The presents are open and the celebratory meal is down the hatch.
Your family is starting to annoy you and it’s high time to leave the house.
Fear not, for these places are open on Christmas Day.
Go for a rip, bud
Strap on the blades and go for a rip at any number of public skating sessions across the city.
Trout Lake: 50 and Better Skate (10 a.m.), public skates at 11:45 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m.
Hillcrest: public skate at 2:30 p.m.
Kerrisdale Cyclone Taylor Arena: public skate at noon.
The Robson Square Ice Rink is also open from noon to 5 p.m. Skating is free and skate rentals go for $5.
Better yourself
Heroes don’t take days off and nor should you.
The following fitness centres are open on Christmas Day: Hillcrest, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Kitsilano, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Trout Lake, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; West End, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The pool at Hillcrest will also be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vancouver Aquarium
Among other things, there’s an exhibit about snakes and why we fear them. Snakes and Jesus, together at last. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Running time
The folks at Run Adventures Vancouver will host their third annual Christmas Day Run around Stanley Park.
Both 5K and 10K runs will be in the offing starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Laughing Statues in Morton Park near English Bay.
Routes will be published on Facebook closer to go time, but the 5K will likely include small sections of the seawall and Lost Lagoon.
The 10K will be a mix of the seawall and trails in Stanley Park. All abilities are welcome.
Stop! Hammer time!
Falconetti’s doesn’t beat around the bush when promoting its “100 Fam” event.
In case your family is boring or in the event you have no family in Vancouver, the Commercial Drive joint is hosting a gathering from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Turkey tacos will be offered along with drink specials.
Warning: there will also be house music.
Christmas at Canada Place
Christmas at Canada Place in Vancouver. Photo: ShutterstockEverybody else is doing it, so why don’t you too?
The 32nd annual Christmas at Canada Place includes timeless tropes such as the Woodward’s Windows, Canada’s North light display, “Chrismoose,” (a 15-foot tall moose light sculpture), the Sails of Light and the festive Avenue of Trees.
It’s free and runs 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Singing in the rain
Test people’s goodwill and holiday cheer by combining karaoke and buses on a three-hour tour of the city while singing.
Fully decorated Gray Line Westcoast Sightseeing buses roll through Stanley Park, English Bay, VanDusen Botanical Garden, St. Paul's Hospital and Canuck Place holiday light displays.
The singing tour runs 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and tickets range in price between $30 and $60.
Admission to the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bright Nights at Stanley Park is included.
Eat, drink, be merry, spend a pretty penny
The fancy downtown hotels have dining options out the wazoo, with holiday pricing fully in tow.
The Four Seasons hosts a lunch buffet from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for $105 per person ($50 for kids under 12) and a dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. for ($115 per person, $55 for kids under 12).
If you’ve got a $200 palate, then the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver buffet dinner is right up your alley. It runs 5 to 9 p.m. and kids between the ages of six and 12 get in for $99.
ARC Restaurant at the Fairmont Waterfront will have a three-course meal, along with live music and other festive favourites, running 5:30 to 10 p.m. It’ll run you $109 for adults, or $55 for kids aged three to 12.
The Westin Bayshore hosts a brunch buffet noon to 3 p.m. complete with bellinis, mimosas, pig and turkey. It’s $75 a pop for adults and $35 for kids aged six to 12. Dinner runs from 5 p.m. until closing time and costs $85 per person.
Chanukkah on Ice
In keeping with the all Disney, all the time feel of the holidays, Hanukkah is happening at Hillcrest. Frozen Chanukah on Ice runs noon to 2 p.m. at the Hillcrest, complete with visits from Elsa and Olaf.
There will be latkes, doughnuts, games, crafts and even a live, ice menorah carving.
Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
Be quiet
Christmas gifts and Hollywood have a lot in common: lots of plastic, little substance and fleeting fast.
In that spirit, Cineplex Odeon Theatres across Vancouver are open on Christmas, including: Fifth Avenue Cinemas, 2110 Burrard St. (ages 19 plus only); Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, 900 Burrard St. and Cineplex Cinemas Marine Gateway and VIP, 452 South West Marine Dr.
So you’ve given up
The following liquor stores and legal cannabis dispensaries are open on Christmas Day.
Darby’s Liquor Store, 2001 Macdonald St., 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Coal Harbour Liquor Store, 1218 West Pender St., 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Evergreen Cannabis, 2868 West 4th Ave., noon to 5 p.m.
Muse Cannabis Store, 3039 Granville St., noon to 8 p.m.
City Cannabis Co., 2317 Cambie St., noon to 7 p.m.
City Cannabis Co., 610 Robson St., noon to 7 p.m.
City Cannabis Co., 7289 Fraser St., noon to 7 p.m.
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