Twinkling lights on city streets, hung on homes, or installed in artful arrangements sure do lift the spirits. While our weather forecast may be grey, Metro Vancouver is still merry and bright thanks to these many fun and creative holiday light displays.
Ranging from simple sidewalk tree lights to epic home displays that double at fundraisers to annual events that are local traditions, here are 21 places to see amazing Christmas lights in Metro Vancouver.
VANCOUVER
Bright Nights in Stanley Park
The annual Bright Nights in Stanley Park event is on now through Jan. 6 with the holiday train.
For the annual Bright Nights this year, more than three million twinkling lights will brighten the night sky in Stanley Park. Other highlights include festive displays, live entertainment and even Santa Claus himself. All donations and partial proceeds from train ticket sales go to support B.C. Burn Fund programs.
When: December 2, 2017 to January 6, 2018
Where: Stanley Park
Cost: $5 Suggested donation
Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden
VanDusen Botanical Garden/Facebook
Featuring over a million lights set up on the garden grounds, the Festival of Lights will dazzle kids and grown ups alike. Every ticket includes a ride on the carousel, which evokes a true Parisian experience. There will be light shows timed to music every 20 minutes on Livingstone Lake, storytime with Santa (until December 24), a fireside lounge offering special holiday beverages, live entertainment, donation opportunities, music-making, and heaps of picture perfect selfie ops.
When: December 1 to 14 (4:30 to 9 pm); December 15 to 24 (4:30 to 10 pm); December 26, 2017 to January 7, 2018 (4:40 to 9 pm)
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden –
Tickets: $8.57 to $18.10; children 3 and under are free
St. Paul's Hospital Lights of Hope
St Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope.
As part of the spectacular annual tradition, more than 200 stars and 100,000 sparkling lights spanning the equivalent of 10 kilometres light up St Paul's Hospital.
When: Now through January 8, 2018
Where: St. Paul's Hospital - 178 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Robson Street
Robson Street from Burrard to Jarvis has beautiful tree lights already glowing for the holidays. On December 1 and 2, check out "Winter's Dance," a free dance performance that will be projected onto the side of the building at 1155 Robson.
Where: Robson Street between Burrard and Jarvis
Vancouver Chinese Lantern Festival
Vancouver Chinese Lantern Festival
Not your usual Christmas fare, this new event is still pretty promising in the illumination department. Canada’s largest Chinese Lantern Festival and celebration of culture will light up Vancouver for five weeks this winter. Running from December 15, 2017 to January 21, 2018, the Vancouver Chinese Lantern Festival will take place all over the entire span of the PNE grounds.
When: December 15, 2017 to January 21, 2018
Where: PNE – East Hastings at Renfrew Street
Tickets: $13.50 to $19 (kids 3 and under are free); available online
Lumière
@lumiereyvr/Instagram
Vancouver’s West End will once again light up with exciting art installations and community events this year with the return of the annual Lumière event. Lumière will feature visually exciting pieces of art, including Luna the whale by MK Illuminations. This year, MK Illuminations will have a tree set up in English Bay for the event, and once again the festival is crowd-sourcing a name for the art.
When: December 2 to 9, 2017
Where: West End locations (Jim Deva Plaza, English Bay)
Vancouver Christmas Tree at Robson Square
Check out four magnificent holiday trees that have come to life with bright, holiday cheer, including the city’s beloved 76 ft coniferous giant. The lighting event takes place on December 1.
When: On view through the holidays
Where: 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Granville Island
Look for all sorts of lovely lights set up all over Granville Island. Perfect for memory-making while you're shopping or eating.
Where: Granville Island
Pacific Centre
Lots to see here! First, there's the 40-foot-tall Christmas tree situated outside the centre’s rotunda off Georgia and Howe streets to dazzle the eyes. Then, outside of Nordstrom on Georgia at Granville is the very photogenic walk-through illuminated orb.
Where: Pacific Centre - Georgia Street at Howe and Granville
Carol Ships Parade of Lights
Vince Alongi/Flickr
During December on Friday and Saturday nights there are several chartered boat companies that offer carol ship cruises. The boats are decked out in lights and sail around False Creek and Coal Harbour and elsewhere along the water, visible from multiple points on land. You can of course pay to go on a cruise, or plan on watching them float by, which is absolutely free.
