Christmas and Holiday Events in Metro Vancouver 2026 – Main Image: Vancouver Aquarium Holiday Splash
Looking for the best Christmas and holiday events in Metro Vancouver this season? This guide has you covered! From sparkling light displays to festive markets and family-friendly activities, Metro Vancouver transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday months. Whether you’re looking to visit Santa, or walking around the Holiday Markets, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Get ready to make cherished memories with your loved ones. Looking for Christmas events in Vancouver for 2026? Here’s our complete guide to the best holiday events in Metro Vancouver this season, from Christmas light displays and holiday markets to Santa photos, Nutcracker performances and free family activities. We’ve organized everything by city (Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Langley, North Vancouver and beyond) with 2026 dates and ticket prices.
If you’re looking for mini Christmas sessions, check out our list of local photographers doing mini sessions this year: Fall and Christmas Minis In Metro Vancouver
Don’t forget to check out our other posts including:
After rave reviews in 2025 and two Jessie Richardson Award Nominations, this bold, musically charged reimagining of EB White’s beloved classic returns for the holidays.
Celebrating 75 years since the book’s first publication, Joseph Robinette’s enchanting play brings this timeless tale to life in an intimate and captivating telling.
As Stuart, the endearing little mouse with a great big heart, navigates a world built for humans, the play unfolds with a perfect blend of whimsy and heartwarming moments, highlighting Stuart’s courage and resilience in the face of a world not built for such a little mouse.
With a delightful mix of humour, adventure, and poignant moments, STUART LITTLE is one little big adventure you won’t want to miss!
Scuba Claus is back! Holiday Splash transforms the Vancouver Aquarium into an underwater winter wonderland this Christmas season. Watch Scuba Claus dive with the aquatic animals at least twice daily until December 24, snap a family photo in the Jelly Snow Globe, and catch the new Mighty Snow Monkeys 4D experience.
New this year, Polar Odyssey VR takes you on a 360-degree journey to the Canadian Arctic, following polar bears near the Seal River and Hudson Bay as they wait for the winter sea ice to return. Add seasonal treats and the popular Dragons exhibit, now extended through January 2027, and there’s plenty to fill a holiday visit.
Breakfast with Santa: Enjoy a festive breakfast, meet Santa and share your holiday wishes before exploring the aquarium. Select dates from November 29 to December 23, with seatings at 10 am and 12:30 pm. Tickets are limited, so book early.
*Please double-check event details on their website before attending as details may change
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Carousel Theatre for Young People presents STUART LITTLE | December 4 – 20 | From $19 |
| Mixed Nuts | December 11 – 13 | $50 Adults & $35 Student/Senior |
| 12th Annual Big Elf Run | December 12 | $23 to $65 Use Code “VCK15” for 15% off |
| Vancouver Aquarium Holiday Splash | November 12, 2026 – January 3, 2027 | Regular Admission |
| Astra Lumina | October 23 – December 31 | Varies |
| Elf the Musical at Arts Club | November 12 – December 27 | From $39 |
| Gingerbread Lane | TBD | Free |
| Lights of Hope at St. Paul’s Hospital | November 12 | Free |
| Portobello West Holiday Market | November 28 – 29 | $5 Adults Kids FREE (12-Yrs & Under) |
| Robson Square Ice Rink | TBD | – Free – Skate Rental: $5.00 – Ice Cleat Rental: $2.00 |
| Soar with Santa (FlyOver Canada) | TBD | Varies |
| The Nutcracker Ballet | December 17 – 20 | Varies |
| Vancouver Christmas Market | November 16 – December 24 | Varies |
| VanDusen Festival of Lights | November 27 – January 3, 2027 (Closed December 25) | $0 – $28 (plus tax + service fees) |
| Visit with Santa (Granville Island) | November 28 – December 24 | Free |
| VSO – Home Alone in Concert | December 17 – 18 | Varies |
| Wesbrook Village Holiday Market | November 20 – December 20 | Free |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Britannia Mine Museum, Photos with Santa | TBD | – $35 per family of 5 if pre-booked – $40 day of – $5 per extra person |
| The North Pole Express | November 28, 29 December 5, 6 December 12, 13 December 19, 20 December 21 | From $48.76 per seat |
| Holiday Parade Squamish | December 5 | Free |
| Spirit of the Season – Sea to Sky Gondola | November 27 – December 31 | Regular Admission |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| WinterFest at MOS | TBD | Free |
| Merry Makers at MOS | TBD | Free |
| Sensory Santa at MOS | TBD | Free |
| Noel Surrey with the Magic of Bright Nights | November 27 – December 29 (Closed November 30, December 7, 24, 25) | – Kids 6 and under are: FREE – Youth / Teen (Age 7-18): $15 – Adult (Age 19-65): $20 – Senior (Age 65+): $15 *Plus service charges and tax. |
| Bear Creek Park | TBD | Varies |
| Christmas on the Peninsula | November 21 | Free |
| Surrey Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Market | November 21 – 22 | Free |
