The best Vancouver Christmas attractions to see on your weekend getaway
Vancouver really knows how to get you into the Christmas spirit. In fact, it's so full of Christmas activities it is hard to know what to do first. If you wish to cross the water to the big city, here are some Vancouver Christmas attractions one should not miss out on.
For most, the point of seeing Christmas attractions is witnessing everything lit up with twinkling lights. However, if you only visit Vancouver for a weekend, it's impossible to fit all the attractions into one or two evenings. So, this post is broken up into what is doable during the day, followed by the attractions that are best seen at night.
Choose your top favourites and make a plan! No matter which events or festivities you decide on, you will return home full of Christmas cheer.
Vancouver Christmas Attractions Best Seen During the Day
Canada Place Christmas Events
FlyOver Canada
Location: 201-999 Canada Place
Dates: Nov 16, 2023 – January 7, 2024 – at select times
This flight simulation ride is so much fun and an absolute must when visiting Vancouver. During the Christmas season, FlyOver Canada is transformed into a magical winter wonderland. You will join Santa on a flight across Canada in search of his missing elves, and end up at his workshop in the North Pole.
If you have experienced ‘Soarin' Around the World' at Disneyland California Adventure, FlyOver Canada is even better than that! For one thing, the experience is much longer at FlyOver Canada and showcases the best of our country.
Due to the popularity of this attraction, I highly recommend booking online, if not for the savings alone.
For more information or to book online, please visit FlyOver Canada
Christmas at Canada Place Experience
Location: Canada Place
Dates: December 1, 2023 – January 2, 2024
Times: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily (including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve & New Year's Day)
Cost: Free
The Canadian Trail (west promenade at Canada Place) is decorated in Christmas attire. This outdoor display will have guests enjoying a multitude of festive activities.
- Woodward's Windows – following the closure of Woodward’s department store, Canada Place purchased the much-treasured Christmas displays and now incorporates them in the Christmas at Canada Place experience. The displays are nostalgic for those who remember seeing them at the historic Woodward's location.
- Avenue of Christmas Trees – a selection of beautifully decorated trees.
- The North Point Light Display includes “Chrismoose,” a 15-foot-tall moose light sculpture.
- The iconic Sails of Light
- Arts and Crafts – lots of festive crafts for your children to enjoy, including the opportunity to write a letter to Santa.
*If time allows, this would also be a good location to view in the evening, even if it's just a drive-by.
Gingerbread Lane
Location: Hyatt Regency – 655 Burrard Street
Dates: December 1 – 29, 2023
Cost: FREE
The Hyatt Regency Vancouver has a large display of amazing gingerbread creations called Gingerbread Lane. It's the longest-running gingerbread lane in Canada.
With over 30 magical displays, you are sure to find a favourite. The gingerbread houses are submitted and designed by various participants, from schools and businesses to professional and amateur culinary artists from the pastry arts department at Vancouver Community College.
Viewing the gingerbread creations is completely free. However, you can donate when voting for your favourite display. All proceeds go towards the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Festival of Trees
Location: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia Street
When: November 23, 2023 to January 2, 2024
Cost: Free!
During the festive season, the historic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver transforms its lobby and public spaces into a delightful wonderland of beautifully decorated trees. Local businesses and organizations individually decorate each tree. Vote by text for your favourite, and the proceeds go to the BC Children's Hospital Foundation.
Outdoor Ice Skating
Location: Robson Square – 800 Robson Street
Dates: December 1, 2023 – February 29, 2024, daily from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. (Christmas Eve 9-5; Christmas Day 11-5)
Enjoy some good old-fashioned fun and skate on an outdoor rink. Skating occurs at the Robson Square (corner of Robson and Howe) outdoor rink. Skating is free if you have your own equipment. Rentals are $5.00 and include a helmet.
During the 12 days of Christmas (starting December 13), enjoy live Christmas music from the Robson Street stage.
See a full list of performers by visiting the website.
Vancouver Christmas Market
Location: Jack Poole Plaza (home of the Olympic Cauldron) – 1055 Canada Place.
Hours of Operation: Open daily from November 16 to December 24 at various times
While you can take in the Vancouver Christmas Market festivities during the day, it is also spectacular at night. Here, you will find an authentic German Christmas market showcasing over 90 artisan huts. You can also find traditional German crafts, delicious food and entertainment for all ages. It is truly a unique way to get into the Christmas spirit. The Market is also home to Vancouver's only Christmas Carousel.
SPECIAL PARKING RATES: Park at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel – select “Christmas Market” on the meter to get the special discount. Monday – Friday: $12 for 3 hours; Saturday and Sunday: $7.50 from 6 am-6 pm and 6 pm-6 am.
For more information and to purchase tickets online, head to the Vancouver Christmas Market website.
Peak of Christmas
Location: Grouse Mountain Resort – 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver.
When: November 24 – December 25
Ride the gondola up to a multitude of magical festivities and experience Vancouver's North Pole at the top of Grouse Mountain. There is so much to do at the Peak of Christmas that a full day is definitely needed.
- Skate on their 8000 square foot outdoor skating rink (skate rentals are not included with ticket price)
- Enjoy a Light Walk
- Visit Santa in his workshop
- Meet Santa's Reindeer
- Turn yourself into an elf
- Listen to the enchanting voices of a choir
- View the fabulous Gingerbread displays
- Walk among the trees and enjoy stunning light displays.
- Rent a snow carpet and slide down the slopes
- Enjoy storytime at the Elf Headquarters.
- Get educated at the Reindeer Ranger talks.
