Last updated: November 11, 2024
Explore the must-see festive events in Burnaby! Discover all the top holiday highlights with our guide. From Burnaby locals to holiday travelers, our guide helps everyone find the city's seasonal magic.
Popular events this season include the Vancouver Christmas Market, where visitors can immerse themselves in charming holiday stalls filled with crafts, food, and festive decorations. Another attraction is the enchanting Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge, where sparkling lights illuminate the beauty of nature. And the VanDusen Festival of Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it transforms the garden into a breathtaking display of color and creativity. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Burnaby Holiday Light Displays
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
- What to Expect
- Illuminated bridge and forest floor walkways.
- Description
- Capilano Suspension Bridge Park transforms into a spectacular display of lights and colors during Canyon Lights. Visitors can cross the world-famous bridge, explore a glittering rainforest, and walk along a twinkling cliffside pathway. The event includes many kids' activities and offers a chance to capture Instagram-worthy photos while enjoying live festive tunes and decadent hot chocolate.
- Where
- North Vancouver | More Info : Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
VanDusen Festival of Lights
- What to Expect
- Interactive mycelium installation and themed light areas inspired by the Great Bear Rainforest.
- Description
- VanDusen Festival of Lights features over 1 million twinkling lights across 15 acres, including an interactive mycelium installation and themed light areas inspired by the Great Bear Rainforest. Enjoy Dancing Lights sets and explore the botanical garden with festive music and food vendors.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : VanDusen Festival of Lights
Christmas Glow
- What to Expect
- Immersive outdoor light festival with interactive activities and live entertainment.
- Description
- Christmas Glow in Langley features over a million lights, an Enchanted Forest theme, interactive light installations, a Merry Makers Market, live performances, and carnival-themed mini games.
- Where
- Langley | More Info : Christmas Glow
Bright Nights
- What to Expect
- Iconic train ride through a forest of sparkling lights.
- Description
- Bright Nights at Stanley Park features stunning light displays, live entertainment, and a vintage train ride through a forest alight with thousands of sparkling lights. The event includes iconic fire trucks, giant red reindeer, and a tunnel of lights, along with Santa's Workshop and festive food options.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : Bright Nights
Lights at Lafarge
- What to Expect
- Community-driven display with over a million lights and themed zones.
- Description
- Lights at Lafarge is Metro Vancouver's largest free outdoor winter lights display, featuring over 1 million lights and themed areas around Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam's Town Centre Park.
- Where
- Coquitlam | More Info : Lights at Lafarge
Noel Holiday Light Festival
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday light displays with interactive installations.
- Description
- The Noel Holiday Light Festival in Surrey features over 1 million sparkling lights, a 1km accessible holiday light walk, and various festive activities including visits with Santa, live music, and a Christmas market.
- Where
- Surrey | More Info : Noel Holiday Light Festival
Martini Town Merry & Bright
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a film backlot setting.
- Description
- Martini Town Merry & Bright is an outdoor holiday event featuring a transformed film backlot into a Christmas attraction with New York City Street, courthouse, diner, town square, and small town settings. The event includes heartwarming classic decor, modern light displays, live music, local vendors, and Santa Claus visits. It offers a unique holiday experience with music, joy, and movie magic.
- Where
- Langley | More Info : Martini Town Merry & Bright
Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden
- What to Expect
- Interactive light installations and sensory-friendly evening.
- Description
- Explore 15 acres of VanDusen Botanical Garden adorned with over 1 million twinkling lights, featuring a new interactive mycelium installation and a display inspired by the Great Bear Rainforest of BC. Enjoy themed light areas, Dancing Lights sets, and a variety of food vendors.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden
Dundarave Festival of Lights
- What to Expect
- Largest outdoor Christmas tree display in coastal British Columbia.
- Description
- The Dundarave Festival of Lights features over 150 lovingly decorated Christmas trees along West Vancouver's waterfront, with free live music and activities on select Saturdays.
- Where
- West Vancouver | More Info : Dundarave Festival of Lights
Mission Christmas Parade
- What to Expect
- Largest nighttime parade in the Fraser Valley.
- Description
- The Mission Candlelight Parade is an annual family-oriented event celebrating Christmas and the community of Mission. It features community groups and businesses showcasing themselves, highlighting the various services, activities, and opportunities within Mission. The parade is supported by the City of Mission and attracts over 10,000 spectators.
- Where
- Mission | More Info : Mission Christmas Parade
Bear Creek Lights
- What to Expect
- Illuminated nature trails with family-friendly activities.
- Description
- Bear Creek Lights features stunning light displays along nature trails at Bear Creek Park, offering a family-friendly and accessible evening experience with guided nocturnal walks, storytime sessions, and live music.
- Where
- Surrey | More Info : Bear Creek Lights
Glow Gardens
- What to Expect
- Immersive Enchanted Forest with interactive light installations and live performances.
- Description
- Glow Gardens Langley is an immersive outdoor festival featuring over one million Christmas lights, an Enchanted Forest theme, and interactive light installations. Explore vibrant ecosystems filled with talking trees, mushroom homes, and giant creatures. Enjoy live performances, gourmet food trucks, and a Merry Makers Market with local vendors.
- Where
- Langley | More Info : Glow Gardens
Tsawwassen Springs Festival of Lights
- What to Expect
- Community-sponsored Christmas tree display on a golf course.
- Description
- Tsawwassen Springs Festival of Lights is a community-driven event featuring sponsored and decorated Christmas trees on the beautiful golf course, raising funds for Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation.
- Where
- Tsawwassen | More Info : Tsawwassen Springs Festival of Lights
Bright Walk in White Rock
- What to Expect
- Spectacular winter light display with over 50,000 lights.
