Wondering what to do in Vancouver this weekend? There’s a lot happening in the Lower Mainland including a number of festivals and other events.

This Weekend in Vancouver

Highlights of the December 21st to 23rd weekend are the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival, Sweet Soul Gospel Celebration and Christmas Wassail & Bonfire Night at the Dundarave Festival of Lights. There are also numerous Christmas Attractions all around town including Glow Christmas, Christmas at FlyOver Canada, VanDusen Festival of Lights and the Vancouver Christmas Market.

Note: Event details are subject to change.

Friday, December 21, 2018

• Last day of school before Christmas holidays for most Lower Mainland schools.
• Winter Solstice Lantern Festival – an annual community event with dancing, fire performances and outdoor processions at several different venues (including Granville Island and Yaletown).
• Shows & Entertainment
  • Music at Robson Square – in addition to the free ice skating at Robson Square, there is also live Soul and Gospel music with Warren Dean Flandez in the evening.
  • A Traditional Christmas Concert – performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church in Vancouver.
  • Bah! Humbug! – a musical play based on the Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” but set in Vancouver’s modern-day Downtown Eastside. Shows at the Goldcorp Centre at 149 West Hastings at 7:30 pm.
  • Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley – a Christmas-themed comedy by the Arts Club Theatre and showing at the Granville Island Stage. Tickets start at just $29.
  • The Nutcracker – the Christmas classic with Goh Ballet at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
• Christmas Attractions
  • Glow Christmas – an indoor attraction in Langley that features a light maze, light tunnel, live entertainment and market.
  • Christmas at FlyOver Canada – a winter holiday-themed multi-dimensional film experience at Canada Place.
  • Vancouver Christmas Market – European-themed market vendors, carousel and food stalls at Jack Poole Plaza.
  • Festival of Trees – special Christmas tree decorations at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Heritage Site in Steveston Village.
  • Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
  • Christmas at Canada Place – Christmas lights and seasonal displays.
  • Bright Nights – amazing Christmas lights and miniature train rides at Stanley Park.
  • Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and family-friendly activities in the gardens at Park and Tilford mall at 333 Brooksbank Avenue in North Vancouver (by donation and to be confirmed).
  • Aurora Winter Festival – a new North-Pole-themed Christmas attraction at Concord Pacific Place.
  • A Fort Langley Christmas – Christmas-themed decorations and activities at the historic fort in the Fraser Valley.
  • Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – Christmas lights and decorations at the outdoor museum in Burnaby from 1 to 9 pm (free).
  • Holiday Heights at Bloedel – Christmas lights, glowing plants and family fun at the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park.
  • Festival of Lights – amazing Christmas lights and festivities at VanDusen Garden from 4:30 to 10:00 pm.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating on the outdoor ice rink behind the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Saturday, December 22, 2018

• Shows & Entertainment
  • Sweet Soul Gospel Celebration – a Christmas concert with the VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir at St. John’s Shaughnessy Anglican Church at 1490 Nanton Avenue. Doors open at 6:45.
  • The Nutcracker – the Christmas classic with Goh Ballet at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
  • A Traditional Christmas Concert – performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church in Vancouver.
  • Bah! Humbug! – a musical play based on the Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” but set in Vancouver’s modern-day Downtown Eastside. Shows at the Goldcorp Centre at 149 West Hastings at 2:00 and 7:30 pm.
  • Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley – a Christmas-themed comedy by the Arts Club Theatre and showing at the Granville Island Stage. Tickets start at just $29.
  • Family Favourites Movies – a family-friendly film is showing for just $2.99 at select Cineplex theatres in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Langley, Richmond and Surrey at 11 o’clock. (To be confirmed.)
• Vancouver Canucks Hockey – professional ice hockey against the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Arena.
• Riley Park Winter Farmers Market – between 10 am and 2 pm at Vancouver’s Nat Bailey Stadium at 4601 Ontario Street.
• Christmas Attractions
  • Dundarave Festival of Lights – free live music and festive holiday celebrations in West Vancouver from 3 until around 9:30 or so. Today’s event is the annual Christmas Wassail & Bonfire Night featuring the Blackthorn Band and other entertainment.
  • Festival of Lights – amazing Christmas lights and festivities at VanDusen Garden from 4:30 to 10:00 pm.
  • Glow Christmas – an indoor attraction in Langley that features a light maze, light tunnel, live entertainment and market.
  • Christmas at FlyOver Canada – a winter holiday-themed multi-dimensional film experience at Canada Place.
  • Vancouver Christmas Market – European-themed market vendors, carousel and food stalls at Jack Poole Plaza.
  • Christmas at Canada Place – Christmas lights and seasonal displays.
  • Festival of Trees – special Christmas tree decorations at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Heritage Site in Steveston Village.
  • Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
  • Bright Nights – amazing Christmas lights and miniature train rides at Stanley Park.
  • Aurora Winter Festival – a new North-Pole-themed Christmas attraction at Concord Pacific Place.
  • A Fort Langley Christmas – Christmas-themed decorations and activities at the historic fort in the Fraser Valley.
  • Holiday Heights at Bloedel – Christmas lights, glowing plants and family fun at the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating on the outdoor ice rink at the corner of Howe and Robson Street. There is also music to enjoy from mid-afternoon until the evening with DJ-El-Niño.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

• Shows & Entertainment
  • The Nutcracker – the Christmas classic with Goh Ballet at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
  • Music at Robson Square – in addition to the free ice skating at Robson Square, there is also live music with Santa’s Brass in the afternoon and with Phat Santa Swings in the evening.
  • Beauty and the Beast – Walt Disney’s classic tale is performed by the Arts Club Theatre Company at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage.
  • Jazz Vespers – at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church at 1022 Nelson Street between 3 and 4 pm. Admission is by donation.
• Christmas Attractions
  • Festival of Lights – amazing Christmas lights and festivities at VanDusen Garden from 4:30 to 10:00 pm.
  • Christmas at FlyOver Canada – a winter holiday-themed multi-dimensional film experience at Canada Place.
  • Vancouver Christmas Market – European-themed market vendors, carousel and food stalls at Jack Poole Plaza.
  • Christmas at Canada Place – Christmas lights and seasonal displays.
  • Lights at Lafarge – winter light displays from 4:30 until 11 pm around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake at the corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way.
  • Bright Nights – Christmas lights and miniature train rides at Stanley Park.
  • Holiday Heights at Bloedel – Christmas lights, glowing plants and family fun at the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park.
  • Aurora Winter Festival – a new North-Pole-themed Christmas attraction at Concord Pacific Place.
  • Festival of Trees – special Christmas tree decorations at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Heritage Site in Steveston Village.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating on the outdoor ice rink at the corner of Howe and Robson Street.

UPCOMING EVENTS

In case you were interested, coming up on the December 28th to 30th weekend are the Hockey Canada World Juniors Championships and numerous Christmas Attractions all around town.

Other Information

For a list of things to do on other days coming up, check out Vancouver’s December calendar of events.