The Shipyards Christmas Festival is a community event featuring live music and an artisan market at North Vancouver’s Shipbuilders’ Square in December.
Now called the Spirit of the Season Festival, the event took place on Saturday, December 2nd in 2023. After that date, and for the rest of the holiday season, there were still lots of beautiful Christmas lights to enjoy. On December 2nd, though, that’s when the City of North Vancouver’s official Christmas tree was lit up! December 2nd and 3rd were also when the Made in the 604 Holiday Pop-Up Market took place at the Shipyards.
Below you’ll find information about what typically happens at the Spirit of the Season Festival most year.
Spirit of the Season Celebration at the Shipyards
Communities all across the Lower Mainland hold winter holiday celebrations where they light their city’s giant Christmas trees, offer family-friendly activities and enjoy live entertainment. The kick-off for the Spirit of the Season Celebration is the City of North Vancouver’s official Christmas event and it’s free!
The North Shore event usually takes place in the Shipyards District in the afternoon and evening of the Saturday of the first weekend in December (with the artisan market continuing on the Sunday too).
Last year, the festival happened on Saturday, December 2nd, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. On the same weekend there was the Made in the 604 Market. It took place at the Shipyards on both December 2nd and 3rd and then again on December 16th and 17th (but then at Heritage Hall on Main Street in Vancouver instead). It’s a great market, and admission is free!
Festival Location
The Spirit of the Season Festival takes place in and around Shipbuilders’ Square. The square is located at the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver just a short walk from Lonsdale Quay and the SeaBus Terminal. The Square’s address is 15 Wallace Mews. It’s just behind the Tap & Barrel restaurant and Pinnacle Hotel.
In addition to outdoor entertainment and activities, at the event there is also an artisan market in the Pipe Shop. The Pipe Shop is at 115 Victory Ship Way right at Shipbuilders’ Square.
Festivals Date and Schedule
A number of activities take place throughout the event, while some occur at specific times. The festival itself usually runs from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. The Made in the 604 Artisan Market, meanwhile, goes from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the Pipe Shop and then again the following day at the same times.
North Vancouver’s Mayor lit up the Christmas tree sometime between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm on Saturday, December 2nd last year. Mr. and Mrs. Claus were likely there too to help.
The same as other years, entertainment at the event typiclly includes live music and dance performances. Costumed characters walk around as well. Other activities include lantern-making, storytelling, craft activities and other fun things. There is also free hot chocolate, and food trucks are on site.
Festival Costs and Activities
The Shipyards Christmas event is free to attend, although donations benefiting local charities are welcome. Most of the activities at the festival are free too.
At the event there is an artisan market along with live entertainment and other family-friendly fun. Admission to that market is free too.
Christmas Artisan Markets
A couple of holiday artisan markets take place at the Shipyards in December. The Made in the 604 Market is the one that happened on the day of the festival, on December 2nd in 2023. The Made in the 604 Market also continues the following day, on the Sunday. At the market there are dozens of local artisan vendors selling everything from handmade soaps to homemade sauces to Christmas cards and other products.
Another market at the Shipyards in December is the Shipyards Christmas Market (which is unrelated to the Made in the 604 Market). It too features dozens of local artisans. In 2023 it took place on the weekend of December 16th and 17th.
Festival Entertainment
In addition to the Made in the 604 Market and various child-friendly activities, at North Vancouver’s Shipyards Spirit of the Season Festival there is also live entertainment.
The following was the entertainment schedule for the December 2nd event in 2023. This will likely be the same in December, 2024.
- 3:45 pm – Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive by fire truck at Shipbuilders’ Square
- 4:00 pm – Tsleil-Waututh (səl̓ilwətaɬ ) Nation Welcome
- 4:05 pm – Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw ) Welcome
- 4:15 pm – Mayor & Council Welcome and Tree Lighting Ceremony
- 4:30 pm – Disney’s Anna & Elsa at the Skate Plaza
- 4:45 pm – Ridgeway School Band Performance (at the Shipbuilders’ Stage)
- 5:30 pm – Method of Modern Movement Dance Performance
- 5:45 pm – Perform Art Studios Dance Performance
- 6:15 pm – Carson Graham Vocal Jazz Choir
- 6:30 pm – Ballet Bloch Nutcracker Pop-up Performance
- 7:00 pm – North Shore Academy of Dancing Performance
- 7:20 pm – ShowStoppers Acappella Holiday Performance
- 7:50 pm – Ballet Bloch Nutcracker Performance
Other Information
For further details about the Spirit of the Season Festival, see the City of North Vancouver‘s website.
To learn more about the winter artisan market that takes place at the Pipe Shop in December, see our articles about the Made in the 604 Market and Shipyards Christmas Market.
For more information about the region and other things to do in the area, click North Vancouver, Lower Lonsdale, Shipyards District, North Shore or North Vancouver Christmas Events.
For ideas on other things to do over the winter holiday season, check out any of the following:
- Best Christmas Activities
- Vancouver’s December Calendar of Events
- Lower Mainland Ski Hills
- Vancouver Winter Activities
