aberdeen Mall in Richmond, B.C.

    If there's anything we've missed, feel free to email us at cbcnewsvancouver@cbc.ca and we'll add it to the list.

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