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7 Ways to Ring in the New Year in Vancouver

Glam up and hit the town... bubbly and fireworks await in some surprising places.

By Daniela Becerril /

Last year, I travelled back to my home country, Mexico, and forced half of my family to celebrate NYE on Paris time. It was all because I’d made the worst decision ever: to book a returning flight to Vancouver on the last night of 2017, just to save a couple of bucks (shame on me).But I refused to miss out on the Mexican eat-12-lucky-grapes-at-the-stroke-of-midnight tradition, so (just like the early fireworks here in the West Coast are planned to coincide with the East’s midnight time) I made our countdown coincide with Paris old year’s farewell. My younger sister happened to be living in the city of lights at the time, and she made sure to stream the countdown for us, but it did feel just a little pathetic to celebrate the New Year during daytime. Oops. So after such a lacklustre end to 2017, I’ve rounded up some of the top NYE Events in the city to make sure all of us celebrate the right way this year.

Midnight in Paris NYE 2019

You can actually celebrate like a Parisian at the Pinnacle Hotel in Coal Harbour…without having to synchronize your clock to Central European Time. Toast to the future with your complimentary glass of Moët and Chandon and enjoy the midnight snack bar with a 24-foot Eiffel tower in the background, live music, live painting artists and other oh-so-Français live performances.
When: December 31st 2018, from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Where: Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront (1133 West Hasting Street)
Cost: starting at $60

Concord’s New Year’s Eve 2019

With over 100 thousand attendees expected, this has to be the largest NYE party in the city. Join this massive gathering for access to food trucks, live music, street performer and a spectacular synchronized fireworks show.
Where: Canada Place
Free outdoor festival: 7:00 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. (request a free R.S.V.P. as space is limited closer to the performance stages)
Indoor party: starting at $59, from 7:00 p.m. to late.
Family Fireworks: 9:00 p.m. to 9:05 p.m.
Midnight Countdown Fireworks: 12:00 a.m. to 12:10 a.m.

Telus World of Science NYE 2019

Science World transforms into a super nightclub for the last night of 2018. Get glam and come prepared to toast to the New Year and dance the night away.
When: December 31st 2018, from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
Where: Science World (1455 Quebec St.)
Cost: starting at $80 (cash bars only)

Time Squared at The Waldorf Hotel

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to party during the Golden Era in New York, or how it might look in five years in London, The Waldorf Hotel will allow you to “travel through time and space” with four time-warped rooms. Party to the rhythm of the Disco and Funk era in the NY of the ’70s; dance the night away with the Latin and Afro-Cuban music of 1987 Miami; burst into the old-school Hip Hop tracks of LA 1995; or and step into the future with the EDM sounds of Future Bass in London circa 2025.
When: December 31st 2018, from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Where: The Waldorf Hotel (1489 East Hastings Street)
Cost: starting at $50

NYE 2019 Waterfront Gala Ball

A luxurious venue for a upscale ending of 2018. Dust off your nicest gown and dress to impress as you prepare for a live countdown to midnight followed by massive balloon drops and a toast (try to sneak in the Glenfiddich Lounge to enjoy the exciting fireworks shows at Canada Place, too).
When: December 31st 2018, from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
Where: Fairmont Waterfront Hotel (900 Canada Place)
Cost: starting at $120 Photo credit: Harbour Event Centre

Frozen in Time NYE

For the second year in a row, Harbour Event Centre turns into Frosty’s wonderland as the biggest LED wall in the city lights the last night of the year and prepare you for the huge balloon drop and confetti cannons that will top off the midnight countdown—along with you free glass of bubbly, of course.

When: December 31st 2018, from 9:30 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Where: Harbour Event Centre (750 Pacific Boulevard)
Cost: starting at $30

Yuwa New Year’s Eve Dinner

Trade your champagne for sake at Yuwa, where you can ring in the new year with a special set menu. For an additional fee, guests will have access to the premium menu ($208) which will include sashimi and sushi flown in from Japan on the day of the dinner.
When: December 31st 2018, 5:30 p.m. (with seating times available until 8:00 p.m.)
Where: Yuwa (2775 W 16th Ave.)
Cost: starting at $118