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Vancouver Christmas 2019
Looking for the top Vancouver Christmas activities and events for 2019? Check out our list of Yuletide favourites including the lively German Christmas market, the festive Van Dusen Gardens Christmas lights, the Bright Nights Stanley Park Christmas Train and the brand new Glow Gardens Vancouver. You’ll be busy all season long !
Save Money
Check sites such as Viator by TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide for discounts and package deals on Vancouver Christmas attractions.
Last year, for instance, you could find a 40% deal for a combined Karaoke Christmas Lights Tour offered by The Vancouver Trolley Bus Company, taking in Bright Lights Stanley Park, the VanDusen Lights and St. Paul’s Lights of Hope in a single evening.
Many Vancouver Christmas attractions offer discounts if you book (or visit) early in the season. Some good deals can also sometimes be found on Groupon.
The 15 Best Vancouver Christmas Events
Glow Gardens Vancouver (New!)
Photo Credit: Glow Gardens Vancouver
Experience a family-friendly indoor wonderland as you celebrate the magic of Christmas and help the elves uncover Santa’s lost presents! Enjoy interactive light gardens, illuminated structures, delicious food, festive drinks and daily live entertainment all under the twinkle of a million lights.
Where: Enterprise Hall 750 Pacific Boulevard.
When: Nov. 21st. – Jan.5th 2020 ( see hours and closure days).
Cost: Adult $39.99, Child/Senior $29.99, Children 3 and under are free.
Learn more: www.glowgardens.com.
Aurora Winter Festival Vancouver
This Christmas season, experience Canada’s largest winter festival. Escape to a hidden village with a beautiful skating rink, a tube park, massive light displays, a Christmas market, rides, food trucks, magical characters, and plenty of other exciting activities.
Where:PNE Hastings Park, 2901 E Hastings St (map)
When: Nov. 22nd – Jan.5th 2020 with some closure days.
Cost: Adult (13-64) $19.99, Seniors $14.99, Children (4-12) $14.99, Family Pass (2 adults, 3 kids) $62.99.
Extras: Please note that tube rides, ice skate rentals and amusements rides cost extra (tickets available on site).
Learn more:www.aurorawinterfestival.com
The Vancouver Christmas Market
2019 is the 10th anniversary of the Vancouver Christmas Market and they have so much fun in store!
The outdoor village includes entertainment for both kids and adults including live music, a Christmas carousel, fantastic food and drink options (get your collector’s Christmas mug), roaming gingerbread mascots, and a 30 foot twinkling Christmas tree (great for those holiday selfies!). You may also find the perfect gift or ornament at one of more than 80 artisan huts within the plaza.
2019 additions include a Lovers Lock wall and a beautiful heated outdoor patio.
Where: Jack Poole Plaza – 1055 Canada Place.
When: Nov. 20th – Dec. 24th 2019
Cost: Adult $12.99, Seniors $10.99 Youth (7-12 years) $6.99, 6 and under are free.
Learn more: http://vancouverchristmasmarket.com
Van Dusen Festival of Lights
Over one million tiny bulbs make VanDusen Botanical Garden one of the best displays of Christmas lights Vancouver has to offer. For the Vancouver holiday season, this beautiful green space is transformed into a festive winter wonderland. Kids will enjoy taking photos with Santa, riding the carousel (free ride with admission), watching the dancing lights show on Livingstone Lake, and singing holiday classics by the Festival Stage.
Where: 5251 Oak St.
When: Nov. 30th 2019 to Jan. 5th 2020 (closed on Christmas Day)
Cost: Adult $20, Senior and Youth (13-18) $15.50, Child (4-12) $12, Tot (0-3) Free. Tickets can be purchased in person at the VanDusen Gardens Visitors Centre, or online for a small discount at http://vandusenfestivaloflights.ca.
Learn more at: http://vandusenfestivaloflights.ca/
Bonus!
From Dec.7th to Jan.5th, visitors to the Festival of Lights will receive a free ticket to the nearby Bloedel Conservatory upon exiting the gardens.
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of this tropical oasis by visiting this unique indoor event. At Festivale Tropicale, you can experience 150 free flying exotic birds, magical lights, colourful plant displays, festive music, a scavenger hunt, and much more. It is a perfect activity for a rainy day in Vancouver.
Peak of Christmas Grouse Mountain
For the Peak of Christmas Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is transformed into the North Pole, including the SOS Gingerbread Village, Santa’s workshop, elf craft station, ice skating rink, sleigh rides, magical light walk in the trees, a sliding centre and more.
Where: 6400 Nancy Greene Way.
When: Nov. 22nd, 2019 – Jan. 5th, 2020
Check website for special events schedule including Breakfast with Santa.
Cost: Adult (17-64) $56, Seniors $49, Children (5-16) $29, Tots (0-4) Free, Family Pass (2 adults, 2 kids) $89.
Learn more at: www.grousemountain.com
Christmas Canada Place
Capture the spirit of the season with the 32nd annual Canada Place Christmas exhibit. Experience the nostalgic tradition of the Woodward’s Windows, Canada’s North light display, the Sails of Light, and the festive Avenue of Trees.
Where: 999 Canada Place.
When: Dec. 6th, 2019 – Jan. 1st, 2020
Cost: Free
Learn more at: www.canadaplace.ca
Capilano Suspension Bridge Lights
Transformed for the festive season and decorated in thousands of lights are the suspension bridge, the Treetops Adventure, the Cliffwalk, the rainforest and the canyon. Go on a Snowy Owl Prowl, decorate gingerbread cookies and make your own Christmas card in the Winter Pavilion, and sing-along with the holiday band.
