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 30th in 2024. That’s when the City of North Vancouver’s official Christmas tree is lit up!
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 and it’s free!
The North Shore event usually takes place on the first Saturday of December. In 2024, the event happens in the Shipyards District on Saturday, November 30th, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm.
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 outdoor entertainment and activities, there is usually an artisan market at the event. In 2024, there are dozens of vendor booths in the area for the brand new Shipyards Christmas Market.
Festivals Date and Schedule
A number of activities take place throughout the event, while some occur at specific times. The festival itself runs from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. The Shipyards Christmas Market runs from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm throughout the weekend.
North Vancouver’s Mayor usually lights up the Christmas tree sometime between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm on the Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are typically there to help too.
The same as other years, entertainment at the event includes live music and dance performances. Other activities normally include lantern-making, storytelling, craft activities and other fun things. There is also free hot chocolate, and food trucks are on site.
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.
At the event there is an artisan market along with live entertainment and other family-friendly fun. Admission to that market is free too.
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 from December 6th to 8th in 2024. At the market there are dozens of local artisan vendors selling everything from handmade soaps to homemade sauces to Christmas cards and other products.
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 2024 it takes place on the weekend of December 14th and 15th.
New for 2024, there’s also the Shipyards Christmas Market. It’s free to enter and features a European theme, live music and about 75 vendor booths. The market runs from November 29th to December 24th.
Festival Entertainment
North Vancouver’s Shipyards Spirit of the Season Festival features live entertainment. The following is the entertainment schedule for 2024.
- 3:45 pm – Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive by fire truck at Shipbuilders’ Square
- 4:00 pm – Tsleil-Waututh (səl̓ilwətaɬ ) Nation Welcome
- 4:05 pm – Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw ) Welcome
- 4:15 pm – Mayor & Council Welcome and Tree Lighting Ceremony
- 4:45 pm – Ridgeway School Band Performance
- 5:20 pm – Method of Modern Movement Dance Performance
- 5:30 pm – Perform Art Studios Dance Performance
- 5:45 pm – North Shore Academy of Dancing Performance
- 6:20 pm – ShowStoppers Acappella Holiday Performance
- 6:50 pm – Ballet Bloch Nutcracker Pop-up Performance
- 7:15 pm – School of Rock Junior House Band
Other Information
For further details about the Spirit of the Season Festival, see the City of North Vancouver‘s website.
To learn more about other markets that takes place at the Shipyards, see our articles about the Made in the 604 Market, Shipyards Christmas Market, and Shipyards Artisan Markets.
For more information about the region and other things to do in the area, click North Vancouver, Lower Lonsdale, Shipyards District, North Shore or North Vancouver Christmas Events.
For ideas on other things to do over the winter holiday season, check out any of the following:
- Best Christmas Activities
- Vancouver’s December Calendar of Events
- Lower Mainland Ski Hills
- Vancouver Winter Activities