| The Nutcracker – Surrey Arts Centre | December 12 | Varies |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Artic Nights – Greater Vancouver Zoo | TBD | Varies |
| Christmas Tree Lighting at Aldergrove | November 22 | Free |
| Christmas Light Up Parade | December 12 | Free |
| Christmas Wish Breakfast | November 25 | By Donation |
| Glow Christmas Treasures 2026 | November 19 – January 2 | Varies |
| Mainland Markets Holiday Market | November 21 – 22 | – $4, or 4 for $12 (buy 3, get 1 free) – Children under 18: Free |
| Merry & Bright at Martini Town | November 20 – December 31 | Varies |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Bright in Burnaby – Burnaby Village Museum | TBD | Free |
| Edmonds Festival of Lights | November 28 | Free |
| Heritage Christmas – Burnaby Village Museum | November 25 – January 3, 2027 (Closed December 24 – 25) | Free |
| The Peak of Christmas | November 20 – December 24 | Varies |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge | November 20 – January 10, 2027 | Daily Ticket Price |
| Dundarave Festival | TBD | Free |
| Shipyards Christmas Market | November 27 – December 24 | Free |
| The Shipyards Skate Plaza | TBD | – Free – Skate Rentals: Adults $7 / Kids $5 |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Dance Into Christmas 2026 | December 4 | From $38 |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Festive Family Photo Vignettes | November 21 – December 31 | Varies |
| Santa at the Cannery | November 29 | Free |
| Winter in the Village | November 19 – December 31 | Free |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Photo Fundraiser | November 19 – December 4 | Registration required. $30 per 15 minute group session. |
| Lights at Lafarge | Starts November 27 | Free |
| Ornament Crafting | December 12 & 19 | Entry by donation |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Santa In The Country – Glenda’s Christmas Cottage | November 5 | Free |
| Winter Jubilee | November 21 | Free |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Lights by the Lake | November 21 – January 10, 2027 | Free |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas in Pitt Meadows | December 4 | Varies |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Chilliwack Christmas Craft Fair | November 20 – 22 | $8 per person for the weekend Free for children 12 and under |
| Chilliwack Christmas Parade | November 28 | Free |
| Christmas at Greendale Acres | TBD | Varies |
| District 1881 | TBD | TBD |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Festival of Lights – Tsawwassen Springs | TBD | Free |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Maple Ridge Christmas Festival | December 5 | Free |
| Timberline Country Christmas | TBD | Varies |
| Events | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Candlelight Parade | December 5 | Free |
Some Christmas and Holiday events include Visit with Santa on Granville Island (November 28–December 24), the Shipyards Christmas Market in North Vancouver (November 27–December 24), Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum (November 25–January 3), Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam (from November 27), and free skating at Robson Square.
Popular light displays include the VanDusen Festival of Lights, Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge, Noel Surrey with the Magic of Bright Nights, Glow Langley, Lights at Lafarge.
The Robson Square Ice Rink in downtown Vancouver is free, with skate rentals for $5. The Shipyards Skate Plaza in North Vancouver is also free, with rentals for $7 (adults) and $5 (kids).
Yes. The North Pole Express in Squamish runs on weekends on select dates from November 28 through December 21, 2026, with seats from $48.76.
Beyond the Vancouver Christmas Market, there’s the free Shipyards Christmas Market in North Vancouver, the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Market, Wesbrook Village Holiday Market, Portobello West Holiday Market and Langley’s Mainland Markets Holiday Market.
Kids can see Santa for free on Granville Island in Vancouver, at Santa at the Cannery in Richmond, and at the Museum of Surrey.
Free Christmas events in Metro Vancouver include Visit with Santa on Granville Island, the Lights of Hope at St. Paul’s Hospital and skating at Robson Square in Vancouver, plus the Shipyards Christmas Market and Skate Plaza in North Vancouver. Burnaby has Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum. Surrey offers the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Market, Christmas on the Peninsula and Museum of Surrey. Richmond has Winter in the Village and Santa at the Cannery, and Langley has the Aldergrove Christmas Tree Lighting and the Christmas Light Up Parade. Coquitlam’s Lights at Lafarge is free too, and for a day trip, try Lights by the Lake in Harrison Hot Springs or the holiday parades in Squamish, Maple Ridge, Mission and Chilliwack.
✨ This guide is updated for Christmas and Holiday Events 2026 in Metro Vancouver. The Featured section is sponsored. Check back each year for the latest family-friendly Christmas and Holiday Events and activities happenings around the city. Updated October 2026.
