Find everything you need for the holidays in West End with our guide. Discover all the top events and activities. From West End locals to wandering adventurers, our guide ensures a season full of magic and delight.
Popular Events: Experience the Vancouver Christmas Market, where twinkling lights and festive stalls offer a variety of seasonal treats and unique gifts. Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge showcases stunning light displays that illuminate the forest and suspension bridge for a magical outdoor experience. And the VanDusen Garden’s Festival of Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring thousands of lights set against the backdrop of beautiful botanical designs. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around West End
- Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge (North Vancouver)
- Vancouver Christmas Market (Vancouver)
- VanDusen Garden’s Festival of Lights (Vancouver)
- PNE Winter Fair (Vancouver)
- Bright Nights Stanley Park Train (Vancouver)
- Soar with Santa at Flyover Canada (Vancouver)
- Grouse Mountain’s Peak of Christmas (North Vancouver)
- Circle Craft Holiday Market (Vancouver)
- Winter Treasures Artisan Market (Port Moody)
- St Paul’s Lights of Hope (Vancouver)
See these and even more events listed below!
West End Holiday Light Displays
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
What to Expect:
Multicolored light displays and interactive features.
Description:
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park transforms into a dazzling spectacle with thousands of twinkling lights, illuminating the iconic bridge, rainforest, and Capilano River. Visitors can explore the Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, and enjoy live seasonal music, hot chocolate, and festive activities.
Where: North Vancouver | More Info: Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
VanDusen Garden’s Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and sensory-friendly evening.
Description:
VanDusen Garden’s Festival of Lights features over 1 million twinkling lights, an interactive mycelium installation, and themed light areas inspired by BC's ecosystems.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: VanDusen Garden’s Festival of Lights
Bright Nights Stanley Park Train
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride through a forest of thousands of sparkling lights.
Description:
The Bright Nights Stanley Park Train is a festive holiday event featuring a 15-minute ride through Stanley Park's forest, adorned with thousands of sparkling lights. The train ride is part of the larger Bright Nights event, which includes whimsical displays, a vintage fire truck, and live entertainment.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Bright Nights Stanley Park Train
St Paul’s Lights of Hope
What to Expect:
Illuminated donor stars representing generous donations.
Description:
St. Paul’s Lights of Hope is an annual holiday light display at St. Paul’s Hospital, featuring over 100,000 light bulbs and hundreds of illuminated donor stars. The event includes festive choir performances, photos with Santa, and complimentary hot chocolate.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: St Paul’s Lights of Hope
Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Western Canada's tallest Christmas tree lighting.
Description:
The Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting is a free, family-friendly event featuring Western Canada's tallest Christmas tree, live entertainment, and hot chocolate. It supports local charities like the BC Children's Hospital and Vancouver International Children's Festival.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting
Tsawwassen Springs Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Community-sourced Christmas tree decorations for a good cause.
Description:
Tsawwassen Springs Festival of Lights features beautifully decorated Christmas trees sponsored by families, community groups, and businesses, raising funds for Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation.
Where: Delta | More Info: Tsawwassen Springs Festival of Lights
Bright Walk in White Rock
What to Expect:
Extensive light installations along the waterfront.
Description:
Bright Walk in White Rock is a winter light display featuring over 50,000 lights, a 20-foot Christmas tree, an LED light tunnel, and photo opportunities including an eight-foot-tall selfie frame and snowflakes. The event is located in Memorial Park and is lit from dusk to dawn weekdays and all day weekends and holidays.
Where: White Rock | More Info: Bright Walk in White Rock
West End Holiday Markets and Shopping
Vancouver Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional German Christmas market with artisan shops and live entertainment.
Description:
The Vancouver Christmas Market is an outdoor event at Jack Poole Plaza, featuring traditional German Christmas market stalls with artisan shops, delicious eats, and special events. Enjoy a walk-in Christmas tree, holiday carousel, and live entertainment amidst twinkling lights and festive atmosphere.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Vancouver Christmas Market
Circle Craft Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Showcase of Canadian craft and design under one roof.
Description:
The Circle Craft Holiday Market is a premier showcase of Canadian craft and design, featuring hundreds of artisans from coast to coast. Visitors can explore a wide range of traditional and contemporary craft items, including handmade soaps, artisan cheeses, and unique gifts.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Circle Craft Holiday Market
Winter Treasures Artisan Market
What to Expect:
Brimming with exceptional handcrafted gifts from BC artists.
Description:
The Winter Treasures Artisan Market is a holiday shopping event featuring exceptional handcrafted gifts, pottery, jewelry, glass, and art created by BC artists. It offers a unique opportunity to shop local and discover unique gifts for everyone on your list while supporting local artists.
Where: Port Moody | More Info: Winter Treasures Artisan Market
West End Holiday Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Annual event showcasing exclusively handcrafted items.
Description:
The West End Holiday Craft Fair is an annual event featuring handcrafted items, offering a diverse selection of unique gifts and seasonal items.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: West End Holiday Craft Fair
Coal Harbour / Christmas Carnival
What to Expect:
German-style holiday celebration with artisan shops and festive eats.
Description:
The Vancouver Christmas Market is an outdoor event at Jack Poole Plaza, featuring over 90 huts with authentic German sweets, treats, and treasures. Enjoy artisan shops, festive eats, and treats, including the Aeroplan Holiday Carousel and Pyramid. Explore the NEW Walk-Through Christmas Tree and Lovers Lane Love Lock Installation, amidst daily live entertainment and a scavenger hunt.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Coal Harbour / Christmas Carnival
Got Craft Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local handmade goods and kid-friendly activities.
Description:
The Got Craft Holiday Market is a curated marketplace showcasing over 95 local makers and small shops. It features a Mini Makers Area with kidpreneurs, food trucks, and legendary swag bags. The event offers a diverse range of handmade goods, including art, paper goods, baby items, and more.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Got Craft Holiday Market
Holiday Craft Fair- West End Community Centre
What to Expect:
Handcrafted items only.
Description:
The West End Community Centre's Holiday Craft Fair features original, artisan-made items, offering unique gifts for the holiday season.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Holiday Craft Fair- West End Community Centre
West End Holiday Shows and Entertainment
PNE Winter Fair
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa-themed adventure with toy testing and festive rides.
Description:
The PNE Winter Fair offers a variety of activities including meeting Santa, riding the PNE Holiday Express, and enjoying Winter Lights presented by BC Hydro. Visitors can also go ice skating, try Ice Bumper Cars, and explore the Holiday Eats & Treats. Live programming includes Nutcracker on Ice and the Magic of Santa.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: PNE Winter Fair
West End Other Holiday Activities
Soar with Santa at Flyover Canada
What to Expect:
High-flying adventure with sensory engagement.
Description:
At Flyover Canada, immerse yourself in a thrilling adventure where you soar above Canada's breathtaking landscapes, from the Arctic tundra to the Atlantic coast. Experience the sensation of flight with wind, mist, and scents combining to create a fully immersive experience.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Soar with Santa at Flyover Canada
Grouse Mountain’s Peak of Christmas
What to Expect:
Real reindeer and mountaintop ice skating.
Description:
Grouse Mountain’s Peak of Christmas offers a holiday experience with twinkling lights, real reindeer, and festive activities like ice skating and Christmas crafts. Meet Santa and his reindeer, explore the Light Walk, and enjoy a mountaintop skating pond surrounded by snow-topped trees.
Where: North Vancouver | More Info: Grouse Mountain’s Peak of Christmas
Christmas in Steveston Village
What to Expect:
Santa's festive procession through Steveston Village.
Description:
Steveston Village hosts a community-based Santa Claus Parade where Santa and his friends make their way through the streets, accompanied by floats, costumes, and seasonal music. The event is a fundraiser for local causes and includes non-perishable food and monetary donations for the Richmond Food Bank.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Christmas in Steveston Village
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Vancouver (2 miles)
- North Vancouver (4 miles)
- West Vancouver (6 miles)
- Richmond (8 miles)
- Burnaby (8 miles)
- New Westminster (11 miles)
- Ladner (14 miles)
- Port Moody (14 miles)
- Delta (14 miles)
- Coquitlam (16 miles)
- Port Coquitlam (16 miles)
- Surrey (19 miles)
- Tsawwassen (19 miles)
- Walnut Grove (24 miles)
- White Rock (24 miles)
- Maple Ridge (24 miles)
- Langley (25 miles)
- Nanaimo (37 miles)
- Mission (39 miles)
- North Cowichan (39 miles)
- Abbotsford (43 miles)
- Duncan (43 miles)