Last Updated on May 10, 2026
Vancouver sits on the southwest coast of British Columbia, right where the mountains meet the Pacific. December is part of the city’s low season, and I hesitated about going at that time of year because I was worried it would rain the entire time.
But, I thought back to a trip I took to Iceland, where locals kept repeating that there’s no such thing as bad weather, “only bad clothing.” This was true when I was in Iceland, and so I was sure it would be true in Vancouver, too!
So I went prepared with enough rain gear that even when it was raining, I was comfortable, and I still found myself walking 30,000+ steps a day.
The big benefit of visiting Vancouver in December is that fewer crowds make the city feel calmer, prices dip a bit, and you get to experience the festive season.
And, I ended up lucking out with a beautifully sunny day, plus a string of moody sunsets that made the waterfront gorgeous.
So if you’re debating a December trip like I was, consider this your sign that it’s still a great time to go. Here are 10 of the best things to do in Vancouver in December, from food and cultural spaces to festive events and outdoor experiences.
- Where to Stay in Vancouver
- 10 Best Things to Do in Vancouver in December
- 1. Walk Around Gastown
- 2. Stroll the Seawall to Coal Harbour
- 3. Visit The Vancouver Christmas Market
- 4. Explore Granville Island Public Market
- 5. Go on a Historical Walking Tour in Chinatown
- 6. Visit the Museum of Anthropology
- 7. Walk Down to Wreck Beach [Weather Dependent]
- 8. Bike Around Stanley Park [Weather Dependent]
- 9. Visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
- 10. Watch the Sunset at Sunset Beach
- Bonus: Go Beer Tasting in Port Moody!
- Where to Eat and Drink in Vancouver
- Is Vancouver Worth Visiting in December?
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Where to Stay in Vancouver
Mid-Range & Boutique: Keefer House
Keefer House is a boutique stay located in Vancouver’s Chinatown, which makes it a great base not just for the neighbourhood itself, but for getting to other parts of the city as well. From here, you’re within easy reach of areas like Gastown, Downtown, and the waterfront, all accessible on foot or with a short transit ride.
The rooms at Keefer House are thoughtfully designed, and they come with the amenities of a small apartment. Depending on which specific room you book, you’ll have a kitchenette, living area, and in-suite laundry. This stay is also very tech-forward. Check-in is done online, and your key is digital! There’s no need to stop at a front desk, and support is available by email (they are very quick to respond, I tested it!).
I stayed in a 1-bedroom apartment, which was perfect as I was visiting Vancouver for both work and leisure travel. I was able to comfortable work, and cook myself some meals. I especially loved how the kitchenette came with fresh coffee beans and everything I needed to brew a perfect pour-over cup of coffee.
Keefer house, and my room there
Mid-Range: Coast Coal Harbour Hotel by APA
Coast Coal Harbour by APA is a fantastic mid-range choice with a central location near the waterfront. You’re walking distance to the seawall, Canada Place, and downtown shopping streets.
Rooms are simple and comfortable, with features like Japanese toilets (heated with bidet!) and deep bathtubs.
There’s a fitness centre, a heated outdoor pool, and an on-site restaurant, plus easy access to transit if you’re heading over to Stanley Park, North Vancouver, or UBC.
I stayed here when I visited Vancouver during the chilly winter months, and so I really appreciated the outdoor heated pool after a long day of walking. Every evening when I got back to Coast Coal Harbour, I headed straight into the pool for a soak!
Budget: HI Vancouver Downtown
For a budget-friendly stay, HI Vancouver Downtown in the West End is a practical pick. It’s close to Davie Street’s cafés and grocery stores, and you can walk to English Bay, Sunset Beach, and the Stanley Park seawall in minutes.
Rooms range from private to dorm-style, and amenities include a communal kitchen, laundry, and social spaces where travellers often mingle. It’s not fancy, but the location is excellent and gives you an easy home base for seeing the city without stretching your budget.
10 Best Things to Do in Vancouver in December
Here’s a mix of seasonal experiences, everyday spots, and ways to explore the city, even if it rains!
1. Walk Around Gastown
Gastown is one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods, and a place where you can really feel the city’s history layered into the streets. It’s home to old brick buildings, independent shops, and a dense cluster of cafés and restaurants, all centred around Water Street.
The Gastown Steam Clock is the main landmark here, and while it looks antique, it was actually built in 1977 by horologist Raymond Saunders. It runs on weighted mechanisms, with a small steam engine that raises the weights, and every fifteen minutes it whistles and releases steam in a Westminster-style chime.
In December, the neighbourhood tends to be a bit quieter in the mornings, especially with fewer tourists around, which makes it a really nice time to walk slowly and take it all in. I walked over around 9:00 AM and there were very few people around!
