So you’re planning a Vancouver New Year’s Eve: sounds like an idea as sparkling as champagne.
After all, what could go wrong with spending the holidays in one of the world’s most beautiful cities?
Here’s a sample of our favourite things to do while you’re waiting for the ball to drop on New Year’s Eve in Vancouver in 2023.
New Year’s Eve in Vancouver 2023
Tips for Visiting Vancouver on New Year’s Eve
- Like NYE anywhere, it’s a time of unmet expectations so plan a proper Vancouver itinerary to compensate.
- Buy your attraction tickets in advance online to save money and avoid lines.
- Make sure you’re staying in one of the best areas to stay in Vancouver.
- Book your Vancouver accommodation way in advance
- Book your transportation from home beforehand.
- If not, at least Vancouver public transit is free on NYE.
Related: The Top Christmas Activities in Vancouver
Things to Do in Vancouver for New Year’s Eve 2023
Vancouver New Year’s Eve Boat Cruises
No matter the season, Vancouver boat tours are a party pastime in our city.
So why not ring in the new year cruising through the harbour? With this package you’ll get:
- A four hour cruise through Vancouver Harbor
- Great views of the Vancouver skyline from a luxurious yacht
- Gourmet buffet with three main courses
- Champagne toast at midnight
During the cruise you’ll also dance the night away with 400 other guests, making this a floating nightclub!
It’s even got an outdoor open-air deck with a heated tent.
Book My Vancouver NYE Boat Tour
Concord’s NYE Vancouver in False Creek
After a few years on hiatus due to COVID, the Concord’s New Years Eve Vancouver makes its triumphant return with a party bigger than ever.
This breathtaking ballet of fireworks will be launched from multiple barges and local buildings – with the Coast Mountains and downtown skyline as a backdrop.
To add to the atmosphere, local landmarks such as Science World and BC Place will be synergistically lit to match the show.
Vancouver’s largest New Year’s celebration should be viewable from anywhere alongside the Seawall, Yaletown, Olympic Village or the Cambie Street Bridge.
New Year’s Eve at Science World
Science World usually aims to inspire the next generation of problem solvers, but trust the science when I say a little party never hurt anybody here!
This 1200-person capacity geodesic dome actually has five fully-licensed bars, and on NYE you can dance up a storm in two separate rooms housing a handful of Vancouver’s finest DJs.
Each of these was accompanied by an amazing sound and lighting system to rival any of Vancouver’s top nightclubs.
Expect tickets to start at somewhere just under $100 – including a complimentary glass of champagne.
Link to be added soon! Let’s hope this Vancouver New Year’s Eve tradition returns for NYE 2023.
Related: Things to Do with Kids in Vancouver
Spend New Year’s Eve in Whistler
It’s not that far from Vancouver to Whistler, so why not make the party even more unique?
Watching the ball drop in Whistler Village is one of the top local NYE traditions. There is just something about spending the holidays in a snow-covered alpine village.
And North America’s largest ski resort definitely fits the bill.
Whistler’s best restaurants are a great place to start the evening, before heading on to Whistler’s best bars to close it out.
Looking for family-friendly events? Start at the skating rink in the Olympic Plaza – NYE rentals are free. Then head to the nearby Maury Young Arts Centre for lego, face painting and arts and crafts.
Vancouver New Year’s Eve Nightlife
When it comes to NYE nightlife, the Granville Strip becomes ground zero for late-night revelers in Vancouver.
Already home to most of the city’s nightclubs, the street is closed to traffic to create a pedestrian-only party zone that caters to the twenty-something crowd.
If you have a small group you should still be able to duck into a bar or two that doesn’t require advanced booking.
Looking for something a little more refined?
The lounges, cocktail bars and clubs of Gastown, Chinatown and Yaletown cater more to thirty and forty-somethings.
Want laid back? Commercial Drive and Kitsilano are perfect for those who don’t buy into the NYE hype.
Fortune Sound Club NYE 2023
Nuanced by the grit and grime of its historic Chinatown locale, Fortune Sound Club is a trendy night spot housed in the location of the infamous Ming’s Chinese Restaurant.
The club is known for its Funktion One sound system, which is thought by many to be the best in town.
Fortune’s NYE has become something of a local tradition – selling out 10 years in a row.
