Top Things to Do In Vancouver for Christmas 2022
December is here and I’m sharing all the fun things to do this holiday season in Vancouver!
Truly, Vancouver does NOT mess around at Christmas. Entering the downtown core is like getting punched in the face with Yuletide joy, and frankly, I’m not mad about it.
I’m talking decadent light displays, giant Christmas trees, elaborate gingerbread houses and a seemingly endless stream of activities that are both free and paid.
So if you’re looking for inspiration on things to do in Vancouver during Christmas time, This list is for you!
In this post, I’m summarizing my favourite things to do in Vancouver at Christmas featuring the best free activities, alongside the most famous paid attractions, and whether or not they’re worth your time and money. Enjoy these tips & let me know in the comments if I’ve missed any of your Vancouver Christmas faves.
You can also see all the Instagrammable places to take holiday photos in this post here.
The Best Christmas Activities in Vancouver
1. Van Dusen Festival of Lights
The gorgeous VanDusen Botanical Garden puts on its festive dress for the season with more than a million lights in displays that cover 15 acres of the garden. There are also nightly appearances from Santa, a dancing lights show holiday-themed entertainment, and treats to eat. This spectacular display runs from Nov. 25 through Jan. 2, and is closed on Christmas Day.
2. Vancouver Christmas Market
You’ll instantly be transported to Europe at Vancouver’s one-of-a-kind Christmas Market. This beloved holiday tradition features more than 75 different vendors of various sweets, treats, and holiday treasures.
The market is held at Jack Poole Plaza, home of the Olympic Cauldron. You can see a previous visit to the market here. It’s the same mostly each year, but they do update vendors and add some more displays every so often.
3. Capilano Canyon Lights
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is breathtaking at any time of year, but there’s nothing like ringing in the holiday season with Canyon Lights. From mid-November through mid-January each year, the bridge is illuminated with thousands of lights, suspended from the bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, and elsewhere throughout the park.
Admission to Canyon Lights includes entrance to the park, a Snowy Owl Prowl, craft-making in the Winter Pavilion, and sing-a-long carols with the Christmas band. Residents of BC can get an annual pass afterwards, so don’t forget to claim it!
4. Visit Santa
Santa is back this year! You can visit him at most malls (like Metrotown, Brentwood, or Park Royal) amongst other spots around the city!
5. See holiday displays around the city
Just wandering around the downtown core, you will spot Christmas trees in every hotel or office building lobby. But there are a few bigger displays listed below.
Find the large red ornaments outside Park Place.
Bentall Centre has a giant Christmas tree with a tunnel! At night it’s all lit up, with string lights above the plaza, it’s something special to visit.
Vancouver Art Gallery plaza on the West Georgia side, has its annual Christmas tree soaring above.
CF Pacific Centre brought back the iconic light globe outside Nordstroms. A great photo op!
6. Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village
The Burnaby Village Museum hosts Heritage Christmas every year, bringing the 1920s to life. This free, yes FREE event is an outdoor living history museum, complete with old-fashioned streets, an antique Vancouver streetcar, and historic buildings such as a school and church. There’s even an ice cream parlor and other stores for visitors to check out.
7. Peak of Christmas Grouse Mountain
Located just 15 minutes north of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is accessible to most residents in the Lower Mainland. This spectacular winter wonderland is replete with outdoor ice skating, sleigh rides, sledding, a light walk, and a gingerbread village.
8. Stanley Park Bright Lights (no train this year but the light display is on)
The best Vancouver Christmas attraction for younger kids is fun for the whole family, too. At Stanley Park’s Bright Nights, three million twinkly lights transform the forest and the famous miniature train into a winter wonderland. Ride the train, visit Santa, and see the Parade of Trees at this top Vancouver Christmas attraction. Bright Lights is closed on Christmas Day.
9. See The Nutcracker Ballet
Can it be December without Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker? Arguably the most famous and beloved ballet of all time, The Nutcracker is a Christmas tradition! Attending a live performance of this classic is a beautiful way to make memories, dress up in your holiday best, and support ballet all at the same time. Each year, it’s performed at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts and Ballet BC at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
10. Vallea Lumina in Whistler
Technically not in Vancouver, but if you were heading to Whistler, this is a must-do! An interactive walk through the forest, and during the winter feels so much more magical!
11. Robson Square Ice Skating
From mid-November, families lace up their skates at Robson Square Ice Rink. You can’t miss this igloo-shaped ice rink glowing in Downtown Vancouver. Perfect to hit up and then grab a hot cocoa or holiday shop afterwards.