While wandering Gastown, check out some of the local shops. Old Faithful Shop is a great one for home goods. I really enjoyed browsing around Shop Makers Gastown for hand-made jewelry and gifts.
If you like a great cup of coffee like I do, you’ll want to pop into Revolver. It’s one of Vancouver’s most loved coffee shops, and it fits right into Gastown’s aesthetic with its cool, minimalist vibe.
They rotate beans from top roasters and brew everything with care. You can choose which beans are used for your coffee, as well as how your coffee is brewed. If you’re hungry, head just across the street after your coffee to Meat and Bread for a sandwich. I had an incredible Porcetta sandwich there!
Gastown, Vancouver
2. Stroll the Seawall to Coal Harbour
The Vancouver Seawall is one of the best ways to experience the city, especially if you want those classic harbour and mountain views. The path is flat and easy to follow, making it accessible even in winter, though you’ll want to dress for damp weather.
Along the way, you’ll pass landmarks like the bright blue “Drop” sculpture outside the Vancouver Convention Centre, Canada Place with its iconic white sails, and seaplanes taking off right beside the path.
The whole route gives you a front-row seat to Vancouver’s connection to the water, even on grey days.
In December, this is a good activity to save for a clearer weather window, since visibility can shift quickly with rain and fog. That said, I walked this route on a day when it was drizzling rain, and it was still beautiful!
3. Visit The Vancouver Christmas Market
The Vancouver Christmas Market is one of the most seasonal things you can do in the city in December. It’s set up at Jack Poole Plaza and follows a German-style market format, with food stalls, craft vendors, and warm drinks served in collectible mugs.
You’ll find ornaments, handmade gifts, candles, and plenty of traditional treats like pretzels, schnitzel, and baked sweets.
I appreciated that I visited the Vancouver Christmas Market in the evening, because once it’s dark, you can really enjoy the full effect of all the Christmas lights against the backdrop of the Vancouver cityscape.
There’s music, photo spots, and a steady hum of people enjoying the atmosphere. It’s an easy place to wander for an hour or two, snack on something warm, and pick up a few small gifts.
You do need a ticket to enter the Vancouver Christmas Market. I recommend buying it in advance through their website, with timed entry. This way, you can avoid having to wait in a long line.
I went on a weekday around 5:00 PM, so it was dark enough to experience the lights, but not too busy.
Vancouver’s Christmas Market
4. Explore Granville Island Public Market
Granville Island Public Market is one of the most popular food spots in Vancouver, and it’s a perfect place to visit in December since it’s fully indoors.
The market is known for its mix of fresh seafood, bakeries, produce, and local artisan foods, all packed into one lively space. It sits on Granville Island, which used to be an industrial manufacturing zone before being transformed into a cultural and food hub in the 1970s.
Inside the market, you’ll find stalls selling everything from donuts and chocolates to full meals like pad thai, sushi, and fish and chips. It’s worth taking your time here, wandering through the different sections and then stepping outside to explore the surrounding artisan shops and waterfront views.
You can definitely get some Christmas gift shopping done on Granville Island, because there are many artisan shops selling beautiful, locally-made goods. They make for great gifts!
5. Go on a Historical Walking Tour in Chinatown
Vancouver’s Chinatown is one of the city’s most historically significant neighbourhoods, shaped by Chinese immigrants who arrived in the late 1800s, many of whom worked on the Canadian Pacific Railway.
One of the best ways to understand the history of this neighborhood is by joining a walking tour with Judy Lam, who runs small-group tours through her platformChinatown Girl.
Her tours focus on the lived history of the neighbourhood, including the experiences of early Chinese immigrants, the impact of the Chinese Head Tax, and how the community has shaped and sustained the area over time.
Along the way, you’ll visit spaces that you would likely walk right past on your own, including heritage buildings and cultural sites that aren’t always open to the public.
What really stands out is how connected the tour feels to the present day. Judy has strong relationships within the community, and that shows in the way she shares stories, introduces places, and adds context you wouldn’t get from signage or a guidebook.
And although this is a walking tour, much of the tour is spent indoors (visiting heritage buildings and various businesses), making it a great activity for December weather.
Walking around Vancouver’s Chinatown
6. Visit the Museum of Anthropology
The Museum of Anthropology at UBC is one of Vancouver’s most important cultural institutions. It focuses on Indigenous art, history, and cultural belongings, particularly from First Nations communities of the Northwest Coast.
The Great Hall was my favourite room of the museum. It’s where you’ll find towering totem poles and floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the waters. You’ll also find galleries that explore global cultures, archaeological collections, and rotating exhibitions that showcase contemporary Indigenous artists.
