December Christmas Lights and Winter Events in Vancouver

December Christmas Lights and Winter Events in Vancouver

1. Capilano Suspension Bridge Canyon Lights
   From Nov/Dec through mid January the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is covered in festive lights. The bridge, the treetop walkways and the forest paths all glow at night, which makes it a great place for photos, dates and relaxed evening walks. It is very popular around Christmas and tickets are required. The experience is fantastic for adults on their own as well, but anyone with a fear of heights should know that the bridge moves slightly as people walk across.
   Address: 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1, Canada

2. VanDusen Botanical Garden Festival of Lights
   Throughout December the VanDusen Botanical Garden turns into a huge light filled garden with more than a million lights. There are musical light shows, light tunnels, small food stands and hot chocolate in the evening. The paths are mostly flat and easy to walk so it feels gentler and more relaxed compared with Capilano, while still being very beautiful.
   Address: 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1, Canada

3. Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam
   At Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam you can walk a large loop of Christmas lights around the lake during December and into February. It is free to visit and reachable by SkyTrain. The route is spacious and colorful, and it is especially nice for a quiet evening walk and conversation beside the water.
   Address: Lafarge Lake, Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC, Canada

4. Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza
   In December until Christmas Eve the Vancouver Christmas Market runs by the Olympic Cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza. There are more than ninety small wooden huts selling mulled wine, sausages, sweets and handmade gifts. Many visitors say it feels very similar to a European style Christmas market. It can be crowded on weekends so weekday evenings are usually more comfortable.
   Address: Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3, Canada

5. Shipyards Christmas Market in North Vancouver
   At the Shipyards area near Lonsdale Quay there is a festive oceanfront Christmas market in December. You can expect over one hundred vendor huts, an outdoor skating rink, a large Christmas tree, live music, mulled wine and snacks. The seaside setting feels a little calmer than downtown and it is easy to combine shopping with a walk along the waterfront.
   Address: The Shipyards, 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, BC V7L 0B3, Canada

6. Grouse Mountain Peak of Christmas
   During December and into January Grouse Mountain hosts the Peak of Christmas event. On the mountain you can visit a snowy Christmas village with lighted walking paths, a mountaintop skating rink, Santa visits, reindeer and other family activities. A good plan is to ski or snowboard during the day and then enjoy the lights and city views after dark. The night view over Vancouver is especially impressive and works very well for couples or groups of friends.
   Address: Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9, Canada

7. Robson Square Ice Rink and Downtown Lights
   From early December through February the outdoor rink at Robson Square opens in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Skating is free if you bring your own skates and rentals are available for a small fee. It is easy to combine an evening skate with Christmas lights, shopping and dining along Robson Street and inside Pacific Centre, which creates a very lively winter city atmosphere.
   Address: Robson Square Ice Rink, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2E7, Canada

8. Cypress Mountain Lights to the Lodge Snowshoe Trail
   In December Cypress Mountain usually runs the Lights to the Lodge experience. Visitors ride up the mountain, then walk about one kilometer on a gently lit snowshoe trail through the forest to the historic Hollyburn Lodge. There you can warm up with drinks and snacks before returning on the same trail. Compared with city light displays this feels more like a true winter adventure and suits anyone who wants exercise together with beautiful lights.
   Address: Cypress Mountain Resort, 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver, BC V7V 3N9, Canada

Google Map csv

click to open googlemap.csv

Name,Address,Description
Capilano Suspension Bridge Canyon Lights,"3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1, Canada",Christmas lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
VanDusen Botanical Garden Festival of Lights,"5251 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1, Canada",Festival of Lights in VanDusen Botanical Garden
Lights at Lafarge,"Lafarge Lake, Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC, Canada",Free lakeside light display in Coquitlam
Vancouver Christmas Market,"Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3, Canada",German style Christmas market at Jack Poole Plaza
Shipyards Christmas Market,"The Shipyards, 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, BC V7L 0B3, Canada",Waterfront Christmas market at The Shipyards
Grouse Mountain Peak of Christmas,"Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9, Canada",Christmas village and lights on Grouse Mountain
Robson Square Ice Rink,"Robson Square Ice Rink, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2E7, Canada",Downtown outdoor ice rink and Christmas lights
Cypress Mountain Lights to the Lodge,"Cypress Mountain Resort, 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver, BC V7V 3N9, Canada",Snowshoe trail with lights to Hollyburn Lodge at Cypress