Home Christmas Events Vancouver’s PNE Winter Fair Christmas Event

Vancouver’s PNE Winter Fair Christmas Event

November 28, 2024

The PNE Winter Fair is a fabulous Christmas attraction with light displays, ice skating, live entertainment, shopping opportunities and more.

The winter holiday attraction takes place at the PNE Fairgrounds on select dates between early December and a few days before Christmas Day. The PNE Fair itself, meanwhile, happens between mid-August and the beginning of September.

Visit the pne.ca website for details about the event during the Christmas season.

This article contains the following information about the PNE Winter Fair:

PNE Winter Fair in Vancouver

The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) hosts a special event during the Christmas holidays. The venue hosts its fourth PNE Winter Fair in 2025. It usually runs on 15 days in December and features lots of family-friendly things to do.

The event features WinterLights displays, The Nutcracker on Ice, and the Magic of Santa holiday musical. There is also the PNE Express Train, ice skating at the Agrodome, ice bumper cars, a Ferris Wheel, and so much more (including food vendors, Santa Claus and other family-friendly things to see and do).

Where and When is the PNE Winter Fair?

The PNE Winter Fair usually takes place on a weekend in early December. After that, it runs daily from around mid-December until a couple of days before Christmas. Hours of operation are from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm every day. We’re expecting it to start on December 5th in 2025. Exact details, however, are to be confirmed.

The PNE’s address is 2901 East Hastings Street in Vancouver.

See the PNE.ca website for full details about the PNE Winter Fair.

Admission Details and Ticket Prices

Admission to the PNE Winter Fair varies depending on your age and when you buy your tickets.

General admission includes access to all the activities, including the market, light displays, ice skating and live entertainment.

Admission to the PNE Winter Fair

General admission rates for last year’s winter attraction, when purchased online in advance, are listed below. (Note: Exact details were subject to change.) These rates will likely be similar in 2025 but with details to be confirmed.

December 6th, 7th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 17th (2024)

Adults (ages 18 and over) – $20
Seniors (ages 65 and over) – $14
Youth (17 and under) – $14
Children (ages 4 and over) – $7.50
Little Kids (ages 3 and under) – Free

December 15th, 18th and 19th (2024)

Adults (ages 18 and over) – $25
Seniors (ages 65 and over) – $19
Youth (17 and under) – $19
Children (ages 4 and over) – $12
Little Kids (ages 3 and under) – Free

December 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd (2024)

Adults (ages 18 and over) – $30
Seniors (ages 65 and over) – $24
Youth (17 and under) – $24
Children (ages 4 and over) – $17
Little Kids (ages 3 and under) – Free

See the PNE website for details about the event.

More Info About Admission

Most things at the PNE Winter Fair are included with general admission. That includes rides on the PNE Express Train and shows like The Nutcracker on Ice and Magic of Santa holiday musical stage show.

You have to pay for any food, drinks and souvenirs you buy. Ice skate rentals cost $8 per person, which is normally the same price as the ice bumper cars. The Ferris Wheel and Berry-Go-Round rides cost $7 each. You can also get pictures with Santa for $15.

Below are some tips on how you can save a few dollars.

TIP #1: Tickets bought on the day of the event or at the gate cost between $3 and $5 more per person. It’s better to purchase your tickets in advance online.

TIP #2: All tickets purchased before September 25th last year cost the same as the cheapest of the three price tiers, regardless of what day the tickets were for.

TIP #3: BCAA members save 30% when they buy their tickets online.

What to Expect at the PNE at Christmas?

The PNE Winter Fair features activities for everyone to enjoy. The Winter Lights section of the event is where you can stroll through magical light displays. There’s also an outdoor market with local vendors selling everything from clothes to handmade Christmas decorations and gift ideas.

The PNE Winter Fair includes a frozen pond for ice skating at the Agrodome. People are able to skate on the surface or ride in ice bumper cars at an extra cost. There is usually also a Ferris Wheel and a Berry-Go-Round. Both of these slow rides are not included with general admission. There are midway games with prizes to win as well.

One live performance at the event is The Nutcracker on Ice. Another entertaining show is the Magic of Santa holiday musical. There’s also the PNE Express Train, along with an interactive set of activities for kids wanting to meet Santa Claus.

There are multiple food trucks on-site selling holiday treats and tasty snacks for those looking for a bite to eat.

The Winter Fair is also a place where you can save big on Playland! 2025 season passes for the amusement park went on sale from the end of November until Christmas Eve in 2024. You can get a $30 discount if you buy one either at the fair or online at PNE.ca.

See the PNE.ca website for full details about the PNE Winter Fair.

PNE Winter Fair Video

Check out the video below for an idea of what to expect at the PNE Winter Fair. The video includes footage from when we visited the event a few years ago. As you can see, there is live music, beautiful light displays and all sorts of food trucks to choose from.

Nutcracker on Ice Details and Video

One of the main live shows at the PNE Winter Fair is The Nutcracker on Ice. It’s a performance of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet act, but with a twist. Instead of a normal stage, this production takes place on ice. The show features talented figure skaters, great choreography, live singing and special effects. It’s a family-friendly story that follows Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on an epic winter journey.

The Nutcracker on Ice typically takes place in the Pacific Coliseum at 6:30 pm and 8:45 pm each night.

Watch the following promotional video from 2023 to learn more about the show.

Other Information

See the official PNE Winter Fair website to learn more about the winter event at the Pacific National Exhibition.

The Pacific National Exhibition is owned and operated by the City of Vancouver. Other Christmas events hosted by the city usually feature miniature train rides at Bright Nights at Stanley Park and the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden. All three of these city-run events are family-friendly and highly recommended.

Check out the following to learn more about the venue and its various other events: