25 Vancouver Christmas Events and Activities

This is a list of 25 Vancouver Christmas events because tomorrow is December 1! That means there are now only 24 days until Christmas. Vancouver has so many fun activities and events for everyone to go to this season. I narrowed it down to what I think is 25 great options. Mind you there are way more out there to enjoy this holiday season.

Curtis and I usually go to the Vancouver Christmas Market, check out the gingerbread lane, go ice-skating and attend a craft market every season. Christmas is the season to enjoy hot cocoa, seeing bright, festive lights and getting into the holiday spirit.

What are your favourite activities or events to do in Vancouver for Christmas?

25 Vancouver Christmas Events and Activities

Music and Live Entertainment

A Christmas Story

What: The Arts Club’s production of A Christmas Story brings the classic film to life, along with a musical soundtrack. If you’re not already familiar with the plot, it’s about a young boy named Ralphie in the 1940s who sets his eye on the Official Red Ryder carbine-action BB gun as his must-have Christmas gift. Problem is, “it’ll shoot your eye out!” We watch this film every Christmas Day without fail.
Where: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage – 2750 Granville Street, Vancouver
When: Now until December 27; evening and matinee productions

It’s a Wonderful Life

What: The Arts Club has been putting on It’s a Wonderful Life for so many years it has now become an annual Christmas tradition. “George Bailey performs countless good deeds for friends and townsfolk in Bedford Falls, yet all that seems to count for naught when he faces financial adversity. At George’s most woeful moment, his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody, swoops in to remind him that faith, hope, and family make life truly wonderful.” – The Arts Club
Where: Granville Island Stage – 1585 Johnston Street, Vancouver
When: Now until December 26; evening and matinee productions

The Nutcracker (Goh Ballet)

What: The Goh Ballet presents their annual production of The Nutcracker for the seventh year in a row. The prestigious ballet is sure to entertain all ages, as the classicly whimsical tale has endured decades as a classic Christmas tradition. It is an enchanting performance.
Where: The Centre in Vancouver – 777 Homer Street, Vancouver
When: Thursday, December 17 to Tuesday, December 22; 7:30 pm, matinees also available

Festive Lights

Holiday Hi-Light Festival

What: More than 50,000 Christmas lights + Family Night with Santa, hot chocolate, face painting and more, supporting North Vancouver Firefighters.
Where: Park & Tilford Gardens, North Vancouver
When: Now to December 31

Bright Nights at Stanley Park

What: Over three million dazzling lights decorate acres of the dark forest, reaching as high as the forest canopy for Bright Nights in Stanley Park. The attraction is also accompanied by a train ride, musics, snacks, entertainment, and even visits with Santa and his elves.
Where: Miniature railway area at Stanley Park, Vancouver
When: Now to January 2, 2016

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

What: The suspension bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, the rainforest and canyon are transformed into a world of festive lights and visual enchantment. See the world’s tallest living Christmas tree (153 feet tall), experience the voice-activated light show, go on a scavenger hunt throughout the park, sing along with the holiday band, take a family photo at the Winter Pavilion, and more.
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge – 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
When: Now to – January 3, 2016; 11 a.m. to 9 pm

Dundarave Festival of Lights

What: A beloved West Vancouver tradition returns with the Dundarave Festival of Lights.
Where: Dundarave Park – 25th Street and Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver
When: Every Saturday Now until January 2; noon to 6 pm

Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden

What: Stroll with friends and family through interactive themed areas and enjoy the Dancing Lights show on Livingstone Lake, the gnome performance and the Vancouver Public Library’s Tales for a Winter’s Night. Have photos taken with Santa, savour holiday treats, and delight in much more.
Where: VanDusen Gardens – 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
When: Tuesday, December 1 – Thursday, December 31; click here for hours.

Markets and Fairs

Vancouver Christmas Market

What: Back once again at Queen Elizabeth Plaza, this bustling temporary alpine village will once again boast unique eats, handcrafted goods, and lots of fun for kids young and young-at-heart alike. The market will have over 50 vendors selling gift-able treats from holiday ornaments to handmade toys.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Plaza, 650 Hamilton Street
When: Now to December 24, 2015, 11 am to 9 pm (11 am to 6 pm on December 24)

The Eastside Flea North Shore Holiday Market

What: The Eastside Flea Market comes to North Vancouver for a two-day holiday market, selling everything from craftsman items, food, jewellery, household goods, collectibles and much more.
Where: The Pipe Shop Building at the Shipyards – 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
When: Saturday, December 5 to December 6; 10:30 am to 6:30 pm

Got Craft? Holiday Edition

What: Vancouver’s largest indie craft fair returns for a holiday edition on December 12 and 13. Gathering a range of vendors focusing on handmade and handcrafted originals, Got Craft? features over 75 unique and local artisan designs, craft workshops, edible treats, entertainment, and more.
Where: The Pipe Shop Building at the Shipyards – 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
When: Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 10 am to 5pm

East Van H.A.M. (Holiday Artist Market)

What: The 3rd East Van H.A.M. will bring together over 50 local artists and vendors. This craft market and community gathering boasts a curated selection of gifts and goods made by locals in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, complete with live DJs and wintery refreshments.
Where: 1739 Venables Street
When: Saturday, December 12, Noon to 6 pm