Featuring a balloon drop, party favours, confetti canons and the hottest DJs in town, this Chinatown club offers one of Vancouver’s best New Year’s Eve parties.
Grab Your Fortune NYE Tickets Now
Gatsby’s House Party
Dubbed Vancouver’s most upscale New Year’s party, Gatsby’s House Party takes place at the Marriot Pinnacle in Coal Harbour.
While not in a club per se, this 19+ event includes a 2-hour appetizer buffet, 2 rooms of music, 2 DJs and a casino night – accompanied by prepaid drinks included with your ticket.
The event aims to add a modern twist to its unique roaring 20’s type vibe.
Book Your Gatsby’s House Tickets Now
New Year’s Eve 2023 at the Roxy
Situated in the heart of the Granville Strip, the infamous Roxy has a much different vibe than most local nightclubs.
For one, you can expect to dance to a tune of top 40, rock and roll and country – often played by a live band.
As such, you’ll also find a more varied demographic – typically 30’s and 40’s and up.
So if you’re looking to ring in the New Year in a more casual atmosphere (and for a lower price!), the annual Roxy New Year’s Eve Party may be just what you’re looking for.
Book Your Roxy NYE Tickets Now
Related: Vancouver’s Best Bars
Vancouver New Year’s Eve Restaurants
It’s really hard to get a table at quality places for NYE so my advice is to book well in advance and come to terms with the fact that 99% of Vancouver’s best restaurants offer set menus.
Expect to pay between $120.00 – $200.00 per person at a nice restaurant for NYE set menu.
I’ve got some of the best options below:
The Water St. Cafe
If you’re looking to get all gussied up for NYE, visiting the Water St. Cafe’s NYE Black Tie Gala will do just the trick.
This iconic Gastown restaurant offers an evening filled with culinary delights, drinks, and live music.
Choose from their reduced a la carte menu, or indulge in their delectable $189.00 set menu.
Last year this included a wide array of delicious choices such as pan-seared scallops, bison carpaccio, cioppino, grilled rib eye steak, butter-poached lobster, and more.
Not to mention they ring in the New Year with a glass of bubbly accompanied by the most Canadian of snacks, poutine!
Botanist
Helmed by Executive Chef Hector Laguna, Botanist aims to represent the abundant botany of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.
Their straight from the source ingredients are coupled with contemporary techniques. Botanist is among the finest examples of modern Westcoast cuisine – so where better to spend a Westcoast New Year’s eve?
Last year their $148.00 six-course New Year’s Eve tasting menu featured items like snow crab, sablefish, ora king salmon, and oven roasted lamb rack – complete with drinks and live music.
Located in the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, this award-winning restaurant also features one of the best cocktail programs in the city.
Related: How Many Days Do I Need to Spend in Vancouver?
The Victor at the PARQ
Always wanted to hit up Las Vegas for NYE? Ringing in the new year at one of Vancouver’s best casinos is the closest thing our city has to offer.
Billed as the city’s premier entertainment destination, the complex contains two boutique hotels, a casino and seven different food and nightlife options.
The Victor is easily the crown jewel of the PARQ’s culinary offerings. You can enjoy a five-course prix fixe menu for $175.00 per person (or $125.00 for vegetarians) – with an optional wine pairing for $94.
Seasonally inspired dishes and classic elegance meet in new and unexpected ways at The Victor – so you won’t be disappointed.
Then you can head downstairs to the casino and have a little fun before checking out the Concord fireworks.
Related: Vancouver’s Best Restaurants
Vancouver New Year’s Eve Hotels
More than ever, on NYE you want to be close to the action.
If anything, to avoid the annual clown show of attempting to secure a ride back to your home or hotel.
While you may be a little more indulgent than usual, we’ll still offer a couple of budget options. Just be sure to book your room as far as possible in advance, as NYE is among the busiest nights of the year.
Premium Vancouver New Years Hotels
- Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel
- JW Marriot PARQ Vancouver
- The Douglas-Autograph Collection
- The Sutton Place Hotel
Mid Range NYE Hotels in Vancouver
- The Blue Horizon Hotel
- Sheraton Wall Centre
- Executive Hotel Vintage Park
- The Marriot Pinnacle Vancouver
Budget Hotels for New Year’s Eve
Related: The Best Hotels in Downtown Vancouver
New Year’s Eve on the Local Mountains
Vancouver’s trio of local ski hills usually offer New Year’s Eve celebrations of both the adult-focused and family-friendly variety.
