Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting

The Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting event features festive lights and entertainment outside the Vancouver Art Gallery in late November or early December.

In 2024 the event happened on Friday, November 28th.

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About the Event | Other Christmas Tree Lighting Events | Other Information

Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Vancouver

The City of Vancouver’s official Christmas tree lighting event used to take place near Robson Square. In recent years, however, it’s moved to the North Plaza on the other side of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

In 2025 the festivities took place on November 29th beginning at 6:00 pm. The Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting is a free family-friendly event with live entertainment (and hot chocolate).

This is one of many free Christmas-themed events that happen in the Lower Mainland. Others include Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam, Shipyards Christmas Market in North Vancouver, and the Dundarave Festival of Lights in West Vancouver.

Other great Christmas attractions in the City of Vancouver are the Vancouver Christmas Market, Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden, and the Soar with Santa film at Flyover at Canada Place. On the North Shore there is Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge. In the Fraser Valley there is Christmas Glow and Martini Town Merry & Bright, andi n Surrey there is the Noel Holiday Light Festival.

For a list of other festive activities this time of year, see our article about Top Things to do in Vancouver at Christmas. To learn about the Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting event, continue reading.

Christmas Tree Lighting Characters

About the Event

The Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting event celebrates its 20th year in 2026. It takes place in the plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street between Howe and Hornby. (Note: In some years in the past it has instead taken place on the other side of the art gallery, in Robson Square, but not this year.)

At the event there is a giant Christmas tree over 70 feet tall that is lit. There is also a stage for the live performances and a station for hot chocolate to warm up with. Special messages from Vancouver’s mayor and city council members normally take place too. Santa Claus makes an appearance as well.

In addition to being a free, fun and family-friendly community event, the occasion is also a fundraiser for the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. Donations collected both before and during the event benefit the work it does, which includes putting on a festival for kids on Granville Island in late May and early June. This year the event also raises funds for the BC Children’s Hospital and Honour House.

As part of the fundraising event, attendees are encouraged to “buy” Christmas light bulbs to help light up the trees. They cost about $10. You don’t actually get light bulbs to take home with you – they are just a symbolic way for people to donate to the charitable cause.

Christmas Tree Lighting Crowds in Robson Square

Other Christmas Tree Lighting Events

The Vancouver Art Gallery party isn’t the only Christmas tree lighting event in the Lower Mainland. Surrey has an even bigger event on a weekend in late November. It includes a full afternoon and evening of performances and family-friendly activities.

The City of North Vancouver also has its official tree lighting event on a Saturday at either the end of November or the beginning of December, as do the City of Surrey, Port Coquitlam, and various other communities. For information about these other events, see our articles about the Shipyards Christmas Festival, Surrey Christmas Tree Lighting Festival or Christmas in the Square.