The Holiday Season has arrived! Vancouver is home to many beautiful holiday attractions. From all the twinkling lights, the Christmas music, to the decorations, Christmas is my most favorite time of the year. Here are 8 family festive holiday attractions in Vancouver to get you into the Holiday Spirit.
1. Bright Nights in Stanley Park
Every year during the Christmas Season Stanley Park comes to life with over 3 million twinkling lights to raise funds for the BC Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. Bright Nights in Stanley Park is by donation ($5.00 suggestion) and is well worth whatever you can give. The girls LOVE walking around and viewing all of the sparkling displays. I also recommend taking the kids for a ride on the Christmas train and don’t forget to visit Santa while you’re there! This year Bright Nights runs from November 29th 2018 to January 5th 2019.
2. Vancouver Christmas Market
The Vancouver Christmas Market features more than 80 huts of authentic German treats and sweets! Hosted at Jack Poole plaza this Christmas market is the perfect place to find unique treasures to gift your loved ones. This year’s Vancouver Christmas Market includes the new Winterdeck located beside the Alpine Lounge, featuring a charming entrance arch, a giant lit up picture frame, and stunning views of the North Shore. Couples will also delight in venturing down Lovers’ Lane – an Instagram-worthy 30-foot long tunnel adorned with 10,000 twinkling lights and mistletoe. We’ll be bringing the girls to kid’s day on December 1st to ride the Christmas Carousel. Delight in the atmosphere of the Christmas Market from November 21st to December 24th.
Admission: Adult – $10, Youth – (7-12) $5, Child – Free
3. Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Take a walk on the Capilano Suspension Bridge and celebrate the yearly Canyon Lights winter festival. Experience the park lit up with hundreds of thousands of twinkling Christmas lights. Treetops Adventure is home to the eight tallest Christmas trees of the world. A series of seven suspension bridges attached to eight 250 years old Douglas-firs with viewing platforms, reaching up to 110 feet above the forest floor. These magnificent Douglas firs will be lit from top to bottom! If you’re a BC resident I recommend buying the annual pass for the same price as the one day ticket. Runs from November 22nd 2018 to January 27th 2019.
Admission: Adult – $46.95, Child (6-12) $14.95
4. VanDusen Festival of Lights
The VanDusen Festival of Lights has something for the entire family to enjoy. Every year the garden is adorned with Christmas lights. Have your photo taken with Santa, ride the carousel and dance along with the dancing lights. Warm up at the fire side lounge and grab a hot chocolate with your loved ones. I recommend pre purchasing your tickets as they do sell out fast! Runs from December 1st 2018 to January 6th 2019.
Admission: Adult – $18.50, Youth (13-18) – $14.25, Child (4-12) – $11
5. Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain
Take your children to visit Santa at the North Pole during the Peak of Christmas on Grouse Mountain. Have the kids meet Santa’s reindeer, bring them on a mountain top sleigh ride and stroll through the gingerbread village. You and your family can even create a special craft to take home with you! When night falls take a light walk around Blue Grouse Lake and take in the lit up displays. You can even skate under the stars. Don’t forget to send your letter to Santa before you leave the North Pole. Runs from November 23rd 2018 to January 6th 2019.
Admission: Adult – $56, Child (5-16) – $29
6. Robson Square Ice Skating
What better way to celebrate the holiday season than with some outdoor skating at Robson Square Ice Skating rink. If you own skates and a helmet you can enjoy skating in the heart of downtown Vancouver for FREE. The rink is open from December 1st 2018 to February 14th 2019.
Admission: Skates – $4, Helmet – FREE
7. Heritage Christmas at the Burnaby Village Museum
Be transported back in time and experience a Heritage Christmas at the Burnaby Village Museum. Stroll through the village streets and visit the black smith, try some old fashioned candy, and sing carols with the holiday entertainment. The kids will love riding the Christmas Carousel here to. Runs from November 24th 2018 to January 4th 2019.
Admission: Gate entrance – FREE, Carousel – $2.65 per person
8. Aurora Winter Festival
Brand new this year is Vancouver’s Aurora Winter Festival. Live your Queen Elsa and Princess Anna Dreams at this winter wonderland. It certainly reminds me of Disney’s FROZEN. This winter festival has everything you can think of. From Tube rides, to frozen rivers, 50 Vendors and 12 food trucks, Amusement rides and Santa’s workshop this event will be one for creating family memories. Open from November 23rd to December 30th.
Admission: Adult – $19.99, Child (4-12) – $14.99, Family (2 adult, 3 kids) – $59.99
So there you have 8 family festive holiday attractions right here in Vancouver! Which ones will you be visiting?
Looking for non festive attractions to visit in Vancouver? Check out 12 things to do in and around Vancouver to keep the kids from using the B word BORED.
With this blog I strive to cultivate and foster a community that encourages and empowers women from all walks of life. I am a stay at home to my three beautiful daughters and I am married to my high school sweetheart and together we have built a life we love. You can usually find me with a book in one hand and a Starbucks coffee in the other. I hope that this blog brings you comfort in knowing that you aren’t alone in whatever it is you’re growing through as a mother, a wife, a woman.
