Get into the holiday spirit with my list of 20 best things to do in Vancouver during the Christmas holidays. This guide shares 20 things to do with friends, family, lovers or children during the holidays season in both Vancouver and Metro Vancouver – there’s something for everyone!
Whether you want to keep Christmas low-key with a local grocery shop or super romantic with strolls under twinkly Christmas lights, make your kid’s Santa-loving dreams come true or go all out for Christmas, I’ve got something on this list of things to do in Vancouver to get you in the festive mood this Christmas.
Here’s 20 best things to do in Vancouver during the Christmas holidays:
1. Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Canyon Lights is the annual Christmas lights display at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. From Capilano River below to the forest floor and the bridge suspended on high, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is dressed to impress in hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights.
Roam amongst the tree tops on bridges adorned with twinkling lights, marvel at the continuous show of lights on Capilano Suspension Bridge, challenge yourself to not spill your hot chocolate as you make the wobbly crossing and don’t forget to visit the Cliffwalk too where you can walk through the light tunnel, “Arc de Lumina”.
Nervous about heights? Going to Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park after dark will be better for you as the darkness skews your depth perception and you won’t realise how high up you are.
The best time of day to visit is dusk or on a dark, gloomy day so that the festive fairy lights contrast the environment but aren’t as difficult to capture on a camera as they are at night time.
Find out how you can get a free annual pass so that you can visit Canyon Lights as many times as you want in my blog post, FREE things to do in Vancouver at Christmas.
When is Canyon Lights on?
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is on from November 19th, 2022 – January 22nd, 2023.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is open from 11am – 9pm daily but is closed on Christmas Day.
Where is Canyon Lights
Canyon Lights is at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in Capilano, North Vancouver.
It’s a 20 minute drive without traffic from downtown but expect a slow journey back into the city due to a never ending festival of traffic in that direction.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park operates a free bus shuttle service from Downtown Vancouver for those who don’t have a car. Check out the schedule and routes here.
Ticket costs for Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
- Adult 18 – 64 years $62.95
- Senior 65 years+ $57.95
- Student 18 years+ $49.95
- Youth 13 – 17 years $34.95
- Child 6 – 12 years $24.95
Find out how you can get a free annual pass so that you can visit Canyon Lights as many times as you want in my blog post, FREE things to do in Vancouver at Christmas.
2. PNE Winter Fair
The PNE Winter Fair is a Christmas holiday fair hosted by Pacific National Exhibition. It’s where you’ll find a Christmas market, walk-through Christmas lights and the indoor Tim Horton’s ice rink.
Each night there will be live music at the Pacific Coliseum at 7.30pm (additional ticket required). Performances include the legendary Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Dionne Warwick and SMASH star, Katharine McPhee.
When is the PNE Winter Fair on?
The PNE Winter Fair is on every night from the 14th – 23rd December, 2022 from 4.30pm – 10.30pm.
Where is the the PNE Winter Fair?
The PNE Winter Fair is held at Hastings Park on East Hastings.
Ticket cost for the PNE Winter Fair
- Adult 18 – 64 years $15
- Senior 65 years+ $12
- Youth 4 – 17 years $12
- Children under 4 are free
Concert tickets range from $39 – $69 and include free admission to the PNE Winter Fair.
3. Tinseltown
Tinseltown is a travelling pop-up Christmas themed bar that will ignite a fire in the hearts of all Christmas lovers (of legal drinking age). Imagine the tackiest Christmas aisle of your local Dollarama, multiply by 100 and throw festive cocktails into the mix and you’ve got Tinseltown!
Tickets give you 90 minutes to be merry, drink and take as many festive selfies as your holiday heart desires. One free Christmas cocktail is include with the ticket cost.
When is Tinseltown on?
Tinseltown is on from November 15th – December 30, 2022.
Where is Tinseltown?
Tinseltown 2022 is being held at Vancouver Alpen Club on Victoria Dr in East Vancouver.
Ticket cost for Tinseltown
Tickets for Tinseltown are $19.
You will need to bring two pieces of physical government photo ID.
4. Festival of Light at VanDusen Botanical Garden
Festival of Light, not to be confused with the annual Honda fireworks festival, is the Christmas lights show put on at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Shaughnessy.
More than 1 million lights dress 15 acres of the botanical garden transforming VanDusen into a magical holiday delight. Pick up a hot chocolate or warm apple cider from one of their many eateries in the garden and stroll amongst the twinkling lights as cheerful Christmas songs fill the air around you.
When is Festival of Light at VanDusen Botanical Garden on?
Festival of Light at VanDusen Botanical Garden is on from November 25th, 2022 – January 2nd, 2023.
Festival of Light is open daily excluding Christmas Day from 4pm – 10pm. Last entry is 8.30pm – 9pm.
Where is VanDusen Botanical Garden?
VanDusen Botanical Garden is in Shaughnessy and is about a 20 minute drive from Downtown Vancouver and onsite parking is free.
Ticket costs for Festival of Light at VanDusen Botanical Garden
- Adult 19 – 64 years $21
- Garden (VBGA) members with valid card $12.25
- Senior 65 years+ $15.50
- Youth 13 – 18 years $15.50
- Child 5 – 12 years $11
- Children under 4 Free but must reserve a ticket
5. The biggest Christmas store in Western Canada
The Christmas Store at Potters is the biggest Christmas store in all of Western Canada. Every year Potters Garden Centre transforms 28,000 square foot of the store into a festival of holiday delights! Shop from a selection of over 50,000 ornaments whilst experiencing the magic of Christmas everywhere you look.
The Christmas Store at Potters is perfect if you have a particular theme for the holidays or if you’re looking for Christmas decor inspiration.
