The holiday season in Metro Vancouver is a time of enchantment and merriment. Throughout the next few weeks, Christmas and holiday events are set to unfold, offering many festive experiences for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for traditional celebrations, dazzling light displays, or unique holiday activities, Metro Vancouver has something for you. In this guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the most magical and memorable events of the season, so you can make the most of this special time of year.
If you’re looking for mini Christmas sessions, check out our list of local photographers: christmas-mini-sessions-in-metro-vancouver
Soak up the magic of the season together at Holiday Splash, a one-of-a-kind holiday celebration at the Vancouver Aquarium where cherished memories are made. During Holiday Splash, the aquarium is transformed into an enchanting winter water-land illuminated by more than 1 million twinkling lights and over 65,000 incredible animals. Watch in wonder as Scuba Claus spreads holiday cheer at one of his daily dive shows, embark on an epic adventure to the North Pole in the classic THE POLAR EXPRESS™ 4D Experience, and capture this year’s family portrait under the mesmerizing glow of the Jelly Snow Globe. Plus, enjoy festive treats, get hands on in our new Arctic Wet Lab, dive into fun holiday crafts, and so much more! Sometimes, new family traditions start under the sea. Plan your visit to Holiday Splash today!
For more information: special-events/holiday-splash/
Holiday shows? Winter lights? Festive food and drink? Ice bumper cars? A market where you can shop for gifts for those you love (or yourself?) Say no more – the PNE Winter Fair is back and more festive than ever!
When you’re looking for something to do that captures the spirit of winter, the PNE Winter Fair is basically a one-stop-shop of festive fun. Enjoy nightly performances of Nut Cracker on Ice, go on a quest to find Santa in Discover Santa, and catch a showing of The Magic of Santa. Once you’ve seen all the shows, you can go ice skating or hit the ice bumper cars on the Tim Hortons Rink, and then warm up with a hot beverage and a delicious meal while you wander through the light displays and watch the roving entertainers. With so much to do, this year’s PNE Winter Fair presented by BCAA is sure to delight.
For more information: www.pne.ca/winter-fair
Jingle along and join Vancouver’s most festive fun run!
The Big Elf Run takes place at Stanley Park, fundraising for the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.
5k, 10k, 15k and Wee Elf 1k distances available.Explore the trails, enjoy vendors, prize giveaways and more!
For more information: the-big-elf-run
Carousel Theatre for Young People presents Snow White, November 29 to December 31, 2023
Just in time for the holidays, Carousel Theatre for Young People presents playwright Greg Banks’ acclaimed retelling of the cherished fairytale classic Snow White, at Granville Island’s Waterfront Theatre (1412 Cartwright St), from November 29 to December 31, 2023. The wickedly funny reinterpretation sees two actors, accompanied by an on-stage musician, embody a cast of beloved characters: the handsome prince, the malicious queen, a helpful dwarf, and the pure-hearted Snow White herself. This charming tale is given a fresh, ingenious twist that will delight audiences of all ages during the festive season. Snow White will feature several special events, including a mandatory masked performance on Dec. 2 (1pm), an ASL Interpreted performance on Dec. 9 (1pm), and a Vocal Eye described performance on Dec. 16 (4pm). Audiences are encouraged to dress up as their favourite fairytale characters on Saturday showings at 4pm (Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30).
Tickets and information at: carouseltheatre.ca/season/snowwhite
Arts Umbrella Dance Company presents Mixed Nuts, a modern and engaging twist on Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Performed annually at the Vancouver Playhouse each December, Mixed Nuts brings together a flavoursome assortment of dance styles for an extra-special holiday treat that is fun for the whole family.
For more information: events/mixed-nuts-2023/
Join us for a truly special photo opportunity with Santa himself as he prepares his sleigh for the grand adventure following an unexpected mishap that left his sleigh in need of repair!!Come and witness the holiday spirit in action as you visit Santa in his workshop at the museum, where the magic of Christmas comes to life.Don’t miss out on this unique and unforgettable experience!
Admission includes:
For more information: britanniaminemuseum.ca/pages/photos-with-santa
A 50 minute train and and then a visit in the Roundhouse to see Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus! And a ride on our Holiday Mini-rail train, through the Christmas Car Shop and right on by our 1910 Pacific Great Eastern #2 Steam Engine! Holiday Model Train Displays. Christmas crafts and other fun activities.
Tickets and information at: wcra.org
The Steveston Festival of Trees is back for the holidays! Throughout the month of December, visit the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site transformed into a winter wonderland as they host merrymaking activities for the whole family.
While enjoying the illuminated trees as part of their annual tree decorating competition, the historic Cannery will be full of festive joy with all-new seasonal delights including free photos with Santa, holidays crafts, and more!
