What’s Happening in December? Family-Fun Events in Metro Vancouver

Presented by Lower Lonsdale BIA

December must be the busiest one on the calendar. There are oodles family-friendly events to check out plus family gatherings, parties with friends, concerts at school, and shopping (endless shopping…and this mom is not a fan of shopping). But don’t let all of your grown-up commitments and responsibilities consume all your waking hours. December is jam-packed with so many family-friendly events. Enjoy! And if you have a moment, let us know which events you experienced with your family.

Tis the season to say “hello” to the jolly old elf! If you need to know where you can chat with Santa and have your picture taken, then take a gander at our list of Places to Visit Santa. Santa is already visiting most malls across Metro Vancouver but don’t forget Santa has to return to the North Pole on December 24th.

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Do you get a real tree every year? If so you’ll want to look at our Complete Guide to Christmas Tree Farms. A few farms are closed this year as they need their stock to grow a bit more before harvesting. So if you have a a favourite farm you always visit please make sure it is actually open this year.

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Celebrate Christmas in The Shipyards District (Dec 8- 23)! This holiday season revellers are invited to enjoy FREE holiday activities in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale shopping district. The Shipyards District will be buzzing with weekend visits from Santa, Christmas carollers, The Grinch, elves, and the Scrooge Horn, a local group of talented saxophonists.  Many of the Lower Lonsdale merchants will display local artisan-decorated Christmas wreaths. Shoppers to Lower Lonsdale are invited to participate in a game & win prizes: view a minimum of THREE Christmas wreaths for a visit with Santa and enter a contest to win fun & exciting prizes!

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The hilarious English panto tradition returns for the 5th year to East Vancouver. You don’t want to miss out seeing the East Van Panto: The Wizard of Oz (Nov 28 – Jan 6). Perfect for families with kids aged 6+. Get ready to laugh your socks off!

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We love attending the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden (Dec 1 – Jan 6). 2018 marks the 34th edition of this holiday favourite. Enjoy the twinkling lights and light show, take a stroll down Candy Cane Lane, hear the sweet sounds of carolling, and get in to the spirit of the season.

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The holiday craft fairs started in November and are still running strong through December. Check out our ever expanding list here. And if we missed one off our list please let us know (vancouver@familyfuncanada.com).

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Experience a TON of winter magic for FREE at the Children’s Museum of Skagit Valley’s Winter Wonderland. Snow, reindeer, sleigh rides, Santa, indoor & outdoor activities…and yup, it’s all FREE! (Dec 7 – 9)

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A must-do holiday tradition for our family is the Ballet BC production of The Nutcracker. This year the Royal Winnipeg Ballet performs an incredibly kid-friendly version of the beloved classic. It also has a great Canadiana feel with the parliament buildings, street hockey, a hilarious bear that always sends my youngest into gales of laughter. The show runs at the QE Theatre Dec 7-9.

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Carousel Theatre for Young People wowed us with their performance of Charlie Brown: A Double Bill (ongoing until Dec 30). After the ROARING, SOLD OUT success of A Charlie Brown Christmas in 2016, Carousel Theatre for Young People is bringing back the production but it is even bigger & better for 2018. Oh good grief, it’s a double bill Charlie Brown: A Charlie Brown Christmas AND You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. We can’t say this loud enough, or often enough, get your tickets NOW! The show is going to sell out fast and you don’t want to be disappointed.

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Every year the CP Holiday Train travels from Quebec to the Lower Mainland raising funds for local food banks. On Dec 17 & 18 you can enjoy a FREE concert, witness the train cars festooned in lights, and help support your local food bank. The CP Holiday Train makes stops in Agassiz, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody.

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Don’t forget to say hello to Santa! Malls around Metro Vancouver have welcomed Santa and are ready to snap a photo of your child dressed in their holiday finest.

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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)

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Every year a number of arenas around Metro Vancouver host holiday-themed Christmas skates. Sometimes the price is reduced, sometimes it is the same, usually there are holiday activities (and a visit from Santa) planned for the duration of the event. Check out our Christmas Skates guide for all the details.

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And in case that lengthy list of events wasn’t enough for you, have a peak at our Ultimate Guide to Christmas Events in Metro Vancouver. This list keeps growing and growing! And if we’ve missed your favourite event, PLEASE let us know (vancouver@familyfunvancouver.com) and we will get it added ASAP!

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Celebrate Christmas in The Shipyards District! This holiday seasons revellers are invited to enjoy FREE holiday activities in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale shopping district. The Shipyards District will be buzzing with Christmas carollers, the Grinch, elves, and the Scrooge Horns, a local group of talented saxophonists.  Many of the Lower Lonsdale merchants will display local artisan-decorated Christmas wreaths. Shoppers to Lower Lonsdale are invited to participate in a game & win prizes: view a minimum of THREE Christmas wreaths for a visit with Santa and enter a contest to win fun & exciting prizes! You can pick up your wreath-viewing ballot at any merchant displaying a wreath or at Mo’s General Store (you are welcome to complete it while you wait for your turn to visit with Santa).