Seasonal Events & Holidays
Lights of Hope
St. Paul’s Foundation’s massive light display outside of St. Paul’s Hospital has been an annual Christmastime tradition and fundraising campaign since 1998. This year it is commemorating opening night (Nov 23) with the return of the popular fireworks display.
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Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
Vancouver’s Winter Solstice Lantern Festival involves evening music and fire performances at various locations in Vancouver. Celebrate the darkest day of the year, the winter season, and old-world traditions.
1. Yaletown Roundhouse Event:
2. False Creek & Granville Island Event:
3. Strathcona Event:
4. East Van Event:
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Bright Nights at Stanley Park
Bright Nights at Stanley Park features a fully decorated plaza packed with sparkling lights, Christmas displays, and the famous miniature train. The family-friendly event includes live entertainment, a giant reindeer, an antique fire truck, and a walk-through light tunnel. The onsite barn will also be transformed into a delightful Santa's Workshop.
Details:
Dates: November 30, 2023 - January 1, 2024 Note: Closed December 25, 2023 |
Liven Up Festival
Liven Up is a free and festive event series over the holiday season. The family-friendly event features light displays, artists, musicians, storytelling, carolling, and more.
Activities include:
Dates: December 1 - 30, 2023 Times: Main events occur from 5:00 - 10:00 pm Location: Coal Harbour |
Christmas at Canada Place
Celebrate the holidays with holiday illuminations, displays and activities along the Canadian Trail on the Promenade Deck at Canada Place. The attraction features its handcrafted Woodward’s Windows and Avenue of Christmas Trees.
Details and Features:
Other Activities in the Area (costs associated): |
Winter Ice Skating at Robson Square
This winter, renew a classic Vancouver tradition and enjoy some old-fashioned fun. Robson Square’s outdoor skating rink is open, so celebrate winter in style with skating in the heart of downtown Vancouver. It’s a magical place to enjoy the winter season with your friends, family and loved ones.
Hours of Operation:
Fees: Skating is free and you can rent skates for $5.00/pair Ice Rink Closures, Schedule Changes & Events: For updates, call the Robson Square Hotline 604-646-3554. Please be advised that warm weather leads to warm ice! Robson Square Ice Rink may need to close unexpectedly. |
Free Skating at Shipyards Skate Plaza
Skaters of all ages and abilities are welcome to skate on the large outdoor rink, which is located on the waterfront in North Vancouver. This provides a scenic breakdown of downtown Vancouver and the North Shore mountains. Rain is of no concern because the plaza has a retractable roof!
Dates: December 1, 2023 - late March, 2024 Times: Daily from 1:00 - 8:00 pm, with ice cleaning at 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm Location: 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver Cost: Free! Skate rentals: $5/kids, $7/adults |
Festival of Trees
This holiday season, visit the Fairmont Hotel and enjoy the magnificent Christmas tree display. It is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
BC Children's Hospital Foundation Festival of Trees:
Other Events:
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VanDusen Festival of Lights
Step into a botanical wonderland this holiday season at VanDusen Festival of Lights. Explore 15 acres adorned with over 1 million twinkling lights, featuring a glowing display inspired by the vibrant colours and unique plants and animals from BC’s endangered Garry oak meadows.
VanDusen welcomes neurodiverse individuals, their families, and caretakers by offering a sensory-friendly evening on November 28. Features include:
Details:
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Winter Holiday Celebration
Celebrate the holiday season at the Roundhouse with a fun and festive family-friendly event. It features photos with Santa, live music, cookie decorating, face painting, and spectacular festive lighting.
Date and time: December 9, 2023 from 1:00 - 5:00 pm Location: Exhibition Hall (Roundhouse Community Centre), 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver Cost: Free, suggested donation is $5 at the door Registration is not required. Phone: 604-713-1800 |
Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan
Coca-Cola is hosting a series of festive events around the Greater Vancouver Area. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in a free festive gathering with holiday beverages and entertainment.
