Christmas in Vancouver can get expensive fast. Light-show tickets, market entry, parking and a round of hot chocolate add up, especially for a family. But a surprising amount of the season here costs nothing at all, and some of the best evenings of December are free.
This is our list of free Christmas things to do in Vancouver and around Metro Vancouver for 2026, with dates where they’ve been announced. Each one links to a full guide with times, transit and tips. To see what’s on in a particular week, use our weekend-by-weekend Christmas guide.
Free Christmas Lights
- Lights at Lafarge, Coquitlam. The city calls it Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor winter lights display. Opening night is Friday, November 27, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, and it’s steps from Lafarge Lake–Douglas SkyTrain station.
- Lumière Festival, downtown. Free light art in plazas and laneways across downtown, the West End and Gastown, November 12 to 14, 5:00 to 9:30 PM.
- Dundarave Festival of Lights, West Vancouver. More than 150 decorated trees along the waterfront from November 28, with free Saturday concerts.
- Festive Village, Burnaby. Free gate admission to a lit heritage village from November 25 to January 3. The carousel is the only thing you pay for.
- Bear Creek Lights, Surrey. A one-kilometre lit garden loop, November 6 to 20. Free, but you need a ticket.
- Lights by the Lake, Harrison Hot Springs. A lit lakeside promenade from November 21 to January 10, with a free skating rink.
- Winter in the Village, Steveston. Lights, murals and window displays from November 19 to December 31.
- Granville Island and Bright Walk in White Rock have been free in past seasons. Neither has posted 2026 dates yet.
Every display, free and ticketed, is in our Christmas lights in Vancouver guide.
Free Tree Lightings
Tree lightings are the easiest free night out of the season. Most have music, hot chocolate and Santa.
- Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting at the Art Gallery, Friday, November 27, from 6:00 PM. A 76-foot tree with more than 100,000 bulbs.
- Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, November 21 and 22, with free skating and free photos with Santa.
- Winter Jubilee in Abbotsford, November 21, tree lit at 7:00 PM.
- Ladner Tree Lighting, November 26. Santa lights the tree at 7:00 PM.
- Bright in Burnaby, November 28, tree lit around 6:50 PM.
- Holiday Cheer at the Pier in Port Moody, November 28.
- Christmas Wonderland on The Drive, November 29, with a tree lighting at 5:00 PM.
The full calendar is in our Christmas tree lighting events guide.
Free Christmas Markets
- Shipyards Christmas Market, North Vancouver: more than 90 chalets, a free rink and free Santa photos, November 27 to December 24. No tickets.
- HollyDaze in the Heights, Coquitlam: 100-plus vendors on November 21.
- Ukrainian Christmas Fair, November 28: free entry, with perogies and home baking for sale.
- NWFM Holiday Market in New Westminster, December 12 and 13, by donation.
Several craft fairs charge only $2 to $5. See our Christmas markets calendar.
Free Santa Photos
Free Santa photos are on offer at the Shipyards, the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, Christmas on The Drive, Santa at the Cannery in Steveston (November 29) and Victorian Christmas Evening at Historic Stewart Farm (December 5). Our where to see Santa guide has times and booking rules.
Free Parades, Boats and Trains
- The Surrey Santa Parade of Lights (November 29), the Chilliwack Christmas Parade (November 28) and the Maple Ridge Santa Claus Parade (December 5). All of the parades are in our Santa Claus parades guide.
- The CPKC Holiday Train plays free concerts at five Lower Mainland stops on December 19 and 20. Bring a food bank donation.
- Santa’s Christmas Ships sail past Port Moody, Deep Cove and Belcarra. Free to watch from shore once the 2026 schedule is out.
- Steveston’s Winter Tram is free, Tuesday to Sunday through December.
- Spot a TransLink Reindeer Bus. It’s a regular fare, but the smile is free.
Free Skating and Shows
- Skate for free at Robson Square once it reopens in December, at the Shipyards rink, and at Surrey Civic Plaza during the tree lighting weekend. More rinks are in our ice skating guide.
- The Singing Christmas Tree at Broadway Church is free, with a free-will offering, on December 4 to 6 and 11 to 13.
- Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Regency is free to walk through from December 3 to 28. Donations go to Make-A-Wish.
- The Magic of Gastown fills the neighbourhood with lights and music through December. The 2026 program hasn’t been posted yet.
Tips for a Free Christmas in Vancouver
- Take transit. Lafarge, Lumière, the Art Gallery tree and the Shipyards (by SeaBus) are all easy without a car, and parking is where “free” events start costing money.
- Book free tickets the day they open. Bear Creek Lights and Surrey’s Santa photos are free but limited.
- Bring a thermos. Hot chocolate at the markets is good, but a family of four adds up.
- Give back if you can. Many free events collect for food banks. Our guide to giving and volunteering at Christmas lists where donations help most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best free Christmas light display in Vancouver?
Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam is the biggest free display. Inside the City of Vancouver, Lumière (November 12 to 14) and the Art Gallery tree are the best free options.
Is the Shipyards Christmas Market free?
Yes. There’s no admission charge, no ticket and no time slot.
Where can I get free photos with Santa?
At the Shipyards Christmas Market, the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, Christmas on The Drive, Santa at the Cannery and Victorian Christmas Evening at Stewart Farm.
Is Robson Square skating free?
Yes, skating is free. Skate rentals cost extra.
Part of: Vancouver Christmas Guide 2026 › Best Christmas Things to Do in Vancouver
