The weekend is arriving once again, bringing plenty of exciting things to do all across Metro Vancouver. Now that the holiday season is really kicking off, you’ll be able to find tons of family-friendly activities, festive celebrations, and so much more!
RELATED: 59+ Fun Things To Do In Metro Vancouver This November
Holiday Kick-off Events
The holidays are approaching, and Metro Vancouver is lighting up with tons of festive cheer. We’ve compiled all the holiday going-ons throughout the city, so you can make sure you hit up every single one to maximize on how many light displays, markets, and tree lightings you visit this year.
Tree Lighting Celebrations
- CF Richmond Centre Holiday Tree Lighting | November 14 – January 3, 2027
🎟️ More Info: CF Richmond Centre Holiday Tree Lighting
Light Displays
- Lights of Hope | November 12 – Holiday season
🎟️ More Info: Lights of Hope - Bear Creek Lights 2026 | November 6 – 20
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Bear Creek Lights 2026
Markets & Shopping
- Glenda’s Christmas Cottage | October 27 – December 23
🎟️ More Info: Glenda’s Christmas Cottage - Circle Craft Holiday Market | November 11 – 15
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Circle Craft Holiday Market - Heart to Home Holiday Market | November 14 – 15
🎟️ More Info: Heart to Home Holiday Market - Potters Christmas Store | November 1 – December 24
🎟️ More Info: Potters Christmas Market - Made in the 604 Holiday Markets | November 7 – 8; November 14 – 15
🎟️ More Info: Made in the 604 Holiday Markets
Other Festive Fun
- Winterlust at H Tasting Lounge | Opens November 2 through winter
🎟️ More Info: Winterlust
Family-Friendly Things to Do
Lumiere Festival
Lumiere Festival is back again, lighting up Vancouver with small and large-scale illuminated artworks and light-based projections. Joined by dynamic performances, downtown Vancouver is going to look absolutely dazzling.
📅 Date: November 12 – 14, 2026
📍 Location: Downtown Vancouver
🎟️ More Info: Lumiere Festival
Ongoing Family-Friendly Fun
These are events that are happening all throughout the month with reoccurring dates, so you can hit them up multiple times to maximize the fun!
- The Robot Zoo | October 9 – April 4
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: The Robot Zoo - Game Changers | October 16 – January 24, 2027
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Game Changers - Astra Lumina | Opens October 22 and runs until December 31
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Astra Lumina - Brinkworth Dungeon | October 15 – November 15
🎟️ More Info: Brinkworth Dungeon - Cineplex $3.99 Saturdays | Films available on select Saturdays
🎟️ More Info: Cineplex $3.99 Saturdays
Markets to Shop At
The Good Craft Market
Meet The Good Craft Market: a market of good gifts for a good cause! Presented by No Frills, this is EDUPAVI Canada’s most anticipated event of the year. Now that it’s back for its 9th edition, you definitely won’t want to miss it. Expect 32 local vendors, a raffle, merch, a photobooth, and more! And free parking, too!
📅 Dates: November 14, 2026
📍 Location: VanDusen Botanical Garden (Floral Hall)
🎟️ More Info: The Good Craft Market
Heart to Home Holiday Market
Get a head start on your holiday shopping while supporting local artists at Surrey Art Gallery Association’s annual Heart to Home Holiday Market! Browse one-of-a-kind handmade gifts from dozens of talented B.C. artists, including ceramics, jewellery, paintings, art cards, prints, and more. Plus, catch live pottery demonstrations, shop limited-edition anniversary tote bags, and discover unique treasures for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Best of all, admission and parking are completely free!
📅 Dates: November 14 – 15, 2026 | 12 PM – 4 PM
📍 Location: Surrey Arts Centre (13750 88 Avenue, Surrey)
🎟️ More Info: Heart to Home Holiday Market
Nikkei Craft Fair
Kick off your holiday shopping with unique artisan gifts, delicious food trucks, and family activities at the annual Nikkei Craft Fair in Burnaby this November. This two-day community event brings together local artisans offering everything from handmade home décor, stationery, and textiles to fine jewelry and one-of-a-kind handcrafted treasures.
📅 Date: November 14 – 15, 2026
📍 Location: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Nikkei Craft Fair
Food + Drink Experiences You Have To Try
Ongoing Food Events
The best part about being in Metro Vancouver is that there’s so much delicious food no matter where you look, and these ongoing food events are making sure that your every craving is satisfied.
- Surf & Turf Sunday at The Blarney Stone| Every Sunday from April 19 – November 29
🎟️ More Info: Surf & Turf Sunday
Arts, Music, and Plays
DRACULA: A Comedy of Terrors
📅 Dates: October 22 – November 15, 2026
📍 Location: Lindsay Family Stage at Granville Island
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: DRACULA: A Comedy of Terrors
The Little Match Girl
The Little Match Girl arrives this November, presented by the Vancouver Chamber Choir and Belle Spiral. The show follows a young girl as she moves through “an urban landscape of indifference.” Guests can expect striking choreography, as well as choral works.
📅 Dates: November 13 – 14, 2026
📍 Location: Vancouver Playhouse
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: The Little Match Girl
Recurring Arts Events
Metro Van’s arts scene always has something new for you to experience. These are a bunch of events that are happening throughout the month.
- Murder is a Drag | Select dates between September 25 – December 11
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Murder is a Drag - Cirque du Soleil: LUZIA | November 4 – December 15
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Cirque du Soleil: LUZIA 2026 - Lost Souls of Gastown | Now until November 29
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: The Lost Souls of Gastown - La Bataille de Gaulle: Two-Part Film Presentation | November 12 – 13
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: La Bataille de Gaulle at SFU Woodward’s - ELF: The Musical | November 12 – December 27
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: ELF: The Musical
Parties + Festivals You Can Dance All Day At
Taste of Iceland
Photo: Jonatan Pie / Unsplash
Taste of Iceland is coming to Vancouver, bringing an immersive cultural experience that’s full of food, drinks, entertainment, and the wonders of the Northern Lights.
📅 Date: November 11 – 14, 2026
📍 Location: Various Locations in Vancouver
🎟️ More Info: Taste of Iceland
Sports Events You Can’t Miss
Get front-row seats to the best adrenaline-pumping games that Metro Vancouver has to offer!
🏒 Vancouver Canucks
- November 13: Vancouver Canucks vs. New York Rangers
📍 Location: Rogers Arena
Want even more things to do? Check out our 604 Now Events Calendar to keep your plans looking fresh.
