Christmas at Canada Place
Now in its 25th year, Christmas comes alive at Canada Place from December 8 to 30, with a variety of activities all in support of Strathcona Community Centres Food Security for Children Program. Sails of Light is a festive display of stunning colour, vivid design and holiday spirit right on the 90-foot sails. The Christmas Trail is perfect for a stroll to view 15 beautifully decorated Christmas trees and several Woodwards window displays. Enjoy roaming entertainment, complimentary hot drinks and make a Christmas craft.
The Silber Family Agam Menora
Lubatvitch BC has put menoras in many areas around Vancouver but none have had the impact of the Silber Family Agam Menora in the heart of Vancouver. For more than two decades, this 30-foot menora proudly stands at the corner of Georgia and Hornby every Chanukah season, as a symbol of tolerance, understanding and respect for Jewish Traditions.
The lighting ceremony is the first day of Chanukah, December 8 at 7pm. A lively Chanuka party with delicious Chanuka treats, music and a celebration of the Silber family and their contribution to the community will take place at the Lubavitch Centre at 41st and Oak afterwards.
Four Seasons Hotel Festival of Trees
Get to the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver and the upper lobby of Pacific Centre Mall to enjoy this popular holiday event that raises funds for BC Childrens Hospital The Festival of Trees. Make a donation and enter a vote for the best decorated tree submitted by local businesses and individuals, and then be entered to win a holiday with West Jet. Over the past 25 years the Festival of Trees has raised $2.5 million for BC Childrens Hospital.
Vancouver Christmas Market
When Malte Kleutz moved to Vancouver from Germany and discovered there was no Christmas market to celebrate the season, he got the wheels in motion to introduce this long-standing, much-loved German tradition to his new home. Now in its third year, the Vancouver Christmas Market is a wonderland in the midst of downtown in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza at 650 Hamilton. A beautiful carousel for all to ride and wooden cabins house a variety of vendors selling edible treats, gifts, authentic wooden decorations and a selection of Christmas pickles. Enjoy the lights, decorations, entertainment and a mug or two of Gluewein from 11am - 9pm. Purchase one entry ticket and have unlimited re-entry til closing night, December 24 at 6pm.
Grouse Mountain Peak of Christmas
Reindeers! This may be the only spot this side of the North Pole where families can meet two of Santas reindeer. Grouse Mountain has created a special wildlife habitat for Dancer and Vixen, and are presenting Reindeer Ranger Talk and Holly the Jolly Reindeer Show. The Grouse Mountain Chalet will be lit up with a brand new Gingerbread Village in support of SOS Childrens Village, the provincial branch of an international childrens charity, providing long-term care for children in need. Corporate sponsors and local bakers have worked to create an inspiring and wondorous display. The fun continues inside and outside with mountain top sleigh rides, ice skating, Christmas-themed holiday movies, and complimentary skating lessons. Proceeds from skate rentals will be donated to the Karen Magnussen Foundation, to put more of BCs youth on the world stage now and in years to come.
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
The 450-foot long, 230-foot high Capilano Suspension Bridge has been thrilling visitors since 1889, and was just named Canadas Tourism Business of the Year by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. This Christmas season, come and be dazzled by hundred of thousands of lights decorating the rainforest, across the suspension bridge on the new Cliffwalk. Scavenger hunts, cookie decorating, caroling and glass blowing demonstrations are bound to create holiday memories to last a lifetime. Canyon Lights is easy to get to with a free shuttle from Canada Place every hour on the hour until January 5, with holiday activities running from 4pm to 9pm daily.
Lost Lagoon Fountain in Stanley Park
Strung with 6,000 multi-coloured S.L.E.D. (seasonal light emitting diodes, that is) lights, this display is easily visible form the Georgia Street Causeway from 3:30pm til midnight, until January 7.
