December must be the busiest month on the calendar. There are oodles of family-friendly holiday events to check out plus family gatherings, parties with friends, concerts at school, and the list goes on! With so many events happening, it’s easy to miss out on your favourites. That’s why we put in the work to make sure you know what holiday events are coming up so you can schedule them into your social calendar!
Dundarave Festival of Lights | Until December 20, 2025
Get ready for some true Christmas light beauty at the annual Dundarave Festival of Lights. West Vancouver celebrates the Christmas season at Dundarave Beach. Area businesses and community organizations decorate Christmas trees, which are then on display in December.
⭐️ Merry & Bright at Martini Town | Until December 31, 2025
FEATURED: Step into a world of movie magic and indulge in a unique holiday experience! It’s an outdoor extravaganza where your kids can run through the streets of an iconic movie set, twirl under falling snow, and experience movie magic in their own backyard. Enjoy festive food and beverages, a visit and photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, plenty of photo-worthy spots, live music, and character interactions throughout.
⭐️ Holiday Splash at Vancouver Aquarium | Until January 2026
FEATURED: Canada’s largest aquarium, nestled within beautiful Stanley Park, warmly invites visitors of all ages to experience an exciting fish-mas spectacular that has events and surprises around every corner. Immerse yourself in the glow of over 1 million twinkling lights and festive decor that will transform the Vancouver Aquarium into a winter water-land. Catch Scuba Claus as he makes a splash, spreading holiday cheer beneath the waves from November 12 – December 24, and explore the Vancouver Aquarium’s many educational exhibits to see the over 65,000+ adorable animals.
⭐️ The Cultch presents Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto: West Van Story | Until January 11, 2026
FEATURED: Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto returns for its thirteenth year with this hilarious, laugh-out-loud show for the whole family. When a freak atmospheric tsunami hits, West Van influencer Holly and her curling crew The Hurry Hards, are stranded in East Van. When Holly meets proud East Van resident Joes, who has an abundance of good looks and charm, she knows she’s in for a turbulent time. Forced to choose between two cities, two families, and romance, Holly must decide who she really is and what she wants.
⭐️ Canyon Lights | Until January 18, 2025
FEATURED: The popular Canyon Lights display is back at Capilano Suspension Bridge. Check out millions of twinkling lights as they illuminate the iconic bridge, the Treetop Canopy, and the Cliffside Walk. Purchase a BC Resident Annual Pass, which is the same price as a single day admission, and you will be able to return throughout the year for no additional cost!
Lights at Lafarge | Until February, 2026
The City of Coquitlam turns Lafarge Lake into a magical, dazzling display of lights every winter. As you wander around the water’s edge you are treated to varying light installations, performances, and special themed nights. The official kick-off is November 22nd.
⭐️ The North Pole Express | Every Saturday & Sunday until Dec. 21
FEATURED: Choo Choo! Hop aboard The North Pole Express this holiday season! This wildly popular train ride returns to the BC Railway Museum. Buy your tickets early to experience a train ride followed by activities and events in the Roundhouse, which has been transformed into The North Pole.
Steveston Winter Tram | December 1 – 31, 2025
All aboard the Winter Tram in Steveston! Special story time readings of “The Polar Express” with the Richmond Public Library Dec. 6 & 14 at 2, 2:40 & 3:20pm.
⭐️ Timberline Ranch Country Christmas | December 5-7, 12-14, 19-22, 2025
FEATURED: Avoid the crowded malls, skip the lengthy line-ups to see Santa, and enjoy a family-friendly, interactive holiday experience at Timberline Country Christmas. The drive out to the Maple Ridge property—along unlit, winding country roads—sets the stage for a simpler, soul-filling, family-focused holiday activity.
⭐️ A Winter’s Twist | December 5 & 17, 2025
FEATURED: Prepare to be mesmerized by a holiday show that encapsulates the beauty of dance, acrobatics, and stunning costumes to inspiring music. Lamondance presents “A Winter’s Twist” at two performance locations this December: December 5 in Abbotsford and December 17 in North Vancouver.
Maple Ridge Christmas Festival & Santa Parade | December 6, 2025
The Maple Ridge Christmas Festival and Parade is on the first Saturday of December every year. Families will enjoy FREE fun, including complimentary beverages (remember to bring your own mug to save waste), Christmas music at the Bandstand, a visit and photo with Santa, a live nativity scene, many beautiful decorations, and of course, the beloved Christmas parade. The parade starts at 6:00 pm and will include over 70 entries.
