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 usually 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.

In 2025 the PNE Winter Fair is NOT happening. Whether it does again in the future or not is to be determined.

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. 2025 would have been the PNE Winter Fair’s fourth season. In the past it has run on 15 days in December and featured lots of family-friendly things to do.

In years when it happened, the event featured WinterLights displays, The Nutcracker on Ice, and the Magic of Santa holiday musical. There was 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 used to take place on a weekend in early December. After that, it ran daily from around mid-December until a couple of days before Christmas. Hours of operation were from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm every day.

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

Admission Details and Ticket Prices

Admission to the PNE Winter Fair varied depending on your age and when you bought your tickets.

General admission included 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.)

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

More Info About Admission

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

You had to pay for any food, drinks and souvenirs you bought. Ice skate rentals cost $8 per person, which was normally the same price as the ice bumper cars. The Ferris Wheel and Berry-Go-Round rides cost $7 each. You could 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 was 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 saved 30% when they buy their tickets online.

What to Expect at the PNE at Christmas?

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

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

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

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

The Winter Fair was also a place where you could 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 could get a $30 discount if you bought one either at the fair or online at PNE.ca.

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 was The Nutcracker on Ice. It was a performance of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet act, but with a twist. Instead of a normal stage, this production took place on ice. The show featured talented figure skaters, great choreography, live singing and special effects. It was a family-friendly story that followed Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on an epic winter journey.

The Nutcracker on Ice took 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: