Love is in the air as we count down to Valentine’s Day, and this year, it falls nicely on a Friday—setting the stage for a dreamy weekend escape or a fun-filled adventure right here in Metro Vancouver.
With the added bonus of a long weekend, there’s even more time to celebrate, whether it’s a romantic winter getaway, a cozy dinner, or exploring all the exciting events happening around the city. So grab your loved ones, embrace the season, and make the most of this special weekend!
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Things to do in Vancouver this week
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, and many people mark the occasion with special events and romantic meals. From intimate dinners to themed events, the day offers a variety of ways for couples to create cherished memories together.
Events includes: (UPDATE with list of events or list of guides)
When & Where: February 14, various events throughout Vancouver
Cost: Varies
Invictus Games
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The Invictus Games 2025 will be held in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, from February 8–16, bringing togethe injured, and sick service members and Veterans from around the world. The event will feature adaptive winter sports for the first time, such as alpine skiing and wheelchair curling, alongside traditional competitions like sitting volleyball and archery. This edition aims to celebrate resilience, camaraderie, and the healing power of sport.
The closing ceremony will take place at Rogers Arena on February 16 featuring Jelly Roll, Barenaked Ladies, and The War And Treaty.
When & Where: February 8-16 at various venues in Vancouver and Whistler
Cost: Varies
Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival Ending
Without a doubt, one of the most anticipated annual winter festivals is the Hot Chocolate Festival in Vancouver. Every year, coffee shops, bakeries and chocolatiers get creative with their cups of cocoa. It is a perfect way to warm up in winter and get into a “sweet” frame of mind before Valentine’s Day.
This year will be the 15th run of the festival. There are 81 businesses will be participating at 124 locations, with a total of 180 different flavours!
When & Where: January 18 – February 14 at locations all over Metro Vancouver
Cost: Varies
Lantern City Ending (FREE)
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Vancouver’s Lantern City is making its much-anticipated return, lighting up the city with vibrant, larger-than-life lantern displays.
This annual celebration showcases stunning artworks that reflect diverse cultural stories and traditions. To celebrate the Year of the Snake, it will highlight the snake’s adaptable form, which enables it to move fluidly or coil into an ouroboros—a powerful symbol of life, death, and renewal. With their calm and perceptive nature, snakes remind us to seek balance amidst constant change.
When & Where:
- Pendulum Gallery: Jan 27 – Feb 22
- Bentall Centre: Jan 29 – Feb 20
- 800 Robson Plaza: Jan 29 – Feb 18
- Granville Island: Jan 29 – Feb 17
- šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square: Jan 29 – Feb 18
Cost: Free
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Black History Month
BC has a rich Black history dating back to our colonial origins. This month, there will be a number of events and celebrations recognizing their contribution to our community. Some of the events includes:
- Feb 1 – 28 – City of Vancouver (event lineup)
- Feb 1 – 28 – BC Black History Awareness Society (event lineup)
- Feb 1-28 – Black History Month at VIFF Centre (show lineup)
- Feb 7 at 3 pm – Black in BC: Celebrating Black Excellence 2025 at the Surrey Arts Centre
- Feb 22 at 10 am – Vancouver Public Library Presents Black History Month Celebration
- Feb 6, 10, 16, 18 & 21 – Vancouver Art Gallery – Celebrating Black Futures 2025
Lights at Lafarge Ending (FREE)
Coquitlam’s largest holiday light display is in Coquitlam. Stunning the area of Town Centre Park, Lights at Lafarge will wow spectators once again this year as they walk through the beautiful Christmas displays and enjoy some festive fun.
When & Where: November 22 – February 17 at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam
Cost: Free
[Last Chance] Cartems Donut Closing
Cartems Donuts, one of Vancouver’s most beloved donut shops, will close permanently on February 14th after 14 years in business. Known for its creative flavors like London Fog, Honey Parmesan, and Smoked Maple Walnut, Cartems is a local favorite for its unique takes on classic donuts and innovative flavor combinations.
When & Where: February 14, the Mount Pleasant shop at 2190 Main Street and the grand kitchen in Coquitlam at 91 Golden Drive.
Cost: Varies
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Lumen Festival
Founded in 2024, LUMEN is a small winter festival designed to bring light to the dark winter season through a weekend of music performances.
The 2025 LUMEN Festival will feature three concerts over three days, running from February 14 to February 16.
When & Where:
- VOCES8: Draw on Sweet Night – February 14 from 7:30 PM at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts
- Dorothee Mields & the PBO: Bach Ties the Knot – February 15 from 3 pm at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church
- Huehuetenango: Music from 16th Century Guatemala – February 16 at 3 pm at Pacific Spirit United Church
Cost: Varies
Catch a Show
Ballet Jorgen’s, Sleeping Beauty (This week only)
Sleeping Beauty is a celebrated classical ballet performed by major companies worldwide, telling the magical story of Princess Aurora, her prince, and the timeless battle between good and evil.
The ballet, rooted in the fairy tale of a cursed princess awakened by true love’s kiss, captures the imagination of children and resonates deeply with adults. Ballet Jörgen’s production, directed by Bengt Jörgen, emphasizes the allegorical connection to nature, blending Marius Petipa’s traditional choreography with themes of renewal and love.
