The week following Remembrance Day seems like the time when it’s acceptable to start thinking Christmas, and sure enough some of Vancouver’s Christmas events start kicking off this weekend. Earlier this week I released a post on the best Christmas attractions for 2021, be sure to check it out if you haven’t already! Here are some of the family events taking place this weekend for November 13-14.
VANCOUVER CHRISTMAS MARKET
Saturday and Sunday, Jack Poole Plaza
It is the opening weekend of the Vancouver Christmas Market downtown at 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.
LIGHT FESTIVAL AT BEAR CREEK PARK
Saturday and Sunday, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Bear Creek Park, Surrey
This holiday light display is up and running, but only for the next few weeks, so don’t miss out. These illuminated gardens and audio displays have free admission but you need to book your time slot online. Time slots are available every 30 minutes.
LUMIERE VANCOUVER
Saturday and Sunday (after dark is best), English Bay
The West End will be beautifully illuminated starting this weekend with the kick-off of Lumiere Vancouver. Lumiere is a series of public art installations in different locations in downtown Vancouver. It’s pretty low key, 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.
ATTEND A CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
Every weekend from now until Christmas will undoubtedly be dotted with a number of Christmas craft fairs popping up all over the Lower Mainland – but this weekend there are a number of notable ones worth mentioning. Circle Craft is Western Canada’s largest craft market featuring hundreds of craftspeople and artisans. There is also The Girl Gang Holiday Pop Up on Saturday which has an awesome line-up of all female owned businesses.
ATTEND A VARSITY GAME
Hitting up a local university or college athletics event is a great activity as a family. Notably, this weekend UBC Volleyball plays host to Fraser Valley at War Memorial Gym. Games are Friday and Saturday evening (Friday’s game is sold out, but there are still tickets for Saturday, book online, tickets are free). Out in Langley at Trinity Western Basketball teams are playing host to the UVIC Vikes in Basketball on Saturday.
ABBOTSFORD DRIVE-THRU FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
Saturday and Sunday, 11 am – 6 pm, Tradex Abbotsford
A popular event that is back once again, load up the car with napkins and head down to the Tradex for a drive thru food truck fest with 17 food trucks over 2 days, check the full line up of vendors at the link.
