Outdoor holiday dates in Vancouver

Make your date night a memorable one this holiday season with an unforgettable outdoor adventure. Be mesmerized by a million twinkling lights at one of several light displays across Vancouver, or glide across a frozen pond hand in hand under the star-filled sky. If you’re looking for a seasonal activity to enjoy with that special someone, here are a festive date night ideas.

Outdoor holiday dates in Vancouver
Gurleen Boparai By

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

1
3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1

When the sun sets over the city, the scenic Capilano Suspension Bridge Park comes to life. Thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the park during the month of December for the annual Canyon Lights disply. Explore the glittering lights around the park and stand in awe while admiring the world’s largest Christmas tree, standing 153 feet tall and still growing! It is a date you’ll remember for years to come and it might even turn into an annual tradition.

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VanDusen Botanical Garden

2
5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1

The annual Festival of Lights at VanDunsen Botanical Garden is sure to dazzle you and your sweetheart. Take a romantic stroll through this interactive winter wonderland and check out the millions of twinkling lights aglow for the Christmas season. Don’t miss the dancing light show on Livingstone Lake set to contemporary music.

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Vancouver Christmas Market

3
1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3

This popular German-inspired outdoor market features authentic European food, mulled wine, and a large selection of hand-crafted gifts and ornaments. Now in its sixth year, the Vancouver Christmas Market has now become a must-see holiday event in the city. Be sure to take your date for a spin on the picture-perfect classic carousel located in the centre of the market.

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Cypress Mountain Ski Area

4
91252 Stn West Vancouver, West Vancouver, BC V7V 3N9

Take your honey on a mission to Cypress Mountain for some exercise in the snow. Enjoy a snowshoe adventure amid the trails lined with snow-topped trees – and don’t forget to snap a few adorable couple selfies along the way. After you’ve finished your snowy excursion, treat yourself to a steaming mug of hot cocoa and rich creamy chocolate fondue at the historic Hollyburn Lodge. Cozying up in this charming spot is the perfect ending to a winter themed date.

Robson Square

5
100-800 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 3B7

Visit Vancouver’s iconic outdoor ice rink at Robson Square and skate under the dazzling winter night stars with your beloved. Fun, festive and budget-friendly, ice-skating at this covered downtown rink is the perfect holiday date even in inclement weather. After you take a spin around the ice, enjoy a hot chocolate or glass of wine together at one of the many nearby cafés and bars.

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Stanley Park

6
610 Pipeline Rd, Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4

Take a ride on the Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park and watch in amazement as you travel through stunning animated displays and millions of twinkling lights! Bundle up and climb aboard to check out the dazzling lights and several live performances along the train route. Not only is this train ride a romantic outing, it also helps benefit a good cause, with a portion of the ticket sales going towards the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund.

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Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre

7
845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2

If you’re not up for an outdoor adventure, what about an under-water experience? You’re never too old to go on a date to the world-renowned Vancouver Aquarium. Over the holidays, Scuba Santa will be diving with the belugas and swimming with the sturgeons in the Strait of Georgia tank. Don’t miss out the Eel-ectric Light show – try not to be jolted out of your seat as you watch in amazement while the eels generate enough watts of electricity to power the Christmas spectacular lights!

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Northland At Grouse LP

8
6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9

Venture to the North Shore and experience Grouse Mountain as it becomes transformed into Vancouver’s very own North Pole. Get active with your date and take a hike up the picturesque snowshoe grind. Alternatively, take a more leisurely stroll amongst the pines and fir trees around Blue Grouse Lake – you’ll be awestruck as you enter the tunnel of lights and marvel at the elaborate light displays, with the beautiful snow covered mountains as the backdrop. Finish you date by skating underneath the night sky on the mountaintop ice skating pond.

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More from Gurleen Boparai Gurleen Boparai
Gurleen Boparai is a Vancouver-based lifestyle blogger behind Pink Tea Latte. Gurleen is a pastry obsessed undergrad student at UBC, who is determined to find every bakery in the city. You can always count on Gurleen having a smile on her face and a matcha latte in hand. You can follow all of her adventures in fashion, food and travels on her blog.
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