Whether you’re planning a Vancouver Christmas trip or just looking for things to do over Christmas break, you’re in luck.
Our city’s stunning beauty gets an upgrade over the holidays with festive light displays, holiday decor, and all sorts of Christmas events.
In fact, Vancouver’s Christmas activities might just warm the heart of Ebenezer Scrooge himself!
Vancouver Christmas Activities: The Best Christmas Things to Do in Vancouver
Check out the Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano Suspension Bridge is already one of Vancouver’s top things to do – especially if you you like to mix in a little excitement with your beauty.
If you’re visiting Vancouver over Christmas it becomes even more stunning: as an end-to-end-lit, multi-coloured changing display – check out the video!
For Christmas 2023 Canyon Lights runs from November 17th – January 21st 2024 – between 11:00 am and 9:00 pm daily (closed Christmas Day).
Want to read Canyon Lights reviews and book the perfect Vancouver Christmas activity? Click the orange button below:
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Tourist without wheels? You can get Canyon Lights + hotel pickup + a Vancouver tour all in one:
Canyon Lights w/ Pickup + Tour
Related: Capilano Suspension Bridge vs. Sea to Sky Gondola
Get Festive on a Holiday Dinner Cruise of Vancouver Harbour
Get Festive on a Holiday Dinner Cruise of Vancouver HarbourThose looking for a more classic Vancouver Christmas party would do well to get on this Dinner and Carols Cruise.
You’ll board a decorated holiday vessel and participate in Vancouver’s Christmas water parade, get served a traditional holiday dinner, and be led through carolling by experts (participation is optional :P).
You’re also essentially getting one of the most scenic Vancouver boat tours thrown in for free!
Christmas 2023 dates: December 1st to December 23rd (must be booked in advance).
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Visit the Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain
During the holidays North Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain transforms itself into a winter wonderland.
In addition to offering the area’s best night skiing, Vancouver’s North Pole offers a whole host of Christmas activities for visitors of all ages.
The Light Walk allows you to snowshoe or walk a magically lit nature path. There’s also an 8,000 sq ft mountain top skating rink is one of the best Vancouver couples activities.
Finally, if you’re visiting Vancouver with kids a visit to Santa’s Workshop and a meeting with Dancer and Vixen is a must.
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Related: Is Grouse Mountain Worth It?
Stuff Yourself on a Holiday Market Tour of Granville Island
Stuff Yourself on a Holiday Market Tour of Granville IslandVancouver during the holidays is always about stuffing yourself with local treats – so what better way to do it than at Granville Island Market?
The Festive Favourites Market Tour is one of the most authentic ways to explore Vancouver over Christmas, sampling fine foods and exploring artisan shops along the way.
Your knowledgeable foodie guide will take you to sample 20 exclusive food tastings.
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Enjoy Our German-style Vancouver Christmas Market
The Vancouver Christmas Market offers German-style holiday traditions right in the heart of Jack Poole Plaza at Canada Place.
There’s just nowhere else to find so many top Vancouver Christmas activities all in one location.
You’ll shop for stocking stuffers at over 80 artisan huts offering unique handcrafted gifts, breathe in the crisp winter air sipping on mulled wine, drink German beer, and sample culinary delights from all over the world.
That’s not even factoring in the family-friendly holiday-themed music and entertainment.
In 2023 the event runs from November 16th – December 24th.
Hit the PNE Winter Fair
Hit the PNE Winter FairOne of Vancouver’s biggest festivals gets a chilly change just in time for winter, with a huge array of winter activities: ice skating, live bands, Santa Claus, holiday markets, carolling, and much more.
There are also plenty of indoor activities (shopping, food, crafts) and plenty hot cocoa and adult beverages.
The 2023 version of the PNE Winter Fair runs December 8th-9th and 14th to 23rd (4:00 pm to 10:00 pm)
Related: How Many Days Do I Need to Spend in Vancouver?
Ride the Bright Nights Train at Stanley Park
A visit to Stanley Park is a must for any Vancouver itinerary, regardless of season. This urban forest oasis wasn’t dubbed the world’s best park for nothing.
A visit during the holidays takes on a whole other meaning, as the popular Bright Nights Train winds its way through Stanley Park’s riveting rainforest.
Kids (and adults, let’s face it) of all ages can sing along to their favourite carols as they take in the festive displays scattered along the ride.
This local holiday tradition is one of the best things to do at Christmas for families.
Christmas 2023 dates: November 30th to January 1st.
Related: What to Do on New Year’s Eve in Vancouver
Ski and Snowboard the Local Mountains
Ask any local about Vancouver winter activities and expect usual speech: “you can step outside your office or hotel in downtown Vancouver and be on the slopes in 30 minutes”.
This is no word of a lie – Vancouver’s top skiing mountains are just minutes from downtown.
Yes, just above North Vancouver on the North Shore Mountains are the following:
- Grouse Mountain (33 runs and 5 terrain parks, most accessible and best for snowboarders)
- Seymour Mountain (40 runs, best for beginners and cross country skiing)
- Cypress Mountain (53 runs, largest total terrain and best for experienced skiers)
Visiting with no gear? Packages with downtown pickup and equipment rental can be booked using the button below:
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Not convinced? Just 90 minutes up the road along the Sea to Sky Highway is world-class ski resort Whistler.
