Home Vancouver Monthly Calendar Vancouver Events in NOVEMBER 2021

Vancouver Events in NOVEMBER 2021

November in Vancouver

Vancouver’s 2021 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

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER – DECEMBER

 

November Calendar of Events

 

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 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, see official event websites for the most up-to-date details. Also, whatever you do, keep safe and be responsible! Maintain proper physical distancing, do activities with people from within your “bubble”, and wear a mask when appropriate.)

 

To jump to a specific week, click on any of the following:

November 1-7 | November 8-14 | November 15-21 | November 22-28 | November 29-30

 

Monday, November 1, 2021

 

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

 

Best Places in Autumn

 

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

 

Thursday, November 4, 2021

 

Friday, November 5, 2021

 

Saturday, November 6, 2021

 

Sunday, November 7, 2021

 

Week of November 8th to 14th

November 1-7 | November 8-14 | November 15-21 | November 22-28 | November 29-30

 

Monday, November 8, 2021

 

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

 

Remembrance Day Weekend Activities

 

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

 

Thursday, November 11, 2021

 

Free Events in November

 

Friday, November 12, 2021

 

Saturday, November 13, 2021

 

Christmas Craft Fairs

 

Sunday, November 14, 2021

 

Week of November 15th to 21st

November 1-7 | November 8-14 | November 15-21 | November 22-28 | November 29-30

 

Monday, November 15, 2021

 

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

 

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

 

Thursday, November 18, 2021

  • Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Lost Souls of Gastown at 7 pm.
  • Lights of Hope Celebration – Christmas lights and fireworks displays at St. Paul’s Hospital at 1081 Burrard Street to mark the launch of the hospital’s annual fundraising event. (TBD)

 

Friday, November 19, 2021

 

Saturday, November 20, 2021

  • Surrey Tree Lighting Festival – festivities usually take place at the Plaza at City Hall at 13450-104th Avenue in Surrey, with the official lighting of the 55-foot tree in the evening. (To be confirmed.)
  • Christmas Tree Sales – various charities and farms are selling Christmas trees around the Lower Mainland.
  • Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open and the neighbourhood is decorated with Christmas lights at night.
  • Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – today features the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour at 10 am and the Lost Souls of Gastown at 7 pm.
  • Flea & Farmers Markets
    • Riley Park Farmers Market – formerly the Nat Bailey Winters Farmers Market, runs 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

 

Sunday, November 21, 2021

 

Week of November 22nd to 28th

November 1-7 | November 8-14 | November 15-21 | November 22-28 | November 29-30

 

Monday, November 22, 2021

  • Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival. (TBD)
  • Christmas Tree Sales – various charities and farms are selling Christmas trees around the Lower Mainland.
  • Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open and the neighbourhood is decorated with Christmas lights at night.
  • Ongoing Christmas Attractions

 

Rainy Day Activities

 

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

  • 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.
  • Christmas Tree Sales – various charities and farms are selling Christmas trees around the Lower Mainland.
  • Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open and the neighbourhood is decorated with Christmas lights at night.
  • Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival. (TBD)
  • Ongoing Christmas Attractions

 

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

 

Thursday, November 25, 2021

  • American Thanksgiving
  • Ongoing Christmas Attractions
  • Christmas Tree Sales – various charities and farms are selling Christmas trees around the Lower Mainland.
  • Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival. (TBD)
  • Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open and the neighbourhood is decorated with Christmas lights at night.

 

Friday, November 26, 2021

 

Saturday, November 27, 2021

  • Black Friday Week – shopping deals all over the Lower Mainland.
  • Christmas Tree Sales – various charities and farms are selling Christmas trees around the Lower Mainland.
  • Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open and the neighbourhood is decorated with Christmas lights at night.
  • Dundarave Christmas Fair – a small community event with Christmas tree decorating and live entertainment in West Vancouver as part of the Dundarave Festival of Lights. (TBD)
  • 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).
  • Markets
  • Ongoing Christmas Attractions

 

Best Christmas Activities

 

Sunday, November 28, 2021

 

Week of November 29th to 30th

November 1-7 | November 8-14 | November 15-21 | November 22-28 | November 29-30

 

Monday, November 29, 2021

  • Cyber Monday (and continuation of Black Friday Week) – a day in North America when lots of things go on sale online.
  • 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.
  • Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open and the neighbourhood is decorated with Christmas lights at night.
  • Christmas Tree Sales – various charities and farms are selling Christmas trees around the Lower Mainland.
  • Lights by the Lake – Christmas light displays and free ice skating at Harrison Hot Springs.
  • Festival of Lights – the annual winter event featuring over a million lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden.
  • 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).

