Can't wait for the holidays in Coquitlam? Check out our guide for all the festive happenings! Whether you're a Coquitlam local or a first-time visitor, our guide opens the door to holiday delights.
One of the highlights is Lights at Lafarge, a mesmerizing display of lights transforming Lafarge Lake into a winter wonderland. Experience the lively entertainment and philanthropy with the CP Holiday Train, which brings holiday cheer while supporting local food banks. And the Coquitlam Christmas Night Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its array of unique crafts, delicious treats, and holiday gifts. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Coquitlam
- Lights at Lafarge
- CP Holiday Train
- Coquitlam Christmas Night Market
- Christmas at Mackin House
- Holiday Magic Show
- Holiday Craft Fair
- Christmas Storytime
- Gingerbread House Decorating
- Holiday Artisan Market
- Christmas Bake Sale
Coquitlam Holiday Light Displays
Lights at Lafarge
What to Expect:
Largest free outdoor light display in Metro Vancouver
Description:
Lafarge Lake transforms into a dazzling spectacle of over 100,000 twinkling lights. This free outdoor display illuminates the winter nights with intricate light sculptures and animated installations. Stroll along the 1.2-kilometer loop around the lake, discovering themed zones that change annually. The event originated in 2014 as a community initiative to brighten the dark winter months. You can participate in guided tours to learn about the artistic vision behind each display. The lights reflect off the lake's surface, creating a mesmerizing double image that captivates visitors of all ages.
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Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations controlled by visitor movements
Description:
Coquitlam's Festival of Lights pushes the boundaries of traditional displays with cutting-edge, interactive light installations. This innovative event responds to visitor movements, creating a dynamic and ever-changing luminous landscape. Walk through tunnels of light that shift colors as you pass, or conduct a symphony of lights with a wave of your hand. The festival showcases Coquitlam's growing reputation as a hub for technology and art. Participate in workshops on light art and technology, led by local artists and engineers. Since its inception, the event has become a platform for experimenting with new forms of artistic expression and community engagement.
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Coquitlam Holiday Markets and Shopping
Coquitlam Christmas Night Market
What to Expect:
Fusion of traditional Christmas market with Asian night market elements
Description:
Coquitlam's Christmas Night Market blends European holiday traditions with the vibrant atmosphere of Asian night markets. This unique fusion event offers a diverse array of international cuisines, handcrafted gifts, and cultural performances. Wander through rows of twinkling stalls, where the aroma of mulled wine mingles with the scent of sizzling street food. The market showcases Coquitlam's multicultural heritage, reflecting the city's diverse population. Try your hand at traditional crafts from various cultures represented in the community. This event has quickly become a local favorite since its inception, drawing visitors from across the Lower Mainland.
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Coquitlam Christmas Night Market
Holiday Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Emphasis on locally sourced and eco-friendly crafts
Description:
Coquitlam's Holiday Craft Fair showcases the work of local artisans with a focus on sustainability and eco-conscious creations. This event highlights the community's commitment to environmental stewardship while celebrating artistic talent. Browse through stalls offering handmade gifts crafted from reclaimed materials and locally sourced ingredients. The fair takes place in a historic community center, blending modern eco-awareness with Coquitlam's rich cultural heritage. Participate in hands-on workshops to learn eco-friendly crafting techniques from skilled artisans. The event has grown from a small gathering to a significant platform for promoting sustainable living in the holiday season.
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Holiday Artisan Market
What to Expect:
Showcase of Indigenous art and crafts alongside contemporary works
Description:
The Holiday Artisan Market in Coquitlam spotlights a unique blend of Indigenous and contemporary art, celebrating the region's rich cultural heritage. This curated market features handcrafted items that tell the stories of both traditional and modern Coquitlam. Discover intricate Coast Salish jewelry alongside innovative designs by local artists. The market is held in a repurposed industrial space, honoring the city's manufacturing past while embracing its artistic future. Engage with artists as they demonstrate their techniques, offering insight into their creative processes. This event has become a vital platform for cultural exchange and artistic expression in the community.
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Christmas Bake Sale
What to Expect:
Fusion of traditional Canadian and international holiday treats
Description:
Coquitlam's Christmas Bake Sale tantalizes taste buds with a global array of holiday confections. This culinary event showcases the community's diverse cultural backgrounds through an assortment of sweet and savory treats. Sample everything from classic Canadian butter tarts to exotic international delicacies. The sale takes place in Coquitlam's oldest community center, blending culinary innovation with historical charm. Participate in a cookie exchange, bringing your own creations to share and trade with other baking enthusiasts. The event has evolved from a small church fundraiser to a citywide celebration of culinary traditions, reflecting Coquitlam's growing multiculturalism.
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Christmas Pop-Up Shop
What to Expect:
Rotating selection of local artisans and entrepreneurs
Description:
Coquitlam's Christmas Pop-Up Shop offers a dynamic shopping experience with a constantly changing lineup of local vendors. This innovative retail concept showcases a different selection of artisans, crafters, and small businesses each week. Discover unique gifts that capture the essence of Coquitlam's creative spirit, from handcrafted jewelry to locally produced gourmet treats. The pop-up is housed in a revitalized heritage building, blending modern retail trends with historical charm. Engage with makers directly, learning the stories behind their creations. Since its inception, this event has become a launchpad for numerous local entrepreneurs, fostering Coquitlam's growing reputation as a hub for small business innovation.
