by Michelle Sproule | The main objective of this website is to scout out and promote the things that make Vancouver such a sweet place to be. We do this with an emphasis on the city’s independent spirit to foster a sense of connectedness within and between our communities, and to introduce our readers to the people who grow and cook our food, play the raddest tunes in our better venues, create our most interesting art, and design everything from what we wear to the spaces we inhabit. The Scout List is our carefully considered, first rate agenda of super awesome things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week. You can also check it out in the Globe & Mail, from our calendar to theirs…and yours!

FESTIVE | The Carol Ships are out in full force touring the waters around the city for the last time on Wednesday night. Bundle up and hit a piece of shoreline to listen as angelic voices carry cheerful tunes across the cold water. Ships cruise under the Lions Gate Bridge at 7:20pm, through the waters off of English Bay (7:30pm) and over to False Creek (7:55pm) and Science World (8:20pm) before swinging back to English Bay (8:40pm) and finishing with a final pass under the Lions Gate Bridge (9:10pm).
Wed, Dec, 23 | 7:30-9:30pm | DETAILS

SKATE | Sitting on the couch watching the fire log channel is a noble holiday pursuit, but don’t let it go on for too long. Get up and get your blood flowing by hitting Robson Square for a lap or twelve around the ice rink. Keep in mind that one or two other people might be thinking the holidays would be a lovely time for a twirl, too, so plan ahead and expect a crowd. Bring your thermal mug, some nice thick gloves, and some cash (although skating is free, equipment rentals are ‘cash only’ – skates $4, helmets $2). Robson Square Ice Rink is open for business Christmas Eve (9am – 9pm); Christmas Day (12pm–5pm); Boxing Day (9am–11pm) and then back to regular hours on the weekend (9am-11pm).
7 days | Robson Square Ice Rink (800 Robson St @ Howe) | Free | DETAILS

MOVIES | ‘Tis the season for totally vegging out in a movie theatre. Obviously, you’re going to want to catch Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens. After that, we suggest you hit The Rio Theatre on Saturday where you can settle in for a full day of fine entertainment including Fantastic Mr. Fox (3pm); Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation (5:30pm), and Martin Scorsese’s 1990 mafia masterstroke, Goodfellas, at 7:30pm.
Sat, Dec 26 | 3/5:30/7:30pm | The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway) | DETAILS

CALM | Give up on those last minute panic trips to the shops; let go of trying to get the perfect set of lego; and for goodness sakes, leave your car at home.  Slow down, do some couch lounging, book reading and music listening. If you’re stuck downtown and the chaos gets too much, take some time out for a restorative winter cocktail (we have a list of suggestions right here). The last days before Christmas can feel a little like cramming for an exam. But like any exam, you reach a point where you just know that if you don’t already have it, you’re not going to get it in the time that’s left.

CHELSEA HOTEL | Done with carols, harps, bells and choirs? How about some Leonard Cohen? Vinyl is good, and a cherry picked playlist will do nicely too, but if you really want to shake it up hit The Firehall Arts Centre for Chelsea Hotel — the live musical performance that sees six local artists play seventeen different instruments in a tribute to the iconic Canadian singer, songwriter, musician and poet.
Now – Jan 9 | 280 E Cordova St | Various days & times | DETAILS

ART | If you’re lucky enough to have a few days off this week, consider an afternoon of art appreciation. The Vancouver Art Gallery is currently showing Object and Action: Transforming Media in the 1960s and 70s; Embracing Canada: Landscapes from Krieghoff to the Group of Seven; as well as the works of Korean artist Lee Bul and Jerry Pethick’s Shooting the Sun/Splitting the Pie. The Gallery is closed Christmas Day but open Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Regular hours resume on the weekend.
Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St) | 10am-5pm (4pm Christmas Eve) | DETAILS

CITY | Get to know your city a little more intimately by slipping into your gumboots, grabbing a warm beverage to keep your hands warm, and hustling down to Lost Lagoon for the Stanley Park’s Secrets Historical Walking Tour this Sunday. Hear about the evolution of the park and get acquainted with some of the characters that shaped its development. The tour will also include rare historical photographs for context. It leaves from the Viewing Plaza overlooking Lost Lagoon (at the foot of Alberni St) at 1pm.
Sun, Dec 27 | 1-2:30pm | Stanley Park | $10 | DETAILS

SNOW | It’s been a few years since we’ve had this much snow. Bundle up, get out there and enjoy it. Skiing, snowboarding, tubing and snowshoeing are all options. If you don’t have time, money or equipment but still want to play in the snow you can get in on the fun with a some winter hiking. Scoot up Cypress (park at the lower Nordic Centre parking lot where it’s free) and make your way up the snowy trail in the North East corner of the lot. The hike through the forest trail is just long enough to get your cheeks rosy, but plenty beautiful and if you stop and listen, all you can hear is the quiet sound of snow. Dress appropriately, stay on trails and take along a thermos. Be prepared! [ed. note: A previous version of this entry suggested a trip to Hollyburn Lodge. We’ve edited it out after readers reminded us that it was put out of commission this past Spring.] DETAILS

BRUNCH | If ever there was a weekend for brunch, this is it. The thing is, you won’t be the only cat in the city thinking the same and the would-be-brunch goer/brunch table ratio is woefully out of whack. Since standing in a line-up in chilly weather is never a good time, I recommend that you try to grab a reservation if at all possible. Dock Lunch has you covered. Although they are closed over the holidays, the tiny Main Street eatery is opening up for a special “boxing weekend long brunch” on Saturday and Sunday. Regular staffers Trish (kitchen), Britt and Jocelyn (FOH) are taking over the space and are happy to report that not only will they be licensed, but – because they know customers want to bring visiting relatives and friends in for a meal without fear of a sell out – they will also be doubling food production and taking reservations for the first time. Get in on the action by texting Trish 604-315-0047. Looking for other suggestions?  Check out our list of  7 Vancouver Restaurants That Serve Up Ridiculously Delicious Weekend Brunches.
Sat, Sun, Dec 26, 27 | 11am-2pm | 152 East 11th Ave | DETAILS

CHIP | If you just can’t wait to get rid of your Christmas tree, you can get it recycled at UBC Botanical Garden starting on Boxing Day. Rest assured, tree recycling goes on until January 5th (for those of you who like to be a bit more leisurely about these kinds of things). Bonus: monies raised by collecting the $5 suggested donation for the service goes to support a garden and food literacy education programs in local schools.
Dec 26–Jan 3 | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm DETAILS

To submit an event for consideration, email events [at] scoutmagazine.ca

Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives in beautiful Strathcona and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy (but faithful) camera.