Wondering what to do in Vancouver this weekend? Despite the coronavirus, some events are still happening and many attractions have reopened.

See below for a list of what’s happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Whatever you do this weekend, have fun, but remember to be responsible, stay safe and avoid non-essential travel!

This Weekend in Vancouver

Highlights of the weekend of November 27th to 29th include Christmas at FlyOver Canada and the Chutzpah Festival.

Also this weekend there are a couple of outdoor markets to shop at, Lower Mainland Parks to explore, and a number of other things to see and do. Granville Island is also looking especially pretty this time of year with all its Christmas lights.

Places like Britannia Mine, Roedde House Museum, Bill Reid Gallery, Vancouver Art Gallery and a number of other attractions are also open.

Note: Event details are subject to change (especially given today’s rapidly changing world). For a list of other Lower Mainland venues that have resumed operations see our article about Open and Reopening Vancouver Places.

Friday, November 27, 2020

• Black Friday
• All About Christmas Gifts Expo – a giant holiday market at Heritage Park in Chilliwack. (CANCELLED, but moving online.)
• Bright Nights – amazing Christmas lights and miniature train rides at Stanley Park.
• 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.)

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

In case you were interested, events that are taking place on the weekend December 4th to 6th include Christmas at FlyOver Canada and a few other fun activities.

Other Information

Whatever you plan to do, be safe! Maintain appropriate physical distancing, wear a mask when needed, wash your hands frequently, don’t touch your face, and stay home if you aren’t feeling well!

For a list of things to do on other days this month, check out Vancouver’s November and December calendar of events.

Other articles that might be of interest include the following:

• Vancouver Shows & Entertainment
• Lower Mainland Festivals & Events
• Vancouver on a Budget
• Best Places for Kids
• Vancouver Rainy Day Activities
• Lower Mainland Parks & Nature