Vancouver’s 2020 November events calendar features festivals and events in the Lower Mainland including Remembrance Day and early Christmas activities.
JANUARY – FEBRUARY – MARCH – APRIL
MAY – JUNE – JULY – AUGUST – SEPTEMBER
November Calendar of Events
- Nov. 11 – Remembrance Day
- Nov. 25 – Black Friday
- Nov. 26 – American Thanksgiving (US)
COVID UPDATE
Until at least December 7th, to help control the spread of COVID-19, people should not travel for non-essential reasons within BC. People also have to wear face masks in all indoor public spaces, and not have social gatherings with folk from outside their immediate bubble. Stay safe and be responsible!
For a list of what is open and happening, see our article about What’s Open In COVID-19 Vancouver. To see what’s not happening, and for updates about the pandemic, see our article about COVID-19 and Vancouver Closures.
November Events in Vancouver
Below is what’s happening on the different days of the month in November.
(Note: Schedules are subject to change. This is the case any year, but especially in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, see official event websites for the most up-to-date details. Also, whatever you do, be responsible and be safe! Maintain proper physical distancing, do activities with people from within your “bubble”, and wear a mask when appropriate.)
Monday, November 23, 2020
- Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival. (It normally takes place live and earlier in the fall at the Norman Rothstein Theatre. This year though the shows are happening online from November 21 to 28.)
- Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open, and parking in the area is temporarily free. The neighbourhood is also decorated with Christmas lights at night.
- Arts Club Theatre – the play Buffoon shows on the Granville Island Stage (to be confirmed) and the Twelve Dates of Christmas shows at the BMO Theatre Centre. (CANCELLED)
- Christmas at FlyOver Canada – a winter holiday-themed multi-dimensional film experience at Canada Place.
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
- Vancouver Art Gallery – admission is by donation today between 5 and 9 pm (because it’s Tuesday).
- Cheap Movie Night – at most theatres throughout the Lower Mainland.
- Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open, and parking in the area is temporarily free. The neighbourhood is also decorated with Christmas lights at night.
- Arts Club Theatre – the play Buffoon shows on the Granville Island Stage (to be confirmed) and the Twelve Dates of Christmas shows at the BMO Theatre Centre. (CANCELLED)
- Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival. (It normally takes place live and earlier in the fall at the Norman Rothstein Theatre. This year though the shows are happening online from November 21 to 28.)
- Christmas at FlyOver Canada – a winter holiday-themed multi-dimensional film experience at Canada Place.
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
- Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival. (It normally takes place live and earlier in the fall at the Norman Rothstein Theatre. This year though the shows are happening online from November 21 to 28.)
- Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open, and parking in the area is temporarily free. The neighbourhood is also decorated with Christmas lights at night.
- Arts Club Theatre – the play Buffoon shows on the Granville Island Stage (to be confirmed) and the Twelve Dates of Christmas shows at the BMO Theatre Centre. (CANCELLED)
- Ongoing Christmas Events
- Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas lights and decorations at the outdoor museum in Burnaby. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
- Christmas at FlyOver Canada – a winter holiday-themed multi-dimensional film experience at Canada Place.
- If nice weather, a good day to enjoy the fall colours at any of the Lower Mainland’s best parks and places in nature.
- If miserable weather, then a good day to seek refuge at one of Vancouver’s best places on a rainy day.
Thursday, November 26, 2020
- American Thanksgiving
- Ongoing Christmas Attractions
- Christmas at FlyOver Canada – a winter holiday-themed multi-dimensional film experience at Canada Place.
- Bright Nights – first day of the season for the amazing Christmas lights and miniature train rides at Stanley Park. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
- Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas lights and decorations at the outdoor museum in Burnaby. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
- Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival. (It normally takes place live and earlier in the fall at the Norman Rothstein Theatre. This year though the shows are happening online from November 21 to 28.)
- Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open, and parking in the area is temporarily free. The neighbourhood is also decorated with Christmas lights at night.
