Downton Vancouver lights
Words by Megan Campagnolo
Holiday Events, Displays, and Festivals:
Maxing out your utility bill on strings of colourful lights and blowup yard displays may not be in the budget this year. Luckily, there are many free- to-view festive displays around the city, where you can get into the holiday spirit and perhaps be inspired for next year.
Every winter, the entire 1.2 km (.75 mi) loop around Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam becomes a magical display of lights.
- When: November 30, 2019 – January 20, 2020
- Time: 5:30 pm – 11 pm
- Where: Lafarge Lake, Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
- Cost: Free
Experience old-fashioned historical fun at the Burnaby Village Museum. Take a stroll down their Village streets through vintage-themed displays decorated with wreaths and cedar swags. Along with the displays you can expect theatre performances, community choirs, street characters, and musicians. There will also be family-friendly activities like crafting, baking, and visits with Father Christmas. Admission is free but carousel rides are $2.65 each.
- When: November 23, 2019 - January 3, 2020
- Time: 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm
- Where: Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby
- Cost: Free
Lit with three million twinkling lights, Stanley Park will be shining bright this holiday season. Bundle up and bring a donation for entrance to the Bright Nights Train Plaza. Donations go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. Ride the Bright Nights Christmas Train for an additional cost.
- When: November 28, 2019 - January 1, 2020
- Time: 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm
- Where: Pipeline Road, Stanley Park, Vancouver
- Cost: $5.00 Suggested Donation
Tourism Vancouver / Rishad Daroowala
Bright Lights at Stanley Park
Christmas at Canada Place
Take a stroll on the Canadian Trail of Canada Place through illuminated festive displays. Expect similar features to last year including the traditional handcrafted Woodward’s Windows, Canada’s North light display, the Sails of Light, and the festive Avenue of Trees.
- When: Can be found on the website.
- Time: 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm
- Where: The Canadian Trail (west promenade) and North Point, Vancouver
- Cost: Free
Lights of Hope Christmas Lights
St. Paul's Foundation celebrates its annual Lights of Hope hospital fundraising event over the holiday season. Take a trip down Burrard street and view the entire facade of St. Paul's Hospital illuminated by stars and 10 km (6.2 mi) of donated lights. This spectacle is made possible by hundreds of volunteers and each star represents donations from individuals and companies.
- When: November 14, 2019 - January 6, 2020
- Time: From dusk ‘til dawn
- Where: St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street. Vancouver
CP Holiday Train
Back for its 21st year, the CP Holiday Train will travel across Canada from Quebec to British Columbia to raise money and generate healthy food donations for North American food banks. The train features free concerts at stations along the way, but spectators are encouraged to bring a food or monetary donation that will go towards local food banks. The full schedule of performances and locations can be found here.
- When: November 26, 2019 - December 17, 2019
Tourism Vancouver / Clayton Perry
Snowy rooftops and False Creek looking north towards Vancouver's downtown skyline with snow filled mountains
This annual event features festive floats, marching bands, dance troupes, and Santa! Bundle up and get downtown early to grab a viewing spot, the parade begins at 12 pm at West Georgia and Broughton. The parade will travel east along West Georgia, then south on Howe to finish at Howe and Davie - this allows for many viewing points along the way. Although it is a free event, spectators are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food or money donation benefiting the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. There are also many family fun pre-parade festivities at the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
- When: December 1, 2019
- Time: 12:00 pm - approx 1:30pm
- Where: Downtown Vancouver
Coined as the "Ultimate Canadian Christmas", Dundarave Festival of Lights features community decorated Christmas trees and four Saturdays of holiday festivities and free concerts on the North Shore. The official tree lighting is scheduled between 4 pm - 5 pm on November 30th during the Dundarave Christmas Fair. The following Saturday, December 7th, welcomes the restoration of the Dundarave Nativity by Master Carver Bill Seminoff. There will also be local songwriters and ancient songs by the ancestors of the Squamish Elders who were raised on these shores for generations. World Christmas, on December 14th, celebrates Canada's cultural diversity with local artists playing French, Mariachi and Celtic music. Finally, the winter solstice will burn bright with a bonfire on Dundarave Beach, bringing a close to the festival.
- When: November 30: Dundarave Christmas Fair | 4 pm - 5 pm: West Vancouver Youth Band & Official Tree Lighting
- December 7: Dundarave Nativity & Paddle Songs. | 12 pm-1 pm: Squamish Elder Wendy Charbonneau, Squamish Nation & Tsleil-Waututh Nation Elders
- December 14: World Christmas. | 12 pm-4 pm: Vancouver Morris Men
- December 21: Christmas Wassail & Bonfire Night | 5pm: Bonfire Lighting & Parade
- Where: Dundarave Village and Dundarave Beach, 25th St, West Vancouver
Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
Illuminate the darkest night of the year at this free community event in two Vancouver neighbourhoods. Connect with your community and celebrate with lanterns, fire performances, singing, drumming and dancing. Secrets will continue to be revealed but each event will run from around 6 pm-10 pm. Processions are held on Granville Island and in Yaletown with each location hosting indoor activities and a Fire Finale.