You can look to add dinner, dancing in fun to the mountains’ usual collection of winter activities.
In years past, each mountain has also offered early evening fireworks displays to add to the festivities – so hopefully, these events will return for New Year’s Eve 2022-2023.
Related: Vancouver Skiing Guide
Grouse Mountain on New Year’s Eve
Every year Grouse Mountain adds three different NYE celebrations to its already packed holiday and winter activity itinerary.
This makes the Peak of Vancouver one of the best things to do in Vancouver on New Year’s Eve for all ages.
- Family NYE Celebration – In past years this family-friendly event has included ice skating, music, food, live performances and a fireworks display at 9:00 pm. A $90.00 four-course prix fixe menu has also been offered at the Altitudes Bistro that is accessible for families starting at 5:30 which includes your Skyride ticket.
- The Observatory (1st seating) – A $125.00 six-course prix fixe menu is available beginning at 5:00 to 6:00 pm for adults only. Your ticket includes the Skyride up, though drinks are not included. In 2020 the 6-course dinner menu featured arancini and olives, dill cured albacore tuna, salt-roasted beetroot, roasted ling cod, burrata, octopus, AAA tenderloin steak, strangolapreti, and smores for dessert.
- The Observatory (2nd seating) – A second seating is also available from 8:00 to 9:00 pm with an additional two courses and a glass of sparkling wine.
Music and dancing have traditionally been provided after the last sitting at the Observatory.
We’ll have to keep our fingers crossed that this local tradition returns for Vancouver New Year’s 2023.
Cypress Mountain on New Year’s Eve
In comparison to Grouse, nearby Cypress Bowl puts on a more laid-back NYE celebration that is targeted mostly at families.
The event is technically free, though it is aimed principally at those who’ve already purchased a lift ticket for the day or a season’s pass.
So if you’re looking at hitting the slopes with the kids, Cypress Mountain may just be the place to be.
Light snacks and appys are available around 5:00 pm, with music and live entertainment starting shortly after. You can enjoy smores over the fire before a fireworks display at around 9:00 pm.
While the event might not exactly be a barn burner, it’s fantastic for those with young children who enjoy winter sports.
Mt. Seymour on New Year’s Eve
Similar to Cypress, Mt. Seymour offers a more low-key event called Family First Night to ring in the new year.
The event runs from roughly 5:30 pm-8:30 pm, so it’s also great for those who’d like to spend some time with the kids before grabbing a sitter and heading out on town.
Your $30 ticket will include access to snowshoeing, tobogganing and sledding – though you’ll need to bring your own equipment. Other activities include face painting, magic shows, scavenger hunts, crafts and a fireworks display to close out the night.
There is much more going on for the kids than at Cypress – plus there is more variety of food on offer. So the event is simply one of the best things to do on New Year’s Eve in Vancouver for families. Furthermore, a free shuttle to Parkgate Village in North Vancouver is available – so you can avoid dealing with the mountain roads.
Vancouver New Year’s Eve Weather
In short: it’s likely to be cold, but not freezing – at least by Canadian standards of course.
If you’re here a few days you’ll likely get rain in some form – this time of year it’s basically inevitable. Snow is a possibility, but it usually stays in the mountains and inland suburbs.
Nevertheless, you’ll want to bring a decent jacket, a scarf, and a sweater to town – in addition to your NYE finest.
January Weather
- The average high/low is 7°C (45°F) and 1°C (35°F)
- There is a 22.3% chance of sunshine on any given day
- Average monthly precipitation is 157 mm (or a 63% chance of rain on any given day)
- Average monthly snowfall is 11 cm (or 2 days per month with measurable snowfall)
For more New Year’s Eve weather in Vancouver info head over to Environment Canada.
Still Wondering What to Do in Vancouver on New Years Eve?
Hopefully you’ve got enough options for your Vancouver New Year’s Eve blowout, or at least a good jumping off point.
But maybe you’ve got some additional questions? Or there is there something that I’ve missed?
Well, feel free to hit us up in the comment section below. We’re always here for all of your Vancouver-related travel needs.
Leave a reply