The holidays are almost here and it’s a perfect opportunity to light up the short days with beautiful lights, drinks to keep us warm, and holiday shopping for our friends and family.

Luckily, so many of the classic holiday events in Vancouver are transit-friendly and make hopping between events easy and inexpensive. Try visiting one for an evening or making an entire day of them on the weekend!

1. Vancouver Christmas Market

📍 Address: Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver
🚌 Transit: Waterfront Station (Expo and Canada Line, and SeaBus), Burrard Station (Expo Line)
💰 Cost: Single entry admission starts at $6.99 for adults, and kids 6 and under are free.
⌚ When: Now until Dec. 24, open at 11:30 a.m. most weekends, and 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Every year, Jack Poole Plaza transforms into a festive wonderland for the Vancouver Christmas Market. This beloved holiday tradition brings a taste of Germany to the heart of the city, featuring a picturesque village of more than 90 huts brimming with seasonal treats, handcrafted gifts, and joyful activities.

Guests can indulge in gourmet fare, authentic German beverages, and sweet delights while enjoying family-friendly attractions such as the holiday carousel and lively entertainment. Open through Christmas Eve, the market offers a magical experience for visitors of all ages.

2. Coquitlam Christmas Night Market

📍 Address: Evergreen Cultural Centre, 1205 Pinetree Wy, Coquitlam, BC
🚌 Transit: Lafarge–Lake Douglas Station (Millennium Line)
💰 Cost: $2 for guests 16 and over
⌚ When: Dec. 12 from 5-9 p.m., Dec. 13 from 4-9 p.m., and Dec. 20 from 4-9 p.m.

Featuring live music, artisan vendors and food trucks, the Coquitlam Christmas Night Market is a great stop before visiting the Lights at Lafarge Lake, no extra transit needed.

3. Lights at Lafarge Lake

📍 Address: 1299 Pinetree Wy, Coquitlam
🚌 Transit: Lafarge–Lake Douglas Station (Millennium Line)
💰 Cost: Free!
⌚ When: Nov. 28 until Feb. 2026

Lights at Lafarge is a gorgeous holiday event held annually at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam. This free event features over 100,000 twinkling lights along a 1.2-kilometre pathway. Enjoy themed zones, festive installations, and special evenings with activities like carolling and craft workshops. Lights are on from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Food vendors serve the site from 5-9 p.m. with many options, including warm drinks to take along with you.

Attend their special kick-off event on Nov. 28 from 5-8 p.m. with live performances and opening ceremonies.

4. Van Dusen Festival of Lights

📍 Address: 5251 Oak St, Vancouver
🚌 Transit: R4 41st Ave RapidBus or 17 Oak
💰 Cost: Tickets for adults start at $32, buy before Nov. 28 for special early bird pricing.
⌚ When: Nov. 28 until Jan. 4

A Vancouver tradition returns with the Van Dusen Festival of Lights. 15 acres of the garden are transformed with over 1 million (!) twinkling lights and interactive installations. Food vendors are available on site, and experience a dancing light show every 20 minutes from the top of the hour. Kids 4 and under get free admission, and a special sensory-friendly version of the event will take place on Dec. 2 for families and caretakers.

5. Flyover Canada’s Soar with Santa

📍 Address: 999 Canada Pl #201, Vancouver
🚌 Transit: Burrard Station
💰 Cost: Tickets begin at $32 for adults
⌚ When: Now until Jan. 4

Experience an original holiday-themed flight ride over Canada, featuring the “Soar with Santa” experience at FlyOver Canada. Kids ride free with a paying adult from Monday to Thursday! There are opportunities for Breakfast with Santa on December weekends, and don’t forget to drop off your wish list for Santa at the Flying Whale Waterfront Cafe by Dec. 6.

6. Festive Village at Burnaby Village Museum

📍 Address: 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby
🚌 Transit: 144 Metrotown Station/SFU
💰 Cost: Free!
⌚ When: Nov. 22 until Jan. 2, now until Jan. 3, open at 1 p.m. most days until 5:30 p.m on weekdays, 9 p.m. on weekends.

Visit Burnaby Village Museum this season and experience their Festive Village, a 10-acre site with decorations and lights. There’ll be live music, entertainment, demonstrations, and free activities. Make a take home craft or participate in a scavenger hunt around the Village, check their event schedule for full details. Take a ride on the historic 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel for only $2.62 per ride.

7. Shipyards Christmas Market

📍 Address: 19 Wallace Mews, North Vancouver, BC V7L 0B2
🚌 Transit: SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay or R2 Marine Dr RapidBus
💰 Cost: Free!
⌚ When: Nov. 28 until Dec. 24

Experience the magic of the Shipyards Christmas Market, where sparkling light displays set the scene for over 70 charming wooden stalls filled with one-of-a-kind gifts and artisan crafts. Savour seasonal favourites like bratwursts, mulled wine, and hot cocoa as you explore the festive atmosphere.

Enjoy ice skating under the lights, live music, and community performances — and don’t forget to stop by Santa’s corner for unforgettable holiday photos!

8. Holiday movies with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

📍 Address: Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC
🚌 Transit: Granville Station (Expo Line), Vancouver City Centre (Canada Line)
💰 Cost: Pricing begins at $49.50
⌚ When: Now until Dec. 20

Experience your favourite holiday movies like never before. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will be accompanying the music from The Holiday, Home Alone, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Elf, while you watch the movie! It’s a great twist on the holiday movie night.

9. Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

📍 Address: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver
🚌 Transit: 232 Grouse Mountain/Phibbs Exchange, 236 Grouse Mountain/Lonsdale Quay, and 247 Downtown/Grouse Mountain
💰 Cost: $75 for adults when purchased online, $78 on-site.
⌚ When: Now until Jan. 18

See the iconic suspension bridge and surrounding park illuminated with thousands of lights at Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge. Enjoy a new light display, “Wildlight,” a 3D projection in the rainforest, while sipping on hot chocolate. Listen to live festive tunes and participate in various kids’ activities in this enchanting setting, with favourites such as Treetops Adventures and Cliffwalk.

10. Robson Square Ice Skating

📍 Address: 800 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 3B7
🚌 Transit: Granville Station (Expo Line) and Vancouver City Centre Station (Canada Line)
💰 Cost: Entry is free, Skate rentals are $5 and include a helmet.
⌚ When: Nov. 28 until Feb. 28

A Vancouver winter staple is nestled inside Robson Square, the Ice Rink! Stop for a skate among your holiday shopping downtown or make an afternoon of it. Skate sharpening is also available some days for $5.