Holiday Events In and Around Vancouver to Get You in the Festive Mood

By Travel British Columbia

The countdown to Christmas is officially on and with less than a month left before the big day, we thought we’d share some of the festive activities and events taking place in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region! From light festivals and magical winter wonderlands to old-fashioned celebrations and traditional markets, there’s sure to be an event to suit everyone!

Christmas Glow

Christmas Glow started in 2017 and was so successful that it is now experienced all over Canada. In BC the Christmas Glow event is being held at Glow Gardens in Langley. This family-friendly winter festival is decorated with magical landscapes under a million twinkling lights. This year’s theme is “Christmas Carnival”. Christmas Glow is being held from November 23, 2023 to December 30, 2023. Tickets required.

Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum

If you are interested in the sights, tastes, and sounds of Christmas past, present, and future, then the Burnaby Village Museum is where you want to be. Their amazing lights display will warm your heart and light up your soul. Walk through the winter wonderland near the Love Farmhouse, make your own light show with sound at the Bandstand, enjoy theatre performances and community choirs and of course, visits with Father Christmas. Heritage Christmas runs November 25 to January 5. More information.

Winterfest – Surrey

The train lovers (young and not so young) will love Winterfest! Set among the trees of Surrey’s Bear Creek Park, Winterfest invites visitors to take an enchanted train ride through a sparkling, festive forest. The Santa Express is a day-time journey through a series of interactive holiday displays and runs from 10am – 4:30pm. Look for Santa on the train platform (bring your camera for a quick pic), take some time to do a holiday craft and don’t forget to grab a cup of hot chocolate. The Christmas Night Train, running from 6pm – 10pm, transports riders to Bear Creek Park’s Enchanted Forest for a magical ride through glittering light displays. Winterfest runs December 2 – 31. More information.

Bright Nights in Stanley Park

For over 25 years Vancouverites have been enjoying Bright Nights and the Stanley Park Christmas Train. Experience the beautiful forest of Stanley Park glowing with over 3 million sparkling Christmas lights, which are on display until early January. Enjoy the animated displays and twinkling lights, hot cocoa, and indulge in fresh buttered popcorn and churros. Also, be sure to visit Santa at the Railway Plaza’s North Pole. Your donations and a portion of ticket sales go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. (Note: train tickets are sold out for this season but there’s is still plenty to see and do). More information.

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Running until January 21, guests to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park will be dazzled by hundreds of thousands of lights glittering throughout the rainforest, across the Suspension Bridge, through the Arc de Lumina light tunnel  along a portion of Cliffwalk and Treetops Adventure. More information.

The Peak of Christmas, North Vancouver

A favourite Vancouver holiday tradition. Santa Claus, reindeer, ice skating, sleigh rides, carollers, holiday movies in The Theatre in the Sky. Operating until December 25, the spirit of Christmas comes alive with a magical celebration and a multitude of festivities atop Grouse Mountain. A highlight is to wander around Blue Grouse Lake through stunning light installations on the Light Walk, and then glide across the mountaintop skating pond! More information.

Lights at Lafarge

The City of Coquitlam is proud to be home to Metro Vancouver’s largest, free outdoor light display! The dazzling light displays encircle two walking loops in Town Centre Park and Lafarge Lake. The Lights at Lafarge will twinkle until late January. More information.

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Published: November 30, 2023
Last Updated: November 30, 2023