If you’re looking for New Year’s Eve family fun in Vancouver, you’re in luck! Vancouver offers many opportunities for families to come together for safe and fun events around town to ring in the new year (without having to stay up until 12am!)

While the city council is still trying to work on setting up a downtown public party to celebrate New Year’s Eve, there are still quite a few options for family-friendly New Year’s celebrations, including:

1. New Year’s Eve Celebration at Robson Square

Cost: Free
Where: UBC Robson Square
Description: The centre of downtown will host a family friendly 2013 New Year’s Celebration filled with live entertainment, free glow sticks, and noisemakers for kids. Vancouver’s only outdoor ice rink will be open until 11 p.m. with free skating, roving performers, and two early countdowns at 7pm and 9pm for those whose bedtime is long before midnight.

2. Family First Night at Mount Seymour

Cost: $10 for spectator: $15 for entry + tobogganing (bring your own or purchase one up there), or $25 for entry + tubing
Where: Snowplay Park, Enquist Lodge on Mount Seymour
Description: Mount Seymour is now known as one of the top places for family-friendly NYE activities in Vancouver. Celebrate Family First Night at the resort with fire pits, apple cider and s’mores, music, party favors, live entertainment (which includes light, spinning and fire!) and a countdown at 9pm.

3. Whistler Presents: New Year’s Eve Celebration

Cost: Free or $15 for certain activities
Where: Whistler village
Description: Take the trek to Whistler Village this New Year’s to experience their fun, alcohol-free evening of family entertainment and celebration. Free activities include the fire & ice show (which starts at 11pm) and fireworks (at 12am), or you can opt to purchase a wristband which is $15 for adults and children 13+, or $10 for children 12 and under. Purchasing a wristband will get you access to skating, family songs & sweets, entertainment, live music, bouncy castles, and more. There will be an early countdown at 9pm at various locations, as well as one at midnight.

4. Festival of Lights at Van Dusen Gardens

Cost: $0 – $14.25
Where: 5251 Oak St (37th and Oak)
Description: While this event doesn’t have an official countdown, the Van Dusen Gardens has set up an astounding display of lights that will be sure to dazzle on this special night. The night includes a dancing lights show, a mischievous Grinch, shadow puppets, a model train, and more.

5. Bright Nights in Stanley Park

Cost: $0 – $11
Where: Stanley Park miniature railway
Description: Bright Nights in Stanley Park is a tradition for many families in Vancouver, and the train is a great idea for a New Year’s celebration. Stanley Park is transformed into a magical light display that makes up for the lack of fireworks in Vancouver. Entry to the Bright Nights train plaza is by donation, which already has holiday lights and entertainment. Riding the train costs $11 for adults, and $7 for child and youth (0-3 years), as well as for seniors (65+).