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.
​
  • Lights are on display at St. Paul's Hospital from November 23, 2023 - January 5, 2024
  • Location: Outside of St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St., Vancouver
  • Cost: Free!

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:
  • Main events occur at the Roundhouse Community Centre at 181 Roundhouse Mews
  • The “Labyrinth of Light” features over 500 beeswax candles that people can walk around
  • A lantern-making workshop is available for $10
  • Live music, food vendors, and other activities 
  • Activities start at 6:00 pm on December 21, 2023

2. False Creek & Granville Island Event:
  • Multiple lantern processions that converge at Water Park on Granville Island
  • Live performances and other activities
  • Workshops are available before the event for $10
  • Main event starts at 6:00 pm on December 21, 2023

3. Strathcona Event:
  • Musical lantern procession starting at 6:00 pm on December 21, 2023
  • Procession leads to the Community labyrinth for singing, hot apple cider, and socialization
  • Pre-event lantern making workshops are hosted at Strathcona Community Centre

4. East Van Event:
  • Event occurs at 1398 East 3rd Ave, Vancouver
  • Main event starts at 6:00 pm on December 21, 2023

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:
  • Admission is by donation and ticket purchases are required to ride the train
  • Food and beverage vendors
  • Donations benefit the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund
  • Located off of Pipeline Road, in the center of the park

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:
  • Performances on Friday and Saturday evenings, with a large and cozy tented hub in Harbour Green Park
  • Nightly fire performances at Canada Place Plaza
  • Diverse cultural storytellers at Komagata Maru Memorial
  • Live opera and classical singing at Cardero Park
  • Walks and talks exploring some of the lesser known and fascinating history of our city
  • Free and accessible for everyone

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:
  • Runs from December 1, 2023 to January 2, 2024
  • Features the Chrismoose, a 15-foot tall moose made out of lights
  • Free and family-friendly event

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:
  • Open to the public from December 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024
  • Daily (Monday-Friday)  9:00 am to 9:00 pm
  • Christmas Day - 11:00 am 50 5:00 pm

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:
  • A free Christmas tree display sponsored by the local community and raising funds for cancer research at BCCH
  • Located in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel (900 West Georgia St., Vancouver)
  • Runs through December 2023
  • Free, but donations are welcome

Other Events:

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:
  • Tickets are sold exclusively online and in advance - tickets are not sold at the door
  • Runs every evening from November 24 - December 24
  • Closed December 25
  • Visit the cafe, fondue hut, cocoa chateau, and other food vendors

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:
  • Meet-and-greet and photos with Santa
  • Complimentary Coca-Cola beverages, hot chocolate, or lattes
  • Live festive entertainment
  • ​Other family-friendly activities

Dates: December 15 - 19, 2023
Locations: Various locations in Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Langley
Cost: Free admission

Vancouver Winter Markets
Vancouver Christmas Market
  • A signature yuletide celebration with festive offerings of more than 80 huts stuffed with sweets, treats and treasures
  • November 16 - December 24, 2023 at Jack Poole Plaza
  • Note: there is a cost associated with admission

Made in the 604 Pop-up Markets
  • Support your local community, with dozens of vendors that are local, small business owners and artisans
  • Free admission and pet friendly
  • Two locations:
    • Heritage Hall - 3102 Main St., Vancouver
    • The Pipe Shop - 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
  • ​Dates in November and December 2023

Project EveryBODY: CelebratesLive
  • Market featuring handmade goods, an art show, and handcrafted holiday gift ideas
  • Free event with comedy, music, live performances and more by talented artists that are members of the disability community in Vancouver
  • Workshops where you can decorate holiday ornaments
  • Occurs during the first week of December​

Kensington Holiday Craft Fair
  • Browse local artists and vendors for gifts for family, friends, or yourself
  •  Admission is free for the public
  • December 9, 2023 at the Kensington Community Centre​

Yactac Craft Fair
  • Featuring a wide range of local artists’ hand-made goods
  • 1965 Main St, Vancouver 
  • December 9, 2023  11:00 am - 3:30 pm
  • Free entry

Wierdos Holiday Market
  • Ultimate Holiday extravaganza for all things extraordinary, offbeat, and utterly out of this world! 
  • Spellbinding collection of gifts, ranging from the enchanting to the enigmatic, and from the delightfully bizarre to the curiously captivating
  • December 9-10 & 16-17: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • December 8 & 15: 5:00 - 10:00 pm (19+)

First Pick Handmade Fair
  • $3 entry
  • December 9-10  11:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • 3102 Main Street, Vancouver 
  • Shop high-quality handmade fashion, accessories and lifestyle items

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:
  • Discover Santa adventure where you can embark on the ultimate journey to meet Santa Claus by solving puzzles and cracking riddle
  • Holiday light displays
  • Ice skating and ice bumper cars on Tim Hortons Ice Rink
  • Festive food and beverages, as well as fair favourites
  •  Indoor Holiday Market
  • Ride the PNE Express train
  • Live music and entertainment
  • Special performances, including The Nutcracker on Ice

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:
  • Celebrate the Lunar New Year with stories, songs, and crafts
  • Drinks and food provided
  • February 9, 2024 - 3:30 - 5:00 pm
  • Champlain Heights VPL Branch, 7110 Kerr St., Vancouver

​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:
  • For queer and trans people that want to learn more about nature together
  • Starts at Nature House in Stanley Park
  • Followed by a boardgame warm drinks, and snacks at Wingspan Tournament
  • Tickets are free for queer and trans individuals
  • Register here

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. 
  • Stanley Park
    • Over 400 hectares of natural rainforest, as well as views of the city, water, and mountains
    • You can drive, walk, or cycle along the seawall or walk along the park's trails
    • Free access
  • VanDusen Botanical Garden
    • Enjoy autumn foliage at its best with a plethora of beautiful plants, trees, etc.
    • Offers fall education classes
    • Admission costs vary
  • Queen Elizabeth Park
    • Enjoy mountain views and an array of vibrant fall colours from Vancouver's highest point
    • Free access to the park
  • Pacific Spirit Park
    • Explore the fall colours and walk some of the 55.5+ kms of trails
    • Cranberry Bog turns bright red in the fall
    • Free to access
    • Many trails are leash-optional for dogs
  • Tout Lake at John Hendry Park
    • Take a walk around the lake and enjoy the fall foliage of East Van
    • Visit the Saturday farmers' market

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

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:
  • Cranberry Stomping
  • Scarecrow contests
  • Pancake breakfast
  • Live entertainment
  • 100 market vendors and food trucks 

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:
  • Free admission
  • Pet friendly!
  • Markets are open from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Locations and 2023 Dates:
Vancouver: Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street
  • October 8 & 21-22
  • November 4-5
  • December 16-17
North Vancouver: The Pipe Shop, 115 Victory Ship Way
  • September 30 and October 1
  • November 18-19
  • December 2-3​

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:
  • Locations vary week-to-week
  • First 150 people can receive a free hotdog
  • The event is free, just bring a picnic, a blanket, and outdoor activities
  • Family friendly 
  • Runs on Thursdays, from July - August 

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:
  • October 5 - Live music and entertainment!
  • October 6 and 21 - Free entry for Grandparents!
  • Dog friendly! 

Location: 41905 Yale Road West, Chilliwack
Dates: August - October
Cost: Prices vary, please see the website for details. 

Chilliwack Sunflower Festival
Please check back for 2023 updates!