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!
Featured: Cirque du Soleil ECHO | Until January 5, 2025
Cirque du Soleil brings its hallmark storytelling to this one-of-a-kind show that highlights the power of youth optimism and encourages a future where humans and the natural world work together. With EXTENDED shows until January 5th, there’s more time to catch the show that everyone is raving about.
East Van Panto: Robin Hood | Until Jan. 5, 2025
Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto returns for its twelfth year, welcoming back the creative team behind last year’s hit. It’s a beautiful day in Trout Lake for Robin Hood and the Merry-Thems—or it should have been! Alas, the naughty Sheriff has other plans—the parks have been privatized! You will split your pants laughing at this hilarious tale!
Canyon Lights | Until January 19, 2025
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 mid-Feb.,2025
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
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, 2024
All aboard the Winter Tram in Steveston! Special story time readings of “The Polar Express” with the Richmond Public Library Dec 7 & 15 at 2, 2:40 & 3:20pm. Don’t miss the tree-lighting ceremony on December 1st at 4:45pm.
Shine Bright New West | December 1 – 31, 2024
Join this popular holiday event for a season full of fun! Enjoy a Kick-Off Celebration on December 1st, followed by live music performances, light shows, holiday workshops, a Christmas Market and much more! Click on the link to learn more and find out what events are coming up throughout December.
Featured: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe | December 4 – 15, 2024
Step into magical lands where four brave siblings go on the adventure of a lifetime in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, a Kaleidoscope Theatre production presented by Carousel Theatre for Young People. This adaptation of the beloved classic novel of the same name by C.S. Lewis will transport audiences of all ages back into a time of childlike wonder as the story comes alive on the stage.
PNE Winter Fair | December 6 – 8, 12 – 23, 2024
The PNE Winter Fair is back this year with an expanded holiday festival. New this year is a lineup of concerts, in addition to ice skating, shopping, food, and a walk-through Winter Lights exhibit.
Mixed Nuts | December 13-15, 2024
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
Coca-Cola Caravan | December 14, 19, 21, 2024
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.
Featured: VIFF Christmas Family Movie | December 18, 2024 – January 2, 2025
There’s nothing quite like getting cozy with your kids and enjoying a family movie together. And when you combine dark winter nights and special holiday occasions, it’s even better when it’s a family fun event from the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF)! This Christmas, VIFF brings you a brand-new adventure from an iconic claymation duo. It’s time for Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl!
CP Holiday Train | December 19 – 20, 2024
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 2023, the musical performers are Tyler Shaw and Kiesza.
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 information, click here.
Breakfast with SantaÂ
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 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.
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)
2024 FREE Adventures Advent Calendar
In the spirit of spending quality time together and making memories, Family Fun Vancouver has put together a 2024 Holiday Adventures Advent Calendar. Every adventure on this calendar is FREE or almost free!
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.
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.
