What to Do for Winter Break in Vancouver When You’re Not That into Christmas

You probably don’t consider yourself a scrooge. You have nothing against a twinkle of tiny bulbs on a string and plastic Santas in polyester red suits leave you unfazed. But by the time the break from school has come around, the requirement to be in a peppy “Christmas Spirit” seems just a bit much. On top of the disgusting peer pressure to skip in the snow while you drink overwhelmingly expensive peppermint mochas is the fact that any public place seems to be overpopulated with stressed, manic shoppers and crying children. Cowering indoors, buried under blankets ends up being the best alternative to venturing out to experience the public’s “Christmas Spirit”.

While I am always in support of a good Netflix binge, considering the winter break marks the end of exam time, and gaining some human experience beyond the confines of your own house is the only way for this break to actually be distinguishable from the normal school semester. In light of this fact, I have compiled a list of five events (and how to attend them) that require neither a Santa hat nor caroling. Here are five things to do over this winter break in Vancouver:

1. See a show.

Beyond the typical Christmas plays, Mary Poppins is playing at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage until January 1st. If you are interested in getting away from noisy kiddos and “cute” families altogether, check out Avenue Q at the Granville Island Stage. Avenue Q is a play with puppets and obscene humor. Need I say more? You can locate more info on these and other shows (including Cirque du Soleil’s Toruk) by going here. 

2. Visit a farmer’s market.

Okay, so, you will probably be offered hot cocoa and hot cocoa is somewhat Christmassy, but don’t let this deter you. Visiting a farmer’s market lets you support local craftspeople and farmers. Beyond this, you get a chance to talk with these people and gain more connection with your community, proving a farmer’s market can encourage connectedness much more effectively than the commotion of a Santa Claus parade. Usually taking place on Sundays, you can find a local market including the White Rock Farmers’ Market, the Cannery Farmers’ Market, and the Hastings Park Farmers’ Market. On Saturdays you can stop by the Nat Bailey Winter Farmer’s Market.

3. Attend a concert or music festival.

Of course Vancouver has a constant flow of musicians playing at the many venues throughout the city. The pressure to attend your work Christmas dinner should not keep you from seeing your favorite artist. And while the winter season feels like the time to retire your crop tops, stowing these treasures to the back of your closet may have been the wrong move. Contact Winter Music Festival takes place annually from December 26 to December 27 at BC Place Stadium. If you haven’t already gotten your tickets, be sure to do so now. It’s a winter festival that you don’t want to miss out on!

4. Take a dip in some freezing water.

Nothing says rejuvenation like diving into the ocean in the middle of winter. This will guarantee to wake you up after a long semester spent studying indoors. This New Years Day activity can be done at either (or both, if you are just THAT crazy) English Bay for the Polar Bear Swim or Deep Cove for the Penguin Plunge.

5. Visit an art gallery.

Escape to the warmth of indoor heating and see the bright colours of the contemporary art in the Vancouver Art Gallery’s Juxtapoz x Superflat exhibition. I guarantee that there will be no sight of Holiday Merriment, but instead an installation piece in which you are invited to draw a nude “model” and offer your sketch as a contribution to the artwork.

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