Experience the holidays in Delta from a new perspective. Our guide covers all the essential festive activities. Whether Delta is your home or your holiday destination, our guide brings you the top festive events.
Kickstart your holiday spirit with Canyon Lights, a mesmerizing display that transforms the Capilano Suspension Bridge into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights. This is followed by the Vancouver Christmas Market, known for its unique European-inspired crafts and delicious seasonal treats. And Bright Nights in Stanley Park is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing brilliant light displays and festive cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Delta
See these and even more events listed below!Delta Holiday Markets and Shopping
Ladner Christmas Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Showcase of local artisans in historic town
Description:
Ladner's Christmas Craft Fair celebrates the talent of local artisans in the heart of this historic fishing village. The event features handcrafted goods ranging from jewelry to home decor, each item telling a story of skill and creativity. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts, gaining insight into the artisans' processes. The fair's location in Ladner's quaint downtown adds to its charm, with heritage buildings providing a picturesque backdrop. This annual event, running for over two decades, has become a key platform for supporting local artists and preserving traditional craftsmanship.
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Tsawwassen Springs Christmas Craft Market
What to Expect:
Golf course transformed into holiday market
Description:
Tsawwassen Springs Christmas Craft Market turns a golf course into a haven for holiday shoppers. The event showcases a curated selection of local artisans, offering everything from gourmet foods to handcrafted jewelry. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape while browsing the stalls. Live music performances add to the festive atmosphere, featuring local musicians. This relatively new event, started in 2015, has quickly become a favorite among Delta residents, blending the tranquility of the golf course setting with the excitement of holiday shopping.
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Tsawwassen Springs Christmas Craft Market
Delta Other Holiday Activities
Delta Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Community-focused event with local performances
Description:
Delta's Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony brings the community together in a heartwarming celebration. Local choirs and musicians perform holiday classics, filling the air with joyful melodies. The event culminates in the illumination of a towering Christmas tree, symbolizing the start of the holiday season. You can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate while browsing local craft stalls. This annual tradition, dating back several decades, has become a cherished moment for Delta residents to connect and celebrate their shared community spirit.
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Nearby Events
Canyon Lights (North Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Suspension bridge illuminated with thousands of lights
Description:
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park transforms into a luminous spectacle during Canyon Lights. Visitors can traverse the illuminated suspension bridge, suspended 230 feet above the Capilano River. The event showcases First Nations artwork, blending cultural heritage with modern light displays. Explore the Treetops Adventure, where seven suspension bridges connect old-growth Douglas firs adorned with twinkling lights. This breathtaking display has been a Vancouver tradition since the 1990s, drawing locals and tourists alike to experience the forest's nocturnal beauty.
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Vancouver Christmas Market (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Traditional German-style Christmas market
Description:
Vancouver's waterfront comes alive with the sights and aromas of a traditional German Christmas market. Stroll through rows of wooden huts offering handcrafted gifts, seasonal treats, and mulled wine. The market's centerpiece, a towering Christmas pyramid, pays homage to its European roots. You can sample authentic German delicacies like schnitzel and strudel while enjoying live performances. This cultural celebration has been bringing a piece of Old World charm to the heart of Vancouver since 2010, fostering a sense of community and international connection.
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Bright Nights in Stanley Park (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Train ride through illuminated forest
Description:
Stanley Park's miniature train chugs through a dazzling forest of lights during Bright Nights. This beloved Vancouver tradition transforms the park into a glowing wonderland, featuring over three million lights. Passengers on the train journey through themed light displays, each telling a unique story. The event has a heartwarming purpose, raising funds for the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund. Since its inception in 1998, Bright Nights has become an integral part of Vancouver's holiday season, blending charity with seasonal cheer.
