Lumiere in Vancouver's West End

Lumière is an arts and lights event featuring installations that illuminate Vancouver’s West End in winter. It’s outdoors, free and pretty to see.

The event runs for anywhere from a few days to a week in early November. It celebrates its 13th anniversary in 2026 from November 12th to 14th. The lights stay on each night between 5:00 pm and 9:30 pm.

Lumière isn’t a Christmas event per se, although it does usually take place just prior to the start of the holiday season. The event does feature plenty of festive lights. There are also live performances of different kinds to enjoy.

Other free places to check out holiday light displays unrelated to Lumière include Granville Island, West Vancouver’s Dundarave Beach, Burnaby Village and the waterfront at Harrison Hot Springs.

Lumiere Bear and Bird Light Displays — Light Sculptures at English Bay in 2020

Vancouver’s Lumière Lights and Art

Lumière is an annual event that showcases illuminated art installations within the City of Vancouver. Each year, large works of art are outdoors around the West End for people to admire and photograph. The event always offers pretty sights to see during dark winter days, and it’s free to check out.

In 2025 there were displays to see at the following locations:

Jim Deva Plaza at 1200 Bute Street
Davie Plaza at 1800 Davie Street
38 Blood Alley Square
800 Robson Plaza
šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (750 Hornby Street)
Vancouver Art Gallery Howe Street
Robson Square Skating Rink

The map for the 2026 event is to be confirmed as of mid-September. It should hopefully be fairly similar to last year’s. Check out the Lumière Vancouver website for the most up-to-date information.

Lumiere Festival Entertainment

Some of the installations at the festival re interactive. Plus, there are usually nightly performances in šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square outside the Vancouver Art Gallery. The Ember Arts Fire Society performed there at 7:15 pm, 8:00 pm and 8:45 pm each night of last year’s festival. The live entertainment for 2026 is TBC.

There are typically pop-up performances and DJ sets that happen at some of the festival venues. There are also sometimes some interactive elements and displays.

Lumiere Whale Light Display