The 2026 holiday season in Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland starts early, with the first events in mid-November, and runs past New Year’s Day. This guide collects the Christmas events, light displays, markets, parades, tree lightings and family traditions we have covered so far, sorted by type so you can find what suits you. Each link opens that event’s full guide in a new tab.
Start Here: Our Vancouver Christmas 2026 Guides
If you only have a minute, these roundups are the quickest way in:
- Best Christmas Things to Do in Vancouver (2026): our shortlist of the season’s best outings.
- Christmas Lights in Vancouver 2026: every light display with dates, prices and the free ones.
- Christmas Markets in Vancouver 2026: European-style markets and holiday craft fairs in date order.
- Christmas Tree Lighting Events 2026: every tree lighting ceremony across the region.
- Where to See Santa in Vancouver 2026: free Santa photos, Santa trains and breakfasts.
- Santa Claus Parades in Metro Vancouver 2026: every parade, plus the Christmas Ships and Holiday Train.
Vancouver Christmas 2026 at a Glance
| Light displays | VanDusen Festival of Lights, Canyon Lights, Glow Langley, Noël Surrey, Lights at Lafarge and more |
| Tree lightings | Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting, Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, Ladner, Cambie Village and more |
| Christmas markets and craft fairs | Vancouver Christmas Market, Shipyards Christmas Market, Circle Craft, Portobello West and more |
| Santa and family | Soar With Santa, Santa at the Cannery, Gingerbread Lane, Victorian Christmas Evening |
| Skating and winter fun | Robson Square Ice Rink, Steveston’s Winter in the Village, Shipyards rink |
| Parades, trains and ships | Surrey Santa Parade of Lights, Maple Ridge and Chilliwack parades, CPKC Holiday Train |
| Shows and concerts | Elf in Concert, Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Singing Christmas Tree |
Top Vancouver Christmas Events to See in 2026
For our ranked shortlist with tips, see Best Christmas Things to Do in Vancouver.
Twelve of our most popular Vancouver Christmas events. Select a photo to open the full guide in a new tab.
Key Dates for Vancouver Christmas 2026
These are the dates we have confirmed so far. Open each event’s page for hours, tickets and details.
| When | Event |
| Nov 12 | Lights of Hope, final celebration on Burrard Street, 6 to 8 PM |
| Nov 12 to 14 | Lumière Festival Vancouver begins on Nov 12 |
| Nov 11 to 15 | Circle Craft Holiday Market |
| Nov 16 to Dec 24 | Vancouver Christmas Market |
| Nov 19 to Jan 2 | Glow Langley |
| Nov 20 to Jan 10 | Canyon Lights |
| Nov 21 to Jan 10 | Lights by the Lake |
| Nov 21 and 22 | Surrey Tree Lighting Festival |
| Nov 21 | Cultus Lake Christmas |
| Nov 26 | Ladner Tree Lighting Festival |
| Nov 27 | Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting, 6 PM |
| Nov 27 to Dec 24 | Shipyards Christmas Market |
| Nov 27 to Dec 29 | Noël Surrey with Bright Nights |
| Nov 27 to Jan 3 | VanDusen Festival of Lights |
| Nov 28 | Holiday Cheer at the Pier |
| Nov 28 and 29 | Portobello West Holiday Market |
| Nov 29 | Christmas Wonderland on The Drive, Santa at the Cannery and Surrey Santa Parade of Lights |
| Dec 3 to 28 | Gingerbread Lane |
| Dec 1 to 31 | Winter Tram at the Steveston Tram |
Vancouver Christmas Lights and Light Festivals
Want dates and prices side by side? Our Christmas lights in Vancouver roundup compares every display, with a separate list of free ones.
Walk-through light displays are the centrepiece of a Vancouver Christmas. These range from large ticketed festivals to free neighbourhood displays.
- Astra Lumina: an illuminated evening walk through the forest at the historic Stanley Park Railway site, opening October 22, 2026.
- VanDusen Festival of Lights: over 1 million lights across 15 acres of VanDusen Botanical Garden, November 27 to January 3. Tickets go on sale November 4.
- Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge: November 20 to January 10, with the new WILDLIGHT projections.
- Glow Langley: Christmas Treasures: a million-plus lights, indoors and out, November 19 to January 2.
- Noël Surrey with the Magic of Bright Nights: November 27 to December 29 at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, with the Burn Fund’s Bright Nights light walk.
- Bright Nights in Surrey: the Burn Fund’s side of the story, and how to support burn survivors.
- Lights at Lafarge: Coquitlam’s free outdoor winter lights display, with a kick-off event on November 27.
- Lights by the Lake: Harrison Hot Springs’ beachfront lights, November 21 to January 10.
- The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain: November 20 to December 24.
- Festive Village at Burnaby Village Museum: November 25 to January 3.
- Bear Creek Lights: Surrey’s Bear Creek Park lights, starting in early November.
- Zoo Lights at Greater Vancouver Zoo: a festive light walk in Aldergrove.
- Holiday Lights in Williams Park: Langley’s community light display.
- Lumière Festival Vancouver: a light-art festival starting November 12.
- Winter Solstice Lantern Festival: a community lantern celebration in Vancouver.
- Magic of Gastown: carriage rides and holiday events in Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood.
- Bright Walk in White Rock: Memorial Park lights. 2026 dates have not been announced yet.
- Granville Island Christmas Lights: winter and holiday lighting. 2026 dates have not been announced yet.
- Christmas at Greendale Acres: a farm-style lights and train experience in Chilliwack. 2026 dates have not been announced yet.
- PNE Winter Fair: 2026 dates have not been announced yet.
- Spirit of the Season at Sea to Sky Gondola: 2026 dates have not been announced yet.
- Holiday Splash at Vancouver Aquarium: 2026 dates have not been announced yet.
Vancouver Christmas Tree Lightings
Tree lightings mark the start of the season in many communities, often with live music, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa.
- Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting: Friday, November 27, 6 PM, in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
- Surrey Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Market: November 21 and 22 at Surrey Civic Plaza, with free outdoor skating.
- Ladner Tree Lighting Festival: Thursday, November 26, 6 to 7:30 PM.
- Cambie Village Christmas Tree Lighting: a neighbourhood tree lighting on Cambie Street.
- Switch On at McArthurGlen Vancouver: tree lighting at the Richmond outlet mall.
- Bright in Burnaby Tree Lighting: at Festive Village, Burnaby Village Museum.
- Spirit of the Season Festival at The Shipyards: North Vancouver’s tree lighting festival. The 2026 date has not been confirmed yet.
- Christmas Wonderland on The Drive: Sunday, November 29, 2 to 5 PM at Grandview Park, with the tree lighting at 5 PM.
- Cultus Lake Christmas: Saturday, November 21, 4 to 8 PM at Main Beach, with fireworks at 7:45 PM.
- Holiday Cheer at the Pier: Saturday, November 28 at Rocky Point Park, Port Moody.
- HollyDaze in the Heights: Austin Heights, Coquitlam, November 21.
- More tree lighting events in Metro Vancouver: our overview of tree lightings.
Vancouver Christmas Markets and Craft Fairs
Every market and fair below is also in our Christmas markets in Vancouver calendar, sorted by date.
From big European-style markets to church-hall craft fairs, these events are the best places to find handmade gifts from local makers.
- Vancouver Christmas Market: November 16 to December 24 at Jack Poole Plaza.
- Shipyards Christmas Market: free European-style market in North Vancouver, November 27 to December 24.
- Portobello West Holiday Market: November 28 and 29 at the Roundhouse in Yaletown.
- Circle Craft Holiday Market: November 11 to 15.
- Got Craft Holiday Market: November 21 and 22, then November 28 and 29.
- Toque Craft Fair: December 4 to 6.
- Hycroft for the Holidays: November 26 to 29.
- Blackberry Winter Arts Market: Port Moody, November 19 to December 22.
- Port Moody Christmas Craft Fair: December 5.
- Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair
- Christmas on the Peninsula: White Rock and South Surrey, November 21.
- Dunbar Holiday Craft Fair
- Swedish Christmas Market (Julmarknad)
- Ukrainian Christmas Fair
- Feliz Natal Christmas Market: a Portuguese-Canadian Christmas market.
- New Westminster Farmers Market Holiday Market
- Winter Jubilee, Abbotsford: November 21, 3 to 7:30 PM.
- The Christmas Store at Potters: a year-round Christmas store in Surrey.
- Glenda’s Christmas Cottage: Abbotsford.
- Bentall Centre Jingle + Mingle: downtown Vancouver.
- WinterFest at Museum of Surrey: the 2026 date has not been confirmed yet.
- Christmas at District 1881, Chilliwack: the 2026 dates have not been confirmed yet.
Santa, Kids and Family Christmas Events in Vancouver
For every free Santa photo, Santa train and breakfast with Santa in one place, see Where to See Santa in Vancouver 2026.
- Soar With Santa at Flyover: November 20 to January 2.
- Santa at the Cannery: Sunday, November 29 in Steveston, with free admission and free Photos with Santa tickets.
- Starlight with Santa: at the Space Centre.
- Big Elf Run: a festive run in Vancouver.
- Victorian Christmas Evening: Stewart Farm in Surrey, December 5, 4 to 7 PM.
- Gingerbread Lane: December 3 to 28 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, supporting Make-A-Wish Canada.
Ice Skating and Winter Fun in Vancouver
- Robson Square Ice Rink: reopening in December 2026.
- Holiday Ferris Wheel in downtown Vancouver
- Winter in the Village, Steveston: November 19 to December 31.
- Winter Tram at the Steveston Tram: free, December 1 to 31, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM.
- Shipyards ice rink: free skating at the Shipyards Christmas Market in North Vancouver.
Vancouver Christmas Parades, Holiday Trains and Ships
The downtown Vancouver Santa Claus Parade hasn’t returned since before the pandemic, and none has been announced for 2026. Our Santa Claus parades guide lists the parades that are on, from Cloverdale to Chilliwack.
Parades and moving displays are best planned around specific dates and routes, so open the event page for details.
- Surrey Santa Parade of Lights: Sunday, November 29, 6 PM in Cloverdale.
- Maple Ridge Santa Claus Parade
- Chilliwack Christmas Parade
- Steveston Santa Claus Parade: the 2026 date has not been confirmed yet.
- Santa’s Christmas Ships: boat parades on Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm. The 2026 schedule has not been announced yet.
- Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan: the lit-up truck convoy through the Lower Mainland.
- CPKC Holiday Train: Lower Mainland stops and times.
- TransLink Reindeer Buses: how to spot and track one.
Christmas Train Rides Near Vancouver
- North Pole Express, Squamish
- Bear Creek Park Christmas Train, Surrey: Santa Day Train and Grinch Night Train.
Vancouver Christmas Shows and Concerts
- Elf in Concert at the Orpheum: the 2026 date has not been announced yet.
- Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker
- Singing Christmas Tree: Broadway Church, Vancouver.
Vancouver Christmas Events That Give Back
Many of these events raise money for charity. These two are built around it:
- Lights of Hope: the final celebration on Burrard Street, November 12, 6 to 8 PM.
- Bright Nights: supporting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
Not Happening in Vancouver in 2026
Two long-running traditions are not taking place this year:
- Christmas at Canada Place: not taking place this year because of west promenade construction.
- Bright Nights Train in Stanley Park: not running in 2026. Bright Nights is in Surrey, and Astra Lumina is at the Stanley Park site.
Past Events Not Announced for 2026
These ran in recent years but haven’t been announced this season: Steveston Festival of Trees, Holiday Hive Market at The MET, Foffy’s Christmas Harvest Art Market, Christmas in the Country at Thunderbird Show Park, Santa’s Modernized Sleigh, Arctic Nights (now Zoo Lights) and the 2024 one-off Taylor Town in Yaletown.