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Festival of Lights (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Botanical garden transformed with themed light displays
Description:
VanDusen Botanical Garden bursts into a kaleidoscope of colors during the Festival of Lights. Themed light displays illuminate the garden's diverse plant collections, creating a unique fusion of nature and artistry. Visitors can wander through illuminated pathways, discovering new vistas at every turn. The event's centerpiece, a dancing lights show on the lake, synchronizes music and reflections for a mesmerizing experience. This annual tradition began in 1984 and has evolved into one of Vancouver's most anticipated holiday events, showcasing the garden's beauty in a whole new light.
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Aurora Winter Festival (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Immersive winter village with diverse activities
Description:
Aurora Winter Festival creates a vibrant winter village in the heart of Vancouver. This immersive experience features ice skating, tube sliding, and a mystical light tunnel. Visitors can explore a market of local artisans, offering unique gifts and seasonal treats. The festival's crowning jewel is a massive light dome, where guests can witness a simulated aurora borealis. Launched in 2018, Aurora Winter Festival quickly became a staple of Vancouver's holiday season, blending traditional winter activities with modern technology and artistic expression.
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Christmas at Canada Place (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Iconic venue decorated with Canadian-themed displays
Description:
Canada Place transforms into a holiday hub, showcasing the diversity of Canadian winter traditions. The venue's iconic sails glow with projected light displays, visible from across the harbor. Visitors can stroll through the Avenue of Christmas Trees, each decorated to represent a different Canadian province or territory. The Woodward's Windows, a beloved Vancouver tradition since the 1960s, have found a new home here, delighting new generations with their animated holiday scenes. This event celebrates Canada's multicultural heritage while creating new holiday memories.
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Winter Wonderland (Richmond)
What to Expect:
Indoor winter-themed playground
Description:
Richmond's Winter Wonderland offers a climate-controlled holiday experience, perfect for rainy Vancouver winters. This indoor extravaganza features a synthetic ice rink, allowing visitors to skate regardless of the weather outside. Children can frolic in the snow zone, filled with artificial snow for building snowmen and snow angels. The event showcases towering Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, creating a forest of festive creativity. Launched in 2015, Winter Wonderland has quickly become a favorite destination for families seeking holiday cheer without braving the elements.
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Surrey Tree Lighting Festival (Surrey)
What to Expect:
Diverse cultural performances and activities
Description:
Surrey's Tree Lighting Festival celebrates the city's multicultural community through holiday traditions from around the world. The event features performances ranging from Indigenous dances to Bollywood routines, reflecting Surrey's diverse population. Visitors can explore a holiday market, enjoy amusement rides, and witness the lighting of a 60-foot tall Christmas tree. You'll find interactive light displays scattered throughout the festival grounds, perfect for creating memorable photos. This annual event, which began in 2010, has grown to become one of the largest tree lighting ceremonies in the region.
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Glow Langley (Langley)
What to Expect:
Immersive light gardens with interactive elements
Description:
Glow Langley transports visitors into a world of light and imagination. This indoor event features themed light gardens, each telling a unique story through intricate light sculptures and displays. Guests can interact with many of the installations, creating their own light shows or capturing stunning photos. The event also includes a Christmas market, showcasing local artisans and their handcrafted wares. Glow began in Langley in 2017 and has since expanded to multiple locations across North America, making it a true local success story.
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Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas (Burnaby)
What to Expect:
Historical reenactment of early 20th century Christmas
Description:
Burnaby Village Museum's Heritage Christmas offers a glimpse into holiday celebrations of the 1920s. Costumed interpreters bring the era to life, demonstrating traditional crafts and sharing stories of Christmases past. Visitors can ride an authentically restored carousel from 1912, adding a touch of whimsy to the historical experience. The village's buildings are adorned with period-appropriate decorations, creating an immersive journey through time. This annual event, which began in the 1970s, has become a beloved tradition for those seeking to connect with the region's history during the holiday season.
