It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and Metro Vancouver certainly knows how to celebrate the holiday season! From elaborate light displays to Santa greetings, there are a plethora of indoor and outdoor events happening to dazzle and delight everyone in your life.

We’ve rounded up some of our top events in the list below. Looking for more? Check out our Christmas Event category and be sure to check back often as we update it daily.

Arts Umbrella’s “Mixed Nuts”

Arts Umbrella Dance Company brings a modern and engaging retelling of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet The Nutcracker. From hip-hop to ballroom, Mixed Nuts, presented by Deloitte and Workday, will feature a flavoursome combination of dance styles to thrill audiences of all ages. Enjoy the vibrant and magical costumes and music as old favourites and new features delight onstage.

For more information, click here.


Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is back this holiday season with a family-friendly experience filled with beautiful sights, delicious treats, and plenty of places to explore. This enchanting winter wonderland features the world-famous suspension bridge decked out in millions of twinkling lights from end to end with a spectacular view of the Capilano River. Canyon Lights runs from November 17, 2023 – January 21, 2024.

For more information, click here.


Gateway Theatre Presents Cinderella

Grab your glass slippers and beat the clock to arrive at Gateway Theatre’s magical production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, where dreams really do come true. This timeless tale is reimagined on Gateway’s MainStage, featuring classic musical numbers, spectacular sets, costumes, and choreography to create an enchanted show that will leave you spellbound. With a fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella combines the story’s classic elements along with some surprising twists.

For more information, click here.


Gourmet Groceries Holiday Markets

GourmetGroceries.ca/Gourmet Groceries Canada is a company that proudly sells products only made and manufactured in Canada, which empowers small Canadian companies to succeed.  Customers can shop by province or by category through the online store for home delivery; or in-person at one of the many free markets and community-oriented events where you can find everything from Canadian-made sauces and spices to gourmet maple syrups and honeys, and even home goods! Markets are happening on December 1, 2, 8-10, & 16.

For more information, click here.


North Pole Express

The popular North Pole Express is back for another Christmas season at the Railway Museum of British Columbia in Squamish. This must-do holiday experience is perfect for the whole family and can easily be a full day of making memories. The 50-minute train ride will be filled with cookies, hot chocolate, and Christmas caroling. Disembark at the roundhouse, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland where children can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus for a family photograph, ride the mini train, and take part in more Christmas-themed activities and crafts.

For more information, click here.


Photos with Santa at Britannia Mine Museum

Step into Santa’s workshop at Britannia Mine Museum and experience the magic of the holidays. An enchanting Christmas experience comes to life as visitors get a behind-the-scenes peek at Santa preparing his sleigh for his global expedition on Christmas Eve. Get the whole family involved for a special photo opportunity with Santa to share your holiday wishes. Afterward, enjoy some hot cocoa as you explore the rest of the Britannia Mine Museum.

For more information, click here.


Christmas Event GuideSanta’s Arrival at Capilano Mall

Celebrate Santa’s arrival at Capilano Mall this holiday season with an event befitting the magic of Christmas. On November 25th from 11am-3pm,  Santa’s Wizarding Wonderland welcomes the young and old to an enchanting event sure to sweep you off your feet. Catch Norden the Magician mesmerize with tricks and illusions, create your own snowflake art with Giraffes Art School, and sip the complimentary Elf Elixir that is sure to put a spring in your step!

For more information, click here.


Santa in the Country at Glenda’s Christmas Cottage

Don’t miss your chance to catch the jolly man in red at “Santa in the Country” on November 25th. Sit on a haybale drinking warm cocoa and take in the sights and sounds of the country, then head indoors for a family photo with Santa Claus and some fun photos with gnomes in a photo booth. This event is FREE and does not require any advanced registration. Make sure to pick up a few Christmas treasures as you peruse the extensive collection in Glenda’s Christmas Cottage, just in time for the holidays!

For more information, click here


Children's Museum of Skagit County Winter Wonderland 1080x1080Children’s Museum of Skagit County’s Winter Wonderland

Every year, the Children’s Museum of Skagit County creates a winter wonderland at Burlington Plaza for families to enjoy. Metro Vancouver families are invited to experience this FREE 3-day festival that has activities for every member of your family. Get your fill of real snow and snow activities such as sledding, learning about snowshoeing, checking out a snowmobile and building your own snow people! Don’t miss the live reindeer from Reindeer Express, and the plethora of indoor activities over the 3-day festival.

For more information, click here.


Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Events Guide Experience a “Traditional Christmas” with the VSO

The Traditional Christmas performance by the VSO, with host Christopher Gaze, is the best way to get into the holiday spirit this year! Gaze will regale audiences of all ages with his storytelling as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra delights with traditional Christmas carols, Christmas music sung by soloists and special guests, and carols performed live by the VSO. The whole family will delight in hearing nostalgic classics reverberate and the littlest guests will appreciate the lively music and warm atmosphere. There are 5 different locations with various dates for this special holiday event.

For more information, click here.

The Best Craft Fairs and Winter MarketsChristmas Craft Fairs and Markets

Christmas Craft Fairs and Artisan Markets are back in full swing this year and each one promises to showcase unique wares from extremely talented artists and makers. Craft fairs are great to find special gifts for those hard-to-buy-for people on your holiday list, or for kids to pick out a special gift for family and friends.

For more information, click here.


Christmas Light DisplaysBest Christmas Light Displays

Whether you’re inclined to visit an indoor display, drive around snuggling in the car with blankets, or take a stroll in the brisk night air, there are plenty of displays to check out this holiday season. These dazzling displays are truly impressive and put my single strand of lights to shame.

For more information, click here.


Breakfast with Santa

It wouldn’t be Christmas without having breakfast with Santa and this year there are plenty of places to choose from. This year, Santa is going to be very busy popping from location to location to meet and share a meal with the families in Metro Vancouver. These are always incredibly popular events, so register early to secure your spot.

For more information, click here.


Complete Guide to Christmas Tree Farms 

There’s nothing quite like the smell of a fresh Christmas tree in your living room. Equally exciting is the process of acquiring it; putting on your warm clothes, and sipping some hot cocoa or apple cider as you stroll through rows and rows of trees, saw in hand, to find the perfect tree for your home. It’s the experience of hauling the tree out of the woods and tying it to your car, getting it home, and decorating your tree that makes the holidays so special.

For more information, click here.


2023 Free Holiday Adventure Advent Calendar

If you’re looking for a different type of Advent Calendar this year, we’ve got you covered! We’ve collected 24 unique FREE adventures around Metro Vancouver for you to enjoy each day with your family. There are so many events happening this year that we couldn’t even include them all! Head to the Christmas Event category for even more fun events.

For more information, click here.


Teddy Bear Toss

Hockey games make great family events because kids can get out all their energy shouting for their favourite teams! My favourite games are the Teddy Bear Toss theme nights that occur in December. Fans bring a stuffed animal of their choice as a donation to charity and when the team scores their first goal, every throws the stuffed animal onto the ice (or attempts to). It’s great fun!

For more information, click here.


Find more holiday events by heading to our Christmas category.

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