Sponsored by The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain
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.
Looking for more great events? Explore our Christmas Event category and check back frequently, as we update it daily.
Arts Umbrella’s “Mixed Nuts”
Dec. 12 – 14 | Arts Umbrella Dance Company brings a modern and engaging retelling of Tchaikovskyâs classic ballet The Nutcracker. From hip-hop to ballroom, Mixed Nuts, presented by Deloitte and Workday, will feature a flavoursome combination of dance styles to thrill audiences of all ages. Enjoy the vibrant and magical costumes and music as old favourites and new features delight onstage. For more information, click here.
Britannia Mine Museum
December 6 & 7, 13 & 14 | Step into Santaâs enchanting workshop at Britannia Mine Museum and create magical holiday memories. Visit Santa surrounded by decades of beloved toys, explore festive activities across the lower site, and let the friendly team at Britannia Mine help you capture Instagram-worthy moments with your own camera or phone. To celebrate the 50th anniversary, Santa visits and lower-site festive activities are free or by donation. Your generosity supports future community programs and is appreciated (though never required). For more information, click here.
Canyon Lights
Nov. 21 – Jan. 18 | Embark on an unforgettable family adventure that promises to light up your holiday season. Canyon Lights is back this holiday season with a family-friendly experience filled with beautiful sights, delicious treats, and plenty of places to explore. This enchanting winter wonderland features the world-famous suspension bridge decked out in millions of lights, with a spectacular view of the Capilano River. For more information, click here.
Central City
Starting Nov. 12 | The holiday season is here, and Central City is the perfect destination for families to make memories together. Get your Santa Photos done with Old Saint Click to commemorate another year of holiday cheer. In addition to Santa Photos, Central City will also be hosting a Gingerbread Showdown, Christmas Tree Contest, Stuff the Sleigh Toy Drive, Caroling Performances, and the Charity Gift Wrap Station. For more information, click here.
Gateway Theatre presents: “Annie”
Dec. 11 – Jan. 3 | If youâre looking for a meaningful and heartfelt all-ages show to see with your family this holiday season, donât miss Gateway Theatreâs production of Annie. This uplifting show is perfect for audience members of all ages. The show runs from December 11 – January 3, with special performances including a pay-what-you-can show, a relaxed viewing, and a celebratory performance on New Year’s Eve! For more information, click here.
Lamondance presents: “A Winter’s Twist.”
December 5 & 17 | Prepare to be mesmerized by a holiday show that encapsulates the beauty of dance, acrobatics, and stunning costumes to inspiring music.  Lamondance presents âA Winterâs Twistâ at two performance locations this December: December 5 in Abbotsford and December 17 in North Vancouver. In this contemporary spin on the classic “Romeo and Juliet” story, one lover’s family loves the holidays and decorates to the hilt each year, while the other despises the season. Will their love survive? For more information, click here.
Martini Town
Nov. 21- Dec. 31 | Step into a world of movie magic and indulge in a unique holiday experience. Merry & Bright at Martini Town has the festive, Hallmark-worthy atmosphere to bring your holiday dreams to life! Itâs 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. For more information, click here.
Noel Holiday Light Festival
Nov. 28 – Dec. 28 | Back, bigger and brighter than last year! Noel Festival has joined forces with the beloved Bright Nights, which was formerly in Stanley Park, to create a magical holiday experience. This festive atmosphere has something for everyone to enjoy, from mesmerizing light displays, market vendors, Bright Nights Light Walk, rides for the whole family, kidsâ activities like face painting and crafts, and photos with Santa. For more information, click here.
North Pole Express
Weekends Nov. 29 – Dec. 21 | The popular North Pole Express is back! This must-do holiday experience is perfect for the whole family. The 50-minute train ride will be filled with cookies, hot chocolate, and Christmas caroling. In the roundhouse, children can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus for a family photograph, ride the mini train, and take part in more Christmas-themed activities and crafts. For more information, click here.
