VM Picks: 2018 Holiday Bucket List

The cool, dark weather is here but there’s brightness everywhere. It’s the holidays after all, and there are lots of ways to lift the spirits at this time of year from twinkly lights to festive outings and even snow if you head to the North Shore and beyond. Here are are few family-friendly holiday picks sure to put a smile on your face.

Check out our Top 100 Holiday activities list!

VM Picks: 2018 Holiday Bucket List

Get holiday shopping done at (and visit Santa) at Metropolis at Metrotown

Luckily, Metropolis knows it’s popular at this time of year so it has introduced and improved services to make it easier to get everything you need done as easily as possible during the silly season including locating your car and visiting the man in red.

Metropolis at Metrotown makes your mall visit easier

Have you read?
Top Santas in the City!

Be amazed at the Aurora Winter Festival

Check out the latest holiday extravaganza at Concord Place. If you want a glitzy, surreal, over-the-top light installation then get yee to Aurora Van at Concord Place. This is downtown’s answer to Glow and a follow up to Enchant but also includes a skating rink, tubing, a ferris wheel, roving winter characters, and a mystical maze that the kids will love.

Aurora Winter Festival

Go flying with Santa at FlyOver Canada

Looking for a thrilling and delightful Christmas outing with the kids? Head down to Canada Place, wander along the glittering promenade taking in the views and festive windows, then board a breathtaking virtual flight with Santa and his elves at FlyOver Canada.

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Trending: Christmas at FlyOver Canada

Have a white Christmas at Grouse Mountain

It’s hard to beat Grouse Mountain’s Peak of Christmas event. It’s a snowy, wintry delight complete with reindeer, a jolly of elf, an outdoor skating rink, a magical light walk (photo op!), a sleigh run, and loads of spaces to warm up with a hot cocoa by the fire. Oh and the view is pretty spectacular too.

Have you read?
Grouse Mountain premium listing

Go skating at Robson Square

what to do in vancouver robson square — Photo credit: Travis McCrea on Flickr

Imagine skating surrounded by lights and in the heart of downtown. As one of Vancouver’s only guaranteed outdoor skating rinks, this is a must-go this holiday season. Skating is free and skate rentals are $4.

Find out more
Holiday ice skating!

Be dazzled at Canyon Lights

Photo credit: Capilano Suspension Bridge

Wander across the suspension bridge all lit up with twinkling lights and wander across the various tree top bridges on the other side. Marvel at the world’s tallest living Christmas tree (153 feet tall!). Check out the daring light show on the cliff face. There’s also cookie decorating, hot drinks, live music and plenty of photo ops! NB: you can’t take strollers on the bridge or the Cliff Walk, so best be prepared with a carrier. The parking fills up fast, so aim for early evening on a weekday if you can.

Have you read?
15 Dazzling Holiday Light Displays

Pick up a Christmas Tree from Aunt Leah’s

For over 20 years Aunt Leah’s Tree Lots have been raising money to fund programs that help prevent children in foster care from becoming homeless, and young mothers from losing custody of their children. Last year they raised over $450,000 thanks to generous community members, sponsors, and volunteers. This Christmas season why not join the tradition and help give kids a home. PS. They deliver!

Discover Dance Programs for Kids at Arts Umbrella

Have you read?
Where to get a Christmas tree

Catch a live performance

Whether it’s a classic like the Goh Ballet’s Nutcracker, the madcap shenanigans of the East Van Panto or a wintry production of the hols are the perfect time to head out as a family to see a live performance.

Have you read?
Kid-friendly holiday performances

Shop local at the Etsy Market at Wesbrook Village

The Free Wesbrook Holiday Fest not only offers a holiday balloon installation carriage rides, carollers and a kids scavenger hunt, it’s hosting the famed Etsy Craft Fair in the community centre. Get all your holiday shopping done at this fair that celebrates everything handmade from food to plants, jewellery and clothing

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Vancouver holiday craft fairs

Learn about space at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Got a little space nerd in the family? Learn more about the latest Canadian astronaut to head into space. When you’re done, take a bracing ocean walk along Vanier Park and take in the views.