It’s the final weekend of November and it feels like the holiday cheer is really starting to kick into high gear. This past week I took my kids and visited the Vancouver Christmas Market downtown. We had a blast – eating all the good food, doing a little shopping and riding the carousel (more than once). But, that is just one of the event options going on around town this weekend. Check out my list of family friendly events for November 27-28.
THE PEAK OF CHRISTMAS
Saturday and Sunday, Grouse Mountain
All this rain down here in the city will probably mean a winter wonderland up on Grouse Mountain! Take the gondola ride up to the summit and check out a beautiful, snowy Light Walk, skate on a frozen pond and visit with some real life reindeer and Santa in his workshop! Book your tickets online ahead.
VAN DUSEN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Saturday and Sunday, Van Dusen Gardens, Vancouver
This one is gorgeous, and great for all ages. It’s stroller friendly with lots of easy paths to walk around the extensive gardens. You can expect to see one million lights decorating 15 acres of VanDusen Botanical Garden. There are themed areas, tasty treats, unique light features, and holiday music. Tickets are not sold on site and must be purchased online in advance.
BRIGHT NIGHTS CHRISTMAS TRAIN
Saturday and Sunday, Stanley Park
If you don’t have your tickets for this weekend yet then you will probably be out of luck – but worth checking online as organizers did say some people would not be able to make their booked ticket times due to the current flooded roads situation.
CANYON LIGHTS
Saturday and Sunday, Capilano Suspension Bridge
Canyon Lights is the beautiful light display at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. BC residents can buy an annual membership for the same price as a visit, so it’s a good idea and let’s you go back if you want to see the lights more than once!
FESTIVAL OF TREES VANCOUVER
Saturday and Sunday, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
he lobby of Fairmont Hotel Vancouver will be transformed into a holiday forest of beautifully decorated trees to raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation – all thanks to sponsors, local businesses, organizations and individuals.
CLOVERDALE CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
Saturday and Sunday, Museum of Surrey
A free, indoor Christmas Tree Festival. The Museum of Surrey is uniting Cloverdale businesses and organizations for some friendly competition… to decorate the best tree! Trees are displayed in the large museum foyer. Festival visitors cast their votes for a chance to win a $100 Cloverdale shopping spree. Drop-in any time during museum hours for your holiday fix and to cast your vote.
WINTER IN THE CITY: HOLIDAY KICK OFF
Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm, Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam
Enjoy a flurry of holiday spirit in downtown Port Coquitlam with family activities, entertainment, an artisan market and more.Christmas in Leigh Square returns to kick off the holidays with the popular Winter Artisan Market and exciting new features. Event-goers can support local businesses and artisans, enjoy food trucks, the official lighting of City Hall and Leigh Square, holiday craft making, music and live entertainment.
SANTA ARRIVES AT KIDS MARKET
Saturday and Sunday, 11 am – 3:30 pm, Granville Island Kids Market
Visit Santa in his workshop at Kids Only Market at Granville Island. Enjoy a Sing A Long with Santa and storytime.
CHRISTMAS ON THE PENINSULA
Saturday, 4 pm start, White Rock Community Centre
At 4 pm you can catch a Christmas parade around the White Rock Community Centre, at 4:30 there will be the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Miramar Plaza.
LIGHTS AT LAFARGE
Saturday and Sunday, after dark, Town Centre Park
Coquitlam’s free, and stunning outdoor light display returns to Town Centre Park. This year’s Lights at Lafarge winter lights display has been dispersed to provide two walking loops within the park. If you want to avoid the crowds consider visiting during off-peak hours (before 6 p.m. and after 8 p.m.).
HERITAGE CHRISTMAS
Saturday and Sunday, Burnaby Village Museum
At Heritage Christmas you can wander the village and experience a special atmosphere of festive lights, and the traditional decorations. There will also be seasonal entertainment, demonstrations and activities. Take part in a animal-themed scavenger hunt including a menagerie of adorned Eco-sculptures like salmon, herons and hawks. Enjoy a meal or treat at the Ice Cream Parlour. Gate admission is free, advanced reservations are not required.
CANDYTOWN
Saturday, All day, Yaletown, Vancouver
Downtown Vancouver’s only free winter festival will transform Mainland and Davie streets into a winter wonderland. Lights and candy canes will adorn lamp poles and costumed characters will parade down the street. Holiday shoppers are invited to start their seasonal gift buying in Yaletown with local merchants as well as a specialty market carrying unique gifts and holiday treats. Stilt walkers and roaming holiday characters will interact with revellers, to the wonderment of tots – while live music and carolling will set the stage for Yuletide cheer.
DUNDARAVE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Saturday and Sunday, after dark, Dundarave Beach and Millennium Park
Head to West Vancouver for this free attraction where you get to check out a shimmering multitude of outdoor Christmas trees along the waterfront, each fully illuminated for the season by local groups, schools and businesses. It’s the largest outdoor tree display in the region and part of the Dundarave Festival of Lights which also includes four Saturdays of free live music concerts.
CHRISTMAS ON THE DRIVE
The Commercial Drive Business Society presents this annual free public event, Christmas on The Drive. Everyone is invited to enjoy free photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides along Commercial Drive and more. Visit the Kids Zone, featuring a caricature artist, balloon-twisting clown and craft area. Get your selfies taken with the lighted blow up Christmas themed blow ups and be sure to stay for the main event of the evening; Christmas tree lighting at 5:00pm, which will see an extra special addition this year, LED FX stilted performers.
GLOW GARDENS
Saturday and Sunday, 6690 216 St, Langley
Glow Langley is a light up festival where you never have to get out of the comfort of your car. The drive takes about 20 minutes or so and you can munch on same tasty treats as you enjoy the sights. Your ticket includes popcorn and mini donuts (just won me over with the donuts). Tickets and time slots must be booked online and then you just roll up and show your e-ticket.
CHRISTMAS IN WILLIAMS PARK
Saturday and Sunday, Williams Park, 238 68 Avenue, Langley City
This annual, free light up attraction is back again with a winter wonderland of twinkling lights. Visitors are invited to drive through the park to experience the illuminated holiday display from the comfort of their own vehicles.
HIT UP A CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
Try hitting up the first ever JCC Chanukah market, or there is the Port Moody Christmas Craft Fair, Haney Holiday Farmers Market, Southlands Holiday Market, or the Scandinavian Craft Fair.
CHEER ON A UNIVERSITY SPORTS TEAM
The UBC hockey team is taking on Saskatchewan on Saturday at 3 pm at Doug Mitchell Arena. This is a ton of fun for the family, and book your tickets online (they are free!)