When: Friday and Saturday nights in December
Where: Various locations along the water
Karaoke Christmas Lights Trolley Tour
The Vancouver Trolley Company/Facebook
The Vancouver Trolley Company is offering a Karaoke Christmas Lights trolley tour December 1 - 29, and the 3-hour activity includes stops at the Festival of Lights and Bright Nights in Stanley Park and more.
When: December 1 – 29; tours start at 6:30 pm and run for 3 hours
Where: Tour departs/returns to Canada Place
Cost: $45 for adults, $30 for children
BURNABY
Heritage Christmas
@jenn_madelaine via Instagram (via Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel/Facebook)
Stroll through the streets of the Burnaby Village to see wreaths, cedar swags and vintage-themed displays will. Special entertainment is scheduled throughout the season including theatre performances, community choirs, street characters and musicians. Many family-favourite activities are back including a craft for children, baking in the Farmhouse and, of course, visits with Father Christmas.
When: November 25, 2017 to January 5, 2018
Where: Burnaby Village Museum – 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Light Up the Heights
Hastings Street in Burnaby Heights is lit up for the holidays. They'll have a lighting event showcasing merchants and Santa himself on Dec. 2 (noon - 5pm, tree lighting at 4:30 at the Fire Hall).
Where: Hastings Street, Burnaby Heights
COQUITLAM
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 stunning light displays, live entertainment and activities for the whole family. Free family fun!
Where: Lafarge Lake, Coqutilam
LANGLEY
Wish Upon a Star House
Wish Upon A Star/Facebook
Every year this Langley home decks the halls with 40,000 lights and festive displays and raises money for the BC Children's Hospital Foundation.
Where: 20681 44 Avenue, Langley
Glow Christmas Light Gardens & Market
@lindsay_tro/Instagram
Glow Christmas Light Garden & Market flipped the on switch November 24 in Langley at Milner Gardens, and its 500,000 sparkling holiday lights and spectacular 210-foot light tunnel have instantly become serious Instagram material.
Where: Milner Village Garden Centre – 6690 216 Street, Langley
When: November 24 through December 30 (closed Sundays)
Cost: Adult: $19.95 online/$25 at the gate; Child & Senior: $14.95 online/$20 at the gate; Family (up to 2 adults and 3 children): $59.95 online/$80 at the gate; Children under 5: free
NORTH VANCOUVER
Canyon Lights at Capilano
Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
One of the lower mainland’s most breathtaking sights any time of the year, the Capilano Suspension Bridge’s stunning Canyon Lights winter festival will light up the night for an extended run this winter. Hundreds of thousands of lights shimmer brightly as the suspension bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, the rainforest and canyon become a sparkling winter wonderland.
When: Now through January 28, 2018 (Closed Christmas Day)
Where: 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
Cost: $14.95 to $42.95; kids under 6 free.
Dundarave Festival of Lights
Dundarave Festival of Lights/Facebook
On the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas, stop by for an afternoon of free concerts to spark your Christmas spirit. The Christmas trees will remain on display until December 31, 2017. Check their website for more details about all the holiday activities.
When: November 18 to December 25, 2017 (trees displayed until Dec. 31)
Where: Dundarave Park, West Vancouver
North Vancouver Christmas House for Charity
North Vancouver Christmas Lights for Charity/Facebook
Illuminated with thousands of holiday lights, the Ribalkin/Viau family will once again use their house as a beacon of hope, and a fundraising opportunity, during the Christmas season.
When: Nightly, December 2, 2017 through January 1, 2018
Where: 4967 Chalet Place, North Vancouver
Hi Light Festival
Park & Tilford is set to light up the season with the 28th annual Holiday Hi-Light Festival at Park & Tilford Gardens. This annual event features a majestic festival of lights with over 150,000 on display over 3 acres. The lights turn are on between 5 and 9 pm daily between December 1 and 31. Entry is by donation with proceeds going to support the North Vancouver firefighters, and their various appointed charities. An opening night event on December 1 from 7 to 10 pm will include hot chocolate, live entertainment and a Light Up countdown.
When: December 1 to 31, 2017
Where: Park & Tilford Gardens – 333 Brooksbank Avenue, North Vancouver
VARIOUS
CP Holiday Train
CP Holiday Train
Canada’s very own Christmas Train will once again pull into Metro Vancouver this holiday season, making four of its 182 community in the region, and 24 overall in B.C. On December 16 and 17, the CP Holiday Train makes tracks into Metro Vancouver, stopping at Haney-Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam, bringing the ride to its grand conclusion.
When: December 16-17, 2017
Where: Haney-Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam
