Holiday Family Fun for Vancouver in December

The countdown is on and the holiday season has arrived – and with it, a flurry of fun family activities in Vancouver in December and beyond, all month long. From European-style Christmas markets to impressive outdoor light displays, there’s something for everyone in the coming weeks (and even a few non-holiday events for those who need a break from all the Yule time cheer.) Don’t forget to grab your Christmas tree! Here’s our round-up of festive activities to check out in the next few weeks. Outsource that holiday dinner so you can take them all in…

What’s On for Family Fun in Vancouver in December

Taylor Swift Eras Food Tour (Granville Island’s Version)

When: until December 13
Where: Granville Island
Website: foodietours.ca

Here’s another event to add to the Taylor Swift in Vancouver mayhem! A fun, Swiftie-inspired experience with eras-themed tastings, friendship bracelets, and exclusive market stops. It’s the perfect mix of food, fun, and Taylor vibes! Running now until Dec. 13.

Festive Favourites Market Tour

When: until December 31
Where: Granville Island
Website: foodietours.ca

Celebrate the holidays with your foodie kids with a festive tour! This holiday-inspired tour on Granville Island features VIP access to market vendors, 20+ seasonal tastings, and festive drinks. Perfect for celebrating the season with family and friends.

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

When: Wednesday December 4 – Sunday December 15
Where: Carousel Theatre, 1411 Cartwright St.
Website: carouseltheatre.ca

Carousel Theatre is thrilled to present Kaleidoscope Theatre’s inventive and highly theatrical adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s classic. It’s a production that is sure to delight children and adults alike. The White Witch has trapped Narnia in a perpetual state of winter with no hope of Christmas. But all that changes when four siblings venture through a mysterious wardrobe and enter this land of talking animals, charming fauns, giants, and dwarves. Alongside Aslan the Great Lion, the children courageously battle the forces of evil and discover that Love is the deepest magic of all.

Holiday at The Met

When: Throughout the month until December 30
Where: Burnaby
Website: metropolisatmetrotown.com

Metropolis at Metrotown is spicing up the season with the return of Holidays at the Met, a festive, family-friendly experience that has expanded in scope and scale for 2024. The seasonal celebration will bring back old favourites like photos with Santa, as well as new adventures like a magical Holiday Lounge and Date Night with Santa. Don’t miss meet and greets, classic holiday movies, live music, and more.

Lights at Lafarge

When: Until the end of February
Where: Coquitlam
Website: https://www.coquitlam.ca/784/Lights-at-Lafarge

Join local holiday revellers at the kickoff event for the annual Lights at Lafarge with live entertainment, musical performances, food trucks and more throughout December. Then return any time through the holidays until the end of February to enjoy the lights all over again. This light display circles Lafarge Lake at Town Centre Park; this year, two paths will be available to help ease congestion on busy nights.

Flyover Canada – Soar With Santa

When: until January 1, 2025
Where: Vancouver
Website: https://www.flyovercanada.com/now-showing/christmas/

Returning again for the holiday season, this popular “flight” has become an annual tradition for many. Celebrate the holiday season with a magical ride across Canada and to the North Pole. Soar with Santa, featuring the classic Canada adventure, is back at Flyover in Vancouver from until January 1. Plus, celebrate the season throughout December with special activities and surprises to get you into the holiday spirit.

VanDusen Festival of Lights

When: Until Sunday January 5
Where: Vancouver
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/festival-of-lights.aspx

With more than one million lights over the 15 acres of landscaped gardens at VanDusen Botanical Garden, this is a winter wonderland not to be missed. Light a candle at the Scottish Shelter as part of a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish. The display has various themed sections, holiday music and snacks for purchase.

PNE Winter Fair

When: December 6 – 8 & 12 – 23
Where: PNE fairgrounds, East Vancouver
Website: https://www.pne.ca/winter/

The PNE conjures up images of sunny days and fairground fun but this year, it’s taking winter by storm with an immersive and magical holiday experience, featuring a nightly concert series, an indoor skating rink, holiday theatre shows, a winter market and food trucks – not to mention a walk-through winter light display.

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

When: until January 19, 2025
Where: North Vancouver
Website: https://www.capbridge.com/events/canyon-lights/  

A popular destination with tourists and locals alike, the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park will transform until late January for the festive Canyon Lights celebration. Cross the bridge, covered in multicoloured lights, then head into the forest via suspended bridges high among the treetops, the forest illuminated with glowing lights. There’s a light tunnel, too. Remember, this one is all outdoors, so dress for the weather.

Glow Gardens in Langley

When: until December 28
Where: Langley
Website: https://www.glowgardens.com/langley-christmas/

Enjoy food trucks, hot chocolate, and much more at Glow Gardens. From an animated musical tunnel of lights to a scavenger hunt, there’s plenty here for kids of all ages. Wander through the “Forest of the Dancing Trees” and visit the Elf Castle, or take a ride on the “Glow-Comotive.”

Bright Nights at Stanley Park

When: until January 4
Where: Stanley Park, Vancouver
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/bright-nights-train.aspx

**unfortunately the train is already sold out for the season**
Bundle up the family and join us for a holiday experience like no other, as our iconic locomotives once again wind their way through the magical Stanley Park forest, alight with thousands of sparkling lights. Kids of all ages will cherish memories of riding the Stanley Park Train at Bright Nights for years to come. Stroll through the plaza to enjoy even more lights, whimsical displays, and the crowd-pleasing vintage fire truck and big red reindeer. Make sure you check out the array of tasty treats offered by our food vendors on your way to the North Pole workshop, where you can snap a pic with Santa and his firefighter friends.

Lights by the Lake

When: on now until January 12/25
Where: Harrison Hot Springs
Website: https://tourismharrison.com/lights-by-the-lake/

Head out to the Fraser Valley and take in this unique holiday celebration with light displays along the waterfront in Harrison Hot Springs. The displays highlight local wildlife, including the elusive Sasquatch. Lights are on from dusk to 11 pm, along a two kilometre portion of the waterfront promenade. The Starlight Synthetic Rink runs from Thursday to Monday, 1 pm to 9 pm.

Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum

When: until January 3
Where: Burnaby
Website: https://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/EN/main/what-s-on/heritage-christmas.html

One of the region’s most popular holiday events returns again to the heart of Burnaby with Heritage Christmas, presented by Concord Pacific at the Burnaby Village Museum. Take in the sights, sounds and smells of an old fashioned Christmas celebration, with entertainment, demonstrations and more throughout the 10-acre village, which replicates a 1920s era community. Many of the village’s buildings and features are original, having been moved to the museum site for preservation.

Vancouver Christmas Market

When: on now until December 24
Where: Vancouver
Website: https://www.vancouverchristmasmarket.com/

Eat, drink, shop and be merry at the popular Vancouver Christmas Market, now at Jack Poole Plaza near the Vancouver Convention Centre. This European-themed market features unique vendors, light displays and a new augmented reality experience for visitors. Find some holiday gifts and decorations, or just enjoy the pretzels and mulled wine (to name just a few of the treats.)