- Arts Club Theatre – the play Buffoon shows on the Granville Island Stage (to be confirmed) and the Twelve Dates of Christmas shows at the BMO Theatre Centre. (CANCELLED)
- Global Soundscapes Festival – the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra’s annual music festival is an online event this year. A new series of performances are released on video and available to view today (as well as on every other Thursday this month).
Friday, November 27, 2020
- Black Friday
- All About Christmas Gifts Expo – a giant holiday market at Heritage Park in Chilliwack. (CANCELLED, but moving online.)
- Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival. (It normally takes place live and earlier in the fall at the Norman Rothstein Theatre. This year though the shows are happening online from November 21 to 28.)
- Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open, and parking in the area is temporarily free. The neighbourhood is also decorated with Christmas lights at night.
- Arts Club Theatre – the play Buffoon shows on the Granville Island Stage (to be confirmed) and the Twelve Dates of Christmas shows at the BMO Theatre Centre. (CANCELLED)
- Ongoing Christmas Attractions
- Christmas at FlyOver Canada – a winter holiday-themed multi-dimensional film experience at Canada Place.
- Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas lights and decorations at the outdoor museum in Burnaby. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
- Festival of Lights – the annual winter event featuring over a million lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
- Bright Nights – amazing Christmas lights and miniature train rides at Stanley Park. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
Saturday, November 28, 2020
- Christmas on the Peninsula – an all-day community event that normally features a Christmas artisan market, entertainment, treats for kids and family-friendly activities in White Rock. (Taking place online in 2020 due to COVID-19.)
- All About Christmas Gifts Expo – a giant holiday market at Heritage Park in Chilliwack. (CANCELLED, but moving online.)
- Kids Help Phone Homes for the Holidays – a fundraising event where guests get to tour half a dozen Vancouver homes that have been professionally decorated for the Christmas season.
- Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival. (It normally takes place live and earlier in the fall at the Norman Rothstein Theatre. This year though the shows are happening online from November 21 to 28.)
- Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open, and parking in the area is temporarily free. The neighbourhood is also decorated with Christmas lights at night.
- Arts Club Theatre – the play Buffoon shows on the Granville Island Stage (to be confirmed) and the Twelve Dates of Christmas shows at the BMO Theatre Centre. (CANCELLED)
- Skating at the Shipyards – ice skating at the giant outdoor covered rink at Shipyard Commons which is 5 minutes from the SeaBus in North Vancouver. Free admission (and skates can be rented). (TBC)
- Markets
- Riley Park Farmers Market – between 10 am and 2 pm at Vancouver’s Nat Bailey Stadium at 4601 Ontario Street.
- Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue.
- Ongoing Christmas Attractions
- Christmas at FlyOver Canada – a winter holiday-themed multi-dimensional film experience at Canada Place.
- Bright Nights – amazing Christmas lights and miniature train rides at Stanley Park. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
- Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas lights and decorations at the outdoor museum in Burnaby. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
- Festival of Lights – the annual winter event featuring over a million lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
Sunday, November 29, 2020
- All About Christmas Gifts Expo – a giant holiday market at Heritage Park in Chilliwack. (CANCELLED, but moving online.)
- Skating at the Shipyards – ice skating at the giant outdoor covered rink at Shipyard Commons which is 5 minutes from the SeaBus in North Vancouver. Free admission (and skates can be rented). (TBC)
- Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open, and parking in the area is temporarily free. The neighbourhood is also decorated with Christmas lights at night.
- Arts Club Theatre – the play Buffoon shows on the Granville Island Stage (to be confirmed) and the Twelve Dates of Christmas shows at the BMO Theatre Centre. (CANCELLED)
- Markets
- Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market – from 10 am to 2 pm at Hastings Skatepark by the PNE.
- Vancouver Flea Market – from 9 am to 5 pm at 703 Terminal Avenue.
- Cloverdale Flea Market – a massive market at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey from 6 am until 3 pm. (To be confirmed, but likely CANCELLED.)
- Abbotsford Flea Market – a giant flea market at Abbotsford Exhibition Park from 6 am to 4 pm. (To be confirmed, but likely CANCELLED.)