- Description
- Bright Walk in White Rock is a winter light display at Memorial Park featuring over 50,000 lights, a 20-foot Christmas tree, an LED light tunnel, and photo opportunities including an eight-foot-tall selfie frame and snowflakes. The event runs from dusk to dawn weekdays and all day weekends and holidays.
- Where
- White Rock | More Info : Bright Walk in White Rock
St. Paul’s Lights of Hope
- What to Expect
- Illuminated star display representing donor generosity.
- Description
- St. Paul’s Lights of Hope is a significant fundraising campaign featuring a spectacular display of illuminated stars outside St. Paul’s Hospital, symbolizing hope and generosity. The event includes festive choir performances, complimentary hot chocolate, and photos with Santa.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : St. Paul’s Lights of Hope
Christmas Tea Lights
- What to Expect
- Unique boat ride to a festive forest light display.
- Description
- Embark on a festive journey through 100,000 twinkling lights at Belcarra Christmas Tea Lights. Stroll through the Forest of Lights, dine in transparent domes or the life-sized Gingerbread Tea House, and enjoy healthy food and festive drinks. The event features a boat ride to Camp Howdy, where you can marvel at the beauty of the forest and its twinkling lights.
- Where
- Camp Howdy | More Info : Christmas Tea Lights
Liven Up Coal Harbour
- What to Expect
- Dazzling lighting installations and live music performances.
- Description
- Liven Up Coal Harbour features dazzling lighting installations, live music, and storytelling along Vancouver's iconic waterfront, creating a family-friendly winter celebration.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : Liven Up Coal Harbour
Squamish at Dusk
- What to Expect
- Interactive light art installations in a vibrant winter setting.
- Description
- Squamish at Dusk is a light art festival transforming Rose Park with creativity and illumination, featuring interactive installations and immersive environments.
- Where
- Squamish | More Info : Squamish at Dusk
Burnaby Holiday Markets and Shopping
Vancouver Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Traditional German-themed holiday market with a walk-in Christmas tree and vintage carousel.
- Description
- The Vancouver Christmas Market is an outdoor event inspired by traditional German Christmas markets, featuring artisan vendors, live music, and a variety of festive food and drinks. The market includes a walk-in Christmas tree, a vintage carousel, and special events like holiday-themed trivia and karaoke sessions.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : Vancouver Christmas Market
Shipyards Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- European-style holiday market with artisanal gifts and seasonal treats.
- Description
- The Shipyards Christmas Market in North Vancouver offers a delightful holiday experience with 75 wooden stalls selling unique artisanal gifts, festive music, an ice rink, and seasonal treats like bratwursts, mulled wine, and hot cocoa.
- Where
- North Vancouver | More Info : Shipyards Christmas Market
Hycroft for the Holidays
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday shopping with handmade treasures and a silent auction.
- Description
- Hycroft for the Holidays features unique holiday shopping with fabulous handmade and homemade knitted treasures, special treats, and a silent auction. The event also includes a live jazz night.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : Hycroft for the Holidays
Burnaby Holiday Shows and Entertainment
PNE Winter Fair
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday activities with Santa and festive light displays.
- Description
- The PNE Winter Fair is a holiday event featuring holiday lights, food, skating, ice bumper cars, shows, and shopping. It includes attractions like the PNE Holiday Express and WinterLights, as well as live entertainment such as the Nutcracker on Ice and the Magic of Santa Holiday Musical.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : PNE Winter Fair
Christmas in Steveston Village
- What to Expect
- Santa's boat arrival and horse carriage rides.
- Description
- Watch Santa arrive by boat at Fisherman's Wharf, followed by photos with Santa inside the Cannery and horse carriage rides.
- Where
- Steveston | More Info : Christmas in Steveston Village
Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of traditional and contemporary Christmas music with rare medieval instruments.
- Description
- The Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir, led by Music Director Jonathan Quick, will perform a diverse range of Christmas music, from traditional to contemporary, accompanied by pianist Karen Lee-Morlang. The ensemble will be joined by the Winter Harp ensemble, founded by Lori Pappajohn, which will feature a collection of carols including familiar, Celtic, and medieval pieces. The event will showcase a fascinating combination of harps, drums, temple bells, flutes, bass flute, and viola, creating hauntingly beautiful music.
- Where
- New Westminster | More Info : Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir
Burnaby Other Holiday Activities
Surrey Santa Parade of Lights
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of antique vehicles, big rigs, boats, and community participation.
- Description
- The Surrey Santa Parade of Lights is a festive evening event featuring a lighted parade through Cloverdale, showcasing a variety of decorated vehicles, floats, and performances. The event is organized by the Cloverdale BIA and supported by local businesses and non-profit organizations. Proceeds from food and novelty sales along the route go to the Surrey Food Bank and Surrey Christmas Bureau.
- Where
- Surrey | More Info : Surrey Santa Parade of Lights
Chilliwack Rotary Christmas Parade
- What to Expect
- Community-driven holiday celebration with festive floats and Santa's visit.
- Description
- The Chilliwack Rotary Christmas Parade is a vibrant community event featuring festive floats, marching bands, and a visit from Santa Claus.
- Where
- Chilliwack | More Info : Chilliwack Rotary Christmas Parade
Christmas in Pitt Meadows
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with Santa photos, hayride, and live entertainment.
- Description
- Christmas in Pitt Meadows features photos with Santa, a holiday hayride, musical entertainment, games, and crafts in Spirit Square and the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre.
- Where
- Pitt Meadows | More Info : Christmas in Pitt Meadows
Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour
- What to Expect
- Unique hot chocolate flavors from local chocolatiers and cafes.
- Description
- The Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival is a city-wide event featuring over 160 unique hot chocolate flavors from 71 vendors across 105 locations. It supports local businesses and charity organizations, offering a variety of creative and delicious hot chocolate creations.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour