With the dark Winter nights upon us, we look for ways to lighten up the season. Lumière Festival opens today, with more of the city’s brightest and most festive displays of Holiday lights still to come.
Here’s a list of light displays to enjoy the twinkle of the Holiday Season: (note many are closed Christmas Day)
Lumière Festival
At various locations around downtown Vancouver: November 7 to 10, 2024
Admission: Free
Vancouver’s premier celebration of light, art, and community kicks off the season with another immersive experience featuring dazzling light installations and live performances at venues throughout downtown Vancouver.
Granville Island Festive Lights
At Granville Island, Vancouver November 12 to January 3, 2025
Admission: Free
Stroll amongst the stars and twinkling lights throughout Granville Island’s almost 40 acres of shops, restaurants, bars and taprooms. Look for illuminations at the centre of the Public Market courtyard, along Railspur Artisan District, up in the trees surrounding the theatres, or overlooking Alder Bay from Ron Basford Park, canopies of lights in hidden location, glowing benches, and more!
Christmas Glow: Enchanted Forest
At Glow Garden 6690 216 Street, Langley: November 21 to December 28, 2024
Admission: Online advance tickets, $79.49(Family,up to 5), $23.99(Adults), $18.49(Child/Senior)
Step into Glow Enchanted Forest, where nature comes to life as you embark on an adventure through the enchanting flora and fauna. Every corner holds a new surprise and the magic of nature in a magical wonderland filled with sparkling lights, charming Christmas displays, entertaining games and a plethora of festive activities for the whole family. Take time for holiday shopping at the 20+ unique, local vendors of the Market.
Canyon Lights
At Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver: November 22 to January 19, 2025 11am-9pm (closed Christmas Day).
Admission: Online, advance, dated/timed entry: $71.95(Adults), $66.95(Seniors 65+), $59.95(Students 18+), $42.95(Youth13-17) or $24.95(Child 6-12). BC Resident Annual Passes also available.
Hundreds of thousands of lights turn the coastal rainforest into a glittering fantasy forest, that you can walk high above on the transformed Treetops Adventure, and across the twinkling Cliffwalk.
Lights at Lafarge
At Lafarge Lake, Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam: November 22, 2024 until end of February 2025 – Illuminated 4-10pm daily
Admission: Free
Metro Vancouver’s largest free Christmas light display, Coquitlam’s Lights at Lafarge kicks off Friday, November 22nd from 5 – 8 p.m. at Town Centre Park, with entertainment by Krystle Dos Santos, Coastal Children’s Choir, YVR Pop Choir and more.
Reimagined for the season the 1.2km trail is illuminated with even more lights, enjoy food vendors, arts activities, live entertainment and performances throughout the season. Easily accessible by transit at Lafarge Lake – Douglas Skytrain Station
Lights by the Lake
At Harrison Hot Springs, lakefront promenade Esplanade Ave, Harrison Hot Springs: November 23, 2024 to January 12, 2025 dusk to 11pm
Admission: Free
Starting with a November 23rd kick off event, at Harrison Civic Centre Plaza, the enchanting holiday displays transform the Harrison 2km lakefront stroll into a magical world of lights highlighting the local wildlife and the elusive Sasquatch – wondrous weeping Christmas trees and old-fashioned lamp standards grace the village square Plaza, with custom built light displays.
Heritage Christmas presented by Concord Pacific
At Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby: November 23, 2024-January 3, 2025 Opens 1pm, until 5:30 or 9pm (depending on day of week) Closed December 24-25
Admission: Free to visit the village, add-on Carousel Rides $2.62 or a Baker’s Dozen rides for $31.45
Wander the museum’s 10 acre venue taking in all the seasonal entertainment, demonstrations and activities, and traditional lights and decorations. Grab a bite at the new Mai’s Café, take a ride the classic Carousel.
Edmonds Festival of Lights
At Edmonds Community Centre, 7433 Edmonds Street, Burnaby: Opening November 23, 2024 2:30 – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Launch the season at the Centre for a free family friendly event with festive entertainment, stilt walkers, holiday crafts, visits with Santa and hot chocolate, popcorn, and hot dogs served by the Burnaby firefighters, entertainment by Santa’s Little Helpers and The Mellowdares sing-a-long choir with a special Tree Lighting Ceremony with Santa at 5:15pm.
