20 Things To Do In Vancouver At Night

Vancouver is a vibrant city and one of the most livable cities in the world. Its location near the ocean and forests makes it one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Canada. Vancouver’s scenery is captivating with its waterfront skyline, snow-capped mountains and modern glass buildings. You’ll find plenty to keep you busy both during the day and in Vancouver at night. 

Vancouver’s growing and diverse population is currently the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada. The atmosphere is multicultural, friendly and welcoming, with friendly Vancouverites who will make you feel welcome and safe. There are many fun spots in and around the city, which stays alive after dark with fun activities and thrilling adventures. From cruises to casinos, cycling to gazing at night lights, here are some of the best things to do in Vancouver at night.

Vancouver At Night

20 Things To Do In Vancouver At Night

1- Go On A Ghost Tour Of Gastown

Gastown’s historic vibe and European-like cobblestone streets are perfect for a ghost tour.

The spooky atmosphere helps bring the atmosphere of the early days of this historic area of Vancouver alive as a local storyteller walks you around the back alleys and into the past.

What better way to learn about the great Vancouver fire? Listen to tales of smallpox, crime, revenge and murder as you discover the secrets of Vancouver’s early days.

Joining a ghost tour hosted by a knowledgeable guide is a great way to see and learn about all of Gastown’s major landmarks.

The Lost Souls tour takes about 1.5 hours and is a thrilling way to spend your night in Vancouver. Book your spot here. 

2- Cruise The Vancouver Harbour

A relaxing way to enjoy the twinkling lights of the Vancouver skyline at night is to go on a cruise.

Start at sunset and watch the sun disappear into the Pacific Ocean as you enjoy a dinner buffet and music while cruising past Canada Place and Lions Gate Bridge.

A cruise is a perfect way to spend a romantic evening with a view of the distant mountains and the skyline.

The cruise is about 2.5 hours and boards at 501 Denman St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2W9, Canada. Reserve your seats now. 

3- Experience FlyOver Canada’s Simulated Flight Rides

Experience aerial views of Canada’s stunning landscapes without leaving your seat.

FlyOver Canada’s advanced technology combines footage of Canada’s most stunning locations with motion and special effects to engage all your senses and make you feel like you are truly there.

Special effects include mist, scents and wind.

The wind on your face seems so real as you fly over the Rocky Mountains and across the sky from coast to coast.

It’s a memorable experience for a wet day that all the family can enjoy.

The whole experience lasts 25 minutes, and the simulated flight is eight minutes long.

FlyOver Canada is at 201-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 Canada.

4- Shop At Richmond’s Night Market

Richmond’s night market is a colourful, bubbly fair with various stalls and activities.

It’s the largest and busiest night market in North America, and you wouldn’t want to miss it.

If you are in Vancouver in summer, Richmond Night market is a weekend destination for entertainment, shopping and food.

The market is open from Friday (7 pm), Saturday (6 pm) and Sunday (7 pm) each week.

Richmond’s Night Market is at 8351 River Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 1Y4. You might like to join this Asian food tour in Richmond. 

5- Go Skiing or Snowboarding

Although it rarely snows in the city, there are ski areas where you can hit the winter slopes in Vancouver at night.

Cypress Mountain’s night skiing runs from December to March.

The mountain hosted freestyle skiing and snowboarding events at the 010 winter Olympics.

Head up to Grouse Mountain to ski or snowboard above the city lights until 9 pm or 10 pm.

Night Lift tickets (after 3 pm) include access to chairlifts, mountain activities and the Skyride.

Cypress Mountain Resort is at 6000 Cypress Bowl Rd, West Vancouver, BC V7V 3N9. Grouse Mountain is at 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9.

6- Drink Craft Beer

Vancouver is Canada’s craft beer capital and you can taste craft beer in bars, restaurants and breweries until the wee hours.

Hit the Brewery Creek Ale Trail in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, where you will find a concentration of microbreweries.

The area is a historic beer brewing area, and beer has been made here since the 1880s.

