The weather outside might be frightful – but these five indoor activities will keep you warm and cozy this holiday season!
As the chilly winter weather seeps in, there are many weekends when all you want to do is curl up under your bedcovers and hibernate. Lucky for you, Vancouver has a host of warm, cozy nooks to spend these rainy winter days in! Here are the top five coziest things to do this winter.
Grab a coffee at Cat Café
If you like the idea of sipping a coffee with a purring cat on your lap, you must check out Catfe. This coffee shop – which serves drinks and snacks as well as providing a safe space for cat lovers – is one of a kind in Vancouver. Located inside International Village Mall, there are usually eight to 12 cats to hang out with. The best part? They’re all rescued and so if you happen to fall in love with one, you can always adopt it. Due to its popularity, reservations are recommended. Visit Catfe.ca for more details.
Soak up the heat at Bloedel Conservatory
Dreaming of a tropical paradise? The Bloedel Floral Conservatory is as close as you can get in Vancouver! Located in Queen Elizabeth Park, the Bloedel Conservatory is a lush tropical garden housed under an enormous dome. Enjoy the warmth as you explore three different types of rainforests. It’s home to over 500 species of plants and over 100 free-flying birds like parrots, macaws and a cockatoo that says hello!
Party in your coziest ugly sweater
Bundle up in your coziest, ugliest sweater on December 23, and head out to the Commodore Ballroom for the annual Original Ugly Sweater Christmas party! With free treats, live music, DJs, sing-alongs, gifts and fun contests, this is the ultimate adult Christmas party. While ugly sweaters are not mandatory, they are encouraged – especially because the ugliest ones win a prize! Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.ca and all proceeds of the event go towards the Children’s Make a Wish Foundation.
Enjoy a Christmas choir indoors
Is there a more quintessential holiday experience than Christmas caroling? Luckily, you don’t have to step outdoors for this one. On December 4, head down to the Orpheum Theatre to enjoy festive carols with the Bach Choir. More than 400 singers come together for an enchanting performance that is guaranteed to warm your heart! Tickets are available online at vancouverbachchoir.com.
Go for a festive afternoon tea
There’s nothing like sitting down with a steaming hot cup of tea and delicious goodies to chase away the chill of a rainy day. This winter, be sure to check out Fairmont Hotel’s Festive Afternoon Tea, which is ideal for families with children. Running all through the month of December, you can make reservations online at Fairmont.com.>
Credits: Facebook pages of Catfe, The Original Ugly Christmas Sweater Party (Kyle Rurak), and Fairmont Vancouver, VanDusen Botanical Garden - Gerald and Irmgard Carter, vancouverbachchoir.com