The Elm Grove at English Bay
A cloud of over 12,000 energy-efficient S.L.E.D. lights cover six elm trees at the corner of Beach Avenue at Bidwell Street. Lights are on from 3:30pm to midnight, until January 7.
George Wainborn Park
Right on False Creek, at the foot of Richard Street, is a giant sequoia lit with 5,000 white lights with adjacent concrete pillars lit up to look like giant candles. Lights are on from 3:30pm to midnight, until January .
Bright Nights at Stanley Park
The miniature train in Stanley Park is now a winter wonderland! Lit up with two million lights, featuring animated displays and holiday sounds, this annual family event, now in its 15th year, donates proceeds to their partner charity, the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund. It runs until January 1 (closed Christmas Day) and is open 3 to 10pm, Sunday to Thursday, 3 to 11pm Friday and Saturday and 11am to 3pm Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Special admission rates are in effect and visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance through TicketMaster.
Jewel Box of Lights at Bloedel Conservatory
Take a step into the tropical paradise atop Queen Elizabeth Park. The Bloedel Conservatory, at 4600 Cambie, has been transformed with thousands of lights and an impressive display of holiday poinsettias, Christmas cactus and exotic free-flying birds. This year marks the 43rd anniversary of the Bloedel Conservatory. The Friends of Bloedel are presenting a special opening on December 6, featuring an evening of entertainment, snacks and a visit by Mr. Claus, himself. The conservatory is open from 4:30 to 9pm from December 6 to January 1st (closed Christmas Day).
Van Dusen Botanical Gardens Festival of Lights
For 28 years now, the Van Dusen Botancial Garden becomes a magical, wintery wonderland from December 7 to January 1 (closed Christmas Day). With the enthralling Dancing Lights Show on Livingstone Lake, every half hour, the surrounding park is aglow with thousands of twinkling lights, live holiday music and festive food. Santa will be available in his Living Room and nightly entertainment and features include the Scandanavian Christmas Gnomes Svend and Jens, the Make-a-Wish Candle Grotto and choir concerts.
Canuck Place Childrens Hospice
An annual holiday tradition, more than 60,000 festive lights illuminate the hospice grounds at 1690 Matthews. The Canuck Place Hospice offers world-class pediatric palliative care to 400 children and teens with life-threatening illnesses and families throughout British Columbia. They provide a home away from home and year-round 24-hour consultation support with a professional and caring staff and 350 volunteers. The lights not only light up the frame of the hospice, according to Margaret McNeil, Canuck Place CEO they light up the lives of the children and family we serve all year round.
St. Pauls Hospital Lights of Hope
The annual fundraising campaign for St. Pauls Hospital features 10 kilometres of lights that celebrate the season and inspire donations. The hospital, at 1081 Burrard Street, is dedicated to providing care and compassion to the downtown core and needs our support. Donations are used for a variety of projects from purchasing life-saving equipment to world-leading research.
Enjoy musicians, horse-drawn trolley rides and hot chocolate. Throughout the month there will be special events, concerts and contests for visitors.
The University Womens Club of Vancouver at Hycroft
Snuggle up at 1489 McRae. The home of the University Womens Club is covered in lights and garlands for the holiday season. The traditional architecture of this beautiful old mansion shines in all its glory.
Christmas in Kerrisdale
The Village of Kerrisdale, at West 41st between Maple and Larch, is all ready for the holiday season with weekly events to get those sugar plum fairies dancing through our heads. On December 8, 15, 22 and 23 there will be free horse and carriage rides, Santa (of course!) and roving quartets all set in the beautifully decorated village.
Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
December 21 is the shortest day of the year but also a time to celebrate the return of light in the Chinese tradition of Dong Zhi. Starting at 6pm from the Strathcona Community Centre, a lively lantern procession will make its way through the streets of Strathcona to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park at 568 Carrall. At the park, stroll the paths and be dazzled by lovely lantern creations, tea ceremonies and live music. Admission is free but donations are accepted.
