Night Life In BC

Our province offers a wealth of activities when the stars come out. Regardless of your age, you’ll never snooze through these ones.

VANCOUVER H.R. MACMILLAN SPACE CENTRE
Celestial landmarks dazzle the pitch-black heavens and, while reclined and relaxed, you’ll soak in the wonders of our universe and neighbouring planets. Throughout the 40-minute show, the astrophysical display embraces your 360-degree vista, and in refined comfort, you’ll feel mesmerized and spellbound. Surfing the Solar System is just one of the realistic multimedia presentations that provides close encounters of the cosmic kind. And with help from the sophisticated technology and projectors, this re-creation can be viewed either day or night.

Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
Photo: brakelightfoto.com

DOMINION ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY
Galaxy gurus also flock to this attraction at Victoria Centre, where the 36-plus tonne Plaskett telescope performs optical imaging and spectroscopy (study of the rainbows). Here, you can solar travel via StarLab, take a multimedia flight through asteroids, or take the grandkids to a family-friendly Star Party, where meteors and the moon play leading roles.

VANDUSEN BOTANICAL GARDENS
There’s nothing like an evening stroll through this incredible 55-acre oasis in the heart of Vancouver, where over 7,500 plant species and varieties from around the world decorate the grounds. And for a real treat, come visit during one of the festive seasons. You’ll follow the trails of glowing pumpkins when Halloween rolls around and be enamored by thousands of magical twinkling lights at Christmastime.

BUTCHART GARDENS
After tiptoeing through these famous flowers, you’ll enjoy summer evening concerts that range in everything from famous bands to ballet. The outdoor stage is nestled amidst lush flora and most performances are included with your price of admission.

If you prefer a winter experience, bundle up and visit the Christmastime display while enjoying colourful lights, carollers and ice skating. To warm up, grab a hot chocolate and gingerbread by the fire in the Coffee Shop.

Theatre Under The Stars
Photo: Courtesy of TUTS

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS
Performing arts offer a star-studded line-up of the creative kind and, whether executed indoors or by twilight dim, the choices are many. One of the more traditional outdoor venues is Stanley Park’s Theatre Under The Stars, where quality productions have entertained beneath the nighttime sky since 1940. Grandparents certainly earned a few brownie points when they treated the kids to last year’s production of Disney’s NEWSIES.

DINNER SHOWS
Other evening class acts meld with sumptuous cuisine at various dinner theatre venues throughout BC. Giggle Dam in Port Coquitlam has been marrying the two for over 10 years. Think of Saturday Night Live with dinner or a rock concert, or a politically incorrect, interactive musical comedy with dinner, and you have Giggle Dam.

Langley’s Country Dinner Theatre is another all-inclusive food and fun stop. Their motto is Great Meal, Great Show, Great Night Out. Or head over to the charming town of Chemainus on Vancouver Island where their quaint theatre entertains, and their Playbill Dining Room satisfies the most discerning palate.

HARBOUR CRUISES
In summer, these ships offer sunset cruises and double as viewing platforms. And while you’re being wowed by the city skyline and possibly annual fireworks, you’ll fuel up on a delicious West Coast-themed buffet.

In December, this attraction bedazzles with an alternate kind of night-light when their fleet of carol ships are decked out in festive flare. Song sheets are circulated, and Christmas carolers lead everyone in all the yuletide favourites.

Looking for something a little more intimate? Salt Spring Tours offers a solution. Your journey on The Salty Cat will start in the heart of Ganges with a maximum of 49 other passengers. And while enjoying chef-prepared Salt Spring Island fare and a glass of wine, you’ll cruise along the beautiful coastline backed by the setting sun. This company also offers cruises out of Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Discovery Island, Chatham Islands, Race Rocks and Sooke are some of the landmarks in store.

SCENIC DRIVES
For night owls, Vancouver’s views get even better when the sun sets. Hop behind the wheel and tootle up Little Mountain in Queen Elizabeth Park, where you’ll revel in the uninterrupted vista of the city and North Shore.

Prospect Point is another drive-worthy destination when the sun goes down, as lights from the adjacent Lions Gate Bridge and West Vancouver shimmer in evening splendour. For a real highlight (literally and figuratively), cross over that bridge and make your way up to the first viewpoint on Cypress Mountain, where you’ll be treated to a scenic cityscape.

When it comes to stunning sunsets, Victoria wins the prize. Ogden, Macaulay, Saxe and Clover Points are all renowned sites for their breathtaking outlooks, especially when evening falls and the sun dips below the horizon. And for a heady vista, take either a drive or hike up Mount Doug or Mount Tolmie Park and watch the sunset glow over the city.

HEAD FOR THE HILLS
Star-filled heavens glisten above marvelous mounds of white fluff as adrenaline junkies of all ages head for the hills. In BC’s four mountain regions, there are a host of top-notch resorts that lure the adventuresome with their loyal wintertime cloak, glorious trails and sundown attractions. As well as hosting designated ski runs that become ablaze with overhead lights, both Sun Peaks and Kimberley have torchlight events. Whether followed by fireworks, or a cup of steamy hot chocolate, this dynamic descent always receives glowing reviews.

The author with her family and friends tubing down
the Mega Snow Coaster. Photo: Brent Cassie

For a more daring downhill jaunt, join the grandkids and hop aboard tubes that bounce off the bumps. Blackcomb’s Magic Chair, Mount Washington’s Ozone Park and Big White’s Upper Happy Valley all have slippery slopes that are especially designed for this energized activity.

And on the flip side, at a slower pace, you can buckle up those snowshoes to meld with Mother Nature by moonlight at Panorama, Cypress and Seymour. These guided treks are also available on several of the other peaks, and many precede a fabulous fondue.

When summer arrives, some of these powder pathways transform into evening concert stages for the performing arts, offering everything from jazz and classical to rock and pop. And from pristine perches, far above the city lights, they may even include a 360-degree view and starlight show for free.

IF YOU GO:

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre: www.spacecentre.ca/planetarium-star-theatre

Dominion Astrophysical Observatory: https://thecentreoftheuniverse.net/

VanDusen Botanical Garden: http://vandusengarden.org/

Butchart Gardens: http://butchartgardens.com

Theatre Under The Stars: www.tuts.ca

Chemainus theatre: https://chemainustheatrefestival.ca/

Giggle Dam Dinner Theatre: www.giggledam.com

Theatre in the Country Dinner Theatre: https://theatreinthecountry.com/

Chemainus Theatre: https://chemainustheatrefestival.ca/

Harbour Cruises: www.boatcruises.com

Salt Spring Tours: www.saltspringtours.com