It’s the most wonderful time of the year and there are so many festive attractions and events for you and your family to enjoy all around Vancouver! Check out my guide to read all about some of the best yuletide offerings around.
THE VANCOUVER CHRISTMAS MARKET
November 13 – December 24, Jack Poole Plaza
The Vancouver Christmas Market is a beautiful, festive place to visit in the lead-up to Christmas. 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. It’s a perfect place to get you in the holiday spirit!
SHIPYARDS CHRISTMAS MARKET
November 29 – December 24, The Shipyards, North Vancouver
This brand new holiday event is just a few steps from North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay SeaBus terminal. Walk amongst more than 75 glowing wooden huts showcasing lots of festive treats, artisan crafts and unique gifts. There will also be live music, community performers, cheery illuminations and a full-sized covered ice rink. I am looking forward to checking out this new holiday attraction!
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
November 29 – January 5, 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.
DUNDARAVE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
November 30 – January 5, From Grosvenor Ambleside Galleria to Dundarave Beach, West Vancouver
Head to the West Van waterfront to check out more than 150 outdoor Christmas trees (The Forest of Miracles), each fully illuminated for the season by local groups, families, schools and businesses. The Dundarave Festival of Lights includes four successive Saturdays of noon-to-dusk “Concerts and Merriment.” Including the Dundarave Christmas Fair on November 30.
CANYON LIGHTS
November 22 – January 19, Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano Suspension Bridge’s beautiful Canyon Lights is well worth the visit. 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.
PNE WINTER FAIR
December 6-8 and 12-23, PNE Fairgrounds
Head to the PNE to visit Discover Santa where you can embark on the ultimate journey to meet Santa Claus, test a toy, and leave a snack for your favourite reindeer, ride the PNE Holiday Express, wander through Winter Lights presented by BC Hydro – a great place to snap a photo! – and go skating – or try the Ice Bumper Cars – at the Tim Hortons Ice Rink, and then warm up with the culinary extravaganza at the Holiday Eats & Treats. You can enjoy live programming like Nutcracker on Ice and the Magic of Santa or have fun on the ferris wheel or the Berry Go Round.
PEAK OF CHRISTMAS
November 22 – December 25, Grouse Mountain
The Peak of Christmas on Grouse Mountain may be the closest you can get to feeling like you are 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!
LIGHTS AT LAFARGE
November 22 – end of February, Town Centre Park
Coquitlam’s free, and stunning outdoor light display returns to Town Centre Park. It is a great place to go walking around the lake and checking out all of the beautiful lights. It is stroller friendly. 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.
HERITAGE CHRISTMAS
November 23 – 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 a ride on the beautiful carousel. Enjoy a meal or treat at the Ice Cream Parlour. Gate admission is free!
CHRISTMAS AT CANADA PLACE
November 29 – January 5, Canada Place, Vancouver
Presented by the Port of Vancouver, walk around the light displays and lit up sails while checking out the vintage Christmas display windows from the old Woodward store. Also at Canada Place, you can Soar with Santa at FlyOver Canada. Flyover will once again whisk travellers to the glittering, snow-blanketed landscapes of the North Pole
GINGERBREAD LANE
November 28 – December 27, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Burrard St, Vancouver
Gingerbread Lane is back for its 32nd year at downtown’s Hyatt Regency Hotel. Give yourself plenty of time to peruse the delicious-looking gingerbread constructions arranged throughout the hotel’s lobby area, each one submitted by professional cooks or enthusiastic amateur teams (often including several local schools).
GLOW ENCHANTED FOREST
November 18 – January 1, 6690 216 St, Langley
The theme for this year’s Glow Langley light display is “Enchanted Forest. Journey among whispering trees, where streams sing melodies and giant creatures roam. Explore the vibrant ecosystem filled with talking trees and mushroom homes, each offering clues and secrets about the wonders that await. With a magical field guide in hand, embark on an adventure to document the enchanting flora and fauna of this extraordinary forest. Enjoy lights, food, vendors, live entertainment and more!
BRIGHT NIGHTS IN STANLEY PARK
November 28 – January 4, Stanley Park Train
Tickets for this favourite holiday tradition have unfortunately all been sold out already. Admittedly it has been getting harder and harder to obtain tickets – it’s like trying to go to a Taylor Swift concert! But there are lots of gorgeous lights on display all around the train, and that is open to the public, no need to get a ticket.
BEAR CREEK PARK CHRISTMAS TRAIN
December 1 – December 31, 13750 88th ave, Surrey
Looking for a Christmas train you can still buy tickets for? 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
MERRY AND BRIGHT AT MARTINI TOWN
December 4 – January 5, 1123 272 Street, Langley
Enjoy a holiday outing that makes it seem like you are walking into a Hallmark Movie…because you basically are! Langley’s Martini Studios opens its doors once again for locals and visitors who love stepping into the nostalgic world of charming Christmas movies. Walk around old-school storefronts, restaurant facades, brownstone townhouses and even a grand, column-fronted courthouse. This working movie backlot has been fully transformed into a sparkling walk-through festive attraction There is live music, an artisan craft market and lots of tasty food and drink options.
CHRISTMAS AT GREENDALE ACRES
November 22 – December 23, Greendale Acres Farm, Chilliwack
This Christmas, Greendale Acres invites you to immerse yourself in a classic Christmas experience on the farm. Ride through this beautiful family farm and enjoy the twinkling wonder as the new Christmas train takes you on a journey through Murray’s lights. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the festive glow.
NORTH POLE EXPRESS
November 23, 24 and 30, December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 and 21, 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.
