The Ultimate Guide to Vancouver BC Christmas 2025
Each December, downtown Vancouver’s waterfront transforms into a European-style winter village. Jack Poole Plaza (beside the Convention Centre) becomes the Vancouver Christmas Market: a charming German market of ~100 wooden vendor huts, twinkling lights and a giant Christmas pyramid.
Nearby stands the city’s giant lit tree, creating a fairy-tale backdrop for families and couples. For a truly memorable start to a Vancouver BC Christmas, hop aboard the Great Canadian Trolley Company’s Vancouver Christmas Lights & Karaoke Trolley Tour.
You’ll ride in a vintage-style trolley bus, belting out carols while the guide points out festive displays (including the market, Stanley Park’s lights, and VanDusen Garden). This fun holiday tour is a family-friendly way to see Vancouver’s holiday illuminations.
Christmas Lights & Karaoke Trolley Tour
Looking for a unique holiday outing? The Great Canadian Trolley Company’s Vancouver Christmas Lights & Karaoke Tour is a crowd favourite.
This special seasonal tour boards you on a replica old-fashioned trolley fitted with karaoke equipment. As you sing along to favourite Christmas carols, the trolley winds through Vancouver’s most festive neighbourhoods, passing by millions of twinkling lights. Tour highlights often include the Vancouver Christmas Market, Stanley Park’s “Bright Nights” displays and VanDusen Festival of Lights (optional stops allow you to hop off, wander and reboard). It’s a high-spirited, sing-along cruise that brings out holiday cheer in families and friends. (Note: book early – spots fill up fast on this popular, paid tour.)
Vancouver Christmas Market (Jack Poole Plaza)
One of the season’s signature events is the Vancouver Christmas Market.
Running Nov 13–Dec 24, 2025 at Jack Poole Plaza (by the waterfront), this 15-year tradition turns the harbourfront into a Bavarian “little village.” Nearly 100 wooden huts offer European crafts, ornaments and hot Glühwein. Indulge in authentic treats (bratwurst, pretzels, raclette, lebkuchen and more) under strings of lights and a towering Christmas pyramid. The market features live bands, dance performances and even special events (karaoke nights, trivia and “Breakfast with Santa”). A vintage carousel ride and a nightly light-and-snow show (new for 2025) are included with your admission. General entry tickets start around $7 (kids 6 and under are free), making this a must-do festive outing for Vancouver locals and visitors alike.
VanDusen Festival of Lights
Just a short drive from downtown, VanDusen Botanical Garden becomes a glittering holiday escape each winter. The Festival of Lights (Nov 28, 2025–Jan 4, 2026) transforms 15 acres of garden into a wonderland of over a million LED lights.
Stroll mossy pathways and illuminated ponds beneath dancing light installations; giant twinkle trees and a 30-foot illuminated spider web are crowd-pleasers. Don’t miss the animated light tunnels (“snow showers” and candy cane lights) and the whimsical “dancing lights” display synchronized to holiday music. Warm seasonal tunes and a roaring firepit accompany hot chocolate and treats at the onsite gift shop. (Tip: buy tickets in advance to save – and dress warmly for this open-air event.) VanDusen’s lights show is a highlight of any Vancouver BC Christmas agenda, perfect for families and couples.
North Vancouver’s Capilano Suspension Bridge Park hosts the spectacular Canyon Lights display (Nov 21, 2025–Jan 18, 2026). The 450-foot bridge itself is draped in colorful LED lights, creating a glowing ribbon across the canyon. The forest beyond is aglow too – the TreeTops Adventure and Cliffwalk attractions sparkle with “fairy-lit” canopies. Holiday music floats in the air, and a lineup of performers (carol singers, jugglers and folk bands) entertains the crowd. Kids’ eyes widen at the park’s huge lit Douglas-fir trees (often billed as the world’s largest Christmas trees) and a Santa sleigh display. New for 2025 is a 3D wildlife projection show in the woods, bringing coyotes and owls “to life” amid the lights
Combine Canyon Lights with the nearby Shipyards Christmas Market or Grouse Mountain’s festive activities for a full day of North Shore holiday fun. (Note: this is a ticketed event; prices start around $28 for kids and $78 for adults, and BC residents get unlimited return visits for a year.)
