If you haven't already started wrapping presents and blasting Christmas tunes, then consider tomorrow your official start date. There are a ton of festive events going down this weekend in Vancouver, so grab your ugliest X-mas sweater, down some egg nog and prepare to dive Rudolph nose first into the holiday season.
1. Robson Square Ice Rink
Sebastien Panouille/Flickr
Whether you’re with the kids, in need of a romantic night out, or looking to laugh your head off, there’s no place better than the Robson Square Ice Rink. If you don’t have your own blades, you can rent ice skates from the cash-only stand on site.
When: December 1, 2017 – February, 2018
Where: Robson Square – 800 Robson Street
2. TELUS Santa Claus Parade
Photo courtesy Vancouver Courier
The annual Santa Claus Parade is one of downtown’s most cheerful Holiday festivities. This year’s parade will feature over 60 floats and 2,700 participants. With the support of sponsors and parade spectators, the parade collects thousands of dollars and thousands of pounds of food for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
When: December 3, 2017 at 12:00pm
Where: 800 block of Robson Street
3. Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park
@juhbozzolan/Instagram
Did you know the Bright Nights Christmas Train and Stanley Park Train Plaza get their sparkle from over three million twinkling lights? Hop on and enjoy the beautiful displays and live performers along the way!
When: November 30, 2017 – January 6, 2018
Where: Pipeline Road in Stanley Park, via the West Georgia Street park entrance
4. TOQUE Fundraiser and Craft Fair
Western Front/Facebook
TOQUE is Western Front’s annual fundraiser and craft fair. The event features an expertly curated selection of talented artists, designers and artisans. Proceeds from TOQUE support the year-round art and music programs at Western Front in the Mount Pleasant.
When: December 1 – 3, 2017
Where: Western Front – 303 8 Avenue E
5. Vancouver Christmas Market
The annual Vancouver Christmas Market is bigger and better than ever at Jack Poole Plaza.
The Vancouver Christmas market is a traditional German-inspired Christmas Market that boasts delicious food, drinks and a ton of holiday themed activities. If you’re looking for some traditional holidays gifts, be sure to browse their selection of authentic wood carvings, toys, ornaments, nutcrackers and more.
When: November 22 – December 24, 2017
Where: Jack Poole Plaza – 1055 Canada Place
6. Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden
VanDusen Botanical Garden/Facebook
A true winter wonderland decorated with over one million twinkling lights. Enjoy the garden’s carousel and the famous dancing lights show on Livingstone Lake. Keep an eye out for roving Scandinavian gnomes and reindeer in the garden.
When: December 1, 2017 – January 7, 2018
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden – 5251 Oak Street
7. Canyon Lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge
@nataliereardonphotography/Instagram
One of the prettiest ways to spend a holiday evening. Experience the suspension bridge, rainforest and canyon as a world of visual enchantment. Don't miss seeing the world’s tallest living Christmas tree either, it's 153 feet tall!
When: November 23, 2017 – January 28, 2018
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge – 3735 Capilano Road
8. Glow Christmas Light Gardens & Market
@lindsay_tro/Instagram
Glow Christmas Light Gardens & Market has brought holiday magic to the Fraser Valley! This massive, indoor Christmas event includes 4 holiday themed light gardens, a stunning 210 ft. light tunnel, and a huge Christmas market with food, beverages, and local pop-up shops.
When: November 22 – December 30, 2017
Where: Milner Village Garden Centre – 6690 216 Street
9. Eastside Flea Holiday Market
Eastside Flea/Facebook
Artisan goods, vintage collectibles, rarities and so much more. Eastside Flea has made quite a name for themselves in the past few years, partly for their ability to throw an excellent party. Expect DJs, Food Trucks, and seasonal drink specials. Eastside Flea is the perfect one-stop-shop for some truly unique Holiday gifts.
When: December 1 – 3 and December 15 – 17, 2017
Where: Ellis Building – 1024 Main Street
10. Christmas at Canada Place
For the past 30 years, Christmas at Canada Place has been one of Vancouver’s favourite holiday events, bringing communities together to celebrate the festive season while raising funds and awareness for Strathcona Community Centre’s Food Security for Children program.
