With Christmas around the corner, there are many events going on around Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.Here are the events you don’t want to miss!
Lights at Park Royal Mall in West Vancouver
Sails of Light Christmas at Canada Place
Date: now until Dec 30
What’s happening: different kinds of activities.See beautiful colours on the 90-foot sails, 15 beautifully Xmas trees and some Woodward’s window displays. Complimentary hot drinks!!!
Charities: all in support of Strathcona Community Centre’s Food Security for Children Program.
3rd annual Vancouver Christmas Market
Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza at 650 Hamilton
Date/Time: now until Dec 24th
What’s happening: vendors selling edible treats, gifts, authentic wooden decorations Enjoy the lights, decorations, entertainment
Tickets: Admission Rates (including HST)
Adult (13 + years) $5 Mon – Fri 4pm-9pm & 11am-9pm weekends
Adult (13 + years) $2 Special! Mon – Fri 11am-4pm
Youth (7 – 12 years) $2
Child (0 – 6 years) FREE
Carousel Rides $3 per ticket; $10 per package of 5 tickets
Buy 1 entry ticket and have unlimited re-entry til closing night, Dec 24th @ 6pm.
Grouse Mountain Peak of Christmas
What’s happening: Meet Santa’s reindeer, Dance & Vixen (9am-10pm) in the Wildlife Refuge. The Grouse Mountain Chalet will be lit up with new Gingerbread Village. Experience sleigh rides, ice skating, Christmas-themed movies, and complimentary skating lessons.
Charities: Proceeds from Chalet’s light up in support of SOS Children’s Village – international children’s charity, providing long-term care for children in need. Proceeds from skate rentals will be donated to the Karen Magnussen Foundation, to put more of BC’s youth on the world stage now and in years to come.
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Date: now until Jan 5th, holiday activities running from 4pm-9pm daily.
What’s happening: Check out the 450-foot long, 230-foot high Capilano Suspension Bridge! Lights will be lit, decorating the forest and bridge, Scavenger hunts, cookie decorating, caroling and glass blowing demonstration.
Tickets:
Adult ………………………………………… $31.95
Senior 65+ ………………………………….. $29.95
Student 17+ with ID ………………………. $25.95
Youth 13 – 16 ………………………………. $19.95
Child 6 – 12 ………………………………… $12.00
Family Rate* ……………………………….. $65.00
Lost Lagoon Fountain in Stanley Park
6,000 multi-coloured lights. Is easily visible form the Georgia St. Causeway from 3:30pm til midnight, until Jan 7th.
The Elm Grove at English Bay
12,000 lights cover six elm trees at the corner of Beach Ave at Bidwell St. On from 3:30pm to midnight, until Jan 7th.
15th Bright Nights at Stanley Park
What’s happening: 2 million lights light up the park. Miniature train though winter wonderland!
Date: now until Jan 1 (closed Xmas Day) and is open 3-10pm, Sun-Thurs, 3-11pm Fri+Sat and 11am-3pm Wed, Sat and Sun.
Charities: BC Professional Fire Fighter’s Burn Fund.
Jewel Box of Lights at Bloedel Conservatory
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park: Bloedel Conservatory 4600 Cambie St. Vancouver
What’s happening: light decorations in the conservatory.
Date: 4:30-9pm now until Jan 1st (closed Xmas Day).
Tickets:
Adult (19-64 years) $7.00 | Senior (65+ years) $5.00 | Youth (13-18 years) $5.00 | Child (3-12 years) $3.50
Family (1-2 Adults of the same household and their children $16.50
Van Dusen Botanical Garden’s Festival of Lights
Date: now until Jan 1 (closed Xmas Day)
Location: 5251 Oak St. Vancouver
What’s happening: tons of lights decorate the garden. Every 30 minutes there is the Dancing Lights Show on Livingstone Lake, live holiday music, festive food, meet Santa, entertainment, and choir concerts
Tickets: Adult (19-64) $14.25 | Senior (65+) $10.50 | Youth (13-18) $10.50 | Child (3-12) $7.75
Family (two adults and their children under 19) $32.50
Members $11.25 VanDusen Family Members (two adults and their children under 19) $27.25
Children under age 2 Free
St. Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope
Location: St. Paul’s Hospital 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver
What’s happening: 10 km of lights
Charities: donations are used for a variety of projects from purchasing life-saving equipment to world-leading research
Granville Island
Musicians, horse-drawn trolley rides & drink some delicious hot chocolate. Variety of activities for everyone to enjoy. Check out their website for more info.
Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
Date: Dec21 6pm-9pm
What’s happening: Come celebrate the 19th annual festival. The lantern procession starts at the Strathcona Community Centre, and will make its way to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park. There will be lantern creations, tea ceremonies and live music. Admission is free but donations are accepted.
Hope you get a chance to check out some of them! Happy holidays! 
The atmosphere is different from the Asian flair of Richmond night markets. Here local artists are featured and a spectacular view of the night skyline of downtown Vancouver if you come on a nice evening. The area isn’t big, but there’s lots to enjoy for the entire family.