- When: December 21, 2019
- Time: 6pm - 10pm approx.
- Where: Granville Island: Leg-In-Boot Square, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Triangle Square to False Creek Community Centre to Ron Basford Park & Yaletown: The Gathering Place (609 Helmcken St.) to the Roundhouse.
- Cost: Free/Donation with some ticketed activities.
Markets & Craft Fairs
Avoid those busy shopping malls and department stores. Markets are a great alternative to not only support local vendors but to stuff those stockings without fighting a crowd - or the person who stole your parking spot. There are many Holiday Markets around the city but this list is narrowed down to those that are free or under $5 admission.
Located at the corner of Commercial Drive and East 16th ave, this market is a short 10-minute walk from the Commercial Broadway Skytrain station. Start your shopping off early with Got Craft? This curated marketplace specializes in handmade goods from selected independent and local vendors. Only held twice a year during the Spring and Holiday seasons, Got Craft? brings 95 vendors together under one roof. Purchase tickets in advance online for $3.00.
- When: December 7 + 8, 2019
- Where: Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
- Cost: $3 online advance, $5 at door.
Vancouver’s strange and curious look no further - The Weirdos Holiday Market features a hand-curated selection of unconventional artists and vendors. Here you will find gifts for the eccentric in your life; that stubborn someone who has everything. Skip the gift cards and take a peek at the goodies this market offers, from anatomical curiosities, rogue taxidermy, collectibles, jewelry and more. Your holiday shopping will be accompanied by live music and performances, you can also pause for a tarot card reading or food and drinks at the bar!
- When: December 14 + 15, 2019
- Where: Ukrainian Cathedral Hall, 154 East 10th Avenue, Vancouver
- Cost: $2
Vancouver's historic Gastown is a bustling neighbourhood that features boutiques, trendy bars, and cobblestone roads. Warm up after a day of window shopping and step inside the Woodward's Atrium. This market brings you curated local vendors accompanied by music and hot drinks. Find gifts, housewares, skincare, and more. Pets are also welcome.
- When: December 14 + 15, 2019
- Where: Woodward's Atrium, 351 Abbott Street, Vancouver
- Cost: Free
This holiday boutique is held at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre and features a curated selection of local Japanese craftspeople and Japanese Canadian artisans. Through events like this, Canadians can better understand and appreciate Japanese culture and heritage by recognizing Japanese Canadians' contributions to Canadian society.
- When: December 14, 2019
- Where: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
- Cost: Free
Tourism Vancouver / Andy Mons
Winter view across to West End
Farmer's Markets
Eat fresh and support local growers over the holidays at any of these Farmer's Markets around Vancouver. They are free to attend, are held every week and each feature different vendors. Expect to find everything from locally grown produce, meat and seafood from local ranchers and fishermen, artisan cheese and bread, herbs, baked goods, local crafts, craft alcohol producers, and more.
- When: Every Saturday to April 27, 2019 (except December 28)
- Time: 10 am to 2 pm
- Where: Riley Park Plaza – 50E. 30th Ave., Vancouver, Nat Bailey Stadium – 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver
- When: Sundays, November 3rd - April 28 (except December 29)
- Time: 10 am to 2 pm
- Where: Hastings Park Centre grounds – 2901 East Hastings Street
Port Moody Winter Farmer's Market
- When: Every Sunday, November to April (except December 29)
- Time: 10 am to 2 pm
- Where: Port Moody Recreation Complex – 300 Ioco Rd, Port Moody
Cannery Farmers Market 2019-2020
- When: October 6 & 20; November 3 & 17; December 1, 8, & 15; February 9 & 23; March 8 & 22; April 5 & 19
- Time: 10am to 3pm
- Where: Gulf of Georgia Cannery, 12138 Fourth Avenue, Steveston Village
- During Steveston's indoor winter farmers' market, admission to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery is also free!
Tourism Vancouver/Nelson Mouellic
A person at the Trout Lake Farmer's Market in the Commericial Drive Neighborhood
Other Winter Activities
- Take your pupper to get a picture with Santa!
- Go skating at Robson Square. Skating is free but there is a small fee for skate rentals. Dates and times here.
- Jump into the new year at English Bay for Vancouver's annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim. Information found here.
- Explore different communities that come together to show their Christmas Spirit. One neighbourhood to check out are blocks 2400 – 2900 of Trinity Street near the PNE. Residents welcome visitors to stroll up and down the streets and also encourage votes for your favourite block and your favourite house.
- Put on a Santa suit and spread some holiday cheer at the magical SantaCon on December 14th. Locations will be announced a week before the event. It's free to attend, however, all Santas must be 19+. Rules and FAQs can be found on the Facebook Event page here.