20 Things To Do In Vancouver At Night (By A Local)

ByKelena Updated on

Looking for things to do in Vancouver at night?

I’m a night owl. I like to stay up — mostly for late-night snack runs. While Vancouver has been my home since I was born, I’ll be honest: there’s not much to do during the night other than clubs and bars.

But if you’re not into that, you’re probably wondering what else I can do. Thankfully, there are other fun things adults and families can do in Vancouver, which occur year-round or seasonally.

If you’re looking for a midnight snack. Breka Bakery is open 24 hours. If you’re looking for something fun, there are also kaaoke places in Downtown Vancouver.

However, there are more things to do at night in Vancouver and locations that are open late, so let’s get into the details.

Things To Do In Vancouver At Night

You can visit these locations in Vancouver, year-round or seasonally.

1. Richmond Night Market

The Richmond Night Market is excellent for foodies and those interested in experiencing Asian cuisine. Many stalls sell everything from calamari to hurricane potatoes to skewers and more.

There’s also a section where you can play fair games, visit shopping stalls to buy the classic “night market socks” (they sell many options for the same style socks yearly), and enjoy live entertainment. 

I love going to the night market at least twice a year; going with my family or friends is always a fun outdoor activity near Vancouver.

⌚ Hours: Friday to Sunday and on Mondays during a long weekend. Hours fluctuate every year | Location: Richmond

During sunset there people lining up for food at the food stalls on both the left and right side. There are many people walking up and down the isles eating, deciding on food and talking.

2. Vancouver Canucks Hockey Game

I’m a true hockey fan. One of my favourite things to do in the evenings is watch the Vancouver Canucks on TV during hockey season.

However, on rare occasions, I get tickets to watch a game live at Rogers Arena. I highly recommend watching a hockey game if you have never seen one before. Especially when rivals are in town, the crowd can be electric.

⌚ Hours: Home games start at 7:00 PM and finish around 9:30 PM (that’s not including if they go to overtime or shootouts), but depending on who they’re playing against, the times will differ.

A Canucks hockey game is one of the best thing to do in Vancouver at night. There are hockey plays on the ice rink finishing up a game after the Canucks won the game. There are smoke horns and people standing and cheering or leaving the seats. The photo was taken from the nosebleeds also known as the higher balcony seating area.

3. Ghost Tour

If you’re into spirits and ghosts or like a fantastic ghost-telling story, especially during Halloween, a walking ghost tour is something you can do at night in Vancouver.

Walk through Downtown Vancouver and Gastown through all the researched haunted stops and possibly encounter a ghost on tour.

➡️ Check Prices & Availability for the Walking Ghost Tour

4. Sunset Whale Watching Tour

British Columbia is part of the migration path for whales every year. They stop to feed in our rich nutrient waters off the coast. You can spot many different types of whales during certain months of the year, such as Humpbacks, Grey Whales, or Orcas, also known as Killer Whales.

A whale watching tour is an excellent way to witness these beautiful mammals from a safe distance. Since we’re talking about things to do in Vancouver at night, a sunset whale watching tour is the perfect way to enjoy an evening out with wildlife.

Whale tail during sunset

➡️ Check Prices & Availability for the Sunset Whale Watching Tour

5. Celebration Of Lights

One of the largest summer events in Vancouver during July is the Honda Celebration of Lights. It’s a free three-day event in which three countries compete with fireworks displays, and in the end, you get to vote for which country wins.

The massive event has many gatherings at English Bay, where you can watch it from the beach, on the boats in the water, or anywhere in the city with a view of English Bay.

⌚ Hours: It starts at 10:00 PM and lasts 20 to 25 minutes. Location: English Bay Beach

A massive fireworks display with red, gold, green, and orange explosions. There are crowds of people watching on the beach and on boats in the water.

6. Ice Skating

Ice skating is one of the best things to do in Vancouver during the winter months in the evening. Skating is in a Canadian’s blood – like taking swimming lessons, Canadians teach their children how to skate.

Many community centres have open public skate hours (they differ depending on where you want to skate). You can also try the public touristy skating rink in Downtown Vancouver called Robson Square Ice Rink.

