Okay, okay—all of our wallets could use a break after the holidays, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. From taking advantage of our city’s free skating rinks to “window shopping” during Dine Out Vancouver’s Street Food City, we’ve found a few things happening in Vancouver this month that can be done without turning your pockets inside out—or going into your pockets at all.

Skating at The Shipyards

Daily, 1pm to 8pm

Until late March—or as long as the cold weather allows—you can skate for free at North Vancouver’s Shipyards District Skate Plaza, a 12,000-square-foot outdoor rink. It’s located at the Shipyards Commons, at the waterfront of Lower Lonsdale. A skating session is free if you have your own skates, otherwise it’s $7 for adults and $5 for kids to rent a pair. 

Skating at Robson Square

Daily, 9am to 9pm

Another free rink, this time in the heart of the city. Until February, grab your skates and show up to the covered outdoor ice rink at Vancouver’s Robson Square. Skate rentals are $5 across the board if you don’t have your own.

Riley Park Farmers Market

Saturdays, 10am to 2pm

Alright, so you might have to show up with a little dough to this one—but that’s only if you get hungry. This behemoth market near Queen Elizabeth Park and Nat Bailey Stadium boasts more than 85 local farmers, food trucks, producers, and more each week.

Hastings Park Farmers Market

Sundays, 10am to 2pm

Admission is free, but only insofar as your eyes and stomach can take. More than 35 vendors set up shop at the Hastings Park Farmers Market on Sundays, near Hastings Skatepark at Renfrew by Pandora. Find a handful of local farmers and producers here, along with tantalizing trucks like the Tamaly Shop and The Booch Queen.

PuSh Festival: Returns

Daily until February 3, varying times

There’s so much to see during the PuSh Festival, but it shouldn’t be reserved for only those who can afford it. With this in mind, the festival presents Returns: a free performance and installation at the Scotiabank Dance Centre. The public is invited to watch as artist Nellie Gossen disassembles and reassembles retail clothing through dance, labour, and garment fabrication. 

Dine Out Vancouver Street Food City

January 20 to 28

Reservations for Dine Out Vancouver may be getting booked up already, but here’s one spot you won’t need to save a seat at. Walk into Dine Out’s Street Food City, a week-long food truck festival camped outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery, at no cost. However, if you are tempted to grab a bite, you may have to pull out a little cash. Vendors include Mr. Arancino, serving up authentic Italian risotto balls, and Shameless Buns, offering up a variety of different Filipino-inspired sandwiches. 

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

Daily

A little-known free alternative to the Capilano Suspension Bridge is the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. Lynn Canyon park boasts a number of hiking trails so you can drink in nature, then raise your heart rate a little as you make your way across the suspension bridge that towers 160 feet above the canyon.

Discovery Day

January 21, 10am to 2pm

During the AME (Association for Mineral Exploration) Roundup Conference, Vancouver Convention Centre will host a family-focused (and completely free) Discovery Day, inviting all ages to learn about mineral exploration and mining through interactive displays, exhibitors, and experiences.

Quirk-e Showcase: The Queer Imaging and Riting Kollective for Elders

January 20, 1pm to 3pm

Enjoy a performance by Quirk-E, the Queer Imaging and Riting Kollective for Elders, followed by a panel and coffee and tea with the kollective’s members at Vancouver Public Library Central Branch. Free, but you must register online.