It's time to get your jingle on! From twinkling light displays and Christmas markets to holiday cocktails, festive shows, and enough seasonal treats to put us into a gingerbread-induced food coma, there's plenty to get excited about. Whether you're going full Buddy the Elf or just here for the boozy hot chocolate, we've rounded up the best ways to eat, drink, shop, and sleigh your way through the holidays!
Our Top 10 Picks
Holiday Lights
Live Music
Holiday & Craft Markets
Ice Skating
Best NYE Events
Free Events
Ultimate Gift Guide
Our Top 10
St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard St
November 12th, 6-8pm
Photo via st pauls website
Join us for the last Lights of Hope lighting celebration outside St. Paul’s Hospital on
Burrard Street before the new hospital moves to its new home on the Jim Pattison
Medical Campus. Bring the whole family for a festive evening of fireworks, live music,
and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Thursday, November 12, from 6-8 p.m. Free and
family-friendly!
Murder She Improvised
Tightrope Theatre
Early Music Vancouver
Photo via early music vancouver
Join Early Music Vancouver as we get into the holiday spirit with two festive offerings this December. On December 4 we present A French Baroque Christmas with the award winning singers and instrumentalists of Ensemble Correspondances, in which the simple pleasure and extraordinary craftsmanship of Charpentier's ‘Messe de minuit pour Noël’ is brought to vivid life.
Enter to win a pair of tickets to the show!*
Photo via early music vancouver
Then, on Sunday, December 20 at 3pm EMV presents Festive Cantatas, a selection of sacred music by J.S. Bach and Antonio Vivaldi, including Vivaldi's immensely popular Gloria, performed with the Vancouver Youth Choir. Do not miss your chance to experience these classical masterpieces, both joyful and profound.
Enter to win a pair of tickets to the show!*
ABBA Christmas Show
Moon Coin Productions
ACT Arts Centre
City of Maple Ridge
The Nutcracker
Seymour Dance
Deer Lake Winter Craft Festival
Burnaby Arts Council
8.
9.
10.
Holiday Lights
Live Music
Holiday & Craft Markets
Photo via Shipyards Website
Want to make sure you're not on the naughty list? Don't stress yourself out doing last minute Holiday shopping! Peep these local holiday markets and craft fairs to get your gift buying done early. Or, if you're looking to just get into the ho-ho-ho spirit, then these events will surely not disappoint.
The Shipyards, North Vancouver
November 27th - December 24th, 2026
Christmas magic is taking over the North Shore! The Shipyards Christmas Market brings twinkling lights, local vendors, festive eats, mulled wine, live music, ice skating, and visits with Santa to the waterfront. Grab your favourite people and soak up the holiday cheer. Best part? Admission is completely FREE!
Jack Poole Plaza - Downtown
November 16th - December 24th, 2026
It's officially time to get merry! The Vancouver Christmas Market is bringing European holiday magic to the waterfront. Wander through festive wooden huts, sip on mulled wine, feast on bratwurst and pretzels, and enjoy twinkling lights, carousel rides, and plenty of Christmas cheer. New for 2026, explore the Wishing Forest, cozy up by the Fire Pit Lounge, and discover the Secret Cocktail Wall, where Santa or the Grinch might just serve your next drink!
Croatian Cultural Centre - 3250 Commercial Drive
November 21st & 22nd / November 28th & 29th, 2026
Holiday shopping just got a whole lot more fun! Got Craft Holiday Market takes over the Croatian Cultural Centre with 100 local makers selling everything from handmade jewelry and art to tasty treats and unique gifts. Plus, enjoy food trucks, DIY activities, young entrepreneurs, and legendary swag bags for early shoppers!
The Skript Kitchen - 250 West 3rd Avenue
November 22nd, 2026
Get into the holiday spirit at Skript with a festive market featuring local gluten-free food and beverage vendors! Sip on mulled wine or hot apple cider, shop local, and enjoy some cozy holiday vibes. Best part? Everything is 100% gluten-free!
PNE Forum
December 10th - 13th, 2026
Your holiday shopping list just met its match! Make It returns with hundreds of talented makers selling handmade gifts, cozy knits, ceramics, jewelry, art, and delicious local treats. Plus, enjoy food trucks, Santa photos, and a fun kids zone while soaking up all the festive vibes!
Western Front - 303 E 8th Ave
December 4th - 6th, 2026
Shop local, gift better! Toque Craft Fair returns to Western Front with over 60 talented BC artists, makers, and designers selling everything from handmade ceramics and jewelry to art, textiles, and unique holiday gifts. Even better, 30% of sales support Western Front's arts programming, so your holiday shopping gives back!
Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Ave
December 4th & 11th (5-11pm) / December 5th & 12th (12-7pm) / December 6th & 13th (11am-5pm), 2026
Not your grandma's Christmas market! The Weirdos Holiday Market returns to Russian Hall with a wonderfully bizarre mix of quirky art, oddball gifts, funky fashion, and even antique taxidermy. Shop creations from local artists, embrace your weird side, and check out the adults-only Friday night markets with DJs and drinks!
Centre culturel francophone de Vancouver -1551 W 7th Ave
December 5th, 2026
A little French flair for your holiday festivities! The Francophone Christmas Market is bringing together 20 local vendors with handmade gifts, tasty treats, and plenty of festive finds. Grab some fresh crêpes and mulled wine, enjoy Christmas music and free activities for the kids, and get into the holiday spirit. Admission is FREE!
Ice Skating
Photo via pexels
Lace up those skates and get ready to hit the ice! Whether you're gliding under the twinkling lights at Robson Square, soaking up the waterfront views at The Shipyards Skate Plaza, or enjoying some mountaintop magic at Grouse Mountain, Vancouver has plenty of places to get your skate on. From festive outdoor rinks to cozy indoor arenas, there's something for everyone, even if you're spending more time on your butt than your blades!
Best NYE Events
Free Events
photo via unsplash
Who says you need to spend big to get into the holiday spirit? Vancouver is packed with free festive fun, from dazzling light displays at St. Paul’s Lights of Hope to the Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration, holiday markets, and the magical Festive Village at Burnaby Village Museum. Grab your favourite people, bundle up, and soak up all the holiday cheer without spending a dime!
Looking for more festive fun on a budget?
Ultimate Gift Guide