- Create your own Christmas memory at the Craft Station
- Send a letter to Santa
- Watch a family Christmas movie at the Theatre in the Sky
- Enjoy live entertainment
Something to note: Santa is a very busy man! If you want to visit Santa in his workshop, you must preregister using the QR code outside Santa's Workshop. So, it is best to head there first to book a time.
Tip: This attraction can easily be an all-day/evening event. If you want to make the most of it, head up around mid-day so you can see the magic of the mountain at night, too. That way, you can also sneak in one or two of the above-mentioned activities beforehand.
Best Vancouver Christmas Attractions to See at Night
Bright Nights at Stanley Park – Bright Nights Christmas Train
Location: Stanley Park (Stanley Park junction, just off Pipeline Road, via the West Georgia Street park entrance)
Dates: November 30, 2023, to January 1, 2024, from 4:00 – 10:00 pm, except Christmas Day as they are closed.
Stanley Park Plaza sparkles with three million twinkling lights during the holiday season.
If you can get tickets, ride the train through this magical illumination. The Stanley Park Bright Nights Train is definitely something you have to plan in advance. This is a very popular event and sells out quickly. If you hope to take the train, you must book ahead. Tickets are available through Showpass.
Even if the train tickets are sold out, you can still view the millions of Christmas Lights and fabulous Christmas Displays to support the Firefighters' Burn Fund.
Capilano Canyon Lights
Location: The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver.
Dates: November 17, 2023, to January 21, 2024 (Closed Christmas Day)
Times: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm daily. Guests can stay in the park for 1 hour past closing time.
Head to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver for a spectacular display of hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights in their enchanting Winter Wonderland. While there, sip a decadent hot chocolate to the sound of live festive tunes or get in on all the festive fun of the many kids' activities around the park.
You must pre-book your tickets online. Head to their website.
Festival of Lights
Location: VanDusen Botanical Garden – 5251 Oak Street
Dates: November 24, 2023, to January 7, 2024, daily from 4:00 – 10:00 pm. Closed Christmas Day.
Head to VanDusen Botanical Garden for a magical winter wonderland with over one million lights. Enjoy the Dancing Light Show on Livingstone Lake, look for roving Scandinavian gnomes and reindeer in the garden, ride the carousel, and light a candle at Scottish Shelter supporting Make-A-Wish Foundation.
There are 3 Dancing Lights sets this year. Enjoy the show every 20 minutes from the top of the hour.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance for a designated entry time. (Tickets are NOT sold on-site).
St. Paul's Hospital Christmas Lights of Hope
Location: St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver
When: November 23, 2023 to January 5, 2024
Cost: Free!
A beloved Vancouver holiday tradition for more than 25 years, the magical Lights of Hope display at St. Paul’s Hospital shines brightly every night throughout the Yuletide season. Brightly lighted stars showcase the hundreds of donors recognized for their support.
This is a quick drive-by event.
PNE Winter Fair
Location: PNE Showgrounds, 2901 East Hastings Street
When: December 8 & 9 and December 14 to 23, 2023, from 4:00 – 10:00 pm
This sparking, family-friendly event is a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit. Your admission ticket includes a festive market, a walk-through Winter Lights display, indoor ice skating (rentals are available), plus the chance to hop aboard the PNE Holiday Express train. Join the ultimate journey to meet Santa Claus by solving puzzles and cracking riddles. And don't miss the live Magic of Santa and Nutcracker on Ice shows.
Greater Vancouver Area Christmas Attractions Worth Visiting
Christmas Glow (Langley)
Location: Glow Gardens Langley – 6690 216 St, Langley
When: November 23 – December 30, 2023.
Bring together the people you love to stroll, laugh and play under the twinkle of a million lights. This year's festive season intertwines with carnival splendour. This event is particularly great for families with young kids.
Enjoy:
- Spectacular lights throughout the showgrounds
- Craft Corner, a tent of imagination and creativity
- A captivating scavenger hunt and fun prizes
- Merry Maker’s Market, over 20 vendors with treasures galore
- Live performances with holiday harmonies
- Gourmet food trucks offering mouthwatering culinary delights
- Expanded spaces providing heat and cover
- Interactive play zones for the young and young-at-heart
- Free carnival-themed mini-games to test your festive fortitude
- The return of the beloved Glow-comotive train ride
Please visit the Christmas Glow Langley to pre-book your tickets at select times.
North Pole Express – Christmas Train in Squamish
Location: Railway Museum of British Columbia – 39645 Government Road Squamish
Dates: November 25-26, December 2-3, 9-10 & 16-17 (five departure times on Saturdays and four on Sundays)
Take a ride on the North Pole Express and visit Santa.
The North Pole Express is a fun family Christmas event that takes you on an adventurous and entertaining train ride from the Polar Express Station to the ‘North Pole.' Trains will travel north from the Museum on CN tracks close to the Squamish River or South through Squamish to the shipping port. All trains depart and return to Squamish Station at the Railway Museum of BC.
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Booking.comHave we missed any of your favourite Vancouver Christmas Attractions?
Christmas in Vancouver is a special time of year.
I hope you get to experience some of these amazing Christmas activities in Vancouver. If you feel I missed one of your favourites, let me know in the comments below.
We went to Vancouver last week and our friends got us all tickets to the Van Dusen Gardens Christmas light display. Thank you so much for your recommendation as the night sky was perfectly clear which allowed the lights to be extra spectacular!
You do a great job keeping us all “in the loop” as to what’s happening on Vancouver Island and Vancouver too👍
Merry Christmas 🎄and all the best for 2024🎉🥂
That’s so great to hear, Carolyn! And I’m so glad you got some great weather to enjoy all those spectacular lights at VanDusen Gardens. Cheers to you and Merry Christmas!
I love that you included many free ones, it all sounds like fun!!!
Yes, it does! We should go 😉