Free ice skating takes place in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District in winter. In December there are also Christmas decorations and other activities.
The Shipyards District’s Skate Plaza opens for the season at the end of November and runs until around mid to late March.
Also happening at the Shipyards in December is the Shipyards Christmas Market. 2025 was the market’s second year. Beginning on November 28th and running until Christmas Eve that year, the market has a European theme, similar to the Vancouver Christmas Market in downtown Vancouver.
Christmas and Ice Skating at the Shipyards
North Vancouver‘s Shipyards and Lower Lonsdale District is where you’ll find holiday lights and decorations during the Christmas season. It’s also where you can go ice skating for free at Shipyard Commons between December and February each year.
Shipyards Skate Plaza
The Shipyards is home to the biggest outdoor skating rink in the region. At around 12,000 square feet, it’s twice the size of the Robson Square skating rink in downtown Vancouver. Both venues are free to enjoy for all. Skates, though, cost extra to rent.
The Skate Plaza is part of Shipyard Commons which is by the waterfront in the Lower Lonsdale District of North Vancouver. It opened to the public for the first time in 2019.
For the 2025/2026 season, skating started on November 29th and it continues until March 29th, weather permitting. Daily public skate hours are from 12:00 to 8:00 pm.
Admission is free for those who have their own skates. You can rent skates for a reasonable price, $8 for adults and $5.50 for children. The rink usually closes for about half an hour every day at 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm and again at 5:30 pm for cleaning.
The Shipyards Christmas Market
Part of the Lower Lonsdale district, the Shipyards hosts a number of events throughout the year. In December, it becomes a hub for North Vancouver’s Christmas holiday celebrations.
The Shipyards Christmas Market returned for its second year in 2025. When open, the market operates Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, and on weekends and a select few days before Christmas, it stays open until 10:00 pm. The event has a European theme, with plenty of vendors, food, live music and other activities.
Spirit of the Season Celebration
Spirit of the Season usually serves as the opening to the City of North Vancouver’s holiday celebrations. In 2025 the festival took place on Saturday, November 29th, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at The Shipyards. The event is free for everyone.
The Celebration features an evening of performances. There are also arts and crafts activities, carolling, food and drinks.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by City fire truck in the afternoon, with free photo opportunities usually at Cates Deck. The mayor of North Vancouver normally teams up with Santa and Mrs. Claus to light the big Lonsdale Christmas tree.
While the festival is free, donations are encouraged, with proceeds supporting various local charities.
Spirit of the Season Video
Below you’ll find a video of the Shipyards area in December of 2020 (so in a year when there wasn’t a festival, but the place was still all lit up and looking festive). There were extra lights and decorations that year. The place is still pretty at night, but not to the same extent as during the height of the COVID era.
Other Information
Visit the City of North Vancouver website for more information about the area in December. Click North Van Skating to learn more about ice skating activities.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Shipyards Christmas Festival
- The Shipyards Christmas Artisan Market
- Shipyards Christmas Market
- Best Vancouver Christmas Activities
- Vancouver Christmas Craft Fairs
