Last updated: October 17, 2026. Downtown Vancouver has not announced a Holiday Ferris Wheel for 2026, and no dates, hours or prices have been published. The details below are from the 2025-26 season and will be updated if the wheel returns.
For a few winters now, a Ferris wheel has turned on the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery, in the middle of downtown. It is not a theme-park ride and it does not pretend to be. It is a short, inexpensive ride in the middle of downtown, close to the ice rink at Robson Square and the other lit displays in the area.
The 2026 season has not been announced. This guide covers how the 2025-26 wheel worked, so you know what to look for if it returns.
Holiday Ferris Wheel: Quick Facts
| What it is | A seasonal Ferris wheel in downtown Vancouver, part of the Downtown Vancouver BIA’s Destination Downtown winter program |
| Where | North Plaza, Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, downtown Vancouver |
| 2025-26 dates | Starting early December 2025 (see the date note below) |
| 2025-26 operating days | Tuesday to Sunday |
| 2025-26 price | $7 per ride, with tickets sold on site |
| Free rides (2025) | Every Tuesday in December, courtesy of Downtown Van |
| 2026-27 season | Not announced yet |
| Official page | dtvan.ca/events/destination-downtown |
When Is the Holiday Ferris Wheel in 2026?
As of mid-October 2026, there is no announced date for a 2026 Ferris wheel. The Downtown Vancouver BIA’s Destination Downtown page describes the 2025-26 program only. It does not mention a 2026-27 season, so do not plan around one yet.
A note on the 2025-26 dates: the official page’s own dates for the Ferris wheel are inconsistent. One line lists December 2 to January 3, but the page’s overall program ran from December 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026. Because of that, this guide does not give an exact end date for last year’s wheel. If the wheel returns, use the dates the organizers publish.
Weekdays also shift. December 1, 2026 is a Tuesday, so a Tuesday-to-Sunday schedule would start differently than in 2025. Confirm every date before you go.
Where It Is
The wheel stood on the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery, on the Robson Street side of the building. That puts it a short walk from Robson Square, where the free outdoor ice rink is, and from the other Destination Downtown displays.
Prices and Free Tuesday Rides (2025-26 Reference)
- Regular price: $7 per ride, sold on site.
- Free Tuesdays: every Tuesday in December 2025, rides were free, courtesy of Downtown Van.
The free-Tuesday offer may or may not return. If it does, expect the organizers to announce it with the new season.
Hours (2025-26 Reference)
The official page lists the operating days as Tuesday to Sunday but does not list daily hours. Event listings in 2025 gave these hours, which may not match what the organizers publish for 2026:
| Day | Hours in 2025 listings |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday to Thursday | 3:00 to 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 3:00 to 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 12:00 to 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 to 8:00 PM |
Treat these as a guide, not a schedule.
Other Destination Downtown Displays (2025-26 Reference)
The Ferris wheel was one part of a larger downtown winter program from the Downtown Vancouver BIA. For reference, the 2025-26 program also included:
- Robson Square Ice Rink: free skating, with $5 skate rentals, on the same program.
- Lit Letters: illuminated words at locations around downtown, for photos.
- Lit Trees: more than 120 lit trees along the Coal Harbour Seawall, from the Vancouver Convention Centre to Cardero Park.
- Lit Animals: animal-themed light installations around Canada Place, in January and February 2026.
None of these are confirmed for 2026-27. Check the Destination Downtown page for the new season.
Getting There
The Vancouver Art Gallery is at 750 Hornby Street in the centre of downtown. The organizers’ page does not publish transit or parking details, so here is general guidance:
- By transit: the area is well served by SkyTrain and buses. Vancouver City Centre Station and Granville Station are both within walking distance, so check a trip planner for your route.
- By car: downtown parking is limited and costs more in December, so transit is usually simpler.
- On foot: combine the wheel with the ice rink at Robson Square, which is a short walk away.
Tips for Visiting
- Check before you go. The 2026 season is not announced, so confirm that the wheel is operating.
- Look for free Tuesdays. If the offer returns, a weekday visit is the cheapest way to ride.
- Bring cash or a card. Tickets were sold on site in 2025.
- Dress warmly. The ride is outdoors, and so is the wait.
- Go after dark for the lights. The surrounding downtown lights are best seen in the evening.
- Pair it with Robson Square. The ice rink is close, and the whole area is walkable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Holiday Ferris Wheel in Vancouver in 2026?
Not announced yet. The 2025-26 wheel was part of the Downtown Vancouver BIA’s Destination Downtown program, and the official page does not yet mention a 2026 season.
Where is the Ferris wheel?
On the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, downtown Vancouver.
How much does it cost?
In 2025-26, rides were $7, with tickets sold on site. Rides were free on Tuesdays in December 2025.
What days does it operate?
In 2025-26, Tuesday to Sunday.
What are the hours?
The official page does not list hours. Event listings in 2025 gave afternoon-to-evening hours that varied by day. Check the new season’s schedule.
Is it a good ride for young children?
The official page does not give age or height rules. Ask the operator on site if you have a specific question.
Is the Ferris wheel free?
Only on certain days. In 2025, rides were free on Tuesdays in December. Otherwise, the price was $7.
Where else can I see lights downtown?
The Destination Downtown program included lit letters, lit trees along the Coal Harbour Seawall and animal light displays near Canada Place in 2025-26.
