The final week before Christmas is here!
You can feel the excitement across the city, with holiday parties and celebrations taking place daily.
From outdoor ice skating to lantern festivals, here are 30 awesome events taking place in metro Vancouver this week.
Events In Metro Vancouver This Week
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Monday, December 18
Lanterns | Vancouver Chinese Lantern Festival
The Vancouver Chinese Lantern Festival will light up the skies of Vancouver with dozens of spectacular gossamer lanterns. It takes place at the PNE Grounds just in time for the Christmas season this week until Sunday, January 21st, 2018.
Being the largest festival of its kind in Canada, guests can expect to see 35 illuminated displays transforming over 14 acres of Hastings Park into an explosion of light and colours.
Train | Winterfest
Winterfest kicked off on Friday, December 8th and stays open until Sunday, January 7th, 2018. Organizers are excited to bring to you Santa Express and Christmas Night Train. Santa Express runs from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., allowing you to enjoy an enchanting train ride through interactive themed displays. Not to mention, make sure you catch a selfie with Santa himself.
The Christmas Night Train, running from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. will take you through Bear Creek’s enchanted Forest Of Lights, brightening up your holiday season. This train is running Wednesday to Sunday. Visitors can also relish in some hot chocolate, music, holiday crafts, treats, and much more!
Outdoor lights | Heritage Christmas
Stroll through the streets of the Village to see wreaths, cedar swags and vintage-themed displays. This winter wonderland is open this week until Friday, January 5th, 2018.
Christmas lights | Glow Christmas Light Garden and Market
4 holiday themed light gardens and a stunning 210 ft. light tunnel. Christmas market with food, beverages, and local pop-up shops. Endless food trucks that includes a bar. Over 500,000 lights and activities for children to enjoy. Glow Christmas is Metro Vancouver’s newest seasonal market. It’s open this week and stays open until Saturday, December 30th, 2017.
The venue of choice is Milner Village Garden Centre. They specialize in growing poinsettias at Christmas, and garden-inspired decor and gifts all year around. As you make your way through the market, you’ll “feel the warmth and wonder of the Christmas season, under the glow of over 500,000 lights”.
House lights | North Vancouver Christmas Lights
The Ribalkin/Viau family are at it again – covering their roof, gardens, gutters, railings and driveway in thousands of of lights, blow-up displays, Christmas decorations, and holiday cheer. the light display will be on from 5:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. daily until the last night of Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018. 100% of both the cash and food donations will go to support the Harvest Project, Shriners Care for Kids, and the BC Epilepsy Society.
Celebration | Holiday Heights at Bloedel: Arctic Oasis
Holiday Heights at Bloedel kicked off for the season last week, featuring lights, music, and a holiday scavenger hunt. Tickets start at $3.
Skating | Robson Square Ice Rink
The Robson Square Ice Rink is open this week and will host free skates daily until Wednesday, February 28th, 2018. Skating is free for all ages. Those who own their own skates are welcome to use them. Skate rentals are $4, and rentals end 30 minutes before closing time. Furthermore, helmets are mandatory for children 12 and under. Robson Square Ice Rink will offer rentals and accept cash only.
Christmas lights | VanDusen Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights will take over the VanDusen Botanical Garden this week until Sunday, January 7th, 2018. You can stroll through the garden and enjoy dancing light shows, photos with Santa and so much more. Dancing Lights occur every 20 minutes at Livingstone Lake. Back by popular demand, the Air France Carousel will take you on a Parisian musical experience around the world. All tickets include a free ride on the carousel.
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Outdoor lights | Canyon Lights
Canyon Lights is taking place from Thursday, November 23rd – Sunday, January 28th, 2018. The suspension bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, the rainforest and canyon are being transformed into a world of festive lights and visual enchantment. Guests will also get to see the tallest Christmas tree in the world!
Holiday display | Christmas at Canada Place
The 30th annual Christmas at Canada Place event is back until Sunday, December 31st, 2017. Presented by the Port of Vancouver, the public is invited to experience the nostalgic tradition of the Woodward’s Windows, a magical holiday lighting display, the Sails of Light, and the festive Avenue of Christmas Trees. Admission is free.
Circus | Cirque du Soleil
Written and directed by Michel Laprise, KURIOS is a tale in which time comes to a complete stop. Moreover, the realm is in the 19th century, leading audiences to completely change their perception of reality. In an alternate yet familiar past, in a place where wonders abound for those who trust their imagination, a Seeker discovers that in order to glimpse the marvels that lie just below the surface, we must first learn to close our eyes. The show stays in Vancouver until Sunday, December 31st, 2017.
Exhibition | The Fabric of Our Land
The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at UBC with the Musqueam Indian Band present the remarkable new exhibition The Fabric of Our Land: Salish Weaving. It’s on display from Sunday, November 19th – Sunday, April 15th, 2018. Curated by Susan Rowley in collaboration with Salish weavers, this exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the past 200 years of Salish wool weaving.
Art | Fight for Beauty
In ‘Fight For Beauty’, Westbank attempts to encapsulate the architecture, artistry, design, fashion and city-building initiatives that have come to define their practice. It will be on display from Saturday, October 7th – Sunday, December 17th, 2017. Fight For Beauty presents public art projects undertaken with world-class creatives.
Exhibition | City on Edge
The Museum of Vancouver (MOV) explores the history of our city’s street protests with City on Edge: A Century of Vancouver Activism. It’s a major, new photo-based exhibition on display until Sunday, February 18th, 2018.