When & Where: February 8 from 4-6 pm at the Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Avenue
New Westminster
Cost: $35
The Arts Club Theatre Company presents Primary Trust
The Arts Club Theatre Company’s Canadian premiere of Primary Trust is coming to the Granville Island Stage. Written by Eboni Booth, Primary Trust is a tenderhearted exploration of loneliness and new beginnings.
When & Where: February 6 – March 2 at the Granville Island Stage,1585 Johnston St, Vancouver
Cost: From $29
The Arts Club Theatre Company presents The Three Musketeers (Ending)
The Arts Club Theatre Company starts the new year with The Three Musketeers, a masterfully adapted swashbuckling comedy, at the historic Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage.
Adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, this tale follows the adventures of Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and the young D’Artagnan. Newly arrived in Paris, with the skill of a swordsman and the heart of a warrior, D’Artagnan wishes to join the renowned musketeers.
When & Where: January 16 – February 16 at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville Street Vancouver
Cost: From $29.
Sinners by Norm Foster (Ending)
A riotously funny farce from Canada’s most produced playwright, Norm Foster, comes to Metro Theatre!
Sinners is an under-seen comedic gem that spins a tale of heavenly mismatches—and devilish consequences. Join a rogues gallery of sinners, including a reverend, his wife, her lover, an inquisitive cop and a gaggle of nosy neighbours.
When & Where: January 24 – February 15 at the Metro Theatre, 1370 Marine Dr SW, Vancouver
Cost: $37
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Ongoing things to do in Vancouver
Love Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Love is in the air this Valentine’s season as you make your way across the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Eperience the magic as the park sparkles with millions of lights, creating an idyllic setting for romantic strolls.
Take your date night to the new heights with Love Lights. You can take a stroll down the sparkling Cliffwalk and pose next to the illuminated rainforest chandelier with the light of your life.
When & Where: January 31 – February 23 at the Capilano Suspension Bridge
Cost: varies
Meditate Exhibition at the Museum of Surrey – FREE
The Museum of Surrey invites you to a transformative journey into mindfulness and tranquility with the Meditate Exhibition, running until March 9, 2025. This immersive experience, designed for all ages, combines interactive displays, serene spaces, and special events that explore the profound impact of meditation.
When & Where: Now until March 9 at the Museum of Surrey, 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey, BC
Admission: Free
Support Indigenous Youth at UNYA’s Annual Eat, Shop, Hang Event (Ending Feb 19)
Urban Native Youth Association’s (UNYA) Eat, Shop, Hang event is a thrifting extravaganza for Indigenous Youth, and your support is essential to make it a success.
They’re seeking donations of gently used clothing, shoes, purses, bags, belts, hats, wallets, socks, hygiene products, and make-up.
When & Where: January 20 – February 19 from 9am-5pm (excluding lunch hour) at the Urban Native Youth Association, 1618 E Hastings St, Vancouver
Cost: Donations accepted
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Bloedel Conservatory
The perfect winter escape, Bloedel Conservatory finally reopened this month, and is the perfect place to visit to escape the winter blues. Located at Queen Elizabeth Park’s highest point, it was temporarily closed this Fall for repairs and to improve accessibility.
This domed paradise features over 100 exotic birds, koi fish, and 500 species of plants and flowers in a temperature-controlled setting.
When & Where: January and February: 10am-4pm at 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver
Cost: $8.05
Cypress Pop-Up & Trestle Bridge (FREE)
Take a scenic stroll across an elevated trestle bridge adorned with dazzling holiday lights, nestled in a pocket forest on West Vancouver’s mountainside. Back by popular demand for the Christmas season, Cypress Village will light up nightly until the end of February 2025.
The Cypress Pop-Up Village is beautifully decorated for the holidays and features The Shed, a cozy outdoor spot offering festive treats and drinks like hot coffee, beer, and pizza. Visitors can also enjoy a designated lookout with breathtaking panoramic views of Burrard Inlet and Metro Vancouver.
When & Where: On now until February 2025, until 10 pm daily at 3757 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver (location of the pop-up village and main parking)
Cost: Free
North Vancouver’s Shipyards Rink (FREE)
North Vancouver’s impressive 12,000 square foot skating rink in The Shipyards returns this holiday season and it’s free for all.
The city skyline serves as a stunning backdrop, and with all these commercial amenities right at your fingertips, it’s truly spectacular. This skating rink is unlike any other in Vancouver.
When & Where: November 30 – February 28 at Shipyards District, 145 Chadwick Court, North Vancouver
Cost: Free
Robson Square Ice Rink (FREE)
This winter, strap on some skates and frolic in one of Vancouver’s most beloved ice rinks. Downtown’s Robson Square Ice Rink will return to the public this holiday season. Conveniently located in the centre of downtown, it is an outdoor rink with a glass ceiling that beautifully lights up for the festive season.
When & Where: December 1 – February 29 from various times at Robson Square Ice Rink, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
Cost: Free (Skate rentals are $5)
Saturday Morning Movie for only $3.99
Cineplex is offering children’s movie at 11 o’clock on Saturday mornings for only $3.99 +tax. This month’s lineup includes:
- Feb 1 – Transformers One
- Feb 8 – Hitpig!
Note however that it is only at participating theatres, and available films details may vary on locations. You can check out their website for the most up-to-date details.
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