When: November 23 – December 31, 2017
Where: Canada Place – 999 Canada Place
11. Lights at Lafarge
City of Coquitlam – Municipality/Facebook
Join in the magic of the opening night of the Lower Mainland’s largest free outdoor lights display. Expect dazzling lights, live entertainment and activities for the whole family. Free family fun!
When: November 25, 2017 – January 21, 2018
Where: Lafarge Lake, Town Centre Park – 1299 Pinetree Way
12. Karaoke Christmas Lights
The Vancouver Trolley Company/Facebook
Hop on the Vancouver Trolley Company and sing your favourite holiday carols while visiting two of Vancouver’s most spectacular light displays. Festively decorated trolleys equipped with TV’s and karaoke machines will depart every evening from Canada Place at 6:30pm.
When: December 1 – 29, 2017
Where: Canada Place – 999 Canada Place
13. Visit the Peak of Christmas on Grouse Mountain
Peak of Christmas/grousmountain.com
Skating on a 8,000 square foot mountaintop frozen pond, walking through light installations, petting reindeer, strolling through a gingerbread village, and eating beakfast with Santa are just a few of the activities happening this year on Grouse Mountain.
When: November 24, 2017 – January 7, 2018
Where: Grouse Mountain – 6400 Nancy Greene Way
14. The Spirit Of Christmas: Sea to Sky Gondola
Sea to Sky Gondola: Spirit of Christmas includes many winter and holiday activities, including trail walks and visits with Santa.
Throughout the season, Sea to Sky Gondola will be offering a ton of festive activities, including Christmas forest walks, pancakes and pictures with Santa, snowshoeing, Christmas storytimes, family sing-a-longs, caroling and more.
When: November 24, 2017 – January 7, 2018
Where: Sea to Sky Gondola – 36800 BC-99
15. Vancouver TheatreSports League’s Christmas Queen 4
VTSL/Facbook
She’s baaaaack! The Christmas Queen, in all her nasty glory has returned for Christmas Queen 4 – Secret Santa. Confusion and hijinks ensue when the Queen and Santa exchange bodies in a Freaky Friday-style magical sleight-of-hand. Hilariousness guaranteed.
When: November 22 – December 23, 2017
Where: Improv Centre – 1502 Duranleau Street
16. Christmas with the Bach Choir
Photo/vancouverbachchoir.com
Add your own voice to beloved carols and experience the thrill of singing along with 400 singers and the famous Orpheum Theatre organ. You’re sure to leave this event with an uplifted spirit filled with holiday cheer.
When: December 3, 2017
Where: Orpheum Theatre – 601 Smithe Street
17. Balloon Winter Wonderland in Wesbrook Village
Wesbrook Village/Facebook
Ring in the holidays with free entertainment courtesy of Wesbrook Village. The main attraction features four familiar holiday scenes, made entirely from over 2,500 biodegradable, nitrogen-filled balloons. There will also be a Holiday craft fair, carolers, and photos with Santa this Sunday.
When: December 2 – 10, 2017
Where: Wesbrook Village – 3378 Wesbrook Mall
18. Christmas in Kerrisdale
Photo/kerrisdaleinsider.com
Free horse carriage rides and plenty of seasonal cheer for the whole family, every Saturday in December!
When: Saturdays from December 2 – December 23, 2017
Where: 2225 West 41st Avenue
19. Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum
@jenn_madelaine via Instagram (via Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel/Facebook)
A season of old-fashioned Fun and spectacular light displays. Stroll through the streets of the village to see wreaths, cedar swags and vintage-themed displays. At the bandstand, visitors can create their own magical holiday show with lights that change colour by responding to sound.
When: November 25, 2017 – January 5, 2018
Where: Burnaby Village Museum – 6501 Deer Lake Avenue
20. Santa Day at the Cannery Farmers’ Market
Gulf of Georgia Cannery/Facebook
We’ll be on our best behaviour this weekend at the Cannery Farmers’ Market because Santa is coming to town! Kids of all ages will be able to meet the jolly elf himself in the Boiler House Theatre for photos. Be sure to bring your own camera.
When: December 3, 2017
Where: Gulf of Georgia Cannery – 12138 Fourth Avenue
