Summary
Robson Square serves as Vancouver’s central town square and stands as one of the city’s prominent landmarks. Positioned in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Robson Square acts as a focal point for outdoor activities throughout the year, facilitating free ice skating in winter months and free dancing in summer. It is a major venue for hosting a variety of events and represents an ideal setting for observing urban life, indulging in local street cuisine, or simply enjoying the dynamic environment of downtown Vancouver.
Getting to Robson Square Vancouver
Robson Square is situated at 800 Robson Street, directly across from the Vancouver Art Gallery. This location is pivotal for downtown shopping, serving as the intersection for transitioning from department stores like The Bay Downtown and Holt Renfrew, alongside Pacific Centre Mall to the renowned Robson Street Shopping.
While underground parking options are accessible near Robson Square, public transit is the most convenient means of reaching this location; it is merely one block away from the Canada Line Vancouver City Centre Station.
Map to Robson Square Vancouver
Robson Square Vancouver Events & Activities
Although Robson Square accommodates a variety of city enterprises, including UBC Robson Square and the Provincial Law Courts, it is its public spaces that have garnered widespread recognition. The primary attraction is the Robson Square Ice Rink, which is sheltered beneath a steel-and-glass dome, enabling its utilization in adverse weather conditions. A floor placed over the ice rink converts the area into a dance venue and multipurpose space during the warm summer months.
- Complimentary Ice Skating at Robson Square – December to February
- Complimentary Ballroom Dancing at Robson Square – July and August
- Complimentary Sunday Afternoon Salsa at Robson Square – July and August
Robson Square also hosts a myriad of community events and celebrations throughout the year, including New Year’s Eve festivities, Christmas gatherings, free outdoor concerts during the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, and outdoor movie screenings in the summer months.
Regrettably, there is no official Robson Square website to consolidate all events occurring at the venue. The Square is managed by the BC Ministry of Citizens’ Services, which provides limited information primarily regarding the Ice Rink while neglecting other events.
The most effective way to stay informed about ongoing happenings at Robson Square is to follow local event platforms that keep track of events as they transpire.
Alternatively, visiting in person can also provide insights into what is currently taking place.
Robson Square Vancouver History
The public facilities at Robson Square were constructed between 1978 and 1983, with the ice rink initially ceasing operations in 2004.
In preparation for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, a significant reconstruction of Robson Square took place in 2009, during which the Ice Rink was updated and renovated. The updated Robson Square Ice Rink reopened in December 2009, subsequently becoming a central hub for Olympic festivities and events. Since its reopening, Robson Square has reestablished itself as a vital component of downtown Vancouver, contributing to numerous significant city events.
