The BEST things to do in Vancouver at Christmas time!

Vancouver in the winter can be cold, dark and wet but there is a plus and that’s Christmas in Vancouver BC.

One of the best things about Christmas is the build-up to Christmas.

That time when the Christmas markets are in full swing, there are Christmas lights in Vancouver which you can find all over the city, and everyone’s just feeling very festive.

If you’re in Vancouver during Christmas and wondering what is there to do in Vancouver at Christmas then wonder no further.

There are so many Vancouver Christmas events downtown and nearby that are sure to get you feeling festive.

And that’s great since Vancouver winter can be dark, wet and pretty miserable. All this festive cheer does wonders to cheer everyone up!

Oh, and if you’ve yet to buy your Christmas presents for the outdoors lovers, travel accessories for backpackers and gifts for hikers in your life already, then get to it! 

Looking for more things to do in Vancouver and nearby? Check out my Vancouver travel guides which are full of information on the best things to do in Vancouver, the best Vancouver restaurants, and detailed guides for each of the main neighborhoods.

1. Peak of Christmas

The Peak of Christmas sees Grouse Mountain turned into Vancouver’s very own North Pole. During the Peak of Christmas, you can meet Santa’s Reindeer, go ice skating under the stars, take a sleigh ride, and go on a magical light walk around Blue Grouse Lake.

The peak of Christmas opens from 23rd November – 6th January and should be on your list of things to see in Vancouver this winter, especially if you’re in Vancouver in Christmas!

2. Head to the Vancouver Christmas Market 2023

The Vancouver Christmas Market comes to town on November 16th and features more than 80 huts with German sweets, treats, and treasures in the Jack Poole Plaza in Coal Harbour.

Eat pretzels, listen to carols, and feel super Christmassy at the Vancouver German Christmas Market.

Get tickets in advance and my top tip is to check out their special ticket prices. There’s usually a discount for going mid-week and they do special pricing for Vancouver date nights!

3. Take the Stanley Park Christmas train

Whether you’re looking for things to do with kids in Vancouver or you’re just a big kid, take a trip on the Stanley Park Christmas train this winter.

The train is part of the Bright Nights event in Stanley Park (more info below). Your carriage will sparkle with over 3 million lights which light up the train!

This is a super popular Christmas event in Vancouver and often sells out fast.

4. Discover the Christmas version of Fly Over Canada

The FlyOver Canada experience at Canada Place is fun whatever time of year. It’s also a great thing to do in Vancouver when it’s raining since it’s indoors.

For Christmas, they mix things up and you can help Santa find his elves as you fly over a snowy Canada.

We’ve done the Halloween version of Fly Over Canada and it was SO much better than I thought it would be.

5. See the Vancouver Christmas tree being lit

Watch the Vancouver Christmas tree be lit up in early December. The event is usually combined with music, cookies, and lots of festive cheer.

The Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting 2023 takes place on December 1st at 6 pm by the Vancouver Art Gallery in downtown Vancouver.

6. See the Santa Claus parade

*Currently on hold until a sponsor is found

The annual Vancouver Santa Claus Parade takes place in early December.

The parade starts at West Georgia and Broughton and travels east, then south along Howe, and finishes at Howe and Davie.

7. Have Christmas in Kerrisdale

Celebrate Christmas in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale neighbourhood.

Every Saturday in December there are fun Christmas activities on West 41st between Larch St. and Maple St. Look forward to brass bands, carriage rides, Santa, and more. On December 23rd in 2023 you can enjoy a horse and carriage ride too!

Christmas at Kerrisdale runs from 12 pm to 4 and it’s all free.

Bonus points if you cycle your bike down the Arbutus Greenway to Kerrisdale!

8. Buy a Christmas tree

Make your home look Christmassy too and head out to a Vancouver garden center or market to buy a Christmas tree.

If you fancy chopping one down yourself you can do so at many places in the Lower Mainland. Here’s a great list of U-cut Christmas tree farms.

9. See the St Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope

The St Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope takes place every year during winter in Vancouver, BC.

The front of the hospital on Burrard Street is lit up with lights and messages in stars from people who’ve donated to the hospital. Donations help support the hospital’s work.

10. Visit the VanDusen Festival of Lights

Vancouver during winter just has so many light events!

Another great one is the VanDusen Festival of Lights features, amongst other attractions, a fireside lounge, dancing lights, and a carousel.

It sees the garden completely transformed and it’s very pretty. There’s also some tasty food on offer too.

It sells out in the last week to Christmas so it’s best to book in advance (you can save money doing that too!).

The VanDusen Festival of Lights 2023 runs from November 24th- January 7th so there’s plenty of time to go an enjoy this Christmas activity in Vancouver.

11. Experience CandyTown in Yaletown

CandyTown is a free festival in Yaletown that helps to kick off the holidays. It sees Mainland Street turned into a winter wonderland with lights, candy canes, and costumed characters.

It’s a great time to make a start on your holiday shopping as well as get in the festive mood. There’s live music in the streets while you shop too!

In 2023 this Vancouver Christmas event takes place on December 2nd!

12. Explore Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Regency Hotel

Say “hello” to the sweetest lane in the entire city. Gingerbread Lane is an event put on by the Hyatt Regency hotel.

It runs from December 1st to December 29th and involves over 30 gingerbread creations designed by local secondary schools. The vent raises money for charity and the creations are incredible!

13. Shop at the Circle Craft Winter Market

The Circle Craft Christmas Market has over 300 artisans from coast to coast. The market attracts thousands of people every year who are keen to get a head start on their Christmas shopping.