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Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas
Steveston Festival of Trees (Richmond)
What to Expect:
Community-decorated trees in historic fishing village
Description:
Steveston's Festival of Trees transforms the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site into a forest of creativity. Local businesses, organizations, and school groups decorate trees, each telling a unique story or supporting a cause. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree, with proceeds supporting local charities. The event offers a rare opportunity to explore the historic cannery after dark, its industrial architecture providing a striking backdrop for the festive displays. Launched in 2012, this festival has become a cherished community tradition, blending Steveston's fishing heritage with holiday spirit.
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Grouse Mountain Peak of Christmas (North Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Mountain-top winter activities with panoramic views
Description:
Grouse Mountain's Peak of Christmas offers a true winter wonderland experience high above Vancouver. Visitors can glide across a mountaintop skating pond, surrounded by snow-capped trees and breathtaking city views. The event features encounters with real reindeer, adding an authentic touch to the North Pole experience. You can warm up in the Theatre in the Sky, enjoying Christmas movies with a bird's-eye view of the city below. This annual tradition has been delighting visitors since the 1980s, combining natural beauty with holiday cheer.
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Grouse Mountain Peak of Christmas
Polar Express Train Ride (Squamish)
What to Expect:
Immersive train ride based on popular children's book
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride in Squamish brings a beloved children's story to life. Passengers board a real train, embarking on a journey to the "North Pole" complete with hot chocolate, cookies, and a reading of the classic tale. The train's vintage cars are meticulously decorated to match the book's illustrations, creating an authentic experience. Upon reaching the "North Pole," children receive a special gift from Santa himself. This event, which began in 2014, has quickly become a must-do holiday tradition for families, blending literature, railway history, and Christmas magic.
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River District Winter Craft Fair (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Riverside location showcasing emerging local artists
Description:
The River District Winter Craft Fair celebrates Vancouver's newest neighborhood and its creative community. Set along the Fraser River, this event showcases works from emerging local artists and artisans. Visitors can browse unique handcrafted items while enjoying views of the river and distant mountains. The fair features live music performances by local musicians, adding a festive soundtrack to the shopping experience. Launched in 2018, this event has quickly become a platform for supporting new talent in Vancouver's evolving art scene.
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River District Winter Craft Fair
Christmas Carol Ship Parade (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Floating parade of illuminated boats
Description:
Vancouver's Christmas Carol Ship Parade illuminates the city's waterways with a flotilla of decorated boats. Vessels of all sizes participate, from small pleasure craft to large party boats, each adorned with thousands of lights. Spectators can watch from shore as the parade passes by, filling the night with carols and seasonal cheer. The event has a charitable component, with many boats raising funds for local organizations. This unique maritime tradition began in 1962 and has grown to become one of Vancouver's most distinctive holiday celebrations.
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Christmas at Hycroft (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Edwardian mansion decorated in period style
Description:
Christmas at Hycroft offers a glimpse into holiday celebrations of Vancouver's elite during the Edwardian era. This grand mansion is adorned with period-appropriate decorations, each room telling a story of Christmases past. Visitors can explore the ornate interiors, marveling at the intricate details of early 20th-century design. The event features live performances of classical music, enhancing the elegant atmosphere. Initiated in the 1970s, Christmas at Hycroft has become a cherished tradition for those seeking to experience the refinement and grandeur of a bygone era during the holiday season.
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Winter Solstice Lantern Festival (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Multicultural celebration of light on the shortest day
Description:
Vancouver's Winter Solstice Lantern Festival illuminates the darkest night of the year with a celebration of light, fire, and community. Participants create their own lanterns in workshops leading up to the event, then join in processions through various neighborhoods. The festival culminates in fire performances and drumming circles, honoring diverse cultural traditions associated with the solstice. You can experience labyrinths of light, each offering a moment of reflection amidst the festivities. This unique event, started in 1994, has grown to become a beloved community tradition, bridging cultures and generations.
