Embark on a festive adventure in Burnaby! Discover all the exciting holiday happenings with our guide. Whether you're a Burnaby insider or an outsider looking in, this guide reveals the city's festive soul.
One beloved event of the season is the Peak of Christmas, where Grouse Mountain transforms into a winter wonderland. Wander through the twinkling lights and delightful stalls of the Vancouver Christmas Market, capturing the essence of European charm. And definitely don’t forget the enchanting displays and exhilarating train rides at Bright Nights in Stanley Park. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Burnaby
- Peak of Christmas (North Vancouver)
- Vancouver Christmas Market (Vancouver)
- Bright Nights in Stanley Park (Vancouver)
- Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge (North Vancouver)
- Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum
- VanDusen Festival of Lights (Vancouver)
- Christmas at Canada Place (Vancouver)
- Aurora Winter Festival (Vancouver)
- Vancouver Santa Claus Parade (Vancouver)
- PNE WinterLights (Vancouver)
See these and even more events listed below!
Burnaby Holiday Light Displays
Bright Nights in Stanley Park
What to Expect:
Train ride through illuminated forest displays
Description:
Stanley Park's Bright Nights event illuminates the dense forest with over three million lights. The centerpiece is a miniature train that winds through dazzling light sculptures and animated displays. This beloved tradition supports the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund, combining community spirit with holiday cheer. Visitors can warm up with hot cocoa while exploring the fire truck display, a nod to the event's firefighting roots.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Bright Nights in Stanley Park
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
What to Expect:
Illuminated treetop walkways and canyon views
Description:
Canyon Lights elevates the holiday experience at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Thousands of lights transform the rainforest and canyon into a luminous spectacle. Brave the heights as you cross the glowing suspension bridge, suspended 230 feet above the Capilano River. The event showcases the park's unique geographical features, including the Cliffwalk, which offers heart-pounding views of the illuminated canyon below.
Where: North Vancouver | More Info: Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
VanDusen Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Botanical garden transformed into a light art installation
Description:
VanDusen Botanical Garden's Festival of Lights reimagines the lush landscape as a canvas for light artistry. Intricate light sculptures and animated displays transform the garden's natural beauty. Visitors can navigate the Gingerbread Walk or marvel at the centerpiece Dancing Lights show on Livingstone Lake. This event highlights the garden's diverse plant collection, which includes specimens from around the world, even in winter.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: VanDusen Festival of Lights
PNE WinterLights
What to Expect:
Drive-through light experience at historic fairgrounds
Description:
PNE WinterLights transforms the Pacific National Exhibition grounds into a drive-through spectacle. Visitors journey through themed light tunnels and animated displays from the comfort of their vehicles. The event reimagines the historic fairgrounds, typically known for its summer attractions, as a winter destination. You'll witness the grounds' transformation while learning about the PNE's century-long history in Vancouver.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: PNE WinterLights
Lights at Lafarge
What to Expect:
Free light display around urban lake
Description:
Lights at Lafarge illuminates Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam's Town Centre Park. The lakeside trail becomes a 1.2-kilometer loop of themed light displays. Visitors can enjoy the reflections of thousands of lights on the lake's surface. This community-driven event showcases the natural beauty of the man-made lake, which was once a quarry, highlighting Coquitlam's transformation from industrial area to vibrant urban center.
Where: Coquitlam | More Info: Lights at Lafarge
Enchant Christmas
What to Expect:
World's largest Christmas light maze and village
Description:
Enchant Christmas boasts the world's largest Christmas light maze, challenging visitors to navigate through towering light sculptures. The event features a full-sized ice skating trail winding through the light displays. Artisan vendors and culinary delights populate the Christmas village. Enchant's massive scale transforms the venue into an impressive light-based adventure, pushing the boundaries of holiday light experiences.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Enchant Christmas
Holiday Hi-Light Festival
What to Expect:
Community-driven light display in public gardens
Description:
The Holiday Hi-Light Festival illuminates Park & Tilford Gardens with community spirit. Local businesses and organizations contribute to the displays, creating a collaborative light show. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment and festive treats while exploring the themed garden rooms. This event highlights the importance of community involvement in North Vancouver's holiday celebrations, fostering a sense of local pride.
Where: North Vancouver | More Info: Holiday Hi-Light Festival
Carol Ship Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Flotilla of illuminated boats cruising local waters
Description:
The Carol Ship Parade of Lights features a flotilla of boats decked out in thousands of lights, cruising Vancouver's waterways. The glowing vessels create a moving light show reflected on the water's surface. Spectators can watch from shore or join dinner cruises that participate in the parade. This unique maritime tradition has been lighting up Vancouver's harbors and inlets since 1967, showcasing the city's strong connection to the sea.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Carol Ship Parade of Lights
Glow Gardens
What to Expect:
Indoor Christmas light experience with interactive elements
Description:
Glow Gardens creates a massive indoor light park, ensuring a rain-free holiday experience in Langley. The event features illuminated sculptures, interactive light displays, and themed light gardens. Visitors can capture photos at numerous Instagram-worthy light installations. Glow's indoor setting allows for the incorporation of cutting-edge light technology and animations, pushing the boundaries of traditional light shows.