Where: 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver.
When: Nov. 22nd 2019 – Jan. 26th, 2020 (closed on Christmas Day)
Cost: Adult $53.95, Senior $48.95, student 17+ with ID $39.95, Youth (13-16) $29.95, Child (6-12) $16.95, Under 6 are free. Skip the line by purchasing tickets ahead of time online. Buy here (no additional service charge).
Important Note: Strollers are not permitted on the attractions (suspension bridge etc.)
Learn more at: www.capbridge.com
Robson Square Ice Skating
Surrounded by festively decorated trees, the Robson Square Ice Rink is a perfect place to throw down a triple axel in celebration of the holidays (just don’t throw out your back).
Where: Downstairs at Robson and Howe.
When: Nov.30th, 2019 – Feb. 28, 2020
Cost: Skating is free, skate rental $5, helmets are free with skate rental.
Learn more at: http://www.robsonsquare.com
Vancouver Santa Claus Parade 2019
Kids will get a kick out of waving to Santa in the 16th annual Santa Claus Parade. Join in the pre-parade festivities at Christmas Square in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery, including gingerbread decorating, face painting, Letters to Santa station, balloon twisting, and live entertainment.
Where: West along Georgia and then South along Howe. See parade route here.
When: Sunday Dec. 1st, 2019, 12pm.
Time: 12pm. Enjoy family-friendly festivities in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery from 10:00am.
Cost: A donation to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society can be dropped off at Christmas Square, although there will also be people collecting donations along the parade route.
Learn more at: http://vancouversantaclausparade.com
Christmas Train Stanley Park
A true Vancouver tradition, the Bright Nights Christmas Train and Plaza at Stanley Park simply glows with 3 million lights, festive music and live actors making their rounds. Due to its immense popularity, tickets for the train are best bought ahead online.
Even if you cannot score a ticket for the train it still makes for a nice festive evening to visit the Bright Lights Plaza where entry is by donation and partial proceeds go to the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund.
Where: 2099 Beach Ave.
When : Nov. 28th 2019 – Jan. 1s 2020 (closed on Christmas Day)
Cost for Train: adults $12.60, seniors and youth (12-17) $9.45, children (3-11) $8.40, tots (0-2) free.
There is a reduced rate for the matinee train of $6.30 for everyone (10am-2:45pm on select dates). Tickets are best purchased online ahead of time due to high demand at ticketleader.ca (service charge will be applied). You may also buy tickets at the booth in the train park, but time slots go quickly so be sure to arrive very early.
Learn more at: http://vancouver.ca
Fly Over Canada Christmas
Flyover Canada’s family-friendly flight simulation ride, uses the latest in projection to create a true flying experience (complete with wind, scents and mist !) During the Christmas holiday season, flyers are taken on a magical journey with Santa across Canada and on to the North Pole. The festive experience is enhanced with holiday music, lights, hot drinks and festive food.
Where: #201 – 999 Canada Place.
When: Nov. 21st, 2019 – Jan. 5th, 2020 (closed on Christmas Day)
Cost: Adult $29, Senior $23, Student and Youth $23, child (12 and under) $19. Buy tickets online here.
Learn more at: www.flyovercanada.com.
Vancouver Lights of Hope
This spectacular volunteer-driven display of lights is an annual fundraising initiative for St. Paul’s Hospital.
Where: 1081 Burrard Street.
When: Nov. 15th 2019 – Jan. 5th 2020
Cost: A donation to help St. Paul’s hospital reach their fundraising goal is appreciated.
Learn more at: http://lightsofhope.helpstpauls.com
Karaoke Christmas Lights Trolley
The Christmas Trolley Tour is a great way to see the best of Vancouver Christmas Light displays! Upon pickup, guests will sing their way past the city lights of downtown before arriving at Bright Nights at Stanley Park. After being given time to walk through the light display and take in Stanley Park’s holiday magic, the tour will continue along and view local light displays such as the English Bay Christmas Tree, Hycroft Manor and Canuck Place.
The second stop of the evening will be at VanDusen Botanical Garden where guests will disembark once again to enjoy the Festival of Lights. Hop aboard one last time for the return trip to downtown Vancouver and viewing of St. Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope. Total tour time is 3 hours.
Where: Pick up is at 999 Canada Place Way.
When: Dec.1st – Dec. 29th 2020.
Cost: Adults $64, Children (3-12) $32, Infants 2 and under are free.
Learn more at: the Karaoke Christmas Lights Tour.
Goh Ballet Nutcracker
Experience Clara’s dream come to life as she embarks on a magical journey through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets where she is greeted by the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy. An unforgettable adventure awaits as her gallant Nutcracker battles the evil Mouse King and his army of mischievous mice.
This heart-warming production is sure to delight audiences of all ages with more than 200 glittering costumes, dramatic sets and valuable lessons – all danced to Tchaikovsky’s memorable score performed live by members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.
Where: The Centre – 777 Homer Street.
When: Dec. 20th – Dec. 22nd 2019
Cost: Tickets from $37.50 plus service charge.Check availability here.
Learn more at: www.gohnutcracker.com
Timberline Country Christmas
Leave the busy city behind and enjoy the short trip to a 73-acre horse ranch in Maple Ridge that has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland. Enjoy twinkling lights, beautiful trees, festive music, and fun for the whole family. Activities include cookie decorating, a craft, a wagon ride, a hay maze, a petting zoo, a snowball themed ball pit, and so much more! Learn more at www.timberlinechristmas.ca.
When: November 30 – December 22 (check website for hours).
Where: 22351 144th Avenue, Maple Ridge BC.
Cost: From $7-14 per person.
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