- Ongoing Christmas Attractions
- Christmas at FlyOver Canada – a winter holiday-themed multi-dimensional film experience at Canada Place.
- Bright Nights – amazing Christmas lights and miniature train rides at Stanley Park. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
- Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas lights and decorations at the outdoor museum in Burnaby. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
- Festival of Lights – the annual winter event featuring over a million lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
- Kids Help Phone Homes for the Holidays – a fundraising event where guests get to tour half a dozen Vancouver homes that have been professionally decorated for the Christmas season.
Monday, November 30, 2020
- Christmas at FlyOver Canada – a winter holiday-themed multi-dimensional film experience at Canada Place.
- Bright Nights – amazing Christmas lights and miniature train rides at Stanley Park. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
- Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open, and parking in the area is temporarily free. The neighbourhood is also decorated with Christmas lights at night.
- Arts Club Theatre – the play Buffoon shows on the Granville Island Stage (to be confirmed) and the Twelve Dates of Christmas shows at the BMO Theatre Centre. (CANCELLED)
- Festival of Lights – the annual winter event featuring over a million lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden. (CANCELLED until further notice.)
- Skating at the Shipyards – ice skating at the giant outdoor covered rink at Shipyard Commons which is 5 minutes from the SeaBus in North Vancouver. Free admission (and skates can be rented). (TBD)
Top Things to Do in November
Below are some of the most popular activities to do in November in the Lower Mainland.
- Take part in the Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11th at any one of various locations.
- Enjoy the last of the autumn leaves early in the month at any of Metro Vancouver’s best parks and places in nature.
- If it’s not raining, then enjoy the outdoors as much as possible at places like Stanley Park, any of the North Shore‘s great parks, along the seawall at False Creek or Coal Harbour, or any of Vancouver’s other best places for a walk, jog or cycle.
- If it’s raining (which there’s a very good chance that it will be), then partake in one of Vancouver’s top indoor activities at a nice warm, dry, indoor venue.
- Go Black Friday shopping in Vancouver, not south of the border due to the poor exchange rate.
- Take in one of Vancouver’s best places to see Christmas decorations at the end of the month before the December crowds.
Vancouver November Weather
Rain, rain and more rain. The only month with more rain than November (with an average of 170 mm or 6.8 inches) is December (with almost 178 mm, or just over 7 inches).
Yes, November is usually a very wet month, even by Vancouver’s soggy standards. The only people in town with wide grins on their faces because of the weather are the skiers, who know that if it’s raining in town then it’ll be snowing at the same time – or not too far in the future – up on the hills.
The average November temperatures in Vancouver are 9 degrees Celsius (48 F) in the day and 3 C at night (or 37 F), which means while people are sleeping it is usually below freezing up at the ski hills.
November competes with December for being the most dismal month of the year in the Lower Mainland weather-wise, but lacks December’s abundance of Christmas lights (which almost completely eliminates all the gloominess).
Recommended Activities
Unless it happens to be sunny and not raining, November is a good month for indoor activities. The autumn leaves are still good in the first half of the month or so though, so Stanley Park, VanDusen Garden, Queen Elizabeth Park and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden can still be good early on, but everything is looking pretty bleak and bare by the end of November.
When we say November is typically probably the gloomiest month in Vancouver, given that the trees are bare and there’s so much rain, it doesn’t mean that Vancouver isn’t still a beautiful city – it’s just one of the world’s most beautiful cities at its worst (so still much better than many places). When it’s really cloudy, you just have to use your imagination to visualize all the stunning mountains.
When it’s not raining, hiking in November is still great in many of the parks (especially where the trees are coniferous and so don’t lose their leaves and look bleak towards the end of the month). A great place for this is at almost any of the regional parks or hiking trails on the North Shore, including the Capilano River Regional Park where the salmon are likely still spawning at the salmon hatchery just a short walk or drive from the Cleveland Dam.
Click Festivals & Events for a listing of the best festivals and events, or Shows & Entertainment for the full year’s calendar of shows and performances taking place in the Lower Mainland.
To return to the top of the page, click November Calendar.
To see what’s happening next month, click December Calendar of Events.
