West Vancouver’s Park Royal Shopping Centre used to celebrate the start of the Christmas season with its Light Up The Village celebrations in mid-November.

In 2019 the event took place on Friday, November 22nd. Sadly, it hasn’t happened again since.

Light Up The Village at Park Royal

Light Up The Village was a free event that featured live music, food and family-friendly activities. Most of the activities took place in the street in the outdoor village area. There was also a 65-foot Ferris wheel in the parking lot in 2019.

In years when the event happened, retailers from the mall participated by setting up booths and offering food samples, games and kid-friendly activities. There were also food trucks, Christmas lights and special deals at some of the stores.

In previous years there were free tea and chocolate samples, a colouring contest, craft activities, face painting, balloon animals, cookie decorating, and sometimes even an arm and hand massage station at Light Up The Village.

The festival typically included live entertainment with groups like the Famous Players who performed a few years ago.

Christmas Concert at Park Royal Village — The Famous Players at Light Up The Village

Tips and Advice

Below are some tips and advice to help you make the most out of your experience at Light Up The Village if the event returns one day.

TIP #1: This was a great family-friendly event. It was free to attend and there were food samples and plenty of activities for children. If you like Christmas and free things, it’s worth attending.

TIP #2: Expect to wait in line for some of the free treats and activities. Arrive near the start before the crowds get really busy if you can.

TIP #3: Most of the activities at the event were free. Tickets for the Ferris wheel in 2019 were by donation though and the minimum expected was $5. Proceeds from that benefited the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, so funds raised went to a very good cause. Some other activities were by donation that year too (with a minimum amount of $2).

Park Royal Ferris Wheel — Ferris Wheel at Light Up The Night

Other Information

For more information about the mall in West Vancouver, click Park Royal.

To learn about other things to do in the area, see our article about West Vancouver.

For details about another similar event that’s also on the North Shore, see Shipyards Christmas Festival which takes place a week or two later in North Vancouver.

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