 

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

  • Black Friday Week – shopping deals all over the Lower Mainland (but less so than in years without COVID-19).
  • 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.
  • Christmas Tree Sales – various charities and farms are selling Christmas trees around the Lower Mainland.
  • Granville Island – the shopping and entertainment district is open and the neighbourhood is decorated with Christmas lights at night.
  • Ongoing Christmas Attractions

 

Other November Events in 2021

Below are events that may or may not also be happening in November 2021.

 

Shows and Entertainment

 

Food -Related Events

  • Asian Feast Dining Festival – an event where participating restaurants offer special menu deals in Richmond (from mid-October until mid-November). (TBD)
  • Food Trucks in New West – a tiny drive thru-style food truck event takes place outside New Westminster’s Braid SkyTrain Station. Partial proceeds of revenues made go to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. (TBD)

 

Festivals and Events

  • Diwali Fest – “Diwali Downtown Surrey” and “Diwali Downtown Vancouver” take place on different weekends in November. (TBD)
  • DTES Heart of the City Festival – community events featuring film, theatre, music, panel discussions, cultural sharing and workshops. (TBD)
  • Bear Creek Park Light Festival – lights and illuminations on display in the evening at Bear Creek Park in Surrey. Free! (TBD)
  • Eastside Culture Crawl – an art festival featuring the works of hundreds of artists at multiple venues between Columbia Street, 1st Avenue, Victoria Drive and Vancouver’s waterfront. (TBD)
  • Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival. (TBD)
  • Hopscotch Festival – a whiskey and other fine spirits-tasting event at the PNE Forum. Hundreds of different samples are available from fine Scotch to Irish Whiskey, Bourbons, Vodkas, Gins and even local craft spirits and beers.

 

Sporting Events

  • Vancouver Undie Run – a Movember fundraising event where participants run around Olympic Village and False Creek in their underwear to help raise awareness about cancer and men’s health issues. (TBD)
  • Vancouver Historic Half – a 5K, 10K, half marathon and half marathon relay around Stanley Park’s seawall. (TBD)
  • 108th Grey Cup – the Canadian CFL Football Championships take place live somewhere in Canada and on screens at sports bars across the country.
  • Vancouver Giants Hockey – against various teams on different dates at the Langley Events Centre. (TBD)
  • Vancouver Canucks Hockey – professional ice hockey at Rogers Arena against various teams.
  • The Phantom Run Trail Race – 12.5K, 19.5K and 24.5K trail runs starting at North Vancouver’s Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. (TBD)
  • RMHBC Boundary Bay Marathon – a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Boston-qualifying Marathon and 4-Person Marathon Relay starting at Boundary Bay Park’s Centennial Beach. (TBD)

 

Christmas-Themed Events

  • 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. (TBD)
  • Lumiere Vancouver – a small festival with Christmas illuminations at English Bay and Jim Deva Plaza in Vancouver’s West End. (TBD)
  • Shipyards Christmas Festival – a free winter holiday-themed community event at the Shipyards in North Vancouver. Activities include live music, an artisan market, refreshments, ice skating and the lighting of the City of North Vancouver’s official Christmas tree. (TBD)
  • Candytown – an outdoor Christmas market on Mainland Street in Yaletown. (TBD)
  • Edmonds Festival of Light – a small event for young families at the Edmonds Community Centre at 7433 Edmonds Street. Activities include live entertainment, light refreshments, crafts, an appearance by Santa and various child-friendly activities. (TBD)
  • Highstreet’s Tree Lighting & Holiday Show – a Christmas event at Abbotsford’s Highstreet Shopping Centre at 3122 Mt. Lehman Road. (TBD)
  • Light Up the Village – Christmas decorations, the arrival of Santa Claus, family-friendly activities and a Ferris wheel with rides by donation at West Vancouver’s Park Royal Mall. (TBD)
  • Squamish Santa Claus Parade – a Christmas parade along Cleveland Avenue in Squamish. (TBD)
  • Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting – outside the Vancouver Art Gallery in downtown Vancouver.
  • Winter in the City – a Christmas-themed community event at Leigh Square in Port Coquitlam. (TBD)

 

