6 Things to Do on Christmas Day in Vancouver 2011
See Jelly Swarm at the Vancouver Aquarium, open on Christmas Day. Photo: Neil Fisher / Vancouver Aquarium
Christmas Day (December 25) is notorious for being one of the few days when almost everything in Vancouver is closed. So what to do on December 25 if you don’t celebrate Christmas, don’t want to stay indoors with the family all day, or just want to do something different than the usual sit-around-and-wait between opening gifts and Christmas dinner?
Luckily, there are some great options for fun things to do in Vancouver on Christmas Day 2011:
1. Ice Skate For Free at Robson Square
Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the Robson Square Ice Rink—Vancouver’s only free outdoor ice rink—is open on December 25 from 12pm – 5pm! Skate rentals are $4.
2. See Luminescence at the Vancouver Aquarium
Unlike many Vancouver institutions, the Vancouver Aquarium is open 365 days a year—including Christmas Day! If you haven’t had a chance to see the beautiful new exhibit Luminescence: A Celebration of Aquatic Light, this is your chance. Don’t miss the amazing, interactive art installation Jelly Swarm (pictured above) while you’re there. Read a complete review of Luminescence here.
3. Take a walking tour of Canada Place’s Woodward’s Windows
Most shops in downtown Vancouver are closed on December 25, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a sights-and-sounds-of-the-season walking tour. Start with Woodward’s Windows—the playful and nostalgic holiday window displays around Canada Place—then make your way along the waterfront to the 50-foot Shaw Holiday Tree at Jack Poole Plaza.
4. Tour the Trinity Street Lights
Bundle up the family and take a free tour of the spectacular home decorations on Vancouver’s Trinity Street, where neighbours compete to out-do each other in Christmas light displays.
5. Enjoy Christmas Day Brunch or Dinner Out
Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, everyone has to eat! Check out this list of Vancouver Christmas Day Brunch Dinner 2011: Deals Lavish Meals.
6. Grab a Drink at Yew Restaurant Bar
Not all bars are open on Christmas Day, but the fab bar at Yew’s is. So if you need a tall cold one to unwind after the big day, or a place to escape to after all that family-togetherness, you got it!
Have more suggestions for things to do on Christmas Day in Vancouver? Please leave them in the comments!
Article source: http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2011/12/23/6-things-to-do-on-christmas-day-in-vancouver-2011/