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Coquitlam Holiday Shows and Entertainment
CP Holiday Train
What to Expect:
Moving concert on a festively decorated train
Description:
The CP Holiday Train rolls into Coquitlam, bringing live music and holiday cheer on rails. This unique traveling concert features a brightly decorated locomotive and performers who entertain from a converted boxcar stage. The train's arrival marks a moment of community gathering, with local food banks benefiting from donations collected. Listen to the whistle blow as the train approaches, signaling the start of the celebration. The CP Holiday Train tradition began in 1999 and has since raised millions for food banks across North America. Bring a non-perishable food item to support your neighbors in need.
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Holiday Magic Show
What to Expect:
Interactive illusions with a holiday twist
Description:
Coquitlam's Holiday Magic Show dazzles audiences with mind-bending illusions and sleight-of-hand tricks, all wrapped in seasonal themes. This performance goes beyond typical magic acts, incorporating holiday folklore and local legends into the spectacle. Gasp as snowflakes appear from thin air and familiar objects transform before your eyes. The show honors Coquitlam's theatrical history, which dates back to the early 20th century. Audience members may find themselves part of the act, assisting in creating holiday miracles on stage. Each year, the show introduces new illusions, ensuring a fresh experience for returning visitors.
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Christmas Storytime
What to Expect:
Multilingual storytelling sessions reflecting community diversity
Description:
Christmas Storytime in Coquitlam celebrates the city's cultural diversity through multilingual holiday tales. This unique event features storytellers sharing beloved Christmas stories in various languages, representing the community's multicultural makeup. Children and adults alike are transported to different parts of the world through vivid narratives and colorful illustrations. The event takes place in Coquitlam's state-of-the-art library, which has been a cornerstone of community learning since 1976. Participate in a global craft session inspired by the stories heard during the event. The soft murmur of different languages creates a warm, inclusive atmosphere that embodies Coquitlam's welcoming spirit.
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Seasonal Storytelling
What to Expect:
Stories told through a combination of oral tradition and digital projection
Description:
Seasonal Storytelling in Coquitlam merges ancient oral traditions with cutting-edge technology. This innovative event features storytellers whose tales come to life through immersive digital projections. Experience stories from various cultures unfold around you, with walls and ceilings transformed into dynamic backdrops. The event honors Coquitlam's Indigenous heritage while embracing its technological future. You can contribute to a collective story, with your words instantly visualized through real-time animation. Held in a converted industrial space, the venue itself tells the story of Coquitlam's evolution from resource town to cultural hub.
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Coquitlam Other Holiday Activities
Christmas at Mackin House
What to Expect:
Victorian-era Christmas experience in a heritage home
Description:
Step back in time at Mackin House, where Christmas is celebrated as it was in the early 1900s. This meticulously preserved Edwardian home opens its doors for a glimpse into holiday traditions of yesteryear. Explore rooms adorned with period-accurate decorations and learn about the customs of Coquitlam's early settlers. The house, built in 1909, stands as a testament to the city's logging industry heritage. Visitors can participate in Victorian parlor games, adding an interactive element to the historical experience. The scent of freshly baked gingerbread fills the air, recreating the authentic atmosphere of a turn-of-the-century Christmas.
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Gingerbread House Decorating
What to Expect:
Competition using locally inspired architectural designs
Description:
Coquitlam's Gingerbread House Decorating event challenges participants to recreate local landmarks in sweet, edible form. This creative competition brings together amateur and professional bakers to construct miniature versions of Coquitlam's iconic buildings. Witness intricate sugar sculptures of the City Centre Aquatic Complex or gingerbread replicas of heritage homes. The event pays homage to Coquitlam's architectural evolution from a small mill town to a thriving city. You can join a team to build your own gingerbread creation, guided by local pastry chefs. The air is filled with the spicy-sweet aroma of gingerbread, evoking childhood memories and holiday cheer.
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Holiday Sleigh Rides
What to Expect:
Rides through a protected urban forest
Description:
Holiday Sleigh Rides in Coquitlam offer a unique journey through Mundy Park, one of the largest urban forests in the Lower Mainland. These horse-drawn sleigh rides provide an intimate encounter with nature in the heart of the city. Glide past towering evergreens and serene lakes, spotting local wildlife in their winter habitat. The park, established in 1971, stands as a testament to Coquitlam's commitment to preserving natural spaces. You can warm up with locally sourced hot apple cider after the ride. The gentle clip-clop of hooves on the forest path creates a rhythmic soundtrack to this peaceful winter adventure.
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Winter Wonderland Ice Skating
What to Expect:
Outdoor rink surrounded by a light-up sculpture garden
Description:
Winter Wonderland Ice Skating in Coquitlam transforms Town Centre Park into an outdoor gallery of illuminated ice sculptures. Glide across the smooth ice surface while surrounded by glowing artistic creations that change themes annually. This unique combination of sport and art reflects Coquitlam's commitment to active living and cultural expression. The event takes place on the site of a former gravel pit, showcasing the city's successful land reclamation efforts. You can join guided skating tours to learn about the inspiration behind each sculpture. The crisp winter air carries the sound of blades on ice, creating a symphony of winter enjoyment.
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Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
What to Expect:
Multicultural, interfaith service held in multiple languages
Description:
Coquitlam's Christmas Eve Candlelight Service unites the community in a unique interfaith celebration. This inclusive event brings together various religious and cultural traditions, offering readings and songs in multiple languages. Witness the gradual illumination of the space as candles are lit, symbolizing hope and unity. The service takes place in Coquitlam's oldest church, built in 1891, blending historical significance with modern inclusivity. Participate in a collective moment of reflection, joining hands with neighbors from diverse backgrounds. This event has evolved over the years to reflect Coquitlam's changing demographics, becoming a powerful symbol of community harmony.
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Christmas Eve Candlelight Service