Above all others, ’tis the season to celebrate food. Do it right with a nine-course Dongzhi (Winter Solstice) dinner, a mochi festival where you can try your hand at rice-pounding, a Taylor Swift-themed cooking class or an epic NYE feast.
Chinatown BBQ’s Winter Solstice Festival Pop-Up
Warming up with a five-spice BBQ roast duck tartlet or salted egg yolk crusted pork belly is our idea of a really good time. Get them, and more, during this one-day-only celebration of Dongzhi (Winter Solstice) at Chinatown BBQ. Go for lunch (six courses) or dinner (nine), both curated to honour the traditions of family, warmth and heritage.
WHEN: Monday, December 9
WHERE: 130 E Pender St.
Jingle Bar Pop-Up at Hotel Le Soleil
This may well be the most decor-heavy Christmas-themed bar in town. We’re talking all the garlands, trees, candy canes and ornaments you can imagine (read: photo ops galore). Plus, there’ll be festive cocktails and food, games, door prizes for best-dressed and a musical playlist of non-stop holiday classics, from Mariah Carey to Frank Sinatra.
WHEN: December 1-31
WHERE: 567 Hornby St.
Holiday Brunch at Botanist
That frivolous week between Christmas and New Year? It’s the best time to gather your crew of friends and book that brunch you’ve been wanting to do forever. Head to Botanist for live music and a special three-course menu featuring a festive cocktail (spiked eggnog, hot buttered rum) or sparkling wine on arrival, followed by decadent dishes like sablefish cassoulet, wild mushroom risotto and lobster eggs benedict.
WHEN: December 23–January 1, 2025
WHERE: 1038 Canada Pl.
Frozen-Themed Brunch at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown
The movie Frozen is basically a religious experience for toddlers. Make their day with a table at the Royal Festive Brunch With Elsa and Anna, where they’ll meet the characters and dine on a themed menu that includes Snow Queen Elsa’s Eggs Benedict, Ice Palace Salad, and Melted Olaf Dessert Cups. (If Frozen’s not your thing, the hotel also hosts an epic Holidays at Hilton Christmas Day Brunch spread.)
WHEN: Saturday, December 15
WHERE: 6083 McKay Ave., Burnaby
FISH’s Holiday Seafood Collection
Plot twist—this isn’t a restaurant event, but it will basically turn your home into a restaurant. Have yourself a merry little fish-mas by hosting friends with Fresh Ideas Start Here’s seafood-forward festive fare. Choose from FISHcuterie Boxes (cute!) for gathering and grazing or pastry-wrapped BC Salmon Wellington, a wild-sounding Ikura and Smoked Salmon savoury cheesecake and more.
WHEN: Available starting December 1
Nikkei Mochitsuki: An Annual Mochi Year-End Tradition
Mochi, anyone? Roll up your sleeves and try your hand at rice-pounding this soft, chewy Japanese delicacy at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre’s annual Mochitsuki. This free-admission community gathering features performances like taiko drumming, as well as fresh and frozen mochi galore for sale.
WHEN: Sunday, December 29
WHERE: 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
Taylor Swift Cooking Class at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts
This one’s for the Swifties. On the Saturday of her big tour weekend, PICA will host “Bake It Off!”, a cooking class where guests can learn how to make some of Taylor’s fave treats including cinnamon bread, Taylor’s famous chai cookies and sparkle pop tarts.
WHEN: Saturday, December 7
WHERE: 1505 W 2nd Ave.
Multisensory Star Chef Soiree
Okay, this is in January. But just in case you love to plan ahead, this event at the Fairmont Pacific Rim is billed as Canada’s first “charitable immersive dining experience” and will benefit the Arthritis Society Canada. It features an eight-course menu by three-Michelin-star Italian chef Umberto Bombana, known as the King of White Truffles, as well as stunning projections curated by Normal Studio (known for “Beyond Van Gogh”).
WHEN: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
WHERE: 1038 Canada Pl.
Oh, Also—New Year’s Eve!
Now’s the time to lock in your food-forward New Year’s Eve celebration. Here are a few we’ve been eyeing that will likely sell out quickly. Waterfront views at Cardero’s; a Michelin-starred feast at Published on Main; a multi-course chef’s tasting menu at Hawksworth; a balloon drop and DJ at Nightingale; award-winning Peruvian fare at SUYO; dinner in one of the city’s best hotels at Botanist at Fairmont Pacific Rim; a fancy night out in Whistler at Wild Blue; dinner at the city’s most historic hotel at Notch 8 at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver; seafood in the heart of Granville Island at The Sandbar; Vietnamese fare plus a party at Anh and Chi or Good Thief; classic white tablecloths and rare steaks at Hy’s; or a signature martini station at Prophecy.
