VAN DUSEN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Saturday & Sunday 4 pm – 10 pm, VanDusen Gardens
This event is truly a favourite for so many people. 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 Van Dusen Botanical Garden. There are themed areas, tasty treats, unique light features, and holiday music.
HERITAGE CHRISTMAS
Saturday & Sunday 1 pm – 9 pm, 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.
SURREY TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL
Saturday & Sunday 12 pm – 8 pm, Surrey Civic Plaza
Come and watch as Surrey’s official Christmas tree, standing at 60 feet tall, is lit. The official lighting takes place on Saturday at 6:30 pm, but you can enjoy live entertainment, take photos with Santa, experience amusement rides and light displays all weekend long.
CLOVERDALE CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL KICK OFF EVENT
Saturday 1 pm – 4 pm, Museum of Surrey
Be among the first to see the trees and launch the holiday season! The free event will feature Christmas crafts, visits with Santa and all the trees decorated by local Cloverdale businesses. Donations accepted. While admission is free, MOS is collecting new, unopened toys and non-perishable food donations for the Cloverdale Community Hamper. Leave yours at the front desk before touring the trees.
SANTA’S MAGICAL ARRIVAL
Saturday 11 am – 3 pm, Capilano Mall, North Vancouver
Santa is officially coming to Capilano Mall on Saturday. Celebrate his entrance with photos and a magic show.
LIGHTS AT LAFARGE
Saturday & Sunday, LaFarge Lake
This is Coquitlam’s free, and stunning outdoor light display around LaFarge Lake. It is a wonderful and festive walk. It is stroller friendly, and the distance is not too long so its very doable for young kids.
GLOW LANGLEY CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL
Saturday & Sunday, 6690 216 St, Langley
Langley’s Christmas Glow is a walk around adventure with a new “Christmas Carnival” theme. Find Santa’s elves in a scavenger hunt as you walk through a display of almost one million lights. Meet special characters and the Glow princesses. Plan a visit with Santa who will be there nightly until December 24.
HOLIDAY CHEER AT THE PIER
Saturday 6 pm – 8 pm, Rocky Point Park, Port Moody
The city’s Christmas celebrations include photo opportunities with Santa Claus, craft activities and roaming entertainment. Kids can write letters to Santa and folks can also learn about the Port of Vancouver. Another highlight of Holiday Cheer at the Pier is the Christmas illuminations. The lights along the pier turn on for the season during the event. They can be admired after 6:15 pm. This year’s family-friendly event also features an artisan pocket market and a scavenger hunt. One complimentary cookie is served to each person and hot chocolate is available by donation as well.
DISNEY ON ICE
Showtimes Saturday & Sunday, Pacific Coliseum
This year’s Disney on Ice theme is Frozen and Encanto, and I am very excited to take my kids on Sunday! We went last year and we were really impressed.
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
Showtimes Saturday & Sunday, Pacific Theatre, Vancouver
Peter and Lucy Pevensie are all grown-up… but upon returning to a most peculiar wardrobe, they are caught up once more in the wintry world of Narnia. Ron Reed’s beloved interpretation of C.S. Lewis’s magical tale has delighted more than ten thousand audience members since its premiere, and Sarah Rodgers’ imaginative 2018 production returns for a 40th anniversary season.
PUSS IN BOOTS: THE PANTO
Saturday & Sunday, Surrey Arts Centre
A fun for the whole family telling of the Classic Puss in Boots fairy tale.
EAST VAN PANTO: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Saturday & Sunday, York Theatre, Vancouver
Get ready for a hilarious adventure through the neighbourhoods of East Van! Featuring unforgettable characters, pop song parodies, stunning sets, silly costumes, and fantastic performances.
DUNBAR HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR
Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Dunbar Community Centre, Vancouver
140 local artisans, entertainment and door prizes. Tickets are $4 in advance, $5 at the door and children under 12 are free. There is a tree lighting of the large tree just out front of the community centre at 4 pm.
FESTIVAL OF TREES
Saturday & Sunday, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
The lobby of the hotel will transform into a holiday wonderland with beautifully decorated trees to raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. This is a free event for the whole family.
For information on some of the other holiday events that kicked off last weekend, such as the Christmas Market and Canyon Lights, be sure to check out my complete holiday guide HERE.
