If you could only spend one Christmas day in Metro Vancouver, the North Shore would be a strong choice. It has the region’s best free Christmas market, a lit suspension bridge over a canyon, real snow on three mountains and a waterfront lined with more than 150 decorated trees. And it’s a 12-minute SeaBus ride from downtown.
Here’s Christmas 2026 in North Vancouver and West Vancouver.
North Vancouver
- Shipyards Christmas Market, November 27 to December 24: 90-plus chalets, a free outdoor rink and free photos with Santa, all free to enter. Right beside the SeaBus terminal at Lonsdale Quay.
- Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, November 20 to January 10, 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, closed December 25.
- The Peak of Christmas on Grouse Mountain, November 20 to December 24: Santa’s workshop, reindeer, a skating pond and a lit lake walk.
- Spirit of the Season, the City of North Vancouver’s free tree lighting festival at the Shipyards. Last year it was on November 29; the 2026 date is still to come.
- Santa at Seymour, on Mount Seymour from November 28 to December 24, with tobogganing. See Christmas on Grouse, Cypress and Seymour.
- Santa’s Christmas Ships sail past Deep Cove and Dollarton. 2026 schedule to come.
West Vancouver
- Dundarave Festival of Lights, November 28 into early January: the Forest of Miracles, more than 150 lit trees along the waterfront from Ambleside to Dundarave, with free concerts on Saturdays (November 28 and December 5, 12 and 19).
- Cypress Mountain usually opens for the season in December and has held a family Holly Jolly Day with Santa. See our mountains guide.
- Hanukkah: a public menorah lighting has been held at the West Vancouver Community Centre. See Hanukkah in Vancouver.
A Perfect North Shore Christmas Outing
- Late morning on Grouse Mountain for Santa and the snow (any day until December 24).
- Mid-afternoon at Capilano. Arrive around 3:00 PM to see the park in daylight, then Canyon Lights after dark.
- Dinner and a mug of Glühwein at the Shipyards Christmas Market, then the SeaBus back downtown.
Plan the rest of your trip with our three-day Vancouver Christmas itinerary.
Getting There
The SeaBus runs from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay in about 12 minutes, and the Shipyards are steps away. Buses connect Lonsdale to Capilano and Grouse. Driving the bridges is slow on December weekends, and parking at Grouse and Capilano fills up on busy nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Shipyards Christmas Market free?
Yes, with no tickets or time slots.
Can I do Grouse Mountain and Capilano on the same day?
Yes. They’re about 10 minutes apart. Do Grouse in the daytime and Canyon Lights after dark.
Is there snow on the North Shore at Christmas?
Usually on the mountains, rarely at sea level.
Christmas in Other Areas
- City of Vancouver
- Burnaby and New Westminster
- Richmond and Delta
- Surrey and White Rock
- Tri-Cities
- Langley and the Fraser Valley
- Squamish and Whistler
Part of: Vancouver Christmas Guide 2026