City Brewery, Mainland Brewery, dating back to 1887, and the Columbia Brewery (1888) were the first breweries to use the creek’s water in their recipes and power their machinery.

Breweries to pop into in Mount Pleasant include 33 Acres Brewing Company, Main Street Brewing Co, Faculty Brewing and Electric Bicycle Brewing.

Two of the best brew pubs in downtown Vancouver are Yaletown Brewing and Steamworks Brewing. This brewery tour is a great way to visit several breweries. 

7- Admire The Canyon Lights At Capilano Suspension Bridge

Capilano Suspension Bridge is open all year long and offers several activities and displays of historical, geological, and educational material.

A highlight is the opportunity to walk across the 450 feet (137 m) long suspension bridge overlooking the forest and the canyon below.

A special time of year to visit this Vancouver bridge at night is during the Christmas period (November to January) to admire the world-famous suspension bridge lit up end to end with a changing display of multi-coloured lights.

It’s a magical experience to walk through the “Arc de Lumina” light tunnel, above the forest floor between tall Christmas trees, with the Capilano River and canyon illuminated below.

Capilano Suspension Bridge is at 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, BC. Find out how to see the canyon lights. 

8- Enjoy The Light Walk At Grouse Mountain

Not too far from downtown Vancouver lies The Grouse Mountain, one of the city’s most popular attractions, where a trip on the Skyride offers a jaw-dropping view.

Grouse Mountain also has a light show that attracts is popular with both visitors and locals.

This light walk creates the ambience of a romantic evening with lights to guide you through a trail bordered by pine trees.

Grouse Mountain is at 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9.

9- Go To The Theatre

Vancouver is a hub for the arts, and the city has its fair share of fantastic plays, talented casts and performance spaces.

Several theatres and venues put on world-class performances, from Broadway shows and dance performances to operas and plays.

The Orpheum Theatre is where the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs and has been a historic venue since 1929.

The Queen Elizabeth Theatre is a historic theatre named after Queen Elizabeth II, who was present at the theatre’s opening concert in 1959.

Other venues include the York Theatre, Arts Club Theatre, Gateway Theatre and Pacific Theatre, a historic church that hosts religious-themed plays and shows.

Pacific Theatre is at 1440 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6H 1M8. Queen Elizabeth Theatre is at 630 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5N6.

10- Go Night Ice Skating

Vancouver is a hub for wintertime activities and ice skating is extremely popular.

With mostly mild winters, it’s never cold enough to skate on frozen lakes and ponds, but there are several skating rinks in the city.

Some of these spots within Vancouver are open to skate at night.

Britannia ice skating is available throughout the year, and the rink at Robson Square also opens from December through February.

Night skating is fun if you love skating and an exciting way to get active in winter in Vancouver.

Britannia Rink Address: 1661 Napier St, Vancouver, BC V5L 4X4. Robson Square Rink Address: 800 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 3B7.

11- Go Night Shopping On Robson Street

Robson Street is Vancouver’s downtown heart in the West End neighbourhood.

As one of the first streets in Vancouver, it was named after John Robson, Premier of British Columbia, from 1889 to 1892.

One of the oldest shopping districts in Vancouver, retail shops stay open until 7, 8 or 9 pm, and there are plenty of dining options too.

The hop-on hop-off bus is a good way to get around to a few places in Vancouver. 

12- Party On Granville Street

Granville Street is Vancouver’s party central, with clubs, bars, pubs and restaurants within easy walking distance.

Have a cocktail at The Living Room, listen to a band at the Roxy Cabaret or rub shoulders with the cool crowd at Republic, an eclectic two-storey moody nightspot with local and international DJs seven nights a week.

The art deco Commodore Ballroom has a live show programme and has been host to famous performers since opening in 1929, from Dizzy Gillespie to Snoop Dogg.

The Granville Street strip dazzles after dark.

The Roxy Cabaret is at 932 Granville St, Vancouver. The Living Room is at 1006 Granville St, Vancouver.