Christmas-Themed Attractions

  • Aurora Winter Festival – a North Pole-themed Christmas attraction with rides, holiday lights, market vendors, Santa and other family-friendly activities at the PNE. (TBD)
  • Christmas Glow – a winter holiday festival featuring a light tunnel, holiday illuminations and music in Langley. (TBD)
  • Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge – Christmas light displays at the world-famous bridge. (TBD)
  • Peak of Christmas – the season of Christmas celebrations at Grouse Mountain begin in late November. (TBD)
  • Polar Express – special Christmas activities at the West Coast Railway Museum in Squamish. (TBD)
  • Vancouver Christmas Market – European-themed market vendors, carousel and food stalls at Jack Poole Plaza. (TBD)

 

City of Vancouver Christmas Craft Fairs

  • Britannia Christmas Craft Fair – at the Britannia Community Services Centre at 1661 Napier Street in Vancouver. (TBD)
  • Dunbar Holiday Craft Fair – one of Vancouver’s largest Christmas craft fairs, with over 140 vendors. (TBD)
  • Mercato Italian Christmas Market – indoors at the Italian Cultural Centre at 3075 Slocan Street. (It takes place in late November most years, although sometimes in early December. To be confirmed for 2021.)
  • West End Holiday Craft Fair – 50+ vendors and free admission at the West End Community Centre at 870 Denman Street. (TBD)
  • Christmas at Hycroft – an amazing upscale Christmas market and fundraising event for the University Women’s Club at 1489 McRae Avenue in Vancouver. The venue alone is beautiful (and was used on occasion in the TV series When Calls the Heart). (TBD)
  • Circle Craft Market – at the Vancouver Convention Centre West at 1055 Canada Place. This is Vancouver’s biggest and most upscale Christmas craft market. It features work by hundreds of BC-based artists and artisans and is highly recommended. (TBD)

 

Other North Shore Christmas Craft Fairs

  • STA Christmas Craft Fair – a market featuring over 100 jury-selected artisans at St. Thomas Aquinas School at 541 West Keith Road in North Vancouver. (TBD)
  • NV Holiday Bazaar – at the West Vancouver Community Centre at 2121 Marine Drive in West Vancouver. Free admission. (TBD)
  • Shipyards Christmas Market – a winter artisan market in the Pipe Shop at North Vancouver’s Shipyards near Lonsdale Quay. Admission is free (although donations benefiting a local charity are most welcome). (TBD)
  • Silver Harbour Christmas Market – a craft fair with free admission at North Vancouver’s Silver Harbour Senior Centre at 144 East 22nd Street. (TBD)
  • Etsy Collective Holiday Pop Up – a Christmas-themed craft fair at the Pipe Shop at 115 Victory Ship Way in North Vancouver. (TBD)
  • Fair Trade Christmas Market – is small artisan market featuring fair trade products made by artisans in the Third World. It takes place at St. Andrew’s United Church in North Vancouver and features products imported to Canada by the non-profit social enterprise Ten Thousand Villages. (TBD)
  • Fall Artisan Market – formerly known as the “Craft Market,” takes place at the West Vancouver Community Centre at 2121 Marine Drive. (TBD)

 

Other Metro Vancouver Christmas Craft Fairs

 

Other Holiday Markets

  • Olde Farmhouse Market – a vintage market featuring over 100 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, jewellery, handmade goods and other home and garden treasures at Tradex in Abbotsford. (TBD)
  • Refresh Market – an artisan market at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish. (TBD)
  • All About Christmas Gifts Expo – a giant holiday market at Heritage Park in Chilliwack. (TBD)
  • Japanese Craft & Bake Fair – at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre at 6688 Southoaks Crescent in Burnaby. (TBD)

 

Other General Events

  • LCPN Networking Breakfast – a business networking event with Vancouver’s Latin American community. The event costs around $25 or so and includes a guest speaker presentation and breakfast. All are welcome. (TBD)
  • Seniors Day at MOV – admission to the Museum of Vancouver is just $5 on the first Tuesday of the month (but to be confirmed for this month in 2021).
  • Douglas Day at Fort Langley – a small annual celebration of the day in 1858 when Sir James Douglas formally proclaimed BC a colony. (TBD)
  • Roedde House – admission to the historic museum in Vancouver’s West End is by donation on the last Friday of the month). (TBD)
  • Beaty Nocturnal – the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC is open by donation the third Thursday of the month from 5 to 8:30 pm. (TBD)
  • 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. (TBD)

 

Top Things to Do in November

Below are some of the most popular activities to do in November in the Lower Mainland.

 

Vancouver November Weather

Rainy Day Activities IconRain, 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.

 

 

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