Downtown Tree Lightings & Festivities
The city also lights up its downtown core for the holidays. The official Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting (Nov 28, 2025 at 6pm, at the Art Gallery) is a free, family-friendly kickoff to the season.
Each year a 76-foot tree covered in 100,000 white lights is unveiled amid live music, snacks and Santa photos. To add even more sparkle to your Vancouver BC Christmas, the West End community celebrates on Nov 27 at Davie Plaza.
A giant tree is lit beside the English Bay “singing statues,” with holiday tunes, lanterns and carolers. Both events are free to attend (hot cocoa and treats often served).
Don’t miss the St. Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope display (Nov 27, 2025 through early Jan): this wonderful free exhibit strings thousands of lights on trees around the hospital campus in downtown Vancouver.
Meanwhile, at the bustling Commercial Drive (Grandview-Woodland) on Nov 30, the “Christmas Wonderland on the Drive” turns Grandview Park into a free festive fair.
Horse-drawn sleigh rides, a live kids’ zone and caroling continue up to the evening’s tree lighting. And all winter long (Dec–Feb), Destination Downtown Vancouver offers free dazzling lights along the Coal Harbour seawall, a lit Ferris Wheel and performances by street artists.
Even ice skating is an event – Robson Square’s outdoor rink (opening early December) admits all for free (skate rental optional) as long as it’s not raining. These no-cost downtown activities ensure everyone can join in on the Vancouver BC Christmas cheer.
Family-Friendly Holiday Fun (Free & Low-Cost)
Beyond the big ticket attractions, Vancouver is packed with free or affordable holiday fun. The West Vancouver Dundarave Festival of Lights (Nov 29–Dec 20) is a short drive away – wander along the seawall among hundreds of community Christmas trees decorated by local families, enjoy live music, cider and warm bonfires.
In Richmond’s historic Steveston Village (Dec 1–31), “Winter in the Village” features lit streets, a marine-themed light show and even a festive tram ride.
Downtown couples can stop at the Hyatt’s Gingerbread Lane (Nov 27–Dec 28) to admire more than 80 elaborate gingerbread house displays (free to view). For something quirkier, keep an eye out for Dude Chilling Park – style light installations and the “White Christmas” hop-on streetcar event (part of the Christmas Cavalcade of Lights, usually held each Dec on the Seaside).
Many churches and community centres also stage free events. Holiday concerts (choral carols, Bhangra and Celtic Christmas shows) fill theatres and churches throughout December. If you’re visiting in early December, look for performances of “The Nutcracker” ballet or local pantomime productions – they’re festive for kids and adults alike. No matter your budget, Vancouver offers something to make your holiday season bright and family-friendly.
Additional Festive Highlights
Make time for these classic experiences too: Bright Nights may not run in Stanley Park in 2025, but the Firefighters’ Bright Nights display has relocated to Surrey’s Noel – The Surrey Festival of Lights (Nov 28–Dec 28).
It’s Canada’s largest walk-through light display, with millions of lights and beloved scenes (Santa’s workshop, tunnels of light, reindeer) – well worth a short trip outside the city. Back in Vancouver, the popular Shipyards Christmas Market in North Vancouver opens Nov 28–Dec 24 (free entry).
Held in Lonsdale Quay’s Shipyards district, it features artisans, mulled wine and even an outdoor ice rink. Finally, for a nostalgic local tradition, take a drive through Vancouver neighbourhoods known for holiday décor – you’ll find stunning residential light displays (West Vancouver’s Ambleside and Dundarave are famous for this) at no cost.
As you plan your Vancouver BC Christmas adventure, remember to dress warmly and check event dates/times (some events run only on weekends). Whether you’re wrapping gifts, sampling gingerbread, skating under the lights or simply strolling the sparkling streets, Vancouver offers festive magic at every turn. Gather your loved ones and enjoy the season – these holiday events will help make your Vancouver Christmas 2025 truly unforgettable.