It may be an unpopular opinion, but I think January is one of the best months! There’s less chaos than in December, which leaves loads of time to go exploring new places or try out new activities as a family. Plus, many local community centers and businesses offer trial periods if you want to see if an activity is a good fit for your family without a year-long commitment. It’s also a time to think about goals and make some plans for the upcoming year. Our goal this year is to travel and explore more now that our kids are getting bigger.
Christmas Tree Chipping | Early January 2025
If you haven’t disposed of your tree yet, don’t fear. There are a TON of tree chipping events happening in January and many of the events are fundraisers for local organizations so please come prepared to make a cash donation.
Rolla Skate Club | Saturdays from January- March
When was the last time you put on a pair of roller skates? Join Rolla Skate Club for all ages (and 19+) events that are a whole lot of fun. An afternoon or evening of roller skating is perfect for all ages and abilities, featuring different weekly themes, activities and lively music. Free skate rentals are included in each ticket admission.
Home Depot Kids Workshops | January 11, 2025
Home Depot invites kids ages 5-12 to learn how to build a new item the second Saturday of each month! All materials will be provided, and the workshop is totally FREE! The catch? You must register *at least* one week in advance to secure your spot. These workshops are incredibly popular, so register as soon as you can!
Hot Chocolate Festival | January 18 – February 14, 2025
Warm up your winter days with the popular Hot Chocolate Festival! With over 95 participating cafes and restaurants around Metro Vancouver, your taste buds are in for a treat!
A Celebration of Robbie Burns Concert | January 18, 2025
Place des Arts is hosting its annual celebration of Scotland’s National Bard, Robbie Burns! Fiddler Rosie Carver with Celtic band Blackthorn and a special guest piper feature the musical traditions of Scotland with a special focus on Burns’ songs and poems.
Dine-Out Vancouver | January 22 – February 9, 2025
Foodies–unite! The popular Dine-Out Vancouver is back this year and runs from January 22 – February 9th. Try out a new restaurant or head to your favourites to enjoy special menus, priced anywhere from $20-$65 per person. Additionally, there are plenty of ticketed events during the festival that might pique your interest.
Pacific Agricultural Show | January 23 – 25, 2025
Visit the Annual Pacific Agricultural Show, the largest agricultural exhibition in BC. Learn about the latest in BC farming, and enjoy fun family activities such as a petting zoo, face painting, balloon artists, learning about vintage farm equipment, tractors, and more!
PuSh Festival | January 23 – February 9, 2025
The PuSh Festival is an international performing arts festival that features exciting and contemporary performances from performers around the world. The festival includes world premieres and examines the themes of injustice, migration, artificial intelligence, displacement, and labour.
Family Literacy Day | January 27, 2025
For 25 years January 27th has marked Family Literacy Day across Canada. Our local libraries are hosting several events. Some happen on the 27th, others happen on the weekends surrounding Family Literacy Day. All of the events are free and encourage reading together as a family.
Harlem Globetrotters | January 29, 2025
With incredible ball-handling wizardry, amazing rim-rattling dunks and trick shots, side-splitting comedy, and unequaled on-court fan interaction, you don’t want to miss the Harlem Globetrotters at the Pacific Coliseum.
Lunar New Year | January 29, 2025
Usher in the New Year with tons of great events and activities happening around Metro Vancouver. Bookmark this guide as new events are added daily!
Winter Lessons for Kids
Beat the winter blues with great extracurricular classes for kids. Whether you’re looking to ignite their passions, try a new sport, or supplement their academics, there are so many opportunities for kids available in Metro Vancouver.
Indoor Play Places
Need an idea for an indoor play place? We’ve got you covered! Kids have a crazy amount of energy. That energy doesn’t disappear just because the skies have opened and the rain is gushing down. Let the kids have a great time playing & get those sillies worked out at one – or more – of these indoor play places around Metro Vancouver.
Kids Eat Free (or cheap!)
As we all know, the cost of food has skyrocketed in the last few years, and when the cost of food is so high, everyone feels the pinch, and finding restaurants that offer FREE or cheap meals is like finding a unicorn. However, some places still help families stay within their budget and get out of the house for a nice family meal.
Sledding Hills
If your kids are like mine, a mere dusting is enough snow to warrant pulling out the magic carpets and sleds. Grab your toques, mitts, pack some hot chocolate and get ready to fly down hillsides. Remember to always pack a change of clothes because no matter how well you bundle your kids you know snow is going to end up in the most impossible of locations.
FREE Birthday Treats
Having a birthday right after the holidays can be hard because everyone is tired of going out and trying to save money. That’s why it’s nice to know there are places to go and spoil yourself for *free*! Some businesses require you to sign up for a loyalty card, so start today and get ready for the birthday treats to roll in as your special day approaches.
But Wait… There’s More!
For a complete listing of all the best events around Vancouver, click on our Calendar, and stay tuned to all the best local family events through our Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok pages. Or, get important information and deals delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for our e-newsletter.
Did you know you can submit your family-friendly event to us? Fill out the form with your event details and we’ll do our best to get your event added to our events calendar.
For a complete listing of all the best events around Metro Vancouver, click on our calendar, and stay tuned to all the best local family events through our Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok.