The Cultch presents Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto: West Van Story
Nov. 19 – Jan. 11Â | Come one, come all to the wackiest, most hilarious family-friendly show this holiday season! The East Van Panto is a holiday show that is not to be missed. Each year, the merry crew of talented creatives selects a new story to put a lively spin on. In its thirteenth year, East Van Panto will bring the hilarious West Van Story to the stage! For more information, click here.
Timberline Country Christmas
Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 19-22 | Avoid the crowded malls, skip the lengthy line-ups to see Santa, and enjoy a family-friendly, interactive holiday experience at Timberline Country Christmas. This unique experience has country Christmas elements sure to brighten your spirits with community-decorated Christmas trees, cookie decorating, pony rides, a petting zoo, an adventure maze, and even a “snowball” throwing area! For more information, click here.
Holiday Splash at the Vancouver Aquarium
Starting Nov. 12 | Dive into festive fun this holiday sea-son at the Vancouver Aquarium with their popular Holiday Splash beginning November 12, 2025. 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, snap a photo in front of the Jelly Snow Globe, and enjoy festive foods. For more information, click here.
Christmas Craft Fairs and Markets
Christmas Craft Fairs and Artisan Markets are back in full swing this year and each one promises to showcase unique wares from extremely talented artists and makers. Craft fairs are great to find special gifts for those hard-to-buy-for people on your holiday list, or for kids to pick out a special gift for family and friends. For more information, click here.
Christmas Light-Ups & Parades
Being one of the FIRST to see something is always exciting, and around Christmas, light-up events and parades are filled with warm community spirit, delicious hot chocolate and good times. Don’t miss these fabulous events that begin in November and run right through December. For more information, click here.
Christmas Light Displays 
Whether you’re inclined to visit an indoor display, drive around snuggling in the car with blankets, or take a stroll in the brisk night air, there are plenty of displays to check out this holiday season. These dazzling displays are truly impressive and put my single strand of lights to shame. For more information, click here.
Breakfast with Santa
It wouldn’t be Christmas without having breakfast with Santa, and this year there are plenty of places to choose from. This year, Santa is going to be very busy popping from location to location to meet and share a meal with the families in Metro Vancouver. These are always incredibly popular events, so register early to secure your spot. For more information, click here.
Complete Guide to Christmas Tree Farms 
There’s nothing quite like the smell of a fresh Christmas tree in your living room. Equally exciting is the process of acquiring it; putting on your warm clothes, and sipping some hot cocoa or apple cider as you stroll through rows and rows of trees, saw in hand, to find the perfect tree for your home. For more information, click here.
24 FREE Holiday Adventures
If you’re looking for a different type of Advent Calendar this year, we’ve got you covered! We’ve collected 24 unique FREE adventures around Metro Vancouver for you to enjoy each day with your family. There are so many events happening this year that we couldn’t even include them all! Head to the Christmas Event category for even more fun events. For more information, click here.
Teddy Bear Toss Games
Hockey games make great family events because kids can get out all their energy shouting for their favourite teams! My favourite games are the Teddy Bear Toss theme nights that occur in December. Fans bring a stuffed animal of their choice as a donation to charity, and when the team scores their first goal, every throws the stuffed animal onto the ice (or attempt to). It’s great fun! For more information, click here.
Experience a truly magical Christmas atmosphere at The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain Resort. Christmas in Metro Vancouver is usually grey and wet, but families looking for a Hallmark Christmas experience will find it at The Peak of Christmas. Take in the snow-capped mountains and fresh mountain air while you explore the many family-friendly festive events. Start your day with a magical Breakfast with Santa, an event that sells out each year, before heading over to Santa’s Workshop for crafts and activities, plus a special visit from Santa’s (real!) reindeer in their habitat. Meet iconic holiday characters, enjoy mountaintop skating on the outdoor pond, check out the sliding zone and take in a special holiday movie. Click here to see what other special events and activities are offered at The Peak of Vancouver this holiday season!
