by Grace McRae-Okine
With the holiday season ending soon, it’s time to start thinking about that glitter-covered night known as New Year’s Eve. Whether you’re on the hunt for an event where you can don a sparkling gown or tux, a fun dance party or family-friendly festivities, look no further than this guide to celebrating NYE in Vancouver. [Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver/Jenn Chan/New Year’s Eve Vancouver]
Your party match is: NYE @ Hotel Vancouver
About the party: Hotel Vancouver takes the “bigger is better” mantra to heart – the party is so big, it needs five ballrooms to contain it! It promises a wide variety of entertainment, including the hottest local DJ talent and live musicians. This is one of Vancouver’s biggest and coolest parties to both see and be seen at. With early bird tickets on sale now – you’ll want to snag yours early (as in – today!)
Getting ready: Try Nordstrom’s unique collection of party attire, as they have just the right combination of sparkle and style to keep you looking chic on the dance floor. While downtown, head to Holt Renfrew’s accessories department – a great way to pull together a complete look in just one afternoon. Also, don’t plan on breaking in a new pair of shoes at this party – it goes ‘til 3 am! Try these helpful tricks to stretch out your new shoes well before you arrive.
Hot tip: To expand your NYE celebrations beyond just the countdown and the party, you’ll want to start making your dinner reservations now.
Your NYE party match is: Concord’s NYE Vancouver @ Canada Place
About the party: A relative newcomer to the NYE scene in Vancouver, Concord’s New Year’s Eve event now takes place annually at Canada Place. Entering its third year, this free family-friendly event offers a wide variety of food trucks, lots of live musical acts and a classic countdown clock. Best of all, the waterfront location provides the perfect vantage point to view the fireworks.
Getting ready: Bundle up! You’ll be outside for this one.
Hot tip: Two countdowns (one at 9 pm and one at midnight) make this a perfect event if you’ve got young ones in tow.
Your NYE party match is: Fortune Sound NYE @ Fortune Sound Club
About the party: Rather than messing with a good thing, Fortune Sound Club’s NYE party is a spin on their classic hip hop night, Sup Fu?, one of the city’s longest-running weekly hip hop dance parties. Add the classic NYE fixin's of a balloon drop, free bubbly for all and confetti cannons galore, and this is one party you don’t want to miss.
Getting ready: New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to go above and beyond when it comes to flaunting your personal street style. If you’re looking to try out some crazy new gel nail art, give it a go at home well in advance of the big night (or stick with your favourite salon) – but whatever you do, do it early.
Hot tip: If you’re a fan of taxi apps, you can book yours to and from the club days in advance, to avoid any painfully long waits in the rain at 4 am (yes, the club is open late for this party!).
Your NYE party match is: Ringing in the new year @ your house
About the party: The best part about hosting a NYE party is that it can be as small or as big as you want. You control the playlist, the appetizers, and with all the money you save by staying in rather than going out, you’ll have the pleasure of starting 2018 with a healthy chunk of change left in your chequing account.
Getting ready: On a budget? Check out this thrifty guide to hosting a NYE party. If dinner parties are your strong suit, check out this list of helpful tips to make your meal a success. Dollarama has all the great, inexpensive decorations (think fairy lights, colourful tinsel and plastic champagne flutes) you’ll need to make your space look festive and bright. If you’re looking to host a splashier event, shop for decorations at one of the local craft fairs happening throughout December or at your local arts and crafts store. If you’re planning a celebration for your family, kids included, check out these easy and fun ways to customize your event to make sure that whether you’re one or 100, this will be a NYE to remember.
Hot tip: Think about offering a themed drink at your bar – this list spans the flavour spectrum from sweet to spicy.
Tickets: No need – just remember to send your invites early and have fun!