Lights of Hope
At St Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver: throughout the Holiday season from November 27, 2024
Admission: Free
Join in the November 27th Light Up kick-off event from 6pm to 8pm as the annual campaign gets underway to bring in much needed funds for the hospital. Stroll past, enjoy the lights, donate to Lights of Hope, Sponsor a Star, or purchase a Hope at Home Star. Where there is light, there is hope.
Van Dusen Festival of Lights
At VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak St, Vancouver: November 29, 2024 to January 5, 2025 gates open 4pm-10pm (closed Christmas Day). Sensory-friendly Night welcoming neurodivergent guests and families on December 3rd.
Admission: Online, advance dated/timed entry $31.36(Adult), $20.16(Senior65+ / Youth13-18), $12.32(Children5-12)
More than one million lights adorn the magical 15 acre winter wonderland. Pick up a warm beverage and a snack as you stroll along the lakeside and get in the holiday spirit with the return of Dancing Lights, wander through themed gardens, and explore the new interactive mycelium installation, and a display inspired by the Great Bear Rainforest of BC.
Christmas at Canada Place
Along the Canadian Trail West Promenade and North Point of Canada Place 999 Canada Place, Vancouver: November 29, 2024 to January 1, 2025 8am-10pm daily
Admission: Free
Port Metro Vancouver’s annual Christmas celebration invites visitors to share the nostalgia of the classic Woodward’s Windows, Canada’s North light display including “Chrismoose,” our 15-foot tall moose light sculpture, the iconic Sails of Light, and the festive Avenue of Trees at this free, family-friendly event.
Bright Nights in Stanley Park
At Stanley Park Miniature Train, Pipeline Road, Vancouver: November 29, 2024 to January 4, 2025 4pm to 10pm nightly
Admission: Entry to the Bright Nights Plaza is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
Tickets go on sale November 8th for Bright Night Train rides but even if they sell out there’s still the opportunity to experience millions of lights twinkling throughout the Miniature Train plaza. Food vendors will offer a selection of comfort food to enjoy as you stroll around the plaza taking a selfie with a firefighter, visit Santa’s workshop and enjoy the live entertainment.
17th Annual Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting presented by Amacon
At Vancouver Art Gallery, (north plaza) November 29, 2024 6pm
Admission: Free
Thousands will join in the festivities as to view the lighting of the 76ft Christmas Tree, Western Canada’s tallest, and the kick off to the Holiday Season with entertainment and free admission and hot chocolate…and, of course, Santa!
Martini Town Merry & Bright
At Martini Film Studios 1123 272 Street, Langley: December 4, 2024 to January 5, 2025 Wednesdays to Sundays 3-9pm
Admission: online advance timed tickets, $60(Family), $22(Adults), $18(Seniors), $12(Children)
Capture your own Christmas scenes at this unique Hollywood-style film backlot. Transformed into a holiday wonderland straight out of your favourite Hallmark movie with building facades and film streetscapes, including a New York-themed Brownstone Street (pictured) adorned with festive displays. Find live music, an artisan market, food trucks – and even visits with Santa (3:30-8:30pm)
Christmas In The Country
At Thunderbird Show Park, 24550 72 Avenue, Langley: December 5 to 29, 2024
Admission: Tickets online or at the gate – $23(Adults), $20(Seniors), $17(Children) and free for children aged 5 and under
Thunderbird Show Park, BC’s premier equestrian show park, welcomes a new family-friendly holiday event with the main indoor riding arena and a festive winter dome decked out in holiday lights, décor and displays.
Chanukah Unite for Light
At Vancouver Art Gallery, Wednesday December 25, 2024 at 4:30pm
Admission: Free
Join dignitaries to witness the lighting of the Silber Family Agam Menorah, Canada’s tallest, and the start off the 8 Days of the Chanukah Festival Of Lights with entertainment, donuts and chocolate gelt.