Christmas in Kerrisdale | December 6, 13, and 20, 2025
Christmas in Kerrisdale has arrived! On December 6, 13, 20, enjoy strolling brass bands and live music along with plenty of family-friendly activities for kids. On December 23rd, enjoy a horse and carriage ride!
Coca-Cola Caravan | December 11 – 14, 2025
The holidays are upon us, and Coca-Cola is celebrating with its Iconic Coca-Cola Caravan Tour. With hundreds of Canadian stops, the Caravan Tour will spread holiday joy to communities over shared experiences and moments of magic.
⭐️ Mixed Nuts | December 12-14, 2025
FEATURED: Featuring a flavoursome combination of dance styles from hip-hop to ballroom, Mixed Nuts brings The Nutcracker into the 21st century to connect with modern audiences in a new way. This annual show at The Vancouver Playhouse frequently sells out as families make this their holiday tradition
Christmas in Williams Park | December 13 – 28, 2025
Come celebrate the holidays with your family & friends at this spectacular drive-thru show of holiday lights. No reservations or entry fee tickets are required but donations are much appreciated.
CP Holiday Train | December 19 – 20, 2025
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is one of the most popular FREE family events every holiday season. Each event features a boxcar stage, a lineup of great musical talent, and a contribution to the local food bank. All donations stay in the community in which the gift was given. For 2025, the musical performers are Barenaked Ladies!
The BEST Christmas Event Guide
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 the whole family. Make some core memories this year by making a list (and checking it twice!) to plan your holiday event calendar. For more details, click here.
Holiday Craft Fairs and Artisan Markets
The craft markets start early in Metro Vancouver. We’ve rounded up a list of markets so you don’t miss a thing! From fine fabrics to unique gifts, each vendor has carefully crafted their items. Some of the markets also include family-friendly games and activities to keep everyone busy! For more details, click here.
Holiday Concerts and Shows
From family-favourite movies to toe-tapping concerts and laugh-out-loud theatre, the holiday season is packed with performances the whole family can enjoy. Whether you’re looking for timeless classics, festive musical fun, or interactive shows that get everyone in the spirit, these holiday concerts and productions are sure to create warm memories and plenty of cheer. Plus, tickets to shows make GREAT gifts for all ages! For more details, click here
Breakfast with Santa
Blink, and you might miss securing your tickets for popular Breakfast with Santa events happening around Metro Vancouver! A few are already sold out (or close to selling out), but with more being announced each day, our list will be updated as tickets are released. For more information, click here.
Christmas Skating Events
Lace up your skates for a fun family activity! You don’t have to be a figure skating professional to enjoy some time on the ice with your family. The holidays are the perfect time to head to the ice arena for a fun, festive activity. Santa will be making an appearance at many of the festive skates below. For more information, click here.
Christmas Tree Farms
Do you get a real tree every year? If so, you’ll want to look at our Complete Guide to Christmas Tree Farms. There’s nothing like the smell of a freshly cut tree in your home. If artificial trees are more your speed, you can always spend a day at a Tree Farm, taking in the other activities, like bonfires, wagon rides, and hot apple cider. For more details, click here.
Christmas Light Displays
My kids get ridiculously excited when we discover a house dripping in holiday lights. Every year we spend at least one night driving around, standing in awe in front of people’s homes dazzled by their lights & creativity. Every year we build our Christmas Light Display Listing from scratch – we ask readers to submit addresses and we update our list as fast as possible. If you know of an address we’ve missed, please send us an email (vancouver@familyfunvancouver.com). For more details, click here.
2025 FREE Adventures Advent Calendar
In the spirit of spending quality time together and making memories, Family Fun Vancouver has put together a 2025 Holiday Adventures Advent Calendar. Every adventure on this calendar is FREE or almost free! For more details, click here.
Outdoor Skating Rinks
There’s nothing quite like the magic of gliding across an outdoor skating rink with your family on a crisp winter day. Whether you’re wobbling on your first pair of skates or perfecting your spins, outdoor rinks offer a festive and affordable way to enjoy quality time together. Outdoor rinks are particularly special in Metro Vancouver, because our temperatures don’t allow for backyard rinks or frozen-over ponds. For more details, click here.
But Wait… There’s More!
For a complete listing of all the best events around Vancouver, click on our Calendar, and stay tuned to all the best local family events through our Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok pages. Or, get important information and deals delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for our e-newsletter.
Did you know you can submit your family-friendly event to us? Fill out the form with your event details and we’ll do our best to get your event added to our events calendar.
For a complete listing of all the best events around Metro Vancouver, click on our calendar, and stay tuned to all the best local family events through our Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok.