Where: Langley | More Info: Glow Gardens
Burnaby Holiday Markets and Shopping
Vancouver Christmas Market
What to Expect:
European-style outdoor market with international flair
Description:
Vancouver's Christmas Market brings old-world charm to the heart of downtown. Stroll through rows of wooden stalls adorned with twinkling lights, offering handcrafted gifts from around the globe. The air is filled with the aroma of mulled wine and freshly baked strudel. This market draws inspiration from traditional German Christkindlmarkts, introducing West Coast residents to authentic European holiday traditions since 2010.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Vancouver Christmas Market
Christmas Store at Potters
What to Expect:
Massive year-round Christmas store and attraction
Description:
The Christmas Store at Potters is Western Canada's largest Christmas store, open year-round. The 28,000 square foot space is filled with themed rooms and animatronic displays. Visitors can explore the Dark Room, where light-up decorations create a mesmerizing glow. This family-owned business has been operating for over 50 years, evolving from a small garden center to a Christmas destination that draws visitors from across the region.
Where: Surrey | More Info: Christmas Store at Potters
Shipyards Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Waterfront Christmas market with local focus
Description:
The Shipyards Christmas Festival brings holiday cheer to North Vancouver's revitalized waterfront. The event showcases local artisans and performers, emphasizing the community's talents. Visitors can ice skate on the covered outdoor rink while enjoying views of Vancouver's skyline. This festival celebrates the area's shipbuilding heritage while highlighting its modern transformation into a vibrant cultural hub.
Where: North Vancouver | More Info: Shipyards Christmas Festival
Burnaby Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Polar Express Train Ride
What to Expect:
Immersive train ride based on the popular children's book
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride brings the classic children's book to life in Squamish. Passengers board a real train, embarking on a journey to the "North Pole" complete with hot chocolate and cookies. The experience includes a dramatic reading of the story and a visit from Santa. Set against the backdrop of the Sea to Sky corridor, this event combines literature, theater, and the region's railway history.
Where: Squamish | More Info: The Polar Express Train Ride
The Nutcracker by Goh Ballet
What to Expect:
Large-scale professional ballet production with international cast
Description:
Goh Ballet's production of The Nutcracker brings world-class dance to Vancouver. This lavish performance features international guest artists alongside local dancers and live orchestra. Audiences are transported to a world of sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers come to life. The production, which began in 2009, has become a cornerstone of Vancouver's holiday cultural scene, blending classical ballet with Canadian artistic talent.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: The Nutcracker by Goh Ballet
Burnaby Holiday Giving Opportunities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Charity event featuring creatively decorated trees
Description:
The Festival of Trees transforms the Four Seasons Hotel into a forest of uniquely decorated Christmas trees. Each tree is sponsored and decorated by local businesses and organizations, showcasing creative themes. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree, with proceeds benefiting BC Children's Hospital. This event has raised funds for pediatric care since 1987, blending holiday decor with charitable giving in a luxurious setting.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Festival of Trees
St. Paul’s Lights of Hope
What to Expect:
Massive light display on hospital facade for charity
Description:
St. Paul's Lights of Hope illuminates the hospital's facade with an intricate display of over 100,000 lights. The stunning light tapestry spans a city block, becoming a beacon of hope in downtown Vancouver. Visitors can donate to light a bulb, directly supporting patient care and medical research. This event has been brightening the city and raising funds for healthcare since 1998, embodying the spirit of community support.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: St. Paul’s Lights of Hope
Burnaby Other Holiday Activities
Peak of Christmas
What to Expect:
Mountaintop winter activities with panoramic views
Description:
Perched atop Grouse Mountain, the Peak of Christmas transforms the summit into a snow-covered playground. Visitors can glide across the mountaintop skating pond while taking in breathtaking views of Vancouver below. This alpine celebration pays homage to the region's logging history with lumberjack shows. You'll find yourself immersed in a true Canadian winter experience, complete with snowshoeing trails and encounters with real reindeer.
Where: North Vancouver | More Info: Peak of Christmas
Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum
What to Expect:
Step back in time to a 1920s Christmas celebration
Description:
Heritage Christmas transports visitors to a bygone era at Burnaby Village Museum. The 1920s-themed village comes alive with period-accurate decorations and costumed interpreters. Carousel rides and traditional crafts offer hands-on experiences of Christmas past. This event preserves and celebrates the holiday traditions of early 20th century British Columbia, providing a glimpse into the region's cultural history.
