Shipyards Christmas Festival

The Shipyards Christmas Festival is a community event featuring live music and an artisan market at North Vancouver’s Shipbuilders’ Square in December.

Now called the Spirit of the Season Festival, the event takes place on Saturday November 29th, 2025. That’s when the City of North Vancouver’s official Christmas tree is lit up!

TIP: Another fabulous event in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood is the Shipyards Christmas Market. It runs daily from November 28th until December 24th. It features over 100 vendors and admission is free! On December 6th there is also the Deep Cove Bonfire Night at Panorama Park in the District of North Vancouver, and all season there is Canyon Lights at Capilano Bridge.

Spirit of the Season Celebration at the Shipyards

Communities all across the Lower Mainland hold winter holiday celebrations where they light their city’s giant Christmas trees, offer family-friendly activities and enjoy live entertainment. The kick-off for the Spirit of the Season Celebration is the City of North Vancouver’s official Christmas event.

The event is free to attend and takes place on Saturday, November 29th, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Beginning with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on a City fire truck, followed by welcome ceremonies led by the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. The evening includes live dance and music performances on the Shipyards stage.

Shipbuilders' Square at Shipyards Christmas Festival — Shipyards Christmas Festival at Shipbuilders’ Square

Festival Location

The Spirit of the Season Festival takes place in and around Shipbuilders’ Square. The square is located at the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver just a short walk from Lonsdale Quay and the SeaBus Terminal. The Square’s address is 15 Wallace Mews. It’s just behind the Tap & Barrel restaurant and Pinnacle Hotel.

In addition to the outdoor entertainment, the festival overlaps with two large artisan markets. The Vancouver Etsy Co. Holiday Pop Up in the Pipe Shop and the Shipyards Christmas Market both happen on the same day.

Festivals Dates

The festival takes place on Saturday, November 29th, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Several activities happen throughout the event, with some scheduled to occur at specific times. Expect festive decor, outdoor skating, photo opportunities with Santa, and holiday shopping.

The Shipyards Christmas Market runs from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm and the Vancouver Etsy Co. Holiday Pop Up runs from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm inside the Pipe Shop.

Balloon-Twisting Man — Balloon Animal-Making at the Shipyards

Festival Costs and Activities

The Shipyards Christmas event is free to attend, although donations benefiting local charities are welcome. Most of the activities at the festival are free too. Admission to the Shipyards Christmas Market is free too.

Highlights include photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Cates Deck, ice skating, light displays, free craft activities and workshops. There are also food trucks and many restaurants nearby.

Festival Entertainment in 2025

Below is a rough outline of the on-stage entertainment at the Spirit of the Season Festival in 2025. Exact times and performers are subject to change, but the evening follows a similar flow each year.

3:45 pm – Santa and Mrs Claus arrive at Shipbuilders’ Square on a City fire truck to help kick things off.
4:00 pm –Welcome and song from members of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and representatives of the Squamish Nation.
4:15 pm – Opening remarks from the Mayor.
4:20 pm – Lighting of the City’s official Christmas tree.

After the tree is lit, the following performances continue on the Shipbuilders’ Stage:

4:45pm – Music by a local school band.
5:20 pm – Dance by Method of Modern Movement.
5:30 pm – Dance by Perform Art Studios.
6:00 pm – Holiday songs from ShowStoppers.
6:10 pm – Dance by North Shore Academy of Dancing.
6:40 pm – Live jazz from the Casey Thomas-Burns Quintet.
7:05 pm – Nutcracker-themed ballet dance from Ballet Bloch.
7:30 pm – Closing songs by VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir.

Christmas Market at the Shipyards — Shipyards Christmas Artisan Market in the Pipe Shop

Christmas Markets

A few holiday artisan markets take place at the Shipyards in December. The Made in the 604 Market runs inside the Pipe Shop in early December. There are dozens of local artisan vendors selling a wide range of products, including handmade soaps, homemade sauces, and Christmas cards.

Another market at the Shipyards in December is the Shipyards Artisan Christmas Market (which is unrelated to the Made in the 604 Market). It too features dozens of local artisans. In 2025, it takes place on the weekend of December 13th and 14th.

Last year saw the launch of the Shipyards Christmas Market. It’s free to enter, and features a European theme, live music and over 100 vendor booths. The market runs from November 28th to Christmas Eve, 2025.

Located inside the Pipe Shop during the festival weekend, the Etsy Co. Holiday Pop Up market also takes place.