Celebrate the festive season in Vancouver with our ultimate holiday guide. Whether you're deeply rooted in Vancouver or just passing through, this guide ensures unforgettable holidays.
One of the highlights of the season is the Vancouver Christmas Market, where visitors can explore a charming array of artisan stalls and savor traditional foods. Another stunning experience is the VanDusen Festival of Lights, featuring breathtaking light displays that transform the garden into a winter wonderland. And the Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a dazzling array of lights in a breathtaking natural setting. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Vancouver
- VanDusen Festival of Lights
- Vancouver Christmas Market
- Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (North Vancouver)
- Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)
- Bright Nights at Stanley Park
- Christmas at Canada Place
- Ice Skating at Robson Square
- Catch a Holiday Performance
- Lights of Hope St. Paul’s Hospital
- Winter Solstice Light Festival
See these and even more events listed below!
Vancouver Holiday Light Displays
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
What to Expect:
Multi-colored light displays on historic suspension bridges.
Description:
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park transforms into a dazzling display of lights and colors during Canyon Lights. Visitors can cross the world-famous bridge, explore the glittering rainforest, and walk along the twinkling cliffside pathway. The event includes live music, hot chocolate, and various kids' activities.
Where: North Vancouver | More Info: Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
VanDusen Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays inspired by BC's ecosystems.
Description:
Step into a botanical garden adorned with over 1 million twinkling lights, featuring a new interactive mycelium installation and a display inspired by the Great Bear Rainforest of BC. Explore 15 acres with themed light areas and enjoy three Dancing Lights sets, each showing every 20 minutes from the top of the hour. The event also includes a variety of food vendors and a sensory-friendly evening for neurodiverse individuals and their families.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: VanDusen Festival of Lights
Bright Nights at Stanley Park
What to Expect:
Sparkling light displays and a festive train ride through Stanley Park.
Description:
Bright Nights at Stanley Park features millions of sparkling festive lights, a miniature train ride, and live entertainment. The event includes Christmas character displays, food vendors, and Santa's Workshop. Admission is by donation, with proceeds benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Bright Nights at Stanley Park
Christmas at Canada Place
What to Expect:
Nostalgic holiday displays and light sculptures.
Description:
Christmas at Canada Place features nostalgic Woodward's Windows, the North Point light display with Chrismoose, and the iconic Sails of Light, along with the festive Avenue of Trees.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Christmas at Canada Place
Lights of Hope St. Paul’s Hospital
What to Expect:
Illuminated star decorations representing generous donations.
Description:
St. Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope is a significant fundraising campaign featuring a large Christmas light display that symbolizes hope and generosity. The event includes festive choir performances, complimentary hot chocolate, and photos with Santa.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Lights of Hope St. Paul’s Hospital
Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum
What to Expect:
Seasonal entertainment and light displays in a historic setting.
Description:
Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum features festive lights, traditional decorations, and seasonal entertainment. Visitors can explore the 10-acre venue, enjoy meals or treats at the new Mai's Cafe, and participate in activities like scavenger hunts. The event includes a special tree lighting ceremony during Bright in Burnaby night.
Where: Burnaby | More Info: Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum
Martini Town Merry & Bright
What to Expect:
Holiday lights and entertainment in a film backlot setting.
Description:
Martini Town Merry & Bright is a holiday light experience in Langley, BC, featuring a film backlot transformed into a Christmas wonderland with New York City Street, courthouse, diner, town square, and small town settings. The event includes heartwarming classic decor, modern light displays, music, and entertainment for visitors of all ages.
Where: Langley | More Info: Martini Town Merry & Bright
Christmas Glow
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and live holiday performances.
Description:
Christmas Glow is an immersive outdoor festival featuring over one million Christmas lights, interactive installations, live performances, and a Merry Makers Market with local vendors. Explore the Enchanted Forest, where talking trees, giant creatures, and singing streams create a vibrant ecosystem filled with secrets and wonders.
Where: Langley | More Info: Christmas Glow
Dundarave Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Largest outdoor Christmas tree display in coastal British Columbia.
Description:
The Dundarave Festival of Lights features over 150 lovingly decorated Christmas trees along West Vancouver's waterfront, each tree a beacon of hope supporting life-saving work in the community. The festival includes four Saturdays of free concerts and live entertainment.
Where: West Vancouver | More Info: Dundarave Festival of Lights
Lights at Lafarge
What to Expect:
Community-driven light display with themed zones and inclusive activities.
Description:
Lights at Lafarge is Metro Vancouver's largest free outdoor winter lights display, featuring a 1.2-km pathway with themed areas highlighting flora, fauna, and fairytales.
Where: Coquitlam | More Info: Lights at Lafarge
Squamish at Dusk
What to Expect:
Interactive light art installations in a vibrant nighttime setting.
Description:
Squamish at Dusk is a light art festival transforming Rose Park with creativity, lights, and interactive installations, sharing stories about the beautiful region.
Where: Squamish | More Info: Squamish at Dusk
Vancouver Holiday Markets and Shopping
Vancouver Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional German-style market with a walk-through Christmas tree and live entertainment.
Description:
The Vancouver Christmas Market is an outdoor event featuring traditional German-style stalls selling a variety of goods, including handmade crafts, gourmet food, and festive beverages. The market includes a walk-through Christmas tree, live entertainment, and a vintage carousel ride.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Vancouver Christmas Market
Vancouver Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Catch a Holiday Performance
What to Expect:
Dynamic duo of drag icons performing a unique holiday spectacle.
Description:
Join Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme for an evening of fabulous spectacle, whip-smart comedy, and brand new songs. This internationally acclaimed holiday show is sure to lift your spirits and make you howl with laughter.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Catch a Holiday Performance
Vancouver Other Holiday Activities
Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with real reindeer and Santa's workshop.
Description:
At Grouse Mountain, immerse yourself in a holiday experience featuring twinkling lights, real reindeer, and festive activities like ice skating and Christmas crafts. Meet Santa at his workshop and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the mountaintop skating pond.
Where: North Vancouver | More Info: Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain
Ice Skating at Robson Square
What to Expect:
Free outdoor ice skating with live music and helmet rentals.
Description:
Ice skating at Robson Square offers a free outdoor rink in downtown Vancouver, open from December 1 to February 29. Skaters can bring their own skates or rent them for $5, with helmets provided. The rink features live music on select evenings and is a popular spot for family activities.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Ice Skating at Robson Square
Winter Solstice Light Festival
What to Expect:
Community-driven celebration with lanterns and cultural performances.
Description:
The Secret Lantern Society's Winter Solstice Light Festival celebrates art, culture, and nature through lanterns, singing, dancing, music, and storytelling. It honors the unique ecological and social landscapes by bringing people together to celebrate shared humanity.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Winter Solstice Light Festival
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- West End (2 miles)
- North Vancouver (5 miles)
- Richmond (6 miles)
- Burnaby (8 miles)
- West Vancouver (8 miles)
- New Westminster (10 miles)
- Ladner (11 miles)
- Delta (12 miles)
- Port Moody (13 miles)
- Coquitlam (15 miles)
- Port Coquitlam (16 miles)
- Tsawwassen (16 miles)
- Surrey (17 miles)
- White Rock (22 miles)
- Walnut Grove (22 miles)
- Langley (23 miles)
- Maple Ridge (23 miles)
- Nanaimo (37 miles)
- Mission (38 miles)
- North Cowichan (38 miles)
- Abbotsford (41 miles)
- Duncan (42 miles)
- Bellingham (44 miles)