Are you feeling ready for the Christmas season? It creeps up quickly. It feels to me like you just get through Halloween and then all of a sudden it’s all systems go for planning the holidays. A big part of that is planning what holiday attractions and events to check out. There’s a lot to choose from, and for some of them tickets can book up! So I thought it would be helpful to put out this guide to some of the best ones in the Lower Mainland this season.
Festival of Lights
November 26 – January 3, Van Dusen Gardens
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. (this is one that can sell out!)
Bright Nights Christmas Train
November 26 – January 2, Stanley Park
This has been a favourite since I was a kid and not too much has changed since then. You still board the train (with very limited leg room now that I’m older) and chug through a sparkling magically-lit forest of Stanley Park. You used to be able to visit with Santa buuuuut covid is keeping Santa up at the North Pole but the plaza will feature selected iconic light elements and festive tunes. Tickets available for afternoon and evening rides. You must book tickets and a time slot online ahead of time.
Canyon Lights
November 20 – January 23, Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano Suspension Bridge’s beautiful Canyon Lights has a new feature this season. The world-famous bridge will be lit, end to end, with a multi-colour changing display, adding to the magic of crossing the canyon above the illuminated Capilano River. Journey into the rainforest and walk high above the forest floor between the eight tallest Christmas trees in the world on Treetops Adventure. And the gorgeous “Arc de Lumina” light tunnel will once again wrap its way along a portion of Cliffwalk. One thing I love about this attraction is that it runs for so long – nearly two months! So if you don’t manage to get there over Christmas, you can still visit the beauty another time. A big plus for BC residents – admission is the same cost as a one year membership and that includes Canyon Lights (I bought the membership, so we can visit this Christmas but return again whenever we want!)
PNE WinterLights
Select nights through December, PNE
If you want a holiday attraction that guarantees you can stay warm and not get wet on a rainy Vancouver night, then you might want to choose PNE WinterLights. Grab a hot cocoa, crank up the carols, and enjoy this safe and entertaining experience from the warmth of your car. You will be transported through nine enchanted lands filled with glowing lights, special characters and festive performers along the way. It costs $37 or $42 dollars per car depending on what night you choose to go. Tickets must be purchased online ahead of time.
Vancouver Christmas Market
November 13 – December 24, Jack Poole Plaza
The Vancouver Christmas Market (which has been in operation for more than a decade) took a hiatus last year due to covid, but it is BACK returning to Jack Poole Plaza. You must purchase an entry ticket and time to enjoy this market and then you can peruse lots of holiday shopping, enjoy German-style food and drinks, hop on the Christmas carousel, and take in the festive music, and lights. Bonus: this year rides on the carousel are free! (usually in the past there was a fee to ride) There is also early bird ticket pricing going on right now.
Christmas at Canada Place
December 3 – January 3, Canada Place
Who else loved going to visit the Christmas displays in the windows of Woodwards department store when they were a kid? Well if you’re an 80’s baby like me and you were raised in Vancouver there is a good chance this was a big part of your childhood – it certainly was for me! (Side note: anyone else remember the phone you could pick up at Woodwards and talk to Rudolph? No? Just me??? Best thing ever) Anyways I digress. You can still experience those historic Woodward’s Windows when you visit Christmas at Canada Place! It’s a great place to walk through with the kids and see the antique scenes and vintage animatronic figures (hopefully the kids think they are cool too, and not just creepy nostalgia). There is also the Avenue of Christmas trees to visit, a special holiday-themed Sails of Light display, Canada’s North light display and more….and it’s all free!
Lumiere YVR
Starting November 12, Downtown Vancouver
Lumiere is a series of public art installations in downtown Vancouver and Granville Island. It’s pretty low key. Not like some of the big events previously mentioned, but it’s free and the light installations are lovely to check out. The best place to visit are the ones set up in English Bay, where you can see four large and beautiful displays along the beach. It’s a nice destination when you want to grab dinner or a hot drink in Vancouver’s West End and then go for a stroll and check out the lights. The installations will be up as of November 12.
Dundarave Festival of Lights
All through December, Dundarave Beach Park, Millennium Park and Grosvenor Ambleside Galleria, West Vancouver
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. This initiative helps to raise much-needed funds for the area’s North Shore Shelter.
Peak of Christmas
November 25 – January 3, Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain has now confirmed The Peak of Christmas will be back this year! We have attended tbefore and it really is like visiting the North Pole – so lovely. 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!
Heritage Christmas
November 27 – January 3, 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!
Bear Creek Park Christmas Train
December 6 – December 31, 13750 88th ave, Surrey
Head out to Surrey with the family and you can hop on Bear Creek Park’s delightful Christmas train, complete with craft activities, a gentle ride through the fairy-lit trees and a visit with Santa himself––including the chance to snap your own photos with him. There is a day train and night train evening service – Santa Express runs 10am – 4pm. The Christmas Night Train runs 6pm – 8pm.
Surrey Holiday Lights
November 20 – January, Surrey Civic Plaza
This is a brand new holiday attraction in the heart of downtown Surrey. Explore the Holiday Lights Tent to visit Santa and his Elves, The Gingerbread Village, The North Pole, Holiday Market, Lights Around The World, and more! The outdoor Snowflake Stage and indoor North Pole Stage will have live music featuring holiday classics and contemporary music as well as a Christmas Musical. A family pass for two adults and three kids will cost you $60. Book online.
Lumagica Surrey
December 3 – 30th, 4 pm – 10 pm, Cloverdale Fairgrounds
This is an outdoor/indoor global Holiday experience, unique to each location, and it is finally making its Canadian debut at Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey. Visitors will go on a 1km light walk through diverse lands to capture and believe in the spirit of the Holidays. You will then be transported through a light tunnel to Gingerbread Lane, leading to the magical North Pole Village. Soak up the magical atmosphere with interactive displays, animation, photo opportunities and surprises for all ages. You can also get hot cocoa or delicious mulled wine and enjoy it while walking through the lights. There are also several treats and snacks available from various vendors in the park. In addition, there is live entertainment and a Christmas marketplace so you can pick up some gifts. Tickets must be booked online ahead of time.
Lights at Lafarge
November 27 – January 31, Town Centre Park
Coquitlam’s free, and stunning outdoor light display returns to Town Centre Park at the end of November. 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.), and avoid weekends and the week of Dec. 20 to 26, when it can be busier and more congested.
Glow Gardens Langley
November 18 – January 1, 6690 216 St, Langley
Glow Langley is another light up festival where you never have to get out of the comfort of your car. This year’s theme is “A Fairytale Christmas” – so you can expect to see some of your favourite fairytale characters be a part of the displays. 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.
North Pole Express
November 27 and 28, December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19, Railway Museum of British Columbia, Squamish
If you live near Squamish or are willing to do the drive out that way, the North Pole Express is truly unique experience, especially for train lovers! Passengers will start at the Candyland Station where hot chocolate and festive characters await, then take your seat on the full-sized vintage train for a 50-minute Yuletide journey featuring carols, cookies and more. A stop at the North Pole and you get to meet the elves as well as Santa and Mrs Claus. There’s also a miniature train you can ride around Santa’s workshop. This is a more expensive (but very special) trip, with tickets running from $35 to $49 each.