Christmas at Home
For the nights in, our guide to Christmas movies and series to stream in Canada has every 2026 release in one calendar, plus the free ways to watch. Each platform has its own page:
- W Network: all 34 Hallmark premieres airing in Canada.
- Netflix, including In a Holidaze, filmed in Vancouver and Whistler.
- Disney+: Home Alone, The Santa Clause and the new Mickey’s Home Alone.
- Prime Video: Arnold Schwarzenegger as Santa in The Man with the Bag.
- Apple TV: Peanuts specials and a free Charlie Brown Christmas weekend.
- CBC Gem: free baking specials and holiday TV.
Where to Go by Area in Metro Vancouver
- Vancouver: Vancouver Christmas Market, VanDusen Festival of Lights, Astra Lumina, Robson Square Ice Rink, Gingerbread Lane.
- North Shore: Canyon Lights, Shipyards Christmas Market, The Peak of Christmas.
- Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities: Festive Village, Lights at Lafarge, Holiday Cheer at the Pier.
- Richmond and Delta: Winter in the Village, Santa at the Cannery, Ladner Tree Lighting.
- Surrey, White Rock and Langley: Noël Surrey, Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, Glow Langley.
- Fraser Valley and beyond: Lights by the Lake, Cultus Lake Christmas, Winter Jubilee, North Pole Express in Squamish.
Tips for Planning Your Vancouver Christmas
- Book ticketed light shows early. Weekend slots often sell out.
- Check each event’s page for the latest details. Dates, hours and ticket sales can change.
- Look at the date notes. If an event shows “not announced yet,” the 2026 details haven’t been published.
- Dress for the weather. Most of these events are outdoors.
- Check transit and parking on each event’s page before you go.
Vancouver Christmas Guide: Frequently Asked Questions
When does Christmas start in Vancouver in 2026?
The first events come in mid-November, with Lights of Hope on November 12 and Glow Langley opening on November 19. Most light festivals and markets open between November 19 and 28.
What are the best Christmas lights in Vancouver?
Popular choices include VanDusen Festival of Lights, Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge, Glow Langley, Noël Surrey with Bright Nights, and Astra Lumina in Stanley Park.
Where can I find free Christmas events in Vancouver?
Many tree lightings are free, as are the Shipyards Christmas Market, Lights at Lafarge, Santa at the Cannery and Surrey Tree Lighting Festival.
Where can I buy handmade Christmas gifts in Vancouver?
Try the Christmas markets and craft fairs listed above, such as Circle Craft, Portobello West and the Vancouver Christmas Market.
Is there a Santa Claus Parade in downtown Vancouver in 2026?
No downtown parade has been announced. The Surrey Santa Parade of Lights in Cloverdale on November 29 is the closest large parade. See Santa Claus Parades in Metro Vancouver 2026.
Where can I see Santa in Vancouver?
Grouse Mountain, the Shipyards Christmas Market, Santa at the Cannery in Steveston, the North Pole Express in Squamish and the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival all have Santa visits. See Where to See Santa in Vancouver 2026.
Is the Bright Nights Train in Stanley Park running in 2026?
No. Bright Nights is at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey in 2026.
Is Christmas at Canada Place in Vancouver happening this year?
No, it is not taking place this year because of west promenade construction.
More from Vancouver Christmas: Christmas Lights · Christmas Markets · Tree Lightings · Santa Visits · Santa Parades · Best Things to Do
Plan Your Christmas in Vancouver
Planning guides: free Christmas things to do, Christmas with kids, what’s on this weekend, a 3-day itinerary, where to stay, December weather, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, what’s open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve and the Polar Bear Swim.
By area: City of Vancouver, North Shore, Burnaby and New Westminster, Richmond and Delta, Surrey and White Rock, Tri-Cities, Langley and the Fraser Valley and Squamish and Whistler.
More to do: Christmas concerts, holiday theatre, Hanukkah, ice skating, Grouse, Cypress and Seymour, Christmas tree farms, festive afternoon tea, Christmas dinner and holiday bars, day trips, local gifts and giving back.