Go for a Skate in Vancouver’s Robson Square
The city of Vancouver’s best outdoor rink is in Robson Square – just steps from Vancouver’s best hotels.
Located in a subterranean space adjacent to the Vancouver Art Gallery, this charming little rink provides one of Vancouver’s top holiday activities for families – especially with their 12 Days of Christmas live music program.
I recommend you grab some hot chocolate at nearby Thierry Alberni and check out the nearby Robson Christmas Tree for the perfect holiday evening.
The rink opens in early December and remains open through the holiday season. Skating is free and skate rentals cost $5.00.
Soar with Santa at Flyover Canada
Canada Place’s FlyOver Canada offers an epic state-of-the-art 4D flight simulator right down to simulated mist – it’s one of the best cheap things to do in Vancouver.
You will hang suspended, feet dangling, before a 20-metre spherical screen and experience Canada’s amazing scenery and most famous landmarks.
The Christmas flight includes one extra stop: the North Pole. The flight even features a guest appearance from Santa himself inside his sleigh. The popular Vancouver Christmas attraction runs from DNovember 16th to January 7th 2024.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking the button below. Just make sure to select a date that Soar with Santa is running.
Spend Your Christmas Holidays in Whistler
It should be a crime to skip over one of the world’s most beautiful drives and forgo visiting one of Canada’s great resort towns: Whistler.
Co-host of the 2010 Olympic Games, a 5-star ski resort home to an amazing array of gourmet restaurants and spa experiences (like Scandinave), Whistler is at the top of every list of day trips from Vancouver, regardless of the season.
Christmas events (2023 dates TBA) include Christmas carollers, the Winter Solstice Concert, photos with Santa, dress like Santa Day, and more.
No car? You can book all-in-one transport packages using the orange button below:
Book Your Whistler Transport Now
Related: Your Ultimate Whistler Christmas Itinerary
Experience the Spirit of Christmas at Sea to Sky Gondola
Near the town of Squamish, the Sea to Sky Gondola is a Swiss-style gondola that rises 2905 feet up a mountain offering amazing views of the Coast Mountains and Howe Sound below.
If you visit during the Christmas season, you’ll find the popular Christmas Forest Walk, featuring festively decorated forest hikes. Nearby, you’ll have access to snowshoeing, winter walking, and snow tubing.Â
You can also enjoy a hot chocolate or decadent fondue while you partake in a variety of Christmas events.
Enjoy a Christmas Time Tipple
Spending quality time with family or friends is best done by grabbing a few drinks at one of Vancouver’s best bars. After all, it’s the holidays.Â
Younger people should head right for the rowdy Granville Strip, known for its nightclubs and pregame bars. Older drinkers will love Yaletown’s sleek lounges or the laid-back dive bars of Main Street or Commercial Drive.
Gastown and Chinatown are also home to some of the trendiest hideaways.
A holiday-themed crawl of East Vancouver’s numerous craft breweries is also sure to impress.Â
Related: Visiting Vancouver in January.
Illuminate Your Soul at VanDusen Garden’s Festival of Lights
Toss on your favourite winter jacket and bring the kids to Vancouver’s favourite holiday festival: Vandusen Garden’s legendary Festival of Lights.
Here, you’ll find over one million lights strung throughout the fabulous winter blooms of the city’s largest botanical garden.
On special nights, you can stroll along the lakeside and watch it glisten in the glow of the spectacular northern lights. There’s also a lush Rose Garden – resurrected and enlightened to enact a spectacular winter replica.
Over Vancouver Christmas, you’ll find holiday decor throughout – including reindeer, snowflakes, Christmas trees, and even a karaoke trolley tour.Â
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Related: Queen Elizabeth Park Vancouver
Attend the Vancouver Santa Claus Parade
Every December in Vancouver, the Vancouver Santa Claus Parade winds its way throughout downtown Vancouver’s streets.
You’ll find up to 2500 participants, including marching bands, floats and dance troupes – with an obvious holiday theme.
The parade begins at around noon (2023 date TBA) and proceeds East on Georgia St., starting at Broughton. The kids’ activities continue throughout the day near the art gallery.
Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or donations for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
Visit the Vancouver Christmas Store
Every September in Vancouver Potter’s Nursery (in the suburb of Surrey) transforms itself from a standard garden centre into Canada’s largest Christmas store.
All in all, Potter’s Christmas Store contains tens of thousands of items crammed into its 28,000 sq ft space.
You’ll find virtually every type of holiday item imaginable, from an incredible variety of themed Christmas lights to tacky Christmas sweaters and a large variety of holiday-themed treats.Â
A selection of over 50,000 ornaments guarantees you’ll find something that is one-of-a-kind.
Related: Vancouver in November
Go to Victoria for the Butchart Gardens Christmas Tour
The world-renowned Butchart Gardens in Victoria attracts over one million visitors a year and offers one of the most spectacular Christmas illuminations of any of Canada’s top attractions.
