Best Family-Friendly Christmas Activities in Vancouver
If you want to enjoy some holiday festivities with the entire family, Vancouver has a lot to offer. We’ve done all the research to ensure there is never a dull moment this Christmas season. Here are our favourite events for kids of all ages, parents included.
Christmas Glow Vancouver
Amaze the entire family with Glow Gardens. This interactive event takes place indoors and provides a magical experience. You and your young ones can help Santa find his lost presents with the help of the elves. During this time, you can marvel at the interactive light gardens and illuminated structures. You also get the chance to eat delicious food while drinking festive beverages. In total, you will see a million twinkling lights. This will be an event your entire family will want to visit several times.
Santa Claus Parade
At Christmas Square, your entire family can enjoy several hours of entertainment. Then, at noon, find a comfortable spot to watch the Santa Claus Parade as it makes its way down the streets of Vancouver.
Canyon Lights
New for this year, you can enjoy the towering Douglas firs dressed in bright lights as part of the Treetops Adventure. Enjoy the changing light display illuminating the river from the perfect vantage point of the suspension bridge or Cliffwalk. You can also marvel at the West Coast rainforest. Your kids will love the cookie decorating, craft stations, sing-along and scavenger hunt.
Bright Nights
The Stanley Park event is put on with a partnership between the Vancouver Park Board and B.C. Professional Fire Fighter’s Burn Fund. Expect to see over three million lights that brighten the entire sky. You will also have the chance to enjoy festive displays, Santa Claus and live entertainment.
FlyOver Canada
Experience a magical flight with the elves and Santa as you explore Canada and head to the North Pole. You will meet Pinecone and Chestnut, two of Santa’s vital helpers, as you take flight. There will also be a sneak peek into Santa’s Workshop while heading over the North Pole. This attraction lasts for 20 to 25 minutes but will live in your hearts forever. When you are finished, stop to see the festive outdoor deck. There you can take in all of the Christmas lights while eating snacks and drinking hot beverages.
Vancouver Christmas Market
It doesn’t matter what day it is, you can meander around the Christmas Market in Vancouver for a little excitement. If you are hungry, enjoy some of the European festival food and sneak away for an adult beverage. You will also find countless stalls selling Christmas items and souvenirs.
Lights at Lafarge
This free event showcases some of the best Christmas decorations and holiday lights around the lake. While you enjoy the sights with your family, make sure you grab a snack at one of the food vendors on-site.
Ice Skating at Robson Square
While you are visiting the other sites at Canada Place, don’t neglect to get some family exercise while having fun. The ice skating venue at Robson Square is usually open from 9 am until 9 pm daily, but later on the weekends. You can bring your own ice skating equipment or rent some for just $4. If you enjoy ice skating, you might also want to visit one of the other centres across Lower Midland and on Grouse Mountain.
We would love to hear about how you plan to spend this holiday season. Does your family have a favourite event that we forgot to include? Let us know.