10 things to do for New Year’s Eve
Posted December 31, 2018 8:01 am.
Last Updated December 31, 2018 8:04 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If you’re still looking for something fun to do to ring in 2019, here are a few ideas for you:
1. Party it up!
A number of hotel galas are taking place in the region, including the Fairmont Waterfront and Marriott Downtown in Vancouver. You can also head to the Waldorf where there will be four different parties with four distinct flavours ranging from a 1970s disco to a futuristic techno party. The Biltmore is hosting an 80s party and a Great Gatsby-themed party yacht leaves its False Creek dock at 9 p.m.
2. Free Outdoor Street Party!
Vancouver’s Jack Poole Plaza is the place to be for downtown fireworks, all-night music, and entertainment. That includes colourful roving performers such as 12-foot tall puppets and marching bands. It will also feature the largest Vancouver food truck festival of 2018. Both an early (9 p.m.) and late (midnight) fireworks show are planned.
3. Laugh the year away!
Vancouver TheatreSports is holding its annual Year in Review improv shows tonight on Granville Island to help you have a laugh at the year that was. Bring your funny bone — performers will be taking a dig at pot legalization, bike lane controversy and Donald Trump, as well as welcoming audience suggestions.
4. Lace up
Toonie skates are taking place today in a number of municipalities including North Vancouver, Cloverdale, Surrey, Richmond, Port Coquitlam, Detla, Chilliwack, and Burnaby. For just $2, some events are offering face painting, crafts and games as well as hot chocolate for the daytime events with the toonie covering the cost of rentals as well. In Cloverdale, the arena has been transformed into a Winter Ice Palace.
5. Balloon drop
Another family friendly way to spend the holiday is Castle Fun Park’s Early Balloon Drop. Kids can enjoy a movie, popcorn, hot chocolate, and cookies between mini golf go-karts and bumper cars at the Abbotsford attraction. The balloons drop at 9 p.m. so you can get the little ones snug in bed before popping that bubbly.
6. Magic on the Mountains
North Shore ski hills are offering family-friendly entertainment. Fireworks and smores at Cypress Mountain are exclusively for ticket holders and passholders and start at 5 p.m. Family First Night at Seymour includes LED Hula-Hooping and LAZER tobogganing. Tickets for Grouse Mountain’s event are sold out but if you have a season’s pass you are welcome to join. Activities include the mountaintop skating pond and outdoor Light Walk around Blue Grouse Lake.
7. Eat, drink and escape
Langley’s indoor family entertainment centre The Great Escape will feature laser tag, mini golf, food, door prizes, and an early countdown at 9 pm. Partygoers will receive hats, noisemakers and confetti showers to help them get in the mood.
8. Forests of Lights
Explore Surrey’s Bear Creek on the Christmas Train with hot chocolate as you choo-choo through the Enchanted Forest, or head down to Stanley Park for the Bright Nights Christmas train which runs til January 5th.
9. Rock ‘n’ Roll in Richmond
A New Year’s Eve concert at River Rock Casino features Fleetwood Mac cover band Dreams, Colin Weibe celebrating the music of Guess Who and a Rod Stewart tribute. Performances go until 12:30 p.m.
10. Fire and Ice
Whistler’s Skiers Plaza will be lit with a High-Flying Snow Show starting at 7:30 p.m. followed by fireworks at 8 p.m. A special edition Fire & Ice Show precedes the fireworks and free family events will be taking place at the Whistler Events Centre and Olympic Plaza.