When is the Christmas Store at Potters on?
The Christmas Store at Potters is open from November 9th – December 24th, 2022 on Mondays, Tuesdays and weekends from 9am – 6pm and 9am – 7pm on Wednesdays – Fridays.
Where is the Christmas Store at Potters?
The Christmas Store at Potters is in Surrey which is a 1 – 1½ hour drive from Downtown Vancouver.
Ticket cost for the Christmas Store at Potters
The Christmas Store at Potters is free to visit and if you sign up to their newsletter you’ll get 20% off on a purchase ending in 99¢.
6. Home Alone in Concert
It’s back!! Home Alone in Concert is once again back at the Orpheum theatre on Smithe and Seymour in downtown Vancouver. Watch the holiday movie classic Home Alone as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ score live.
To say I’m so excited for this I could cry is a total understatement!
When is Home Alone in Concert on?
Home Alone in Concert performed by the VSO is on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th December 2022 at 7pm.
Where is Home Alone in Concert?
Home Alone in Concert is at the Orpheum Theatre on the corner of Smithe and Seymour in downtown Vancouver.
Ticket cost for Home Alone in Concert
Tickets for Home Alone in Concert start at $35.48 for Back Balcony and range all the way up to $118.57 Front Balcony.
7. Vancouver Christmas Market
With over 90 stands, Vancouver Christmas Market boasts being the largest Christmas market in the city.
Shop handmade soaps, candles and ornaments, dine out on European Christmas market classics such as raclette, bratwurst and schnitzel then warm your hands with a hot chocolate or mulled wine served in the annual Vancouver Christmas Market collectable mug.
Don’t miss an opportunity to ride the carousel for free and take snaps under Lover’s Lane, a light tunnel made of 20,000 twinkling Christmas lights.
All of Vancouver Christmas Market is outdoors so bundle up to stay warm.
When is Vancouver Christmas Market on?
Vancouver Christmas Market is open from November 12th – December 24th, 2022.
12th – 25th November 4pm – 9.30pm (10pm on Fridays and Saturdays).
26th November – 23rd December 11.30am – 9.30pm (10pm on Fridays and Saturdays).
Christmas Eve 11.30am – 6pm.
Where is Vancouver Christmas Market?
Vancouver Christmas Market is located downtown in Jack Poole Plaza next to Canada Place.
Ticket cost for Vancouver Christmas Market
- Adult 18 – 64 years $17.99
- Senior 65 years+ $14.99
- Youth 7 – 17 years $9.99
- Children under 6 are free
Book before December 9th for a Black Friday discount using code: BLACKFRIDAY.
Find out how you can get a free ticket for Vancouver Christmas Market or a free drink at the market in my blog post, FREE things to do in Vancouver at Christmas.
8. Downtown Vancouver Christmas tree switch on
Downtown Vancouver’s largest Christmas tree is back in front of the Art Gallery and will be switched on Friday the 2nd of December.
Arrive before 6pm to pick up a free hot chocolate from a food truck located in the square then join the gleeful countdown in anticipation of the Christmas tree lights getting switched on for the season. After the big reveal stick around to enjoy a live musical performance of popular Christmas classics and there’s even a chance to meet Father Christmas/Santa Claus.
When do the Vancouver Christmas tree lights get switched on?
The Downtown Vancouver Christmas tree lighting ceremony is on Friday 2nd December, 2022 at 6pm.
Where is Vancouver Christmas tree lighting ceremony?
The Downtown Vancouver Christmas tree is located in šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza).
Ticket cost for the Vancouver Christmas tree lighting ceremony
The annual Amacon Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is free!
For more free things to do in Vancouver during the holidays, check out my blog post, FREE things to do in Vancouver at Christmas.
9. Bright Nights at Stanley Park
Bright Nights is the annual Christmas lights display located in Stanley Park. The outdoor festive lights installation is hosted by Vancouver Board of Park and Recreation and BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
In 2022 there will be an antique fire truck on display and there will be an opportunity to meet Fire Fighters as well as Father Christmas/Santa Claus in his workshop. Food vendors will be onsite as well.
Donations to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, who provide life-saving support and community to burn survivors and their families in British Columbia, are encouraged.
When is Bright Nights at Stanley Park on?
Bright Nights is 4pm to 10pm and runs from Thursday 1st December, 2022 – Sunday 1st January, 2023. The only days it is closed for 2022 are December 5th, 6th and 25th.
Where is Bright Nights at Stanley Park?
Bright Nights is located on Pipeline Road in Stanley Park, via the West Georgia Street park entrance.
Free parking is available in the railway parking lot and the main lot across Pipeline Road after 3pm daily.
Ticket cost for Bright Nights at Stanley Park
Bright Nights in Stanley Park, Vancouver is free all season.
For more free things to do in Vancouver during the holidays, check out my blog post, FREE things to do in Vancouver at Christmas.
10. Christmas grocery shop at Granville Island Public Market
Public Market on Granville Island is the perfect place to do your Christmas grocery shop for your holiday meals.
Granville Island Public Market is an indoor food market that has been operating since the 1970s and has over 50 independent food purveyors.
I did this for our first Christmas in Vancouver and it was one of the best decisions I made. We picked up all of our veggies, spices, meats and more and treated ourselves to a drink at Liberty Distillery Cocktail Lounge and a doughnut from Lee’s Donuts (who we catered our Canadian engagement party with). I love that our Christmas Eve, Day and Boxing Day meals were locally sourced and supported local businesses.
When is Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver open?
Public Market is open daily from 9am – 6pm.
Where is Public Market?
Public Market is on Granville Island which can be found under Granville Bridge in downtown Vancouver.
For an extra fun trip take the Aquaubus over from one of seven do