It’s hard to imagine that 2018 is almost over.
However, there are still numerous ways to take advantage of the holiday season before we ring in 2019.
Here are 21 Metro Vancouver holiday events to check out before the year ends.
RELATED: 30 FREE Events & Attractions This December That Everyone in Vancouver Will Love
Metro Vancouver Holiday Events
About: The family-friendly festival offers elements inspired by the North Pole, including mystical characters, captivating light displays, ice-skating on a frozen river, Santa’s workshop and carnival rides among other attractions.
Date: Friday November 23rd – Sunday December 30th, 2018
Cost: Free – $19.99
Time: Various
About: This annual event features a majestic festival of lights with over 150,000 on display over 3 acres.
Date: Saturday, December 1st – Monday, December 31st, 2018
Cost: By donation
Time: Various
About: Over 100 Christmas trees are decorated, lit and sponsored by community groups, businesses, schools, churches and families.
Date: Saturday December 1st, 2018, Saturday December 8th, 2018, Saturday December 15th, 2018, Saturday December 22nd, 2018
Cost: Free
Time: Noon – Dusk
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About: The Canadian Train will depart Montreal on November 27th. Kelly Prescott will join three time Juno award-winner Terri Clark and Sierra Noble to spread holiday cheer through Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan to Calgary and Edmonton, Alta.
Date: Monday December 17th – Tuesday December 18th, 2018
Cost: Free
Time: Various
About: The primary attractions of the event will be two trains: the Santa Express and the Christmas Night Train. The Christmas Night Train, running from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily, will take you through Bear Creek’s enchanted Forest Of Lights.This train will run from Wednesday to Sunday.
Date: Friday December 7th – Monday December 31st, 2018
Cost: $10 -$35
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
About: The city’s signature yuletide celebration offers its largest festivities to date. It will feature more than 80 huts of authentic German sweets, treats and treasures.
Date: Wednesday November 21st – Monday December 24th, 2018
Cost: $5 – $50
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve)
Fridays On Front Holiday Edition
About: This event will take place under the parkade on Front Street (near 4th) and promises only good things.
Date: Friday December 14th, 2018
Cost: Free
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
About: You’ll find clothing, accessories, art, home decor, gourmet goodies, baby and kid items, and many other unique treasures.
Date: Wednesday December 12th – Sunday December 16th, 2018
Cost: Free – $8
Time: Various
About: Departing from West Coast Railway Heritage Park, hop on this magical train ride to the North Pole, while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies.
Date: Saturday November 24th – Sunday December 16th, 2018
Cost: $35 – $59
Time: Various
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About: The scenic route passes by over 13 city landmarks, and festive cheering and water stations, before finishing at the Winter Wonderland Park for post-run activities by the waterfront.
Date: Saturday December 15th, 2018
Cost: $5 – $30
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
About: Presenting five performances at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Goh Ballet’s rendition features an intricate cast of over two hundred and fifty dancers, actors, gymnasts and guest artists, including homegrown talent and principal dancers of international acclaim.
Date: Friday December 21st – Sunday December 23rd, 2018
Cost: $37.75 – $184.75
Time: 7:30 p.m.
About: On until Monday, December 24th, Merry Kiss-mas is a celebration of these sappy, warm-hearted and cheesy (but kind of fun) movies we all love to watch during the holiday season.
Date: Wednesday November 21st – Monday December 24th, 2018
Cost: $10.75 – $22.50
Time: Various
About: Timberline Ranch has been transformed into a 73 acre winter wonderland open on select dates until Wednesday, December 19th.
Date: Saturday December 1st – Wednesday December 19th, 2018
Cost: Free – $13
Time: Various
About: Running from Friday, November 30th – Friday, December 28th, 2018, over 20,000 visitors come out each year to admire the culinary creations and vote for their favourites.
Date: Friday November 30th – Friday December 28th, 2018
Cost: Free (Donations are encouraged)
Time: Various
About: Shoppers, locals and gingerbread enthusiasts will have a chance to admire various Surrey-inspired gingerbread creations.
Date: Saturday December 8th – Sunday December 16th, 2018
Cost: Free
Time: City Central Shopping Centre Mall Hours
Karaoke Christmas Lights Trolley Tour
About: Guests will find each trolley fully-loaded with TV’s, karaoke machines and only the best Christmas carols!
Date: Saturday December 1st – Saturday December 29th, 2018
Cost: $30 – $60
Time: 6:30 p.m.
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About: Dress up as Santa, meet in a specific location and go on a pub crawl with hundreds of people dressed up as Santa Claus.
Date: Saturday, December 15th, 2018
Cost: Free
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
About: Drive over to Ladner to shop for unique gifts from local artisans, including seasonal goodies to bring home.
Date: Sunday December 16th, 2018
Cost: Free
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
HO HO HOrrible Christmas Special
About: The Fictionals are celebrating the Christmas Season with a HO HO HOrrible Christmas Special at the Rio Theatre!
Date: Wednesday December 19th, 2018
Cost: $12
Time: 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
About: Honouring many cultural traditions, the annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival illuminates the darkest night of the year with lanterns, fire, singing, drumming, music and dancing!
Date: Friday, December 21st, 2018
Cost: Free (Donations are encouraged)
Time: Various
About: Galaxion celebrates all facets of fun 80’s dance music from pop to hip hop to post-punk. DJs Pandemonium, Trilliam Gibson, Evilyn13 and Vortex will be playing retro choons all night long.
Date: Saturday December 22nd, 2018
Cost: $8
Time: 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
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