Get ready to ring in 2017 across the city
There are numerous events to celebrate the turn of the calendar with food, music, fellowship and fun
Owing to the fact that public events in this city too often resemble gatherings of out-of-control toddlers on a rampage, Vancouver went over a decade without a free public New Year’s Eve event after the First Night New Year’s Eve party was nixed in 2003.
That all changed last year with the smashing success of Concord’s NYE Vancouver event, where over 100,000 people gathered to ring in 2016 in good spirits and with good behaviour. Presented by the Vancouver New Year’s Eve Celebration Society in partnership with Concord Pacific, Brand Live and Dine Alone Records, this year’s event promises to be even better.
Not only will we be saying goodbye to 2016, but the incoming year is the 150th anniversary of Canadian confederation, with celebrations planned for Dec 31 in 19 urban centres across the country.
“Our society has been together almost four years now working to create a family-friendly free public New Year’s Eve event,” said Vancouver New Year’s Eve Celebration Society’s Dani Pretto. “Given the success of our debut last year with over 100,000 people, we are really looking to make this a long term legacy event for the city.”
As well as the free outdoor event, there are various ticketed options with special features. The premium price version (tickets $129) is the new True North NYE party at Canada Place, featuring headliners The Sheepdogs, Yukon Blonde, Delhi 2 Dublin, Humans and a DJ room with Kevin Shui, Andy Clockwork and Hebegebe.
“You have to have enough for everyone to do and we really focus on that, but number 1 is certainly the fireworks,” Pretto said.
“This year that includes the 9 p.m. family-focused show which coincides with the Canada-wide 150 celebration, and the marquee show at midnight. We have three different ticket options for those who want a more premium viewing experience, as well as extra features too.”
The 102.7 The Peak stage at the free waterfront festival features headliners the New Pornographers, Wintersleep, Tonye Aganaba, Isabelle Longnus, a short set from The Sheepdogs, Crystal Shawanda and others. The 93.7 JRFM stage is headlined by Meghan Patrick, Dan Davidson, Spencer Burton, Ray Gibson and more. Whatever the weather, the tunes will be blasting out.
“We’re also going bigger with the food, with 19 food trucks providing anything you need to satisfy your New Year’s Eve cravings from mac and cheese to corn dogs to sweets and everything in between,” Pretto said.
Yes, parking all those food trucks, setting up stages and so forth does mean you won’t be driving right up to the prime fireworks viewing spots. Similarly to summer’s Honda-Celebration of Light, there will be road closures and traffic redirection from around 3 p.m. All are encouraged to take transit, free from 5 p.m.
“It’s a big year for Canada and come out and celebrate the country with your friends,” said Pretto. “The federal government has provided us with a lot of help this year, and swag, and fun stuff to make this a very special year for all of us.”
B.C. actually joined confederation on July 20, 1871, so our province’s 150th is technically not happening until 2021, when we get to celebrate it a second time.
Family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations around Metro Vancouver NEW YEAR’S EVE PIZZA PARTY
A fun and relaxing New Year’s Eve with dinner and entertainment for the kids including face painting, balloon twisting, pizza making and an early New Year’s countdown.
Rocky Mountain Flatbread locations | various times
Tickets and info: $20-$25 plus fees, rockymountainflatbread.ca
NYE AT CASTLE FUN PARK
A family-friendly celebration featuring face painting, a holiday movie, door prizes, party favours, hot chocolate and cookies, and balloon drops at 9 p.m. and midnight.
Hwy 1 & Exit 95 at Whatcom Rd., Abbotsford | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tickets and info: Admission and parking free, castlefunpark.com
FRASER VALLEY FIRST NIGHT 2017
Features fireworks, a balloon drop midway rides, face painting, bouncy castles, live entertainment and more.
Tradex Abbotsford | 5 p.m. Tickets: $12-$15, fvtradex.com
HAPPY NOON YEAR FAMILY STORYTIME
A special storytime and party where the countdown will be at noon instead of midnight. Young children, parents and caregivers will enjoy stories, poems, songs and more.
Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch | 11:30 a.m.
Free: vpl.ca/events
MOUNT SEYMOUR: FAMILY FIRST NIGHT
Enjoy snow tubing and tobogganing, take in live entertainment and a magic show, watch a fire spinning routine, enjoy snowshoeing along lantern lit tails to a chocolate fondue, plus an early countdown with fireworks and party favours at 9 p.m. Mount Seymour | 6 p.m.
Tickets and info: $15-$20, mountseymour.com
Grown up New Year’s Eve events
BLACK WIZARD AND BLACK BREATH
Vancouver and Seattle riff-heavy metal bands co-headline, with guests Hasteroid, DJ’s Cam Pipes and Joel James Loewen. Rickshaw Theatre | 7 p.m.
Tickets and info: $18.50, rickshawtheatre.com
BURTON CUMMINGS
Lead singer of the band The Guess Who performs his string of hits. River Rock Casino Resort | 9 p.m. Tickets and info: $119.50, RiverRock.com
CABANA LOUNGE: NEW YEAR’S EVE 2017
This deluxe bash features resident DJ Kenya on the decks with guest Ryan Live from Los Angeles. Cabana Lounge | 7 p.m. Tickets and info: $30, EventShop.com
CIRQUE GALA NYE 2017
Featuring house and hip hop DJs, Cirque performance artists, and champagne at midnight. Fivesixty Nightclub | 9 p.m. Tickets and info: $50-$65, twisted.ca
NEW YEAR’S EVE MURDER MYSTERY DINNER AND DANCE
New Year’s Eve-themed murder mystery during cocktails and dinner, featuring seven professional actors dispersed among the guests incognito. Includes a four-course dinner, live music and a DJ after the show. Brock House Restaurant | 7 p.m.
Tickets and info: $147, brockhouserestaurant.com