Holiday Things to do in Vancouver
The holiday season is upon us and there are so many ways to celebrate in Vancouver. From the bustle of downtown to the snowy mountain peaks, there are holiday activities all across our city.
Shop at Holiday Markets
Photo: Destination Vancouver/Vancouver Christmas Market
Browse the stalls at one of Vancouver's festival holiday markets to shop for gifts, enjoy the ambience, and support local artisans.
The most famous option is the German-style Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza which includes live entertainment, lots of delicious food, and stalls selling ornaments and other gifts.
New this year, the Shipyards Christmas Market in North Vancouver features over 70 adorable wooden stalls full of artisanal gifts. The European-inspired market also includes a Champagne tent, visits with Santa, live entertainment, and lots of seasonal treats like hot cocoa and mulled wine.
If you're looking for fun and funky gifts, head to the East Side Flea Holiday Market in Vancouver's Commercial Drive neighbourhood on Saturdays and Sundays in December. Shop for vintage clothing, collectibles, plants, jewellery, and more from over 50 vendors.
Festive Dining and Cocktails
Photo: Kringle's/Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
Enjoy nostalgic seasonal flavours and incredible holiday decor at restaurants and pop-up events around Vancouver.
Book a Festive Afternoon Tea experience at H Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore Hotel on weekends in December. It includes sweet and savoury holiday-themed bites along with herbal teas.
Stop by Kringle's a pop-up bar in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. It specializes in festive cocktails with jolly ambience.
You can also dine inside your own private translucent dome at Winterlust at the H Tasting Lounge. It's like eating inside a Christmas snow globe!
If you want to enjoy holiday spirits (of the alcoholic variety) our guide to holiday cocktails has 10 options for festive drinks.
Enjoy Holiday Lights Experiences
Photo: VanDusen Botanical Garden
Celebrate the season by visiting one of Vancouver's stunning holiday lights experiences. You can enjoy twinkling lights as you walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, through the foliage at VanDusen Botanical Garden, or into the snowy forest at Lights to the Lodge at Cypress Mountain. Our guide to holiday lights has even more options.
Shop Under Twinkling Holiday Lights
Photo: Granville Island.
Vancouver's malls and shopping districts go all out on decor and events for the holidays. Shop for unique gifts from local artisans at Granville Island. The entire island is covered in twinkling lights and festive light sculptures for the holidays.
Head to downtown Vancouver to enjoy the annual Fleurs de Villes NOEL floral trail along Robson Street between December 6 and 15. On Saturdays, you can also enjoy roving carol singers and a Santa letter-writing station.
Our guide to winter shopping has details on more festive shopping destinations around Vancouver.
Ice Skate Outdoors
Photo: Dave Delnea Images/Grouse Mountain
Ice skating in the crisp winter air while the stars sparkle overhead is a magical experience. You can ice skate outdoors at the Robson Square Ice Rink in downtown Vancouver. It's covered so you won't have to worry about the weather. The Shipyards Skate Plaza in North Vancouver is another fun option for outdoor skating. To really experience a winter wonderland, ride the gondola up to Grouse Mountain to skate on their Mountaintop Skating Pond.
Go to A Christmas Concert or Show
Photo: Goh Ballet.
Each December Vancouver's choirs, orchestras and dancers stage beautiful holiday performances.
Attending a performance of Goh Ballet's The Nutcracker is a special Christmas tradition for many Vancouver families. This year's edition is at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from December 19 to 22.
Listen to beautiful classical renditions of holiday music at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's Traditional Christmas concert series. It runs between December 11 and 22 at venues around the city.
The voices of Choir Leoni will help get you into the seasonal spirit at a series of holiday-themed shows on December 19, 20, and 21. The events take advantage of the incredible acoustics at Saint Andrew's-Wesley United in downtown Vancouver.