Plan to spend at least two hours here so that you can visit most of the galleries, from the Great Hall to the European Ceramics gallery. There are also outdoor exhibits. Behind the museum, you can walk through a quiet outdoor area that includes two Haida Houses created by Bill Reid and Doug Cranmer, modeled after a 19th century Haida village.
They sit beside the Yosef Wosk Reflecting Pond, which mirrors the sky. Around the pond, you’ll find memorial and mortuary poles carved by artists from several Nations, including Jim Hart, Chief Walter Harris, and Mungo Martin.
I don’t recommend rushing through MOA. You’ll want to slowly wander and absorb. In December, this is a good activity to prioritize on a rainy day, since you can easily spend a couple of hours indoors moving through the exhibits at a slower pace.
Totem poles in the Great Hall, and a totem pole that rests alongide the Yosef Wosk Reflecting Pond.
7. Walk Down to Wreck Beach [Weather Dependent]
If the weather is cooperating, you’ll want to check out this beautiful beach after visiting the Museum of Anthropology. It’s an easy 10–15 minute walk to Wreck Beach, UBC’s popular (and famously clothing-optional) stretch of sand.
To walk there, you’ll head toward Trail 6, which is the main access point. Be prepared: the stairs down to the beach are steep and there are a lot of them.
But there are plenty of benches built into the trail, so you can take your time on the way down (and definitely on the way back up).
Once you reach the bottom, you’re rewarded with a wide, quiet beach backed by forest and looking out onto the Salish Sea and Vancouver Island in the distance.
You can walk along the shoreline in either direction. It stretches quite far, and as you walk, it feels like you’re far from the city because you’re surrounded by ocean, sand, and forest.
Wreck Beach is clothing optional. I personally didn’t see any bare bums during my visit, but it’s always a possibility, so just be aware and respectful.
8. Bike Around Stanley Park [Weather Dependent]
Stanley Park spans about 400 hectares, making it one of North America’s largest urban parks and even bigger than New York’s Central Park. Originally home to Coast Salish communities, it became Vancouver’s first official park in 1888 and still carries deep cultural and ecological significance.
You’ll want to visit Stanley Park on a day that you have a window of good weather. That said, if you go prepared with a good rain jacket, water resistant shoes, and an umbrella, you’ll enjoy the park even in bad weather.
The park is famous for its Vancouver Seawall, which does a full loop around the park. The route is roughly 9 kilometres and typically takes about two to three hours to walk at a comfortable pace. If the weather is nice, and you’re up for a few hours of walking (or cycling), I recommend doing the full loop.
If the weather isn’t cooperating, you can instead stick to the southern part of the park, and stop by a few of the park’s landmarks.
- Visit the Totem Poles
Walk to Brockton Point, where you’ll find one of the most visited sites in Vancouver: the Stanley Park Totem Poles. They’re carved by Indigenous artists from several Nations across the province, and each pole tells its own story through symbols, legends, and family histories.
- Walk the Short Loop Around Beaver Lake
Next, head deeper into the park for a peaceful walk around Beaver Lake. The loop is short and easy, and it feels like stepping into a forest oasis despite being minutes from downtown. Expect thick moss, ferns, and (if you’re lucky) a glimpse of the resident beavers or waterfowl.
- People watch at Second Beach
Second Beach is a popular sandy spot along the Stanley Park seawall, known for its great views across English Bay. During the summer you might spot people swimming here, but in November and December, when it’s chillier, you’ll mostly spot dogs enjoying the water.
- Take a guided cycling tour around Stanley Park
One of my favourite ways to explore Stanley Park is by bike, and this Stanley Park cycling tour is such a good way to experience the city beyond the usual sightseeing stops.
You cover way more ground than you would on foot, but because you’re with a local guide, you also get all the context and stories you’d completely miss if you were just biking the seawall on your own.
The pace of this Stanley Park cycling tour is relaxed, and there’s a really nice mix of ocean views, rainforest trails, and city scenery throughout the ride, along with stops at all the park’s points of interest, like the Totem Poles.
If you’re visiting Vancouver for the first time (or just want to understand the city a bit better), I honestly think a guided bike tour is one of the best things you can do.
9. Visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
This park is part of a coastal temperate rainforest, which means its trees are massive, and the air in the park feels damp and fresh. What makes this park special is that it opens onto a steep gorge carved out by the Capilano River, which you can cross over via a suspension bridge.
Getting to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park from Stanley Park will be easiest with a taxi or rideshare. Your other option is to walk back into downtown Vancouver to Canada Place, where you can get on a free shuttle that brings you directly to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
Beyond Capilano’s famous suspension bridge, the park branches off into several walking routes. The Cliffwalk is a slim path attached to the rock face above the river.
The Treetops Adventure is a series of suspended bridges that arc between old growth trees. None of the paths are difficult. You can take your time and wander without feeling rushed.
