What's still open for Christmas: Vancouver edition

While most people will be spending Christmas day with their families, for some in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, it'll be just another day at work.

For families in the Metro Vancouver region looking to escape the typical Christmas scene, the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park will be open.

David Perry, who spends his days teaching people about beluga whales, says he's thrilled to be working on Christmas Day.

"Honestly, I never though I would hear myself say this, but I love it. There is something very special about coming to the aquarium on Christmas Day," Perry said.

"We see a lot of the same families year-after-year who come, and it's a part of their Christmas tradition," he said.

Belugas won't be the only ones going for a swim in Vancouver on Christmas. Two community centre pools will also be open for yuletide dips: the Hillcrest Community Centre and the Vancouver Aquatic Centre.

For those who like their water quite a bit colder, ice skating rinks will be open at the Hillcrest, Kitsilano, Trout Lake and West End community centres.

Christmas Eve is typically one of the busiest days for liquor stores, with last-minute shoppers getting ready to toast the season.

But for those shoppers who just can't make it in by closing time, a number of private liquor stores are opening for the big day.

Darryl Lamb, of Vancouver's Legacy Liquor Store, said Christmas is not usually a very profitable day, but there's some good spirit at work for in being ready to serve a customer base.

"In a way, it's profitable for your customer base — your brand," Lamb said.

"At least we know we're helping out our customers," he said.