Vancouver is a good place to be a kid at Christmas. There’s a Santa on top of a mountain, a heritage train with elves on board, a light show you walk through over a canyon, and a lot of free hot chocolate. The trick is matching the outing to your kids’ age, attention span and bedtime.
Here are the best things to do with kids in Vancouver this Christmas, sorted by age and by weather, with 2026 dates. Every name links to a full guide.
Our Top Picks for Families
| Outing | Best for | 2026 dates | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Pole Express | Ages 2 to 10 | Weekends Nov 28 to Dec 20, plus Dec 21 | From about $49 a seat |
| The Peak of Christmas | All ages | Nov 20 to Dec 24 | Mountain admission |
| VanDusen Festival of Lights | All ages | Nov 27 to Jan 3 | Timed ticket |
| Shipyards Christmas Market | All ages | Nov 27 to Dec 24 | Free |
| Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker | Ages 5 and up | Dec 17 to 20 | Ticketed |
| Festive Village | Toddlers to tweens | Nov 25 to Jan 3 | Free gate |
Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 1 to 5)
Short, early and close to home works best.
- Festive Village in Burnaby opens at 2:00 PM, so you can see the lights come on and still be home for bath time. The carousel is a favourite.
- Steveston’s Winter Tram is free, daytime and indoors, open Tuesday to Sunday in December.
- Bear Creek Park Christmas Train in Surrey: a short miniature train ride with Santa by day. 2026 dates haven’t been posted, but it ran all of December last year.
- Soar With Santa at FlyOver is indoors and short. Check the height rule for young kids before you book.
- Check the free Santa photo times in our where to see Santa guide and go early in the season, when lines are shortest.
Kids Ages 5 to 10
This is the sweet spot for Christmas in Vancouver.
- The North Pole Express is the one they’ll remember: a full-size heritage train in Squamish with Santa aboard. Most departures sell out, so book early.
- Grouse Mountain has Santa’s workshop, reindeer, a skating pond and a lit walk around Blue Grouse Lake, often in real snow.
- Canyon Lights at Capilano: arrive in the late afternoon to see the park in daylight and lit up on one ticket.
- The Big Elf Run in Stanley Park on December 12 has a 1 km Wee Elf Run for kids, and it collects toys for the Christmas Bureau.
- Merry & Bright at Martini Town in Langley has falling snow on a film set and Santa in a gazebo.
Tweens and Teens
- Holiday theatre: the East Van Panto and Elf: The Musical are both funny for older kids, and the panto’s local jokes land well with teens.
- Astra Lumina, the night walk in Stanley Park, and Lumière downtown are good for photos.
- Skating at Robson Square or the Shipyards, then hot chocolate. Our ice skating guide has every rink.
- Christmas movie nights in: our guide to Christmas movies to stream in Canada has every new release.
Rainy Day Christmas Ideas
It will rain. Plan for it.
- Glow Gardens Langley has large indoor sections.
- Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Regency is indoors and free, December 3 to 28.
- The Christmas Store at Potters in Surrey: 28,000 square feet of decorations, and kids love the displays.
- The Singing Christmas Tree at Broadway Church, a family show with a free-will offering.
- Circle Craft is free for kids 12 and under.
Free Family Outings
Lights at Lafarge, the Shipyards Christmas Market, tree lightings in almost every city and the Santa parades are all free. Our list of free Christmas things to do in Vancouver has all of them.
Tips for Christmas with Kids
- Book the timed ones first: the North Pole Express, VanDusen and Merry & Bright fill up on December weekends.
- Go on a weeknight if school allows. Monday to Thursday is noticeably calmer everywhere.
- Waterproof boots beat a heavy coat. See what to expect in our Vancouver weather in December guide.
- Pack snacks and a spare pair of socks. Market food lines can be long.
- Check what’s on this weekend before you plan.
- Plan one big thing a day. A light show after a full day out rarely ends well for anyone under seven.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best Christmas activity in Vancouver for kids?
For ages 3 to 10, the North Pole Express in Squamish and the Peak of Christmas on Grouse Mountain are the standouts.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Vancouver?
Yes: free Santa photos at the Shipyards and the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, free gate admission at Festive Village in Burnaby, and free tree lightings across the region.
What can we do with kids on a rainy December day?
Glow Gardens Langley’s indoor areas, Gingerbread Lane, FlyOver’s Soar With Santa and the Singing Christmas Tree are all indoors.
Part of: Vancouver Christmas Guide 2026 › Best Christmas Things to Do in Vancouver