Details:
Dates: December 15 - 19, 2023 Locations: Various locations in Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Langley Cost: Free admission |
Vancouver Winter Markets
Vancouver Christmas Market
Made in the 604 Pop-up Markets
Project EveryBODY: CelebratesLive
Kensington Holiday Craft Fair
Yactac Craft Fair
Wierdos Holiday Market
First Pick Handmade Fair
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PNE Winter Fair
Celebrate the holiday season at the PNE's annual Winter Fair. The event runs from December 8 - 9 and 14 - 23, 2023.
Featured attractions:
Dates: December 8 - 9 & 14 - 23, 2023 Times: 4:00 - 10:00 pm Location: PNE Fair Grounds, 2901 East Hastings St., Vancouver Cost: Tickets range from $13 - $30, with additional costs for some special events |
Canyon Lights at Capilano Bridge
Over the holiday season, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is illuminated with over 500,000 lights and decorations. The displays are a tasteful and unique holiday experience. It also features other festive and family-friendly activities.
Note: There is a cost associated with the Canyon Lights, from $67 for adults to $27 for children. Dates: November 17, 2023 - January 21, 2024 Location: 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver |
Lunar New Year Celebrations
Lunar New Year is a celebration of the first new moon of the lunar calendar, which is celebrated by numerous cultures, primarily Asian cultures, in various different ways. The holiday is a time of feasting while honouring the household and ancestors.
Champlain Heights Celebration:
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Queer Friends and Feathers: Coastal Birds!
Join Birds Canada biologist Remi Torrenta (he/him) for a short and sweet tour of some coastal waterbirds that frequent local shorelines! Thousands of waterfowl migrate here in the winter to take refuge in the warm and nutrient-rich waters. They are a lot of fun to watch and great birds to start identifying for beginners. Join us outside with other queer folks that want to spend time in nature.
Details:
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Dahlia Flower Festival
The Dahlia Flower Festival is held annually at Shangrila Farm in Mission. It displays 200 varieties of Dahlia flowers, 400 green sculptures, grapevine and flower tunnels, Lotuses, and green dragons. There are also various gardens, including a fairy garden, an alien garden, a root garden, and more!
Dates: August - October Hours: Open daily from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm, with final entry at 6:00 pm Location: 13842 Spratt Road, Mission Cost: Ticket prices vary from $10 - $17 |
Explore Autumn Around Vancouver
Enjoy the changing colours of the city from mid-October to late November! Many parks and gardens are free to explore and are accessible by transit.
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Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes in the Greater Vancouver Area
1. Petey’s Pumpkin Patch
2. Greendale Acres Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
3. Maan Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze
4. Taves Family Farms
5. Willow View Farms
6. Southlands Heritage Farms
7. Rondriso Farms Pumpkin Patch
8. Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch
9. Richmond Country Farms
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Fort Langley Cranberry Festival
Metro Vancouver’s Fort Langley Cranberry Festival is a free event with a market and family-friendly activities that occurs on Thanksgiving Weekend in Fort Langley. While celebrating the region’s history and tradition, with the Cranberry Festival, we want to create a great day out, support local businesses and vendors, entertain and bring the community and visitors together in the heart of Fort Langley.
Event Features:
2023 Details: Date and time: October 7, 2023 - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Main Location: Fort Langley National Historic Site *Other events happening around the city* Cost: Free |
Pop-Up Winter Markets
Made in the 604 is hosting Pop-Up Markets dedicated to supporting and curating the best local artists, crafters, makers, and small businesses. They help small businesses grow their customer base, test out their products, and build brand awareness.
Details:
Vancouver: Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street
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Community Picnics
Enjoy the outdoors, receive a free hotdog, and get to know your community during the Community Picnic Series. Each week a picnic will be held at a different park in Surrey.
Details:
Contact Information: Phone: 604-501-5050 Email: partnersinparks@surrey.ca |
Spanish Banks Beach Clean Up
Give back to the community by joining others at the annual Spanish Banks clean up.
Date: Annual event, check back for 2024 dates! Location: Spanish Banks Beach, Vancouver |
Greendale Acres Corn Maze |
Enjoy the world-famous corn maze at Greendale Acres. Special events for 2023 include:
Location: 41905 Yale Road West, Chilliwack Dates: August - October Cost: Prices vary, please see the website for details. |