Excited for the festive season in Whitehorse? Our guide has all the holiday activities you need! From Whitehorse regulars to holiday explorers, our guide highlights the season's best events and activities.
Popular Events: Immerse yourself in the Winter Festival of Lights, where dazzling displays transform the city into a winter wonderland. You'll also find Winterlude's charming ice sculptures and outdoor activities perfect for families. And the Québec Winter Carnival offers a taste of vibrant culture with lively parades and unique entertainment. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Whitehorse
- Carnaval de Québec (Québec City)
- Québec Winter Carnival (Québec City)
- Winterlude (Ottawa)
- Winter Festival of Lights (Niagara Falls)
- Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous
- Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge (North Vancouver)
- Festival of Lights (Vancouver)
- Bright Nights (Vancouver)
- Vancouver Christmas Market (Vancouver)
- Silver Skate Festival (Edmonton)
See these and even more events listed below!
Whitehorse Holiday Light Displays
Winter Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular light displays and hot chocolate trail.
Description:
The Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls features over 3 million lights and 75 spectacular displays along the Niagara Parkway and tourist districts. This annual event transforms the city into a vibrant winter spectacle with nightly Falls Illumination and the Hot Chocolate Trail offering delicious hot beverages at various stops.
Where: Niagara Falls | More Info: Winter Festival of Lights
Bright Nights
What to Expect:
Iconic 1961 locomotive ride through a forest of thousands of sparkling lights.
Description:
Bright Nights in Stanley Park features millions of sparkling lights, a vintage fire truck, and live entertainment, all benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Bright Nights
Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and sensory-friendly evening.
Description:
Explore 15 acres of VanDusen 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. Enjoy themed light areas, Dancing Lights sets, and a variety of food vendors.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Festival of Lights
Lights at Lafarge
What to Expect:
Community-driven light display with themed zones and nightly events.
Description:
Lights at Lafarge is Metro Vancouver's largest free outdoor winter lights display, featuring over 100,000 lights and festive displays around Lafarge Lake.
Where: Coquitlam | More Info: Lights at Lafarge
Dundarave Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Community-driven Christmas tree displays with live music.
Description:
The Dundarave Festival of Lights is a community-driven event featuring a forest of lovingly decorated Christmas trees along West Vancouver's waterfront. It includes free live concerts and activities, showcasing the best of local and international performers.
Where: West Vancouver | More Info: Dundarave Festival of Lights
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
What to Expect:
Illuminated bridge and forest walkways.
Description:
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park transforms into a dazzling spectacle with Canyon Lights, featuring a world-famous bridge lit end-to-end with a changing multi-colour display, Treetops Adventure, and Cliffwalk. Guests can capture Instagram-worthy photos, sip decadent hot chocolate, and enjoy live festive tunes amidst many kids' activities.
Where: North Vancouver | More Info: Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Squamish at Dusk
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and immersive environments.
Description:
Squamish at Dusk is a winter light art experience transforming Rose Park with creativity, lights, and interactive installations, sharing stories and creating memories.
Where: Squamish | More Info: Squamish at Dusk
Whitehorse Holiday Markets and Shopping
Vancouver Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Authentic German Christmas market with artisan shops and festive live music.
Description:
The Vancouver Christmas Market is an outdoor event inspired by traditional German Christmas markets, featuring over 90 artisan shops, festive live music, and a variety of seasonal treats and drinks. Visitors can enjoy a walk-in Christmas tree, a sparkling light tunnel, and a vintage carousel ride.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Vancouver Christmas Market
Whitehorse Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Spirit of the Season Festival
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with live music and cultural performances.
Description:
The Spirit of the Season Festival is a family-friendly event featuring live music, ice skating, and entertainment under dazzling holiday lights. It includes visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Indigenous welcome ceremonies, and a holiday tree lighting ceremony. The event also offers a holiday artisan market, various performances by local groups, and fun activities like lantern-making and storytelling.
Where: North Vancouver | More Info: Spirit of the Season Festival
Whitehorse Other Holiday Activities
Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous
What to Expect:
Traditional and cultural performances.
Description:
The Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous is a vibrant celebration showcasing diverse talents, cultures, and colorful personalities through various events, including performances, contests, and community activities.
Where: Whitehorse | More Info: Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous
Winterlude
What to Expect:
Celebrating Canadian culture and diversity through winter activities.
Description:
Winterlude is a celebration of Canadian culture and diversity, featuring diverse programming that includes performances, street artists, exhibits, and interactive urban art installations. It showcases Canada's unique northern culture and climate with activities like ice sculptures, skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway, and cultural events highlighting Indigenous and diverse communities.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Winterlude
Québec Winter Carnival
What to Expect:
World's largest winter carnival with unique ice sculptures and night parades.
Description:
The Québec Winter Carnival is a vibrant celebration of Québécois culture and winter activities, featuring ice sculptures, night parades, and diverse musical performances.
Where: Québec City | More Info: Québec Winter Carnival
Carnaval de Québec
What to Expect:
World's largest winter carnival with diverse activities for all ages.
Description:
Carnaval de Québec is an outdoor festival celebrating winter and Nordic culture, featuring ice and snow sculptures, the iconic Ice Palace, and two magical night parades.
Where: Québec City | More Info: Carnaval de Québec
Silver Skate Festival
What to Expect:
Combines culture, art, education, sport, and recreation in a winter setting.
Description:
The Silver Skate Festival is a free, 10-day family-oriented event combining culture, art, education, sport, and recreation. It features public skating, snow sculptures, fire sculptures, roving performers, an Indigenous pavilion, and various outdoor activities.
Where: Edmonton | More Info: Silver Skate Festival
SnowDays Festival
What to Expect:
Interactive winter activities and events.
Description:
SnowDays Festival in Banff is a 12-day celebration of winter featuring snow sculptures, the SnowDays Play Zone, and Skijoring on Banff Avenue.
Where: Banff | More Info: SnowDays Festival
Griz Days Winter Carnival
What to Expect:
Traditional winter festival with diverse events and activities.
Description:
Griz Days Winter Carnival is a vibrant winter festival in Fernie, B.C., featuring the Extreme Griz Competition, lumberjack show, fireworks, and a variety of live entertainment and activities for all ages.
Where: Fernie | More Info: Griz Days Winter Carnival
Christmas in Steveston Village
What to Expect:
Community-driven parade with Santa and friends.
Description:
Steveston Village hosts a small community-based parade featuring Santa and his friends, with festive floats, costumes, and seasonal music, making it a delightful holiday event for all ages.