Christmas is all around us and love is all around us - shoutout to one of the best Christmas movies of all time, Love Actually. It's November which everyone knows as pre-Christmas. Is it ever too early to start drinking hot chocolate and (re)watching Elf and Love Actually? Yeah, no.
As we all know (and likely have experienced), with the holiday season comes cuffing season. It makes sense because Christmas is the most romantic season of them all. It's also the coldest, which is why seeking a cuddle buddy during the harsh winter could be our survival instincts kicking in to help us brace the harsh weather?
An irreplaceable sense of romance and magic is in the air during the Christmas season. There's an indescribable festive feel that only the holiday season can produce. Lucky for us, Vancouver takes Christmas to the next level, bringing that holiday magic to different corners of the city.
Looking for some mistletoe this holiday season? Who knows, these romantic date spots might get you that kiss even without it. Take your date on some of the cutest dates of the year yet. Happy holidays ❤️
Go ice skating
Where: 800 Robson St // Robson Square
When: December 1 - the end of February // Sunday to Thursday 9am - 9pm, Friday and Saturday 9am - 11pm
oSeriously how cute of a date is ice skating though??? Especially when it involves holding hands and gliding under a sparkling Christmas tree and magical lights.
Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting
Where: 750 Hornby Street // Robson Square
When: December 1 // 5:30 pm to 7pm
Watch the official 76 foot Vancouver Christmas Tree get lit. The free event will also have free cookies and hot chocolate, local food trucks and entertainment. If you can't make it to the lighting, don't worry cause the tree will be in Robson 'til Christmas Day.
Bright Nights in Stanley Park
Where: 690 Pipeline Road // Stanley Park
When: Monday, November 28 – Saturday, January 1, 2017 // Open daily from 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., closed December 25
Time to board the Christmas Express for a romantic train ride! At Stanley Park, experience 3 million sparkling lights and a Christmas train.This festive event also benefits the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund. It's entrance by donation ($4.00 suggested). If you want to ride the Bright Nights Train, it costs $12.
Lights at Lafarge
Where: 690 Pipeline Road // Stanley Park
When: November 25 – January 21st // Open daily from 4:30PM - 11PM
Go for a romantic stroll alongside a lake and a massive 1.2 kilometer light display. There will be 100,000 lights illuminating the night and 10 themed zones.
For $5 to $10, click "Next".
$5 to $10
Vancouver Christmas Market
Where: Jack Poole Plaza // 1055 Canada Place
When: November 22 - December 24 // Open daily 11am - 9pm, December 24 open 11am - 6pm
Cue Justin Bieber and find each other under the many mistletoes at this Christmas market. With so many romantic elements such as a merry go round, a Christmas tree, Christmas lights, delicious international food and mulled wine, you're sure to have a festive time together at the Vancouver Christmas Market. Tickets cost $10 for adults.
Festival of Lights at VanDusen Gardens
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden // 5251 Oak St
When: December 1 - January 7 // Dec 1 - 15 4:30pm - 9pm, Dec 16 - 23 4:30pm - 10pm, closed Christmas Day, Dec 26 - Jan 2 4:30pm - 9pm
Christmas lights pretty much guarantee a romantic time so with the one million lights atthe Festival of Lights, you're sure to have a magic time. There are even cute couple photo ops, like a selfie spot, Vancouver's own take on the Eiffel Tower, and a carousel. For adults, tickets cost $15.25 online and $18.10 at the gate.
Drinks at The Black Lodge
Where: 630 Kingsway and 317 E Broadway
When: Open Sunday to Wednesday 5:30PM to 12AM, Thursday until 1AM, and Friday to Saturday until 2AM
Want to take your date for a rustic cabin getaway but don't have the money or time? Take them to this wooden cabin bar that looks straight out of a ski lodge. Their newest location on Broadway even has booths that look like mini cabins. Their specialty cocktails range from $7.50 to $10 and their beers start at $4.
For $15 to $25, click "Next".
$15 to $25
Vancouver Chinese Lantern Festival
Where: Pacific National Exhibition // 2901 East Hastings Street
When: December 15 - January 21 // Sundays to Thursdays from 5pm - 10pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm to 11pm, closed Christmas Day
Take your date to a brand new Vancouver celebration. Vancouver Chinese Lantern Festival is the biggest Chinese Lantern Festival in Canada. The celebration of Chinese culture will feature 35 gigantic lanterns, nightly performances and food. Tickets cost $19 for adults.
Where: 6690 216th St // Milner Village Garden Centre
When: November 24 - December 30 // Open from 4pm to 10pm, closed on Sundays, November 27, December 25
Taking the place of last year's Enchant as the world's biggest Christmas lights display, Glow is bringing you the magical light experience and it's bigger and better than ever. With 103,000 sq. ft. of beautiful Christmas lights, Glow will dazzle you. There will even be four Christmas-themed light gardens and over 40 vendors!
Go sledding, tobogganing, or tubing
Where: 1700 Mt Seymour Road // Mount Seymour
When: Currently closed for the season, but keep posted on their website because they will be open soon
Looking for a more playful, outdoorsy date idea? Hit the slopes and hold on tight to each other while you slide downhill. Mount Seymour has the Snow Tube Park with several lanes, as well as a tobogganing park where you can also sled. It costs $20 on weekdays and $22 on weekends.
For $25+, click "Next".
$25+
Canyon Lights
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park // 3735 Capilano Rd
When: November 23 - January 28 // Open daily 11am - 9 pm, closed Christmas Day
Hello, adorable couples Instas. Probably one of the most scenic light displays in all of Canada, Canyon Lights will leave you with those magical festive feels.Every year the entire park transforms into a winter wonderland with hundreds of thousands of lights. You can even find the eight tallest Christmas trees in the world here. For students, admission costs $33.95 and for adults, $42.95.
Peak of Christmas
Where: Grouse Mountain // 6400 Nancy Greene Way
When: November 28 - January 1 // Open daily 11am - 10pm
Walk through a winter wonderland of romance. Experience a white Christmas season on Grouse Mountain.At The Peak of Christmas, you can stroll hand in hand through a beautiful light tunnel display, cozy up in a sleigh ride, cuddle up to hot chocolate at a cozy lodge, go snow tubing at their Sliding Zone, skate under the stars at their 8,000 square feet frozen pond and more. So basically all the cute Christmas date festivities you would want and more.
Go skiing or snowboarding
Where: B.C. Ski Resorts
When: Ski/board season
Embrace the winter cold and see beautiful British Columbia in all it's snowcapped glory. Why not hit the slopes and shred some powder together? With so many ski resorts to choose from in BC, such as Whistler, Big White, Revelstoke and Manning Park, you can't go wrong.