Where: Burnaby | More Info: Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum
Christmas at Canada Place
What to Expect:
Celebration of Canadian holiday traditions at iconic landmark
Description:
Christmas at Canada Place showcases holiday traditions from across the nation. The iconic sails of Canada Place glow with projected light shows, while the Avenue of Christmas Trees represents each province and territory. Visitors can explore the Woodward's Windows, restored displays that once graced the famous department store. This event celebrates Canada's multicultural holiday heritage at one of Vancouver's most recognizable landmarks.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Christmas at Canada Place
Aurora Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Immersive winter theme park with diverse attractions
Description:
Aurora Winter Festival creates a winter wonderland in the heart of Vancouver. The event features a diverse array of attractions, including tube sliding, an ice skating trail, and a mystical light forest. Visitors can explore a hidden village filled with food vendors and artisan markets. Inspired by the North's Aurora Borealis, this festival brings a taste of Arctic beauty to the temperate Pacific coast.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Aurora Winter Festival
Vancouver Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Large-scale parade supporting local food banks
Description:
Vancouver's Santa Claus Parade marches through downtown, bringing holiday cheer to thousands of spectators. Elaborate floats, marching bands, and dance troupes create a lively procession. The parade serves as a major food drive for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, embodying the spirit of giving. This community event has been a Vancouver tradition since 2004, growing to become one of the largest Christmas parades in Western Canada.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Vancouver Santa Claus Parade
Robson Square Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Free outdoor skating in the heart of downtown
Description:
Robson Square Ice Rink offers free skating in Vancouver's bustling city center. The covered outdoor rink allows for skating regardless of weather, with the city's skyscrapers as a backdrop. Visitors can glide across the ice to the sound of holiday music echoing through the square. This rink has been a Vancouver winter tradition since 1982, transforming the modernist architecture of Robson Square into a winter gathering place.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Robson Square Ice Rink
Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
What to Expect:
Multicultural celebration of the year's longest night
Description:
The Winter Solstice Lantern Festival illuminates Vancouver with a series of lantern processions and fire performances. Rooted in diverse cultural traditions, the event celebrates the return of light after the longest night of the year. Visitors can participate in lantern-making workshops and join community processions. This festival, organized by the Secret Lantern Society, has been bridging cultures through art and light since 1994.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
CandyTown
What to Expect:
Outdoor Christmas festival with a candy theme
Description:
CandyTown transforms Vancouver's Yaletown district into a sweet-themed holiday street festival. Candy cane stilt walkers and roving characters create a playful atmosphere. Visitors can watch ice carving demonstrations or take photos with the Ice Queen. This free community event celebrates Yaletown's transformation from warehouse district to trendy neighborhood, while supporting local businesses during the holiday season.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: CandyTown
Holiday Magic
What to Expect:
Historic downtown transformed into Victorian Christmas scene
Description:
Holiday Magic transports visitors to a Victorian-era Christmas in New Westminster's historic downtown. Costumed characters and period decorations line Columbia Street, once known as the "Golden Mile." Visitors can take guided tours of heritage buildings adorned for the season. This event celebrates New Westminster's rich history as British Columbia's first capital city, bringing its past to life during the holidays.
Where: New Westminster | More Info: Holiday Magic
Whistler Holiday Experience
What to Expect:
Free indoor family activities in a world-class ski resort
Description:
Whistler Holiday Experience offers free indoor family fun at the heart of the famous ski resort. The event transforms the Whistler Conference Centre into a winter playground with activities like mini-golf and table games. Visitors can enjoy these attractions between ski runs or as a break from the outdoor cold. This event showcases Whistler's commitment to family-friendly experiences, complementing its reputation as a world-class ski destination.
Where: Whistler | More Info: Whistler Holiday Experience
Holiday Splash
What to Expect:
Christmas-themed indoor water park experience
Description:
Holiday Splash brings Christmas cheer to Guildford Recreation Centre's indoor water park. The pool area is transformed with festive decorations and lighting, creating a unique aquatic holiday experience. Visitors can enjoy wave pools and water slides while surrounded by holiday ambiance. This event offers a tropical twist on winter celebrations, highlighting Surrey's diverse recreational facilities and family-oriented community programming.
Where: Surrey | More Info: Holiday Splash
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Vancouver (8 miles)
- Coquitlam (8 miles)
- Port Coquitlam (8 miles)
- Delta (9 miles)
- Richmond (11 miles)
- Surrey (12 miles)
- Maple Ridge (16 miles)
- Langley (18 miles)
- Abbotsford (35 miles)
- Bellingham (41 miles)