Here are 13 transit-friendly holiday events in Metro Vancouver!
Here are 13 transit-friendly holiday events in Metro Vancouver!
‘Tis the season to enjoy holiday festivities, all across Metro Vancouver! With your Compass Card, go from skating to sipping hot chocolate with an endless number of holiday-themed events to explore!
Holiday Splash at the Vancouver Aquarium
📅: Nov. 12, 2023 — Jan. 7, 2024, 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.
🎫: See website for ticket prices.
🚌: Take route 19 Stanley Park.
Give a wave to Scuba Claus (an underwater Santa Claus!), watch The Polar Express 4D Experience, or check out their 65,000 animals — all at the Vancouver Aquarium! Located in Stanley Park, this attraction is only a few minutes’ walk away from the 19 bus.
PNE Winter Fair
📍: 100 N Renfrew St, Vancouver
📅: Dec. 8 – 9 & 14 – 23, 2023, see website for hours.
🎫: See website for ticket prices.
🚈: Take routes 14, 16, or the R5.
A local favourite! Enjoy a magical holiday journey through the WinterLights display, ride the PNE Holiday Express, snap a photo, go skating, or try the Ice Bumper Cars. There’s something for everyone!
Vancouver Christmas Market
📅: Nov. 16. 2023 — Dec. 24, 2023, see website for hours.
🎫: See website for ticket prices.
🚈: 8-minute walk from Waterfront Station, or take route 19 Stanley Park.
Located right at Jack Poole Plaza, this market features food, shopping, and entertainment — all in a holiday-themed venue!
PoMoArts Winter Treasures Artisan Market
📍: 2425 St Johns St., Port Moody
📅: Nov. 16, 2023 — Dec. 20, 2023, see website for hours.
🎫: FREE
🚈: 10-minute walk from Moody Centre Station or take routes 160 Port Coquitlam Station/Kootenay Loop or 180 Moody Centre Station/Lougheed Station.
Check out this holiday shopping experience, featuring local crafts from BC artists. From pottery to jewellery, there’s lots to explore here!
Canyon Lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge
📍: 3735 Capilano Rd., North Vancouver
📅: Nov. 17, 2023 — Jan. 21, 2024, 11 a.m. — 9 p.m.
🎫: See website for ticket prices.
🚌: Take routes 232 Grouse Mountain/Phibbs Exchange or 236 Grouse Mountain/Lonsdale Quay.
See the world-famous Capilano Suspension Bridge in a whole new light — literally! The bridge will be lit end-to-end with a changing multi-colour display, perfect for the ‘gram!
Lights at Lafarge
📍: 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
📅: Nov. 24, 2023 until the new year
🎫: FREE
🚌: 10-minute walk from Lafarge Lake–Douglas Station, or take routes 183 Moody Centre Station/Coquitlam Central Station, 186 Coquitlam Central Station/Hampton Park, 188 Coquitlam Central Station/Port Coquitlam Station, or 191 Coquitlam Central Station/Princeton
Experience the largest free outdoor winter lights display in Metro Vancouver, along a 1.2-kilometre tree-lined pathway! Come for the kickoff event on Nov. 24, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring tunes, carols, and entertainment. The lights will be on throughout the holiday season until the new year.
VanDusen Festival of Lights
📅: Nov. 24, 2023 — Jan. 7, 2024, 4 p.m. — 10 p.m.
🎫: See website for ticket prices.
🚌: Take routes 10 Granville/Waterfront Station, 17 Downtown/Oak, 41 Joyce Station/Crown, or the R4 41st Ave RapidBus.
See this garden transform into a botanical wonderland, featuring over 1 million lights, vibrant colours, and tasty treats!
The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain
📍: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
📅: Nov. 24, 2023 — Dec. 25, 2023, see website for hours.
🎫: See website for ticket prices.
🚌: Take routes 232 Grouse Mountain/Phibbs Exchange, 236 Grouse Mountian/Lonsdale Quay, or 247 Grouse Mountain/Downtown.
Right as you step off the gondola, explore the various holiday-themed festivities Grouse Mountain has! Take a skate on the pond, experience twinkling lights, and more.
Skating at Robson Square
📅: Starting December 1, 2023, 9 a.m. — 9 p.m.
🎫: Free admission, $5.00 skate rentals
🚌: 4-minute walk from either Vancouver City Centre Station and Granville Station, or take routes 2 MacDonald/Burrard Station, 4 Powell/Downtown/UBC, 7 Nanaimo Station/Dunbar, 10 Granville/Waterfront Station, 14 Hastings/UBC, 16 29th Avenue Station/Arbutus, or 50 Waterfront Station/False Creek South.
Take part in this classic Vancouver tradition and skate in this outdoor rink! Located right in the heart of downtown, there are many ways to get here with transit.
The Shipyards Skate Plaza
📍: 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
📅: Starting December 1, 2023, 1 p.m. — 8 p.m.
🎫: Free admission, $7.00 skate rentals for adults, $5.00 for children.
🚌: 5-minute walk from Lonsdale Quay, many buses serve this area.
Glide along the largest outdoor skating rink in the region, spanning 12,000 square feet! Right along the waterfront, you’ll see the breathtaking views of the Burrard Inlet and Vancouver at this spot.
Soar with Santa at FlyOver Canada
📍: #201-999 Canada Pl., Vancouver
📅: Dec. 8, 2023 — Jan. 3, 2024, see website for hours.
🎫: See website for ticket prices.
🚈: 5-minute walk from Waterfront Station.
This immersive movie experience will sweep you off your feet with this journey with Santa, flying across Canada and the North Pole.
24th Annual Winter Ice Palace at Cloverdale Arena
📅: Dec. 18, 2023 — Jan. 7, 2024, see website for hours.
🎫: $4.75 per person, skate and helmet rentals are separate.
🚌: Take routes 320 Langley/Fleetwood/Surrey Central Station, 342 Langley Centre/Newton Exchange, 364 Langley Centre/Scottsdale, 370 Cloverdale/Willowbrook, or 395 Langley Centre/King George Station.
Festive lights, decorations, music, and more at Cloverdale Arena’s Winter Ice Palace. Be sure to book your tickets in advance for this popular holiday event!
Which event will you check out first?
From music concerts to craft markets, there’s so much on to help celebrate the magical spirit of the winter holidays.
There is a plethora of events happening, from artisan fairs to musical performances, that will help you get into the holiday spirit.