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Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
Whistler Holiday Experience (Whistler)
What to Expect:
Free indoor family activities in world-famous ski resort
Description:
Whistler Holiday Experience transforms the resort's conference centre into a winter playground for families. This free event offers a range of activities, from mini golf to table games, providing entertainment regardless of weather conditions. Children can bounce on inflatable castles or try their hand at crafts in Santa's workshop. The event provides a welcome respite for non-skiers or those seeking a break from the slopes. Launched in 2005, this experience has become an integral part of Whistler's holiday offerings, ensuring fun for visitors of all ages and abilities.
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Holiday Heights at Bloedel Conservatory (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Tropical garden with holiday lights and exotic birds
Description:
Holiday Heights at Bloedel Conservatory offers a unique tropical twist on holiday celebrations. The domed conservatory, home to exotic plants and free-flying birds, is illuminated with thousands of lights, creating a magical contrast with the lush foliage. Visitors can spot colorful parrots and finches amid the twinkling displays, adding movement and life to the scene. The event features a scavenger hunt, encouraging guests to explore every corner of this elevated garden. Since its inception in 2015, Holiday Heights has provided a warm, vibrant escape from Vancouver's winter chill.
Website:
Holiday Heights at Bloedel Conservatory
Christmas in Williams Park (Langley)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display in forested park
Description:
Christmas in Williams Park transforms a serene Langley forest into a drive-through light extravaganza. Visitors remain in their vehicles, slowly winding through the park to admire intricate light displays nestled among the trees. Each turn reveals a new scene, from whimsical cartoon characters to elegant holiday motifs. The event is entirely free, relying on donations to support local charities. Established in 1991, this community-driven initiative has become a beloved tradition, allowing families to enjoy holiday lights regardless of weather or mobility constraints.
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New Westminster Christmas Parade (New Westminster)
What to Expect:
Night-time parade in historic downtown
Description:
New Westminster's Christmas Parade illuminates the city's historic downtown with a procession of lights and music. Floats adorned with thousands of bulbs wind through the streets, accompanied by marching bands and community groups. The parade's route showcases New Westminster's Victorian architecture, creating a picturesque backdrop for the festivities. Spectators can enjoy free hot chocolate while watching the spectacle unfold. This annual event, which began in the early 2000s, has grown to become one of the largest night-time parades in the region, celebrating community spirit and local history.
Website:
New Westminster Christmas Parade
Winter Harp Concerts (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Medieval and Renaissance instruments in holiday concert
Description:
Winter Harp Concerts transport audiences to a world of ancient melodies and seasonal reflection. Musicians clad in medieval attire perform on rare instruments like the Swedish nyckelharpa and bass psaltery, creating a unique soundscape. The concerts blend classical carols with Celtic and medieval tunes, offering a fresh perspective on holiday music. Ornate backdrops and gentle lighting enhance the ethereal atmosphere. Established in 1993, Winter Harp has become a cherished holiday tradition, offering a serene alternative to more commercial celebrations.
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Yaletown CandyTown (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Outdoor festival celebrating candy and chocolate
Description:
Yaletown CandyTown transforms this historic warehouse district into a sweet-lover's paradise. The free outdoor festival features candy-making demonstrations, chocolate tastings, and even an ice sculpture station. Visitors can watch professional carvers create intricate ice art or sample treats from local confectioners. The event includes a cocktail tour for adults, showcasing Yaletown's vibrant bar scene. Launched in 2012, CandyTown has quickly become a favorite pre-holiday event, celebrating the neighborhood's transformation from industrial area to culinary hotspot.
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Lights at Lafarge (Coquitlam)
What to Expect:
Largest free outdoor light display in Metro Vancouver
Description:
Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam transforms into a dazzling spectacle of over 100,000 twinkling lights. This free outdoor display stands out as the largest of its kind in Metro Vancouver. Visitors can stroll along the 1.2-kilometer loop around the lake, immersing themselves in a kaleidoscope of illuminated sculptures and themed zones. The event showcases local artistic talent, with many light installations created by community artists. Originally a quarry, Lafarge Lake was gifted to the city in 1971 and has since become a beloved recreational area. You'll discover a perfect blend of natural beauty and artistic expression as the lights reflect off the lake's surface.