You can shop for everything from clothing to toys, jewellery, candles and more.

14. Go to Holidays at the Vancouver Aquarium

Christmas is a great time to visit the Vancouver Aquarium.

The aquarium is one of the most popular Vancouver places to visit and at Christmas, many of the exhibits are given a festive overhaul.

Not only can you see the amazing animals as usual but there are a few additional ones such as Scuba Claus and there are other special seasonal activities too. One of these is breakfast with Santa in December and then there’s the 4D experience on the Polar Express.

The event usually runs from late November to early January so it’s perfect if you’re in Vancouver for Christmas.

15. The Karaoke Trolley Tour

In winter the Vancouver Holiday Lights and Karaoke Trolley comes to town. There are two tour options: one around Bright Nights at Stanley Park, and the other to the VanDusen Festival of Lights. 

As you travel in the trolley there’s fun musical karaoke so that you really get into the holiday spirit.

16. Timberline Country Christmas

Head to Maple Ridge for a Christmas in the countryside at Timberline Country Christmas. 

At a 73-acre horse ranch in Maple Ridge, you’ll find yourself in a Christmas wonderland. There are lights, festive music and more to get you in that festive mood.

Cancelled for 2023*

17. Lights at Lafarge

In Coquitlam, things get festive too thanks to the Lights at Lafarge event and it’s easily one of the best Vancouver Christmas activities.

The event opens on November 24th from 5 – 8 pm with live music and the light display that encircles the 1.2 km Lafarge Lake loop and is a very popular activity for those looking for things to do in Vancouver during Christmas.

Expect food trucks, roving performers, music, and more. If you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver, Canada this is one of the most magical Christmassy things.

18. Kitsmas on West 4th

Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighborhood likes to get in on the festive action too.

The Kitsmas events run throughout the holiday season to December 24 and make your shopping experience in this Vancouver neighborhood all the more enjoyable.

There’s even free valet parking on some dates making this one of the most cool things to do in Vancouver this Christmas and over winter.

19. Take a Vancouver Holiday Festive Dinner Cruise

Get festive and celebrate with friends on the annual Parade of Lights Festival on a 2.5 or 3.5-hour dinner and carols cruise in Vancouver.

With the other boats in the parade, you’ll cruise down False Creek, North and West Vancouver, or Deep Cove as the Christmas lights dance over the water.

Sit down to a delicious traditional dinner on board and enjoy specialties such as roast turkey and herb stuffing as festive carols ring out. It’s one of the best things to do in Vancouver for Christmas if you’re a bigger group.

20. Eastside Flea Holiday markets

The Eastside Flea Holiday markets are a very fun place to get a start on your holiday shopping.

The market takes place at 550 Malkin Avenue every weekend from November 17th to December 17th from 11 am to 5 pm.

Not only are there plenty of local vendors but there are food trucks, festive drinks, and a whole lotta fun awaiting you.

This is one of the Christmas events Vancouver puts on that I always look forward to.

I went a few years ago and there were so many great gifts and things to buy your friends and family. Do be sure to go early though as the markets get busy and there are usually limits to how many people they let in at one time.

21. Ugly Christmas sweater party

One of the best things about Christmas is getting to put on that ugly Christmas sweater again.

Vancouver has its very own ugly Christmas sweater party and Christmas sweater dash. The date for this year is Saturday 2nd December and it’ll take place in Anmore.

You can find out about this year’s ugly Christmas sweater events in Vancouver here.

22. Discover the canyon lights

One of the top Vancouver winter attractions and Christmas things to do in Vancouver is the Canyon Lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. 

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of the top Vancouver tourist attractions all year round and it’s even better in winter.

You don’t need to worry about the short and dark days since the canyon is lit up during winter.

The suspension bridges and forest are even more impressive at Capilano during this time of year! It’s one of the best nearby places if you want to do some Vancouver sightseeing.

My first visit to the Capilano Suspension Bridge was during this festive period and, having returned at other times of the year, this is by far the best time to visit.

Top tip: If you’re a local you can get a year’s worth of entry for the price of one ticket! Just head to the guest relations office after you’ve bought your ticket.

23. Go Ice Skating at Robson Square

Every Christmas there’s an ice skating rink at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver and it’s the perfect way to get the festive feeling.

If you’re looking for things to do in Vancouver Christmas season then add this one to your list!

The rink usually opens in early/mid-December and it’s free if you have your own skates. If you don’t own your own skates you can rent them for about $5.

24. Attend the PNE Winter Fair

From the 8-9th of December and the 14-23rd December, the PNE Winter Fair comes to town.

Feel the rush of excitement on the PNE Holiday Express, a ride that whirls you into a world of festive delight. And for an Instagram-worthy moment, don’t miss wandering through the enchanting Winter Lights. You can also lace up your skates for an icy adventure at the Tim Hortons Ice Rink or get ready for some frosty fun with the thrilling Ice Bumper Cars.

And be sure to check out the Nutcracker on Ice and the spellbinding Magic of Santa shows.

Where to stay in Vancouver Canada Christmas Time

There are loads of hotels around Vancouver which vary in price and style. I have put together a guide on the best places to stay in Vancouver and broken it down by district.

That way you can pick the area of the city that you want to live in depending on whether you’re visiting for food and shopping, more cultural things, or the outdoor activities you’ll find in Vancouver.

I’d recommend staying fairly central to downtown if you’re planning to do lots of these Christmas activities Vancouver has to offer!

Last Updated on November 14, 2023 by Hannah