CANDYTOWN
Saturday and Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm, Mainland, Hamilton and Davies St in Yaletown
Downtown Vancouver’s free and fun winter festival will feature ice carvings demonstrations, characters in costume, candy station, family photo station, street decorations, letters to santa, live music, and a horse drawn carriage ride by donation.
SANTA AT GRANVILLE ISLAND
Saturday and Sunday 11 am – 3:30 pm, Kids Market, Granville Island
Santa at Granville Island is my favourite Santa, and he’s back starting this weekend! Visit Santa for free, he will sing some carolling songs, tell a story and you can take a photo with him. You can also visit the Wishing Tree to choose a Star containing the name of a child in need – then choose a gift to buy and donate to that child!
MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 5 pm, Timms Community Centre, Langley
Christmas crafts for kids and adults including ornament and wreath-making workshops, a letter to Santa booth, live ice carving and snow sculptures, a beer garden, food trucks, visits from Santa Claus, musical acts and more!
SANTA PARADE MAPLE RIDGE
Saturday 4 pm – 8 pm, Memorial Peace Park, Maple Ridge
Parade starts at Plaza and Dewdney Trunk Rd and proceeds through to 224th and heads south through the Memorial Peace Park and back onto 224th then heads down Selkirk where it finishes at Selkirk and 223rd St.
SURREY SANTA CLAUS PARADE
Sunday 5 pm, Cloverdale Town Centre, Surrey
This year, the BIAs from Cloverdale, Downtown Surrey, and Fleetwood districts have worked together to grow the Surrey Santa Parade and the Big Rigs for Kids Parade into a larger event. The Big Rigs for Kids begins at the front of the Surrey Santa Parade of Lights and then form a convoy and travel to the City Hall Plaza (13450 104 Ave) to form a display of lights until 8pm.
WINTER WONDERS COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Sunday 1 pm – 4 pm, Heritage Square and Mackin House, Coquitlam
Seasonal treats, hot chocolate, latke making demos, live music, visit with Santa, photos with Olaf, crafts and more! Free event and no registration required.
DUNDARAVE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Saturday and Sunday, West Vancouver
Visit the beautifully decorated trees in this gorgeous outdoor display that takes place along Dundarave Beach Park at 25th, Millennium Park at 15th and Bellevue, Grosvenor Ambleside Galleria at 13th and Bellevue.
LIGHTING OF THE QUEENSBOROUGH FIRE HALL
Saturday 6 pm – 8 pm, Queensborough Fire Hall, New Westminster
The evening includes carolling, hot chocolate, pizza, music, crafts and a visit from Santa! Music by the Queensborough Middle School concert band and Royal City Sounds. Non-perishable food donations will be gratefully accepted.
SPIRIT OF THE SEASON
Saturday and Sunday, Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish
Tons of holiday fun taking place up the Sea to Sky Gondola this season! Soar high in the sky (just like Santa himself) from the base of the mountain to the summit for festive activities and decorations, endless views of the wintry landscape, along with hot drinks and a warm bite to eat at the cozy lodge. Through the month of December, guests can enjoy everything from a decorated forest walk, visits with Santa, and outdoor story time to holiday lunches with family and friends.
CHRISTMAS AT CANADA PLACE
Saturday and Sunday, Canada Place
This family-friendly, outdoor experience will feature the historic Woodward’s Windows and Avenue of Christmas Trees, delicious holiday recipes, a special holiday-themed Sails of Light display and Canada’s North light display. Stroll among the pretty Christmas displays for free.
BRIGHT SKIES POWERED BY BEST BUY
Saturday at 6 pm, the skies above Canada Place
This is a brand new spectacle! Best Buy is organizing the biggest drone show in Canada (and the first of its kind in Vancouver). Over 300 drones will take off and illuminate the night to tell a special holiday story that lasts for 8 minutes. Watch amazing synchronized aerial choreography magically shift from one intricate holiday scene to another high above Vancouver’s inner harbour.
BRIGHT NIGHTS IN STANLEY PARK
Saturday and Sunday 4 pm – 10 pm, Stanley Park, Vancouver
Unfortunately there is no Christmas train this year, but there are still gorgeous light displays worth a visit. Stroll amongst the lights, visit Santa’s workshop and get some hot chocolate and treats from the on site food vendors. Admission will be by donation with all proceeds benefitting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
BEAR CREEK PARK CHRISTMAS TRAIN
Saturday and Sunday, Bear Creek Park, Surrey
The Bear Creek Park Christmas Train kicks off this weekend. Enjoy an enchanting train ride through interactive themed displays and take a selfie with Santa. Relish in some hot chocolate, music, holiday crafts, treats and much much more. And if you visit at night the lights are fabulous!
STEVESTON FESTIVAL OF TREES
Saturday and Sunday, Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Steveston
Get into the holiday spirit with a visit to Steveston’s annual Festival of Trees. Each year, local merchants and community groups creatively decorate their trees in a friendly competition to win the top vote for favourite tree.
ALL THE OTHER AMAZING ONGOING HOLIDAY EVENTS
Of course there are Van Dusen Gardens, The Capilano Lights, Lights at LaFarge and more…check out my guide to all of those, linked above.
