Free (Or Cheap) Holiday Events in Vancouver
The Greater Vancouver area has so many amazing holiday events and activities to choose from in December. The great news is, you can enjoy many of them for free! To keep you in the know about all the Christmas holiday fun happening in the Greater Vancouver area this year, we’ve created a helpful list of free (or super cheap) holiday events. These are outings for you and your family to enjoy-without breaking the bank.
Keep coming back for more as we update this list through the month of December.
Vancouver
CandyTown Yaletown
December 7, 2024, 1pm-5pm
Vancouver’s holiday festival gets a Swift twist as Taylor Town 2024 takes over Yaletown! This free, family-friendly event transforms the neighborhood into a winter wonderland with live music, a festive gift market, and plenty of holiday cheer. Be sure to visit the Roundhouse Community Centre to see historic steam engine 374 all lit up with sparkling lights!
Where: Helmcken Plaza and Bill Curtis Square, Yaletown, Vancouver
Destination Downtown
November 28 – December 22, 2024
Enjoy a Free Holiday Light Experience Along the Coal Harbour Seawall
Discover dazzling holiday lights, mesmerizing fire shows, and incredible performances at this festive event.
Where: From Canada Place to Cardero Park near the Westin Bayshore
When: Thursdays to Sundays, 5:00–9:30 PM, until December 22
Performances take place throughout the evening—don’t miss the magic!
St. Paul’s Lights of Hope
November 28 to December 27, 2024
We love when the beautiful towering wall of lights at St. Paul’s Hospital are lit. This spectacular eye-catching scene never disappoints. There’s no fee (except for optional donations you can give to support the hospital) and it’s on all season long.
Bright Nights at Stanley Park
November 29, 2024 – January 4, 2025
The Bright Nights Christmas Train at Stanley park is a well loved Vancouver family tradition. Watch your children’s eyes light up as they take in the sparkle of three million twinkling lights. Kids of all ages will be singing along to their favourite carols as they take in the beautiful displays along their ride. The train is Sold out but you can walk around to see the beautiful lights.
Gingerbread Lane Hyatt Vancouver
November 28 to December 27, 2024
The Hyatt Regency Vancouver is excited to welcome back the 32nd Annual Gingerbread Lane, a cherished holiday tradition supporting Make-A-Wish Canada to bring joy and hope to children facing critical illnesses.
Explore 34 incredible gingerbread creations—our biggest display yet—crafted by talented professionals, students, and local enthusiasts. With fun surprises and activities for all ages, this magical event promises to be a holiday highlight. Don’t miss this heartwarming celebration of creativity, community, and holiday cheer!
Ice Skating at Robson Square
November 29, 2024 to February 28, 2025
This is a favourite Vancouver holiday tradition and it’s free(with a $5 fee for skate rentals if you need them)! This is a fantastic and magical place to enjoy with the family. Skating in the square surrounded by lights and in the heart of downtown.
>> Holiday Skating Spots in Metro Vancouver<<
Christmas Boat Parade
November 30 to December 21, 2024
Get ready to feel the holiday magic as Santa’s Christmas Ships: Christmas Boat Parade returns to Metro Vancouver! This heartwarming tradition brings joy to Port Moody, Ioco, Belcarra, Dollarton, Deep Cove, Bedwell Bay, and Woodlands.
From November 30 to December 21, nearly 20 boats will sail through these areas, all decked out with sparkling lights, colorful wreaths, inflatable snowmen, Santas, and more. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season with family and friends. Don’t miss this cozy and magical holiday event!
Fleurs de Villes Noel Floral Festival
December 6-15, 2024
From December 6–15, explore the 6th annual Fleurs de Villes NOËL, a free self-guided floral trail in downtown Vancouver and Robson Street.
Pick up a map at CF Pacific Centre (Level M1) and discover 30 breathtaking floral displays inspired by classic holiday songs. Don’t miss the famous floral mannequins, crafted by Vancouver’s top floral artists, bringing the magic of the season to life!
