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December Activities for Vancouver
Canyon Lights: Capilano Suspension Bridge
When: November 29-January 3rd, 2016
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge
What: Canyon Lights is the home of the world's tallest living Christmas tree!
Standing 46.4 m (152 ft) tall, this Douglas-fir will be adorned in thousands of
sparkling lights. Park guests will also be dazzled by the thousands of lights
glittering throughout the rainforest, across the Suspension Bridge & on
CLIFFWALK. A children's scavenger hunt, gingerbread cookie decorating,
sing-a-long carols with the holiday band are all back by public demand.
Bright Nights - Stanley Park Christmas Train
When: Daily from November 26, 2015 to January 2, 2016
Where: Stanley Park
Description: The best Vancouver Christmas attraction for younger kids is fun
for the whole family, too! At Stanley Park's Bright Nights, over a million
twinkly lights transform the forest and the famous Miniature Train into a
winter wonderland. Ride the train, visit Santa, see the Parade of Trees, and
more.
Vancouver Christmas Market
When: November 21 - December 24, 2015 (Recurring daily)
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Admission: $7.00 Adults / $3.00 Youth (7-12) / Free Children (0-6)
Description: Christmas Market taking place at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Plaza right in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Inspired by traditional
European Christmas markets, the Vancouver Christmas Market is the
perfect place to get into the spirit of the holiday season by eating delicious
food, shopping for authentic gifts and watching family-friendly entertainment.
SantaCon Vancouver
When: Saturday, December 12; noon
Where: Top secret – check back to the Facebook page to learn where it’ll be.
What: The premise is simple: dress up as Santa, meet in a specific location
and go on a festive pub crawl with hundreds of other people dressed just
like you. You don’t have to replicate Santa’s likeness exactly, but you need
more than a Santa hat, and everything needs to be red.
Christmas at FlyOver Canada
When: Friday, November 27 to January 5, 2016 – daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: FlyOver Canada – 201 – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
What: FlyOver Canada will transform into a magical winter wonderland this
Christmas season. Guests will have fun helping Santa Claus search for his
missing elves during an exhilarating flight across Canada and on to the North
Pole. An extended holiday edition of FlyOver Canada that leads guests on to
Santa’s workshop in the North Pole also included.
Free Ice Skating at Robson Square
When: December 1, 2015 until February 28, 2016
Where: Robson Square
Description: Since reopening for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, the
free outdoor ice skating at Robson Square has become one of Vancouver's
most popular winter activities. Located at 800 Robson Street (just across
from the Vancouver Art Gallery in the heart of downtown Vancouver),
Peak of Christmas - Grouse Mountain
When: November 27 - December 24, 2015
Where: Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Description: Located just 15 minutes north of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is
an easily accessible winter wonderland, complete with outdoor ice skating,
sleigh rides, reindeer, breakfasts with Santa, and live entertainment, which is
why it makes this list of top Vancouver Christmas attractions.
Rogers Santa Claus Parade
When: Sunday, December 6, 2015
Where: Downtown Vancouver
Description: The only Vancouver Christmas attraction that lasts for one-dayonly, the Rogers Santa Claus Parade has become a bona fide don't-miss
holiday event. The Parade features over 60 marching bands, dance troupes,
festive floats and community groups, attracting over 300,000 spectators
along its route through downtown Vancouver. Volunteers will also be
collecting non-perishable goods for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank
Society.
Festival of Lights - VanDusen Botanical
Garden
When: December 1 - December 31, 2015
Where: Van Dusen Botanical Garden
Description: The gorgeous VanDusen Gardens turn festive with
elaborate light decorations, a Candy Cane Tree and a Gingerbread
Walk. There are also nightly appearances from Santa, a Dancing Lights
show, community choirs, and much more.
The Nutcracker (Goh Ballet)
When: December 17- 22, 2015
Where: The Center- 777 Homer Street
Description: Can it be December without The Nutcracker, arguably
the most famous and beloved ballet of all time? A close friend of mine
makes it an annual tradition to see The Nutcracker with her
goddaughter. It's a beautiful way to make memories, dress up in your
holiday best and support ballet all at the same time.
Ballet BC presents Alberta Ballet in The
Nutcracker
When: Tuesday, December 29 to 31; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 649 Cambie Street, Vancouver
What: Ballet BC presents Alberta Ballet’s annual production of The
Nutcracker, a city-wide favourite and consistently ranked as one of
the most quintessential Christmas traditions. Tchaikovsky’s beautiful
music accompanies the classic story of Clara, live toy soldiers, dancing
mice and more.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
When: Friday, December 4, 2015 (5:30 to 7:00 p.m.)
Where: Jack Poole Plaza-Convention Centre
Description: Back for its 9th year, the Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting takes
place on Friday December 4th at Jack Poole Plaza. Join us to watch four
magnificent holiday trees, one of which is 50 feet tall, come alive with hope
and light. This free family-friendly event features live entertainment and
music, free cookies and hot chocolate, local food trucks and fun activities for kids!
The 22nd Annual Winter Solstice Lantern
Festival
When: Monday, December 21 (6-10pm)
Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Description: The 22nd Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival at the Dr. Sun
Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden produced in partnership with the Secret
Lantern Society transforms the Garden into a magical place on December
21st, from 6 pm – 10 pm with hundreds of hand-made lanterns, live music,
shadow puppets and hot aromatic tea.
Spirit of Christmas at Sea to Sky Gondola
When: Friday, December 4 to January 3, 2016
Where: Sea to Sky Gondola – off Highway 99 just before Squamish
What: High up in the alpine range lies the Sea to Sky Gondola near
Squamish, offering unparalleled views of snow-capped mountains. The
Christmas festivities include snowshoeing, tubing, a forest walk, warm
and cozy storytime and a brunch with Santa himself. There will also be a Christmas Market at the mountain
base and local choirs singing holiday carols, including a special holiday concert.
Cirque du Soleil presents Kooza
When: Until Dec 27th, 2015
Where: Grand Chapiteau (Concord Pacific Place)
What: An adrenaline rush of acrobatics in a zany kingdom. KOOZA tells the
story of The Innocent, a melancholy loner in search of his place in the world.
KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil: It combines two circus
traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning
A Christmas Story, The Musical
When: Nov 5-Dec 27th 2015
Where: Arts Club-Granville Island
What: Based on the popular film, this festive musical tells a tale familiar
to anyone who has ever been a kid: the dogged pursuit of acquiring a
desired toy. It’s the 1940s and for 9-year-old Ralphie nothing under the
tree will satisfy—save for an Official Red Ryder carbine-action BB gun.
Filled with whimsical imagery, a memorable score, and energetic dance
sequences, this Canadian premiere is a holiday gift for the whole family.
Whistler Blackcomb
When: Opening Day November 26, 2015
Where: Whistler
What: Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which
combined offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine
bowls and three glaciers. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a
variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain
Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.
Holidays at the Vancouver Aquarium
When: November 26th-January 3rd 2016
Where: Vancouver Aquarium
What: This holiday season drop by the Aquarium for some festive
underwater fun with Scuba Claus, the electric eel Christmas tree, and
more. Throughout the galleries you’ll find plenty of holiday activities,
shows and interactive displays to engage the whole family. Read more
about our holiday offerings below and plan your visit today to experience
the magic of the season at the Vancouver Aquarium