Looking for Christmas things to do in Vancouver this weekend? Here’s every weekend of the 2026 holiday season in one place, from the first craft fairs in mid-November to the last Santa train before Christmas. Each event links to a full guide with times, prices and tips. We update this page through the season as new dates are announced.
Open All Season
Once they open, these run most days through December:
- Vancouver Christmas Market (from November 16) and Shipyards Christmas Market (from November 27)
- VanDusen, Canyon Lights, Glow Gardens, Noël Surrey and Merry & Bright
- The Peak of Christmas on Grouse (from November 20)
- Free lights at Lafarge, Festive Village and Dundarave
Weekend of November 13 to 15
- Circle Craft Holiday Market, to Sunday, November 15
- Lumière free light festival, Thursday to Saturday, November 12 to 14
- Bear Creek Lights in Surrey, to November 20
- Elf: The Musical opens at the Arts Club on November 12. See holiday theatre
Weekend of November 20 to 22
The big opening weekend.
- Opening: Grouse’s Peak of Christmas, Canyon Lights, Merry & Bright and Soar With Santa (November 20), Glow Gardens (from November 19)
- Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, November 21 and 22
- Saturday, November 21: Winter Jubilee, Cultus Lake Christmas, the opening of Lights by the Lake, HollyDaze, Dunbar Holiday Craft Fair, Christmas on the Peninsula and Santa in the Country at Glenda’s
- Julmarknad and Got Craft (weekend 1), November 21 and 22
- The East Van Panto opens on November 20
Weekend of November 27 to 29
The busiest Christmas weekend of the year.
- Friday, November 27: the Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting, Lights at Lafarge opening night, and the openings of VanDusen, Noël Surrey and the Shipyards Christmas Market
- Hycroft for the Holidays, to November 29
- Saturday, November 28: Portobello West (also Sunday), the Ukrainian Christmas Fair, Bright in Burnaby, Holiday Cheer at the Pier, the Chilliwack Christmas Parade and the start of the Dundarave Festival of Lights
- The North Pole Express and Santa at Seymour begin on November 28
- Sunday, November 29: the Surrey Santa Parade of Lights, Christmas on The Drive and Santa at the Cannery
- Got Craft weekend 2
Weekend of December 4 to 6
- Toque Craft Fair and the Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair, December 4 to 6
- The Singing Christmas Tree, December 4 to 6
- Hanukkah begins at sundown on Friday, December 4
- Saturday, December 5: the Maple Ridge Santa Claus Parade, Victorian Christmas Evening, the Port Moody Christmas Craft Fair and a festive night at Lights by the Lake
- Sunday, December 6: Christmas with the Bach Choir at the Orpheum. See Christmas concerts
- Gingerbread Lane is open from December 3
Weekend of December 11 to 13
- Traditional Christmas with the VSO, December 11 to 13 (North Vancouver, Surrey and the Orpheum)
- The Singing Christmas Tree, December 11 to 13
- Saturday, December 12: the Big Elf Run in Stanley Park
- NWFM Holiday Market in New Westminster, December 12 and 13
Weekend of December 18 to 20
The last weekend before Christmas.
- The Nutcracker, December 17 to 20, and Christmas with Chor Leoni, December 17 to 19
- The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert with the VSO, December 19 and 20
- The CPKC Holiday Train, December 19 and 20
- Tea with Santa at the Fairmont, December 19 and 20. See festive afternoon tea
- Wintersphere opens in Whistler on December 19. See Christmas in Squamish and Whistler
- Last regular weekend for the North Pole Express
After That
The Winter Solstice Lantern Festival is on Monday, December 21. Then plan your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the biggest Christmas weekend in Vancouver?
November 27 to 29, 2026, with the Vancouver tree lighting, the Surrey Santa Parade and the opening of VanDusen and the Shipyards Christmas Market.
What’s free this weekend?
Most tree lightings, parades and the Shipyards Christmas Market. See free Christmas things to do.
Part of: Vancouver Christmas Guide 2026