For more information: gulfofgeorgiacannery.org/festival-of-trees
| Holiday Splash – Vancouver Aquarium Dates: November 12, 2023 to January 7, 2024 Admission: Daily Ticket Price Website: special-events/holiday-splash/ | PNE Winter Fair presented by BCAA Dates: December 8 – 9, 14 – 23 Admission: $0 – $30 (Kids 3 and younger get in free!) Website: pne.ca/winter-fair/ |
Big Elf Run Date: December 9 Tickets: $22 to $65 (Save 10% with code “VCK10”) Website: the-big-elf-run | Carousel Theatre for Young People presents Snow White Dates: November 29 to December 31 Admission: From $18 Website: carouseltheatre.ca/season/snowwhite |
Mixed Nuts Dates: December 15-17 Admission: Adult and Student/Senior tickets available. Website: mixed-nuts-2023 | Bright Lights Date: Dec. 1 – Jan. 1 (Closed: Dec. 5 / 6 / 25) Admission: By Donations (Train Tickets sold out) Website: bright-nights-train.aspx |
Candytown Date: Dec. 2 Admission: Free Website: whats-happening/candytown/ | Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Date: Nov. 17 – Jan. 21 (Closed Dec. 25 Admission: Daily Ticket Price Website: events/canyon-lights/ |
Christmas at Canada Place Date: Dec. 1- Jan. 2 Admission: Free Website: canadaplace.ca/events/christmas/ | Christmas in Kerrisdale Events Date: Dec. 9 / 16 / 23 Admission: Free Website: instagram.com/p/CzRhTcgxJ-f/ |
Dundarave Festival Date: TBD Admission: Free Website: dundaravefestival.com/ | Gingerbread Lane Date: Dec. 1 – Dec. 29 Admission: Free Website: gingerbreadlane.ca/ |
Lights of Hope at St. Paul’s Hospital Date: Nov. 23 Admission: Free Website: helpstpauls.com/lights-of-hope | Robson Square Ice Rink Date: TBD Admission: Free / Skate Rental $5.00 / Ice Cleat Rental $2.00 Website: robsonsquare.com/ |
The Shipyards Skate Plaza Date: Dec. 1 Admission: Free / Skate Rentals: Adults $7 / Kids $5 Website: the-shipyards/skate-plaza | Vancouver Christmas Market Date: Nov. 16 – Dec. 24 Admission: Varies Website: vancouverchristmasmarket.com |
VanDusen Festival of Lights Date: Nov. 24 – Jan. 7 (Closed Dec. 25) Admission: Daily Ticket Price Website: festival-of-lights.aspx | Winter Solstice Lantern Festival Date: Nov. 24 – Dec. 21 Admission: Free Website: secretlantern.org |
Festival of Trees Date: Nov. 23 – Jan. 2 Admission: Free Website: bcchf-festival-of-trees-vancouver/ | The Nutcracker Ballet Date: Dec. 14-17 Admission: Varies Website: gohnutcracker.com/ |
Soar with Santa (FlyOver Canada) Date: Nov. 16 – Dec. 7 Admission: $15 – $33 Website: flyovercanada.com/ | Visit with Santa (Granville Island) Date: Dec. 2 – 24 Admission: Free Website: kidsmarket.ca/#events |
Liven UP – Coal Harbour Date: Dec. 1 – Dec. 31 Admission: Free Website: livenup.ca/#overview |
| Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum Date: Nov. 25 – Jan. 5 (Closed Dec. 24 / 25) Admission: Free Website: heritage-christmas.html | The Peak of Christmas Date: Nov. 24 – Dec. 25 Admission: Varies Website: peak-of-christmas |
| Bear Creek Park Date: Dec. 2 – Dec. 31 (Closed Dec. 25) Admission: Tickets $13.50 per person. Kids under 2 are free Website: bctrains.com/ | Christmas Tree Kickoff Date: Nov. 25 Admission: Free Website: cloverdale-christmas-tree-fest |
Cloverdale Christmas Tree Festival Date: Nov. 25 – Dec. 24 Admission: Free Website: cloverdale-christmas-tree-fest | Surrey Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Market Date: Nov. 25 – 26 Admission: Free Website: surreytreelighting.ca |
| Glow Gardens Date: Nov. 23 – Dec. 30 Admission: Varies Website: glowgardens.com/langley-christmas | Christmas in Williams Park Society Date: Dec. 1 – Dec. 20 Admission: Free Website: christmasinwilliamspark/ |
Martini Town Merry & Bright Date: Dec. 6 – Jan. 1 (Monday & Tuesday Closed except Dec. 26) Admission: Varies Website: https://martinievents.ca/ |
| Shine Bright Date: Dec. 1 – Dec. 31 Admission: Free Website: shine-bright-2023 |
| Steveston Festival of Trees Date: Dec. 1 – Jan. 7 Admission: Adult $12.50 Senior (65+) $10.75 *Youth under 17 and Society members are Free Website: events/festival-of-trees/ | Sparkle Brighter Date: Nov. 16 – 18 Admission: Free Website: whats-on/sparkle-brighter23/ |
Gateway Theatre presents the Magic of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA Date: December 14 – 31 Admission: Starting at $40 Website: events/rodgers-hammersteins-cinderella/ |
| Lights at Lafarge Date: Nov. 24 – TBD Admission: Free Website: coquitlam.ca/784/Lights-at-Lafarge |
| North Pole Express Dates: Nov. 25/26, Dec. 2/3, Dec. 9/10 and Dec. 16/17 Admission: $41, $52.50 and $66 per ticket (sold in pairs) Website: wcra.org/ | Britannia Mine Museum Dates: Dec. 9/10, 16/17 Admission: $35 for family of 5 Website: photos-with-santa |
| Winter Jubilee Date: Nov. 18 Admission: Free Website: events-landing/winter-jubilee/ |
| Festival of Lights Date: Dec. 1 – Jan. 1 Admission: Free Website: tsawwassensprings.ca/sponsorship/ |
| Lights by the Lake Date: Nov. 18 – Jan. 7 Admission: Free Website: lights-by-the-lake/ |
| Christmas in Pitt Meadows Date: November to December Admission: Free Website: christmas-pitt-meadows |
As the holiday season approaches, Chilliwack in the Fraser Valley becomes alive with festive celebrations. From dazzling light displays to enchanting markets and heartwarming community gatherings, Chilliwack offers something for everyone to make their holidays merry and bright. I’m excited to share with you a list of exciting activities happening in Chilliwack.
For more details about each event, please go here: chilliwack-christmas-holiday-events/