Don’t worry about not having ice skating equipment; every rink offers equipment rental for almost all ages.

Here is a list of some of the community centres in Vancouver that have public skate hours during the winter:

7. Night Skiing

Vancouver is famous in Canada for its mountains, and skiing on them at night is a beautiful sight. Our three public mountains, Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour, are accessible from Downtown Vancouver.

All three mountains offer night skiing hours:

Cypress: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Grouse: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Seymour: 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM

8. Evening Dinner Cruise

If you’re looking for a romantic evening, a proposal in Vancouver, or something fun to do during the night, experience an evening dinner cruise.

During a 2.5-hour cruise, you can enjoy the best views of the Vancouver skyline, Northshore mountains, and Stanley Park while listening to live music and sipping on a cocktail.

➡️ Check Prices & Availability for Evening Dinner Cruise

9. Prospect Point Lookout

Prospect Point is located in Stanley Park in Downtown Vancouver. It’s one of the best viewpoints in Vancouver. In the evening, you can watch the sunset and take many Instagram photos.

On one side you can see the ocean with West Vancouver on the side of the mountain. And on the other you can see under the Lions Gate Bridge that is lit up every night.

⌚ Hours: Stanley Park is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day. I think you can access Prospect Point Lookout after hours (the city changed the rule recently)

Just after sunset. The orange and yellow sky is still visable there are clouds to the right. The mountain has lights from buildings and houses from West Vancouver. The ocean is blow and there are boats in the distance.

10. Burnaby Mountain Park

Burnaby Mountain Park is wildly popular among us locals. We like to watch the sunset there and mingle while watching. It can get crowded and a bit chaotic when it comes to parking, but if you get there early enough, you’ll have no issues spending the evening there.

Late Night Activities In Vancouver

These are late night activities and places open in Vancouver past 10:00 PM. Some of these locations are popular with people who prefer to go late at night. I’m also one of them.

11. Breka Bakery

Breka Bakery is one of the few places in Vancouver open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It offers a variety of pastries, drinks, cakes, and more. I have ordered cakes from Breka many times, and they’re fantastic.

There are seven locations in Vancouver:

  • Davie Street
  • Bute Street
  • Hastings
  • Denman
  • Main Street
  • Kitsilano
  • Fraser
A small cake from Breka Bakery. It's a three layered oval cake with a dark chocolate layer on the bottom. A mousse like filling in the middle and a caramel top with simple decorations on one side. There is also some sort of pastry in the background.

12. Duffin’s Donuts

One of my favourite late night Vancouver locations, and any East Vancouver local’s favourite, is Duffin’s Donuts. A family-run business since 1987, they have everything — and I do mean everything: sandwiches, donuts, burgers, and their most popular item, fried chicken.

⌚ Hours: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM Monday to Friday | 24 hours Saturday & Sunday | Location: East 41st Avenue

13. Cypress Lookout

Cypress Lookout is one of the best non touristy things to do in Vancouver. It offers a stunning view of the city and beyond, especially at night, when you can see all the city lights.

It’s also an excellent spot to see when there’s fog blanketing the city. It’s also one of the best places to see the sunset in Vancouver.

⌚ Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM every day | Location: Cypress Mountain

A sunset view of the Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver Harbour, part of Stanley Park and the city skyline of Vancouver with the neighbourhoods in the background that goes off in the distance.

14. Gold Train Express (Pho)

Another one of my favourite places in East Vancouver, and another one of the few places open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is Gold Train Express. Pho (pronounced FUH) is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup dish with different ingredients.

Gold Train is your typical authentic, old-school restaurant, perfect for a late night bowl of pho.

I always get a rare beef pho (usually #1 on the menu). You’ll get a bowl with thin slices of rare beef and noodles. As a heads-up, cilantro and green onions are also in the soup. You have to put the meat at the bottom of the bowl so it will cook as you eat.

Location: Kingsway

A bowl of Pho (pronounced FUH) on the right side with soup broth, noodles, slices of beef, topped with onions and cilantro. Pho is always served with a plate on the side with bean sprouts lime or lemons, and mint leaves. There's also a red vingar dishes to put in your soup.

