Carol Ships Shoreline Celebration

Santa’s Christmas Ships features a giant bonfire and boats with Christmas lights in mid-December at Deep Cove in North Vancouver.

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

(Note: A number of companies offer events on the water during the Christmas season and other times of the year. A couple of them are Vancouver Boat Parties and Vancouver Cruises.)

Deep Cove Christmas Festivities

Deep Cove is a seaside community in North Vancouver that celebrates the Christmas season with its Santa’s Christmas Ships Shoreline Celebration event. In 2024 festivities take place on Friday, December 6th.

The boats visit Deep Cove and travel from Woodlands to Brighton Beach on the same day. In Deep Cove, the celebrations normally take place at Panorama Park. The exact location for 2024 is to be confirmed.

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 makes an appearance most years, but probably not in 2024. He’s only scheduled to be at the Holiday Cheer at the Pier event in Port Moody this year.

The celebration in Deep Cove isn’t a huge event, as it runs for only about 90 minutes, but it can attract hundreds of people (especially on nights with good weather).

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