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North Vancouver’s Bonfire and Santa Christmas Ships Celebration

Carol Ships Shoreline Celebration

Santa’s Christmas Ships features a giant bonfire and boats with Christmas lights in December at Deep Cove in North Vancouver. It’s a fun, family-friendly event.

This free Christmas-themed community event has been running for over 20 years and features live music and family-friendly activities. Admission is free!

For more details about the event, visit the North Vancouver Recreation & Culture website.

Deep Cove Winter Holiday Festivities in 2025

Deep Cove is a seaside community in North Vancouver that celebrates the Christmas season with its Santa’s Christmas Ships Shoreline Celebration & Bonfire event. In 2025 the festivities take place on Saturday, December 6th.

The boats usually visit Deep Cove and other locations on the same night. This year, however, it looks like they’ll pass by Cates Park, Dollarton and Belcarra Bay the day before, so on December 5th. In Deep Cove, the celebrations take place at Panorama Park and the boats pass by sometime between around 7:00 and 9:00 pm.

At the event at Panorama Park you can expect to be entertained with live music, craft activities, a massive bonfire and food and drink. There is also usually a face-painting station and someone making balloon animals for kids. Santa sometimes makes an appearance at the event, but not always.

The celebration in Deep Cove runs for a couple of hours and can attract hundreds of people (especially on nights with good weather). The boats with their lights are usually there for just a short time.

The event is free to attend. However, participants are encouraged to bring a donation of non-perishable food or unwrapped Christmas gifts. Items donated benefit great causes.