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 2023 the event happened on Friday, December 1st.

Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Vancouver

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

Last year, the festivities took place on December 1st at 6:00 pm. The event happens outside the Vancouver Art Gallery. 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 Bright Nights at Stanley Park, Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam, and the Dundarave Festival of Lights in West Vancouver.

Other fabulous Christmas attractions in the City of Vancouver include the Vancouver Christmas Market and PNE Winter Fair. There is also the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden and the Soar with Santa film at FlyOver Canada. 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.

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, however, continue reading.

Christmas Tree Lighting Characters

About the Event

The Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting event will be celebrating its 18th year in 2024. It takes place in the plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street between Howe and Hornby.

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 feature as well. Santa Claus makes an appearance, so a chance for colourful photo opportunities

In addition to being a free, fun and family-friendly community event, the occasion is also sometimes 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. In 2023 the event also raised 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 $5 for one bulb or $10 for three. 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.

Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting — The Tree from 2018 by Robson Square

Event Entertainment

As of late November, the entertainment lineup for 2023 was still to be confirmed.

2019 entertainment was similar to that of the previous year. Bands performing at the event in 2018 were Side One and the VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir. Side One was back again in 2019.

Side One is an event band with different performers based in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Seattle. Its repertoire ranges from Aretha Franklin to Lady Gaga, the Beatles, Queen and everything in between.

The VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir is a dynamic Vancouver-based chorale group led by the charismatic Checo Tohomaso. The choir is lots of fun and the music will get your feet tapping!

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 Saturday 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.

For information about these two other events check out the Surrey Christmas Tree Lighting Festival or Shipyards Christmas Festival.