Shipyards Christmas Market 2015

What: The Shipyards Christmas Market will bring back many of the vendors patrons have come to know and love from the summer night markets, with a festive twist. Over 70 vendors will congregate on December 18 to 20 inside the historic Pipeshop at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue.
Where: Pipeshop building – 115 Victory Shipway, North Vancouver
When: Friday, December 18; 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20; 11 am to 6 pm

Parades

Rogers Santa Claus Parade

What: Every year, hundreds of floats, marching bands, and performers take to the streets in celebration of the holiday season. Organizations, businesses, and communities across Vancouver are represented, with a visit from the big man himself, Saint Nicholas. It will feature 3,500 participants.
Where: East down Georgia Street, starting at Broughton Street, then south on Howe Street to Davie Street
When: Sunday, December 6; 1 pm

Vancouver Winter Wonderland Christmas Festival

What: Vancouver Winter Wonderland Festival will be the largest indoor Christmas festival in Canada with 100 vendors, food and drinks, a three-storey walk-through snow globe and more inside the 35,000 sq. ft. PNE Forum. Guests will pay $5 to enter.
Where: PNE Forum – 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
When: December 11 to 20, 2015

SantaCon Vancouver

What: The premise is simple: dress up as Santa, meet in a specific location and go on a festive pub crawl with hundreds of other people dressed just like you. You don’t have to replicate Santa’s likeness exactly, but you need more than a Santa hat, and everything needs to be red.
Where: Top secret – check back to the Facebook page to learn where it’ll be.
When: Saturday, December 12; noon

Christmas at Canada Place

What: Christmas at Canada Place returns for its 28th year with exhibits and activities for the family along the Canadian Trail, the West Promenade of Canada Place. Christmas crafts, the Avenue of Christmas Trees, Rudolph’s Theatre and the historic Woodward’s Windows are all part of this free event.
Where: Canada Place – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
When: Saturday, December 12 to December 30, closed December 24 & 25; noon to 6 pm

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival

What: Celebrate the beginning of Winter’s end at the 22nd Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival. Taking place every year on the longest night, the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival brings communities together with a self-guided lantern tour, in various neighbourhoods in Vancouver.
Where: Various locations around Vancouver
When: Monday, December 21; 6 to 10 pm

Miscellaneous

Heritage Christmas

What: The Heritage Christmas event is full to the brim with traditional holiday trappings, with brilliant strings of lights lining every building, branch, and bough. Carollers, musicians, dancers, and more will entertain the crowds, and children and adults alike can take part in crafts, baking, theatre performances, and a visit with Santa himself. As always, the famous Burnaby Village Carousel will be offering rides on their authentic 18th Century merry-go-round.
Where: Burnaby Village Museum – 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby
When: Now to January 1; various times

Christmas at FlyOver Canada

What: FlyOver Canada will transform into a magical winter wonderland this Christmas season. Guests will have fun helping Santa Claus search for his missing elves during an exhilarating flight across Canada and on to the North Pole. An extended holiday edition of FlyOver Canada that leads guests on to Santa’s workshop in the North Pole is also included.
Where: FlyOver Canada – 201 – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
When: Now to January 5, 2016 – daily 10 am to 9 pm

Karaoke Christmas Trolley Tour

What: Head out to VanDusen Garden’s Festival of Lights and Bright Nights at Stanley Park aboard the historical Vancouver Trolley Company’s fleet, all while singing Christmas carols along the way. Trolleys will be decked out with karaoke machines.
Where: Trips depart from Canada Place – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
When: December 1 to December 30, 2015

Ice Skating at Robson Square

What: The rink at Robson Square is operated seasonally by the provincial government when the temperatures begin to dip, running from morning into the late evening hours. Skaters can skate for free if they bring their own skates while those without skates can rent a pair on-site.
Where: 800 Robson Street, Vancouver (Robson & Howe)
When: December 1, 2015 until February 28, 2016; times vary

The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain

What: Grouse Mountain becomes a holiday mecca during December for the Peak of Christmas, featuring Santa and his elves, live reindeer, sleigh rides, ice skating on the outdoor rink, all in the outdoor alpine beauty.
Where: Grouse Mountain – 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
When: Friday, November 27 to January 4, 2016

Holidays at the Aquarium

What: Scuba Claus is back in town for another underwater adventure at the Vancouver Aquarium. Scuba Claus will be making special trips to deliver gifts to the most deserving creatures in the sea. Afterwards, families can catch a showing of the Polar Express in 4-D.
Where: Vancouver Aquarium – 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
When: Throughout December

Gingerbread Lane At Hyatt Regency Vancouver

What: The sweetest lane in the city celebrates its 25th annual return to the lobby of Hyatt Regency Vancouver from December 4 through December 27. Executive Chef Jeff Szombaty and the engineering team are hard at work constructing this year’s stunning gingerbread house, built to serve as the centrepiece for more than 30 gingerbread creations designed by secondary schools, professionals and amateur culinary artists.
Where: Hyatt Regency – 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver
When: December 4 – December 27