Burnaby
Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum
November 23 to December 15, 2024 / December 17, 2024-January 3, 2025
Heritage Christmas at the Burnaby Village Museum is one of our all-time favourite holiday experiences. If you’ve never been, it’s one you don’t want to miss this season. Christmas at the village runs all month with lots of sparkling light displays, décor, sing-a-longs, crafts, and a scavenger hunt. There’s also special event performances scheduled throughout the season. Believe us when we say you’ll feel like you’re walking through a Hallmark movie.
Admission is free at the gate, with a $2.62 fee for carousel rides. If you’ve never taken a ride on it this particular carousel-hold on to your hats- it’s one of the fastest in North America.
Coquitlam
Lights at Lafarge Lake
November 22, 2024 to February 28, 2025
If you’re looking for a fun holiday excursion, Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake transforms into a magical outdoor holiday wonderland every December, and it’s all free! With 100,000 twinkling lights, Lights at Lafarge is one of the largest free holiday lights displays in the Lower Mainland. Take the Evergreen extension and get off at the last stop: Lafarge Lake-Douglas.
Chilliwack
Christmas in District 1881 Chilliwack
November 14 to second week of January 2025
District 1881 in Chilliwack is the ultimate holiday destination! With stunning decorations and a cozy, festive atmosphere, every corner feels like it’s straight out of a Christmas story. If you’re looking for inspiration for the season, this charming spot should definitely be on your must-visit list!
Harrison Hot Springs
Lights by the Lake Harrison
November 23, 2024 to January 12, 2025
Each winter, Harrison’s lakefront transforms into a magical holiday display of lights celebrating local wildlife and the legendary Sasquatch. Stroll along the paved promenade to see glowing weeping trees, charming lamp posts, and custom displays like the Sasquatch fishing or warming by the fire. Don’t miss the selfie stands for fun photo ops! Lights shine daily from dusk to 11 PM.
Langley
Holiday Lights in Williams Park
December 9 – December 29, 2024, 4pm-9pm, 68th Avenue and 238th Street
Gather your loved ones and head to Williams Park for an enchanting holiday experience! This free, family-friendly outdoor event showcases over 150,000 twinkling lights and festive displays, creating a dazzling winter wonderland.
Enjoy the magic from the comfort of your car as you drive through this spectacular display—perfect for making cherished holiday memories with family and friends.
Entry to Holiday Lights requires advance online registration (no drop-ins).
North Vancouver
Shipyards Christmas Artisans Market
November 29 – December 24, 2024
The North Van Shipyards transforms into a winter wonderland filled with music and twinkling lights. Weave through the sparkling lights and aisles of 75+ wooden stalls selling unique artisanal gifts, enjoy festive music, skate on the ice rink, admire the City’s Christmas tree, and indulge in seasonal treats.
*Admission to the winter holiday artisan markets is fre, it is open everyday.
Richmond
Winter in the Steveston Village
November 21 to December 31, 2024, Richmond
Celebrate the holiday season in Steveston Village! Enjoy fun activities for the whole family, including festive light displays, a visit with Santa, and more, from November 21 to December 31, 2024. It’s also the perfect spot for holiday shopping with unique treasures from local shops around the village.
West Vancouver
The Dundarave Festival
December 4th until December 30th, 2021,
If you’ve never been to the Dundarave Festival in West Van, it’s definitely worth a visit. This year their four Saturdays of ‘fabulously festive and absolutely free concerts’ are back. Catch the lighting of the forest of miracles on December 4th. The festival will kick off with a blessing from Squamish Elder Wendy Charbonneau, with the Dundarave Nativity and Paddle Songs taking place from noon until dusk. Followed by the lighting of The Forest of Miracles at dusk.
Admission is free and the lights will be displayed 24/7 in December.
Original post written by Harriet Fancott. Updated December 2024
