Top 9 Christmas Events in Vancouver, BC
Christmas Glow Vancouver
No need to weather the harsh cold outside this holiday season! Check out Christmas Glow Vancouver and you can enjoy a family-friendly indoor adventure. From November 21 to January 4, stop by the Harbour Convention Centre and celebrate the holiday spirit with interactive light gardens, illuminated decorations and structures, and plenty of tasty food and drink. Plus, take your kids to help elves find Santa’s lost presents! Only you and your family can save Christmas! Whatever your mood, there’s sure to be something to do at Glow Garden Vancouver, the best Christmas festival in town.
Aurora Winter Festival
Those in the mood for Christmas immersion will want to check out the Aurora Winter Festival. This hidden village features some of the best light displays you can see aside from Christmas Glow, plus a gorgeous skating rink to let you show off your skills. There’s also a tube park, plenty of extra rides for kids and adults alike, various food trucks and a Christmas market with locally made crafts and gifts. The Festival takes place starting on November 2 and runs until January 5. Come with your family and get reduced prices!
Grouse Mountain Christmas
The North Pole comes to Vancouver starting from November 22 until January 5. At Grouse Mountain, you can find a transformed landscape that brings the magic of Santa’s headquarters to you. The village here features a workshop with Santa himself, plus a crafting station where your kids can pretend to be elves helping him create toys for good boys and girls. There are several additional sleigh rides and an ice-skating rink to fill up your day. Check their calendar often, as special events, like breakfast with Santa himself, occur frequently.
Christmas at Canada Place
This year, it’ll be the 32nd annual operation of Christmas at Canada Place. This holiday event features an amazing Christmas lights display, a decoration of local windows in festive vestments, and the iconic Sails of Light event. You can also check out the Avenue of Trees, which features a huge, sparkling forest of lights and Christmas cheer. Check out the “Chrismoose”, as well: a 15-foot tall moose sculpture made of light! The event runs from December 6 to January 1 and is one of the most budget-friendly holiday events around.
Robson Figure Skating
Skating aficionados will want to stop by the Robson Square Ice Rink, as it’s the best place to enjoy the season’s sport with the crowd. Bring your family and friends and enjoy the skating opportunity since tickets to use the rink are free. You can bring your own states if you’d rather not spend any money or rent skates for only five dollars. You get a helmet for free with skate rentals. While the rink is usually quite full, it’s a great place to casually show off your skills or take a date for a romantic evening.
Vancouver Santa Claus Parade
The 16th annual Santa Claus Parade is happening on Sunday, December 1 starting at 12 PM. The Parade begins with pre-activity festivities in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery, which includes face painting and gingerbread decorating. Other live entertainment festivities are included as well, such as balloon twisting or a letter-writing activity to send Christmas wish-lists to Santa himself. The parade travels west along Georgia, then proceed south along Howe. You can check out the route to the entire parade on the event site. Perhaps best of all, the parade gives you the opportunity to drop off donations to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.
Christmas at Flyover Canada
Take your friends and family for a flight over the beautiful Canadian landscape at this flight simulation ride! It uses right technology developed at Disneyland to showcase what it would feel like to hang-glide over Vancouver, Niagara Falls, and much more. The right is updated every Christmas season to take flyers along the route that leads to the North Pole and encounters Santa’s sleigh. The ride is fully immersive with dynamic wind and scent simulation. You’ll really feel like you’re flying over the best sights Canada has to offer. The Christmas version of the ride is open from November 23 to January 5, although they are closed on Christmas Day.
Goh Ballet Nutcracker
This classic play comes to life once again at The Centre on 777 Homer Street. From December 20 to December 22, experience the riveting tale of the Nutcracker like never before. It features over 200 costumes and several dramatically created sets using the latest in stage technology and practical effects. The memory score from Tchaikovsky will be performed by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, giving you a taste of Vancouver’s finest performers from both the dramatic and musical arts.
Bright Nights Christmas Train and Plaza at Stanley Park
Board a Christmas train that leads to Stanley Park starting on November 28 until January 1. This train brings you along a magical tour of a glittering village filled with amazingly decorated cottages, brightly lit trees, and musical actors who provide live entertainment. All in all, over 3 million lights are on display over the course of the ride. Be sure to buy your tickets online ahead of time, as this is one of the most popular Christmas events in Vancouver. Children aged two and under get in for free, so it’s a great event for the whole family.