Things to do
Things to do in West Vancouver
Vancouver's upscale North Shore: the Seawall to Ambleside, Cypress Mountain's views, and the waterfront that faces the city across the Burrard Inlet.
Photos for West Vancouver are still on their way. Every listing below is real.
Top things to do in West Vancouver
The North Shore's waterfront: seawall, mountains, and Cypress views.
- Ambleside Park & Seawall — The waterfront park: the Seawall walk, the off-leash beach, the city skyline views.
- Cypress Mountain — The ski hill and the viewpoint: the winter slopes, the summer trails, the Howe Sound panorama.
- Horseshoe Bay — The ferry village: the marina, the restaurants, the BC Ferries to Nanaimo and the Sunshine Coast.
- Park Royal — The shopping centre: the village and the mall sides.
- John Lawson Park — The waterfront park: the playground, the picnic lawns.
- Capilano River (edge) — The hatchery and the canyon trails at the district's edge.
Free things to do in West Vancouver
West Vancouver is generous if your budget isn't. All of these cost nothing or close to it:
- Seawall walk — The waterfront: free.
- Ambleside Park — The park: free.
- Cypress viewpoint (road) — The lookout: free.
- John Lawson Park — The park: free.
- Horseshoe Bay (village) — The village stroll: free.
Festivals & the religious calendar
The town's own festivals:
- Harmony Arts Festival (July–August) — The waterfront arts festival: concerts, the art market — the West Van summer.
- Canada Day (West Van) (1 July) — The Ambleside fireworks.
- Christmas on the waterfront (December) — The seasonal lights.
And the national calendar:
- Canada Day (1 July) — The national birthday: fireworks, concerts, red-and-white everywhere. Big in every town on this list.
- Thanksgiving (second Monday of October) — Harvest long weekend: turkey dinners, fall colours at peak in much of the country.
- Victoria Day (Monday before 25 May) — The May long weekend: unofficial start of summer, fireworks in many cities.
- Remembrance Day (11 November) — Ceremonies at cenotaphs nationwide; the National Ceremony in Ottawa is the reference point.
Exact dates are confirmed yearly — check local listings before booking around a festival.
Sports: Skiing / outdoor
Cypress Mountain is the local hill: night skiing with the city lights below, the 2010 Olympic freestyle venue. Summer: the Baden Powell trail, mountain biking, the seawall's run. Hockey at the West Van arena; sailing from the yacht clubs.
Golf at the Capilano and Gleneagles courses; the Ambleside beach swim in summer.
Tickets: official site
What's new in West Vancouver
The Harmony Arts Festival's summer dates are confirmed yearly. Cypress's season passes sell early. The Seawall's upgrades continue.
Submit your event
Running something in town? Dayfari lists community events free — gigs, markets, fundraisers, club nights, temple and church programmes. Submit your event and it can appear in the town feed within a day. No account needed to suggest; the Dayfari team reviews every submission.
Common questions
How many days do I need in West Vancouver?
Two full days covers the highlights above. Add a third for the day trips — see our day-trips guide.
What can I do in West Vancouver for free?
Plenty — see the free list above. The town's festivals and markets are the other great free shows.
When is the best time to visit West Vancouver?
Time it for a festival if you can — the calendar above is the cheat sheet. Otherwise, the shoulder seasons dodge the crowds.
More to explore in West Vancouver
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