Art | Intangible
Featuring previously crafted, and never-before-seen creations, Intangible spotlights six trailblazing Coast Salish artists influenced by tradition as well as contemporary inspiration.
Sale | Winter Treasures Artisan Sale
The Port Moody Arts Centre is hosting their Winter Treasures Artisan Sale this week until Thursday, December 21st, 2017. Sort through a collection of handcrafted gifts, art, jewellery, and fine crafts. Admission is free.
Market | Vancouver Christmas Market
The Vancouver Christmas Market returns to Jack Poole Plaza – home of the Olympic Cauldron from Wednesday, November 22nd – Sunday, December 24th, 2017. If you circle this event every year, you’ll notice it’s even better now in the festival’s 8th year. The city’s signature yuletide celebration offers its largest festivities to date. It will feature more than 75 huts stuffed with sweets, treats, and treasures.
Lights | Wish Upon a Star Christmas Light Display
One of metro Vancouver’s most magical residential Christmas light displays is ready for another big year. Reveal night for the 2017 Wish Upon a Star Christmas light display took place on Saturday, November 25th. The display will continue to be open from 5:00 – midnight nightly until Sunday, December 31st, 2017.
Outdoor lights | Lights at Lafarge
Lights at Lafarge, a display of over 100,000 Christmas lights returned to Coquitlam on Saturday, November 25th, 2017. The route will take visitors through a dazzling 1.2 kilometres of festive lights with ten themed zones. This family-friendly event is free to attend throughout the weekend and is located near the Lafarge Lake SkyTrain station.
Train | The Polar Express Train Ride
The Polar Express Train Ride returns for another exciting year on select dates from Saturday, November 25th – Sunday, December 17th, 2017. Departing from West Coast Railway Heritage Park, hop on this magical train ride to the North Pole, while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies.
Meet the Hobo, Hero Boy, Know-It-All, and the conductor as they act out parts of the movie. Once you arrive at the North Pole take in various activities such as meeting Mr. and Mrs. Clause, visiting Santa’s workshop, the Mini-Rail and much more. Tickets start at $35.
Play | East Van Panto
The East Van Panto is back with another amazing show planned for Snow White & the Seven Dwarves. It plays from Wednesday, November 29th – Saturday, January 6th, 2018 at York Theatre. In this story, you’ll see your hero flee the Queen of North Vancouver across the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge and straight into the madness of the PNE. When she arrives here, she dances with Superdogs, takes a ride on the Coaster, and befriends washed up 80s rock stars “The Seven Dwarves”. Tickets range from $22-$135.
Outdoor lights | Bright Nights at Stanley Park
The Bright Nights Christmas Train and Stanley Park Train Plaza will sparkle with over three million twinkling lights this holiday season from Thursday, November 30th – Saturday, January 6th, 2018. This family-friendly holiday attraction features lights, breathtaking displays, and live performers along the 14-minute train ride.
Want to come during the day? There is a matinee tree operating during the daytime that’s the perfect option for families, school groups, and groups with children. However, there is no live performers during this ride. Tickets start at $6.
Christmas trees | Dundarave Festival of Lights
The Dundarave Festival of Lights is back for another holiday season, offering four days of nonstop activities. Beginning Saturday, December 2nd, 2017, visitors can enjoy free concerts, a Christmas fair, and the Forest of Miracles.
December 2nd saw the official lighting of the Festival’s Forest of Miracles take place. Not to mention, it’ll be the largest outdoor display of Christmas trees in coastal British Columbia.
Tuesday, December 19
Hockey | Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks host the Montreal Canadiens at Rogers Arena. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 20
Concert | Snowed In
Canadian country artist Dallas Smith is in Vancouver this week to perform at the Commodore Ballroom. Tickets are $29.95.
Lights | Free Holiday Lights Walking Tour
The Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA) is holding a free lights tour this week on Wednesday, December 20th at Lot 19. Tour starts at 4:30 p.m. and runs for approximately one hour.
Thursday, December 21
Lanterns | Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
The 24th annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival returns this week on Thursday, December 21st, 2017. It takes place at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Tickets start at $7 and go up to $21.82. Furthermore, children ages 5 and under are free.
Friday, December 22
History | A Fort Langley Christmas
A Fort Langley Christmas takes place from Friday, December 22nd – Saturday, December 30th, 2017. You’ll get to hear Kwantlen stories, taste chestnuts roasted over the fire, and make beautiful crafts. Guides tours are offered at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., while you can enjoy the daily feature at noon.
Singing | Jingle Bells Night At Lafarge Lake
Jingle Bells Night takes place at Lafarge Lake in Town Centre Park on Friday, December 22nd, 2017. Sing along with community caroling groups as you stroll around the lake in an evening of music and lights.
At 7:30 p.m., stop where you are and join in on a community sing-a-long of Jingle Bells. Help break their record of 500 singing voices! There will be choirs stationed around the 1.2 km trail and they’ll be handing out song sheets.
Skating | Winter Ice Palace
The 20th annual Winter Ice Palace returns to Cloverdale Arena from Friday, December 22nd – Sunday, January 7th, 2018. It’s a family-friendly open skate, with the arena decked out in twinkling holiday lights. Admission is $4.50 per person and you can rent skates rentals for an additional $3.25. Moreover, helmet rentals are $1.75.
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