From late November through December, the park runs Canyon Lights. Everything glows with soft, twinkling lights that are festive without feeling over the top.
I visited the park on a rainy afternoon, and despite the rain, the sparkling bridges and twinkling forest made the whole place feel cozy and festive.
One of my favourite moments at the park was at Eagles Eye Lookout, a designated viewing platform inside the park. I spotted two eagles perched high in a tree!
I spent two to three hours here, and that felt like the right amount of time. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is a popular attraction in Vancouver because it gives you a taste of British Columbia’s nature, without having to venture far from the city.
Tickets are pricey, but I think they are worth it, especially if you won’t be heading north to Squamish or Whistler.
Because of the park’s popularity, it’s a good idea to buy your tickets in advance, with timed entry.
Now, you could say that visiting Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is weather dependent, but, I went while it was raining and had a great time. The trees actually provide quite a lot of cover, and so don’t let bad weather deter you from visiting this park.
10. Watch the Sunset at Sunset Beach
If you end up with a somewhat clear evening while visiting Vancouver in December, be sure to head to Sunset Beach!
This beach is at the edge of the West End, right where Burrard Street meets the water. You’ll want to head there for around 4:15 PM – yes, the sunset is early at this time of year.
It might seem silly to visit a beach during December weather, but believe me when I say, the views from Sunset Beach are incredible, at all times of year. This beach is a stretch of shoreline with views of English Bay, Kitsilano, and the North Shore mountains in the distance.
Even with overcast weather, the vibe here as the sun is setting can be really amazing. The clouds hanging over the mountains, the fog, and the deep blue hues make for a really gorgeous view.
Bonus: Go Beer Tasting in Port Moody!
If you’re up for a short trip outside the city, heading to Brewer’s Row Port Moody is a really solid option, especially on a rainy December day.
Port Moody is about 40–50 minutes from downtown Vancouver by SkyTrain. You can take the Millennium Line out to Moody Centre Station, and from there it’s a quick walk to the breweries. It’s an easy, low-effort commute, even if the weather is bad.
Once you’re there, everything is close together. Brewer’s Row is a 10 minute walk from the Sky Train Station. It’s a stretch of Murray Street with several craft breweries within walking distance of each other, so you can move between them without needing to plan much.
Spots like Yellow Dog Brewing, Parkside Brewery, Moody Ales, and Twin Sails Brewing all have their own style, with a mix of classic and more experimental beers.
Most of the tasting rooms are indoors with plenty of seating, which makes this a good option when the weather isn’t great. If you enjoy craft beer, this is definitely worth the extra travel time.
It’s a nice way to break up your time in Vancouver and experience a different part of the region without needing to commit to a full day trip. I would head to Port Moody in the late afternoon so that you can spend the afternoon and evening enjoying beers, and grabbing dinner.
And if you’d like to spend a full day in Port Moody, read my guide to the Best Things to Do In Port Moody, BC.
Where to Eat and Drink in Vancouver
Here are some of the spots I recommend for a meal or a drink in Vancouver.
Danbo Ramen
Danbo Ramen is one of the most popular ramen spots in Vancouver, known for its Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen. Expect a bit of a wait, but the line moves quickly, and the rich broth and customizable toppings make it worth it. It’s also a cashless restaurant, so come prepared with a card.
Granville Island Public Market
The market doubles as one of the best places to eat in the city, with a huge range of options from casual snacks to full meals. Standouts include Lee’s Donuts and Bon Mano Bon Foods, along with countless other stalls serving everything from seafood to international dishes.
The 515 Bar
The 515 Bar is a casual spot for drinks and small plates. I had yucca fries, an arugula and fennel salad, and a whisky sour, and everything was fantastic. It works well as a lighter dinner option, especially if you’ve already been snacking elsewhere.
Yucca fries and a whisky sour at 515 Cocktail Bar
MeeT (Yaletown)
A fully vegan restaurant with clearly labelled menu options for gluten-free and peanut-free diets. The dishes are filling without being heavy, and the staff are knowledgeable about ingredients and allergens.
Is Vancouver Worth Visiting in December?
Yes, Vancouver is still a great place to visit in December, but the key is going in with the right expectations. The weather can be unpredictable, so it helps to plan loosely rather than locking yourself into a strict itinerary.
When I visited in December, I spent 3 days in Vancouver. I fully expected it to pour rain the whole time, but, I ended up with a beautiful, sunny day!
Based on my experience, the best approach is to stay flexible and adjust your plans based on the forecast each day. Swap outdoor activities for indoor ones if it’s pouring, and take advantage of clearer weather when it shows up.
It also makes a big difference to come prepared. Good layers, comfortable shoes, and a waterproof jacket go a long way in making sure you can still enjoy the city, even when it’s rainy.
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