15. GLITCH Retro Arcade Bar

If you’re looking for things to do in Vancouver at night for adults, GLITCH Retro Arcade Bar is located in Kitsilano and is decorated with nostalgic vibes of the 80s and 90s.

Adults aged 19+ can enjoy retro gaming and a social bar atmosphere. The venue offers classic arcade games, pool tables, and darts. They also host various events and themed nights.

⌚ Hours: Mondays (Closed) | 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM Tuesday to Thursday | 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM Friday & Saturday | 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM Sundays | Location: West Broadway

16. The Rec Room

The Rec Room is another arcade in Burnaby’s Brentwood neighbourhood. I went once when it first opened to check it out, but I’m not going to lie; it’s a bit pricey to play the games and order food.

However, I wanted to include it on the list because it’s a late night location if you’re looking for something to do. It’s also a 19+ location after 10:00 PM.

⌚ Hours: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday – Wednesday | 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Tuesdays | 11:30 AM – 1:30 AM Friday & Saturday | Location: Brentwood

17. Watch A Movie In Theatres

Another activity you can do in Vancouver at night is watch a movie in a theatre. My boyfriend loves movies, so I’ve watched many late night movies at the theatre.

Movie theatres in Vancouver: Cineplex | Scotiabank Theatre | Rio Theatre

18. Karaoke

Karaoke nights are fun for anyone of all ages and an excellent way to celebrate a birthday in Vancouver. You can sing to your heart’s content. I have been to a karaoke place, and the time flies when you’re singing and having fun. Some popular karaoke locations in Downtown Vancouver are open late.

SWITCH: 2:00 PM – 2:00 AM Sunday to Tuesday | 2:00 PM – 3:00 AM Friday & Saturday | Location: Robson Street

Fantacity: 2:00 PM – 1:00 AM Sunday to Tuesday | 2:00 – 2:00 AM Friday & Saturday | Location: Robson Street

19. Par-Tee Putt

One of the recent additions to the late night nightlife in Vancouver is Par-Tee Putt, an indoor golf putting location. They have 18 different putting green designs, all significant to Vancouver and pop culture references.

It can get busy waiting for other people in front of you. Also, if you would like to order drinks, a bar is open for you to order while you play.

⌚ Hours: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Monday to Thursday | 3:00 PM – 1:00 AM Friday & Saturday | 3:00 PM – 12:00 AM Sundays | Location: Smithe Street

20. Billiards

For those looking for a chill evening, billiards (pool and snooker) is another late night activity in Vancouver. There are a few locations in Vancouver, but East End Billards and SoHo Bar & Billiards are two places people go to.

East End Billards Hours: 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM Sunday to Thursday | 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM Friday & Saturday | Location: East Hastings

SoHo Bar & Billiards Hours: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM Sunday to Thursday | 12:00 PM – 3:00 AM Friday & Saturday | Location: Hamilton Street

A green table with two wooden que stick for a game of billiards. There are 15 different coloured balls set up in a triangle shape (one of the balls is out of frame). They're either solid or have a strip in the middle and all have numbers on them like 7, 10, 2, 15.

Does Vancouver Have Nightlife?

Living in Vancouver has many pros and cons, but Vancouver doesn’t have a big nightlife scene. While the city is trying to fix the nightlife, it’s not as exciting as other places in the world or country.

Can You Walk Around Vancouver At Night?

Yes and no. While Vancouver is safe overall, like other cities, there are areas where you shouldn’t walk around alone at night, such as certain blocks of East Hastings and Gastown.

Walking around at night is safer in the more populated areas, like Granville Street, before 10:30 PM.

Conclusion

While Vancouver doesn’t have many nighttime activities, there are still some, such as checking out the Richmond Night Market or grabbing a two-in-the-morning snack from Break Bakery. I hope the night owl in you finds something fun to do while visiting Vancouver.

Have a good day 🙂

Kelena

Kelena is the founder and author of The Travelling City Girl. She's a part-time travel blogger passionate about exploration and dedicated to becoming a full-time travel blogger. She's here to help you gain information and knowledge, focusing on her expertise on her home province of British Columbia.