13- Explore Yaletown

Known for fabulous nightlife and food, Yaletown crawls with famous people, from business owners to chefs and even the occasional celebrity.

What used to be an industrial hub is now covered in high-rise apartments, restaurants, bars, and what seems to be one of Vancouver’s most prestigious hotels – Opus.

If you are looking for a fun night out, Yaletown is a great option.

Start at Yaletown Brewing, the city’s first brewpub, then head to the OPUS Bar in the OPUS Hotel.

14- Visit Playland At The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE)

With over 100 years as Vancouver’s annual fair, visiting at night is a fun affair with bright lights, positive energy and fun activities for everybody.

Playland offers a buffet of amusement park attractions like fun rides, mini-golf courses and haunted houses.

There are many food options, too, including slushies, candy floss, mini-doughnuts, pizza and burgers.

A night out at Playland amusement park is always an uplifting experience.

Playland is at 2901 Hastings St E, Vancouver. 

15- Have A Fun Time Learning At Science World After Dark Event

Science World After Dark Event is a monthly event for adults ages 19 and over.

It’s a chance to wander around on a night out, and tickets grant access to all six galleries and exhibits with interesting science shows.

Movies play on the giant-screen OMNIMAX® while food and drinks are served.

Joining this unique event is a chance to meet new people and experience a night out for adults only.

Science World After Dark is on the last Thursday of the month at 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7.

16- Parq Vancouver Casino Resort

Have a flutter at Parq Vancouver, a casino complex between Gastown and Yaletown.

Parq Vancouver’s casino floor has slot machines and gaming tables, while the complex has various entertainment options, including restaurants, cocktail lounges, bars, patios and hotels.

Give your credit card a workout at the retail shops, book a spa treatment, or relax in the elevated outdoor park above the skyline.

Parq Vancouver Casino Resort is at 39 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5E7. Check out this tour if you’d prefer to visit a few nightlife districts where you can drink and place a bet.

17- Go On A Night Cycle

If you’ve ever wanted to cycle through Stanley Park at night, it’s best to do it on an organised cycling tour.

Cycling allows you to get the lay of the land and cover more ground than a walking tour.

Enjoy the ambience of Vancouver at twilight when the streets are quieter by joining a cycling tour.

Cycle along forest trails to a sandy beach, past the seawall and along downtown Vancouver’s neon-lit streets.

You’ll cruise along the False Creek waterfront, where you’ll admire the sunset from Burrard Street Bridge. Find out more about this tour. 

18- Go Kayaking or Standup Paddleboarding

A tranquil way to explore Vancouver at night is on the water aboard illuminated kayaks or paddleboards with knowledgeable local guides.

Tours start in False Creek, where you can enjoy lovely night views over the Vancouver skyline before paddling into English Bay.

You don’t need to have expertise in either activity, as the guides will give you some basic instructions.

Read more about the ‘Light the Night Kayak or Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour’. 

19- Watch A Match Or Show At Rogers Arena

Rogers Arena is the home to the Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver Warriors and Vancouver Titans.

If you’re a fan of Canada’s national winter sport, watching a Canucks game is a treat, but tickets can be a bit pricy, so plan well in advance.

You can even audition to sing the national anthem at a Canucks game by submitting a CD with your a cappella performance of the Canadian and American national anthems.

If you have no luck getting tickets to a Canucks game, try the Vancouver Warriors, a National Lacrosse League box lacrosse team, or the Vancouver Titans, a professional Overwatch esports team (online gaming).

Rogers Arena also hosts concerts by big-name performers and other shows.

Rogers Arena is at 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver.

20- Play A Game In An Escape Room

Looking for a fun thing to do for a birthday party or fun date? Escape rooms feature interactive games that require group collaboration, and each room has a unique theme, such as pirates, The Matrix, a studio party and a Las Vegas casino.

Hanging out in an escape room is a fun way to spend time with friends or family, solve puzzles together, hunt for clues and crack codes.

Spending an evening in an escape room is a bonding experience.

i-Exit is at 1129 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1M1. 

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