Luckily, their Twelve Days of Christmas decor can be easily accessed with a day tour package directly from Vancouver.
Here, after hotel pickup, you’ll take a 90-minute ferry cruise across the Salish Sea. Once you’re in Victoria, you’ll be granted a few hours to explore the iconic Fairmont Hotel, Chinatown, and the Parliament Buildings, all dressed up in their holiday best.
Then, they’ll take you to Butchart Gardens and bring you back to Vancouver.
Take in a Vancouver Christmas Show or Musical
The Vancouver area is home to numerous festive concerts and musicals throughout the holiday season.
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker is an age-old Christmas tradition, and in 2023, you can check out a fantastic rendition at the Center for Performing Arts near the Stadium District.
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra also performs Christmas music.
Grab that Last Minute Gift for a Loved One
If you’re downtown during Christmas in Vancouver, Robson Street is home to a number of international retailers and Pacific Centre Mall. Premium designer brands and high-end jewellery stores can also be found a short walk away on Alberni Street.
If you’re looking for something more unique, I’d recommend checking out the independent boutiques and Indigenous galleries of Gastown or Granville Island.
The Lower Mainland’s largest shopping centre is Burnaby’s Metropolis at Metrotown, a 30-minute Skytrain ride from Downtown.
Related: Best Shopping in Vancouver
Embrace the Spirit of Giving at St. Paul’s Lights of Hope
If you’re downtown at night, make sure you make a quick side trip to St. Paul’s Hospital.
From a distance, you’ll see over 4,000 feet of lights & 400 illuminated stars, as well as a fancy new digital projection element.
This Lights of Hope is a campaign to raise money to fund urgently needed equipment, life-saving research, and community programs.
Over the event’s 22-year history, it has raised over $40 million dollars in community donations. In the true spirit of the holidays, why not stop by, enjoy the lights, and make a small donation?
Vancouver Christmas Events 2023
- Circle Craft Holiday Market (Nov 8th to 12th, Canada Place)
- Winter Treasures Artisan Market (Nov 9th to Dec 20th, Port Moody)
- Soar with Santa Flyover (November 16th to Jan 7th, 2024)
- Christmas Market (Nov 16th to Dec 24th)
- Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge (Nov 17th to Jan 24th, 2024)
- Vandusen Festival of Lights (Nov 24th to Jan 7th 2024)
- West End Holiday Craft Fair (Nov 25th and 26th, West End Community Centre)
- St Paul’s Lights of Hope (late Nov to early Jan)
- Bright Nights Stanley Park Train (Nov 30th to Jan 1st, 2024)
- Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec 1st, 6:00 pm, Vancouver Art Gallery Square)
- Christmas Wish Breakfast (Dec 13th, 6:30 am to 9:00 am, Pan Pacific Hotel)
- VSO Christmas Music Fest (Dec 16th at 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm)
- Vancouver Santa Claus Parade (Cancelled for 2023 pending a new sponsor)
Vancouver Christmas FAQs
Is Vancouver good for Christmas??
Yes, Vancouver is good for Christmas. All of the city’s main plazas, parks, gardens and attractions are fully decked out in Christmas lights and decor. You’ll also find a Christmas festival at most major attractions, a Christmas market, a Christmas parade, and much more.
What are some things to do in Vancouver over Christmas?
The most popular things to do in Vancouver during Christmas include:
- The Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Vandusen Garden’s Festival of Lights
- The Santa Claus Parade
- Grouse Mountain’s Peak of Christmas
- The Vancouver Christmas Market
- The Bright Nights Train at Stanley Park
What are some secondary Vancouver Christmas activities?
You can do a little Christmas shopping at Pacific Centre or along Robson Street. Then, you can check out the nearby Robson Christmas tree and head downstairs to skate at Robson Square’s free skating rink. It’s also a fantastic time to check out the city’s best bars and restaurants along Main Street.
Does Vancouver have a Christmas Market?
In 2023, the Vancouver Christmas Market will run from November 13th to December 24th in Jack Poole Plaza near Canada Place and the Olympic Cauldron. The German-style market contains 80+ artisan huts selling a host of Christmas-themed crafts, ornaments and stocking stuffers.
What is open on Christmas Day in Vancouver?
On Christmas Day in Vancouver, many restaurants, cafes, and bars remain closed or have limited hours. However, some options for dining and entertainment are available. You may find some hotels offering special Christmas meals, and some attractions like the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, often open for visitors to enjoy festive lights.
What are Vancouver’s odds of a white Christmas?
Based on Environment Canada data from 1955 to 2013, there is a 10 percent chance of a white Christmas on any given year. However, due to climate change, the chances have actually increased to 15 percent since 1994 – due to increasing coastal storm patterns in the region.
Ready for Christmas Time in Vancouver?
Frankly, I don’t care whether you’ve been naughty or nice – these things to do during Christmas time in Vancouver should more than keep you busy while Santa makes the call!
That said, if you’re looking for something a little more custom, don’t be afraid to hit me up in the comment section below.
Happy holidays 🙂
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