christmas in vancouver 2016

photo by alison page | wreath by rogue florist

so, im a bit of a dork, and i spent the better part of an entire saturday going through and finding pretty much every christmas activity around vancouver in december. (my initial intention was to find a few new activities for us to do this year and it all sort of just snowballed...)

the end result is a fairly lengthy list that i figured would be worth sharing with anyone local (and somehow knowing that it might be of use to more people than just me makes the insane amount of time i spent putting it together somehow worthwhile)

hoping you can find something new to enjoy this holiday season. and if you have a favourite activity that i didn't make mention of, please share!

and of course, just keep scrolling if you aren't in vancouver or the thought of christmas in november is giving you hives. ;)

|| FIXED DATES ||
Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting | Friday, December 2, 5pm-7pm

Robson Square | Free (Buy a bulb donation to Int. Children’s Festival online)

Toque Craft Fair | December 2 – 4 | Friday 6-10pm, Saturday + Sunday 11am-5pm

Western Front, 303 E 8th Ave | Admission: By donation to Western Front

Aberthau Winter Pottery Sale | Dec 3 from 10am – 4pm 

West Point Grey Community Centre, 4397 W 2nd Ave | Admission: Free  

Santa Claus Parade | Sunday, Dec 4 – 12:00pm
Georgia at Broughton, E on Georgia, S on Howe. Ending Howe + Smithe
FREE – donation (monetary or non perishable) for the food bank.

CP Rail Holiday Train | December 17 - 4:20pm Port Moody | 6:00pm Port Coquitlam
PM - 300 Ioco Road | PC 2125 Kingsway Ave | FREE – Bring Food Donation


|| VARIOUS DATES ||

A Charlie Brown Christmas | Weekends, November 26 – December 24

The Waterfront Theatre | Adults $35 | Seniors $29 | Kids $18

Vancouver Christmas Market | Nov 26 – Dec 24
Jack Poole Plaza (New Location) | Adults $8 | Seniors $7 | Kids 6 and under Free

Bright Nights Stanley Park Christmas Train | Nov 28- Jan 1 from 3pm-10pm daily
Stanley Park | Adults $12 | Seniors $9 | Child $8

Christmas Fly over Canada | Nov 24- Jan 2 from 10am – 9pm daily
Adults $20.75 | Seniors $17.91 | Child $14.13 (buy tickets online -10% off)

Grouse Mountains Peak of Christmas | Nov 25 – Jan 2
Lights, Snow, Santa’s Workshop, Crafts, Tobogganing, Slay rides and Ice Skating
Family rate $89.95 (2 adults, 2 kids) Adults $43.95 | Seniors $39.95 | Kids $15.95

Festival of Lights at VanDusen Gardens | Dec 1 – Jan 2 from 4:30pm – 9pm
VanDusen Botanical Garden | Adults $15.24 | Seniors $11.43 | Child $8.57

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge |  Nov 24 - Jan 28 (4pm onward)
Adults $39.95 | Seniors $36.95 | Childer $13.95 (kids under 6 are free) - If you are a BC resident, admission provides you with a free annual pass, so you can go back endlessly for the next 12 months.

Collage Collage Family Craft Night | Family Craft Night - Wednesday and Saturdays in December

Make 10 unique handmade ornaments | $50 for one adult and one child

|| FREE ||
(Make a day of it, walk around downtown and do the whole list…)
Robson Square Ice Skating | Dec 1 – Feb 28, 9am-9pm | Free (Skate Rentals $4 Cash only)
Festival of Trees at Four Seasons | Nov 25 – Jan 2 | Free (Donations for BCCHF)
Gingerbread Lane at Hyatt Regency | Dec 4 - 27 | Free (Donations to Make a Wish)
Woodwards Window Display | 999 Canada Place (Dec 16 – 30, 9am - 10pm daily) | Free
St Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope | 1081 Burrard Street (Nov 24 onward) | Free (Donations to St. Paul's)

Carol Ships Parade of Lights | Weekends Dec 2 – 23 

Various times and locations around the city | Free