Last updated: November 11, 2024
Here's your comprehensive guide to the holidays in New Westminster! Find all the top festive events and attractions. Whether you're a New Westminster expert or a novice, this guide unlocks the city's festive secrets.
This season, the enchanting Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge transforms the iconic site into a dazzling spectacle adorned with millions of lights. Plus, the Vancouver Christmas Market offers a delightful array of artisan stalls and festive treats, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. And the Bright Nights event features a captivating display of lights in a picturesque park setting, creating a memorable experience for visitors of all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Holiday light display with a miniature train and festive activities.
Bright Nights at Stanley Park features millions of sparkling lights, a miniature train, and festive activities like Santa's Workshop and live performances. The event supports the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Bright Nights
Multi-colored light display on a historic suspension bridge.
Capilano Suspension Bridge transforms into a spectacular display of lights and colors, featuring a world-famous bridge, Treetops Adventure, and Cliffwalk. Visitors can walk through a glittering rainforest, capture Instagram-worthy photos, and enjoy hot chocolate while listening to live festive tunes.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Interactive light installations and sensory-friendly environment.
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
Immersive holiday light displays and interactive activities.
The Noel Holiday Light Festival & Market in Surrey features over 1 million sparkling lights, a 30,000 sq. ft. indoor venue, and a 1km accessible holiday light walk. Enjoy live music, dance performances, and activities like face painting and balloon twisting. Visit Santa, explore the Christmas Market, and ride the 50-foot Ferris Wheel.
Where: Surrey | More Info: Noel Holiday Light Festival & Market
Immersive outdoor Christmas festival with interactive light installations and family-friendly activities.
Christmas Glow in Langley features over a million lights, an outdoor maze, indoor market vendors, live entertainment, and a three-storey crystal palace. The event includes a kids' scavenger hunt, wand adventure, and a Merry Makers Market with local vendors.
Where: Langley | More Info: Christmas Glow
Largest outdoor displays of Christmas trees in coastal British Columbia.
The Dundarave Festival of Lights is a community-driven event featuring a forest of lovingly decorated Christmas trees along West Vancouver's waterfront. It includes free live concerts and activities, celebrating the holiday season with a focus on community and local artists.
Where: West Vancouver | More Info: Dundarave Festival of Lights
Community-driven display with over a thousand volunteers and themed zones.
Lights at Lafarge is Metro Vancouver's largest free outdoor winter lights display, featuring over 100,000 lights and themed zones around Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam. The event includes a 1.2-kilometer pathway decorated with sparkling holiday lights, illuminated archways, and festive displays.
Where: Coquitlam | More Info: Lights at Lafarge
Interactive light art installations weaving regional stories.
Squamish at Dusk is a winter light art experience merging creativity and illumination to share stories and create memories. The event features light art, narrative about the region, interactive installations, and popup immersive environments in Rose Park, transforming it into a vibrant nighttime winter hub with fun for all ages.
Where: Squamish | More Info: Squamish at Dusk
Dazzling lighted parade with a mix of antique vehicles and big rigs.
The Surrey Santa Parade of Lights is a festive event featuring a lighted parade with floats, marching bands, antique vehicles, and big rigs. It is organized by the Cloverdale BIA and includes local businesses, non-profit organizations, and volunteers. The event aims to raise funds for the Surrey Food Bank and the Surrey Christmas Bureau.
Where: Surrey | More Info: Surrey Santa Parade of Lights
Extensive light installations along the waterfront.
Bright Walk in White Rock is a winter light display featuring over 50,000 lights, a 20-foot Christmas tree, and an LED light tunnel in Memorial Park. The event includes photo opportunities with an eight-foot-tall selfie frame and snowflakes.
Where: White Rock | More Info: Bright Walk in White Rock
Largest nighttime parade in the Fraser Valley.
The Mission Candlelight Parade is an annual event celebrating Christmas and the community of Mission. It features floats, holiday tunes, and a festive atmosphere along First Avenue between Horne Street and Park Street. The event supports local charities and draws over 10,000 spectators.
Where: Mission | More Info: Mission Christmas Parade
Traditional German Christmas market with artisan shops and festive eats.
The Vancouver Christmas Market is an outdoor event at Jack Poole Plaza, featuring traditional German Christmas market stalls, artisan shops, and festive eats. Enjoy live entertainment, special events, and unique attractions like the Aeroplan Holiday Carousel and Walk-Through Christmas Tree.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Vancouver Christmas Market
Free admission to a community-driven European-style Christmas market.
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
Upscale artisan market in a historic heritage building.
Hycroft for the Holidays is an upscale Christmas-themed artisan market featuring handmade and homemade treasures, unique gifts, crafts, gourmet treats, and a silent auction. The event takes place in the historic Hycroft House, offering a unique shopping experience with live jazz performances and beautifully decorated heritage surroundings.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Holidays at Hycroft
Diverse international cuisines and cultural performances.
The Coquitlam Christmas Night Market is a unique blend of traditional Christmas markets and Asian night market elements, featuring 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.
Where: Coquitlam | More Info: Coquitlam Christmas Night Market
Interactive holiday activities and local vendors.
CandyTown is a free outdoor winter festival in Yaletown, Vancouver, featuring live ice sculpting, holiday characters, a gift market, and live music.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: Candytown
Community-driven holiday celebration with live music and ice skating.
The Spirit of the Season Festival in North Vancouver features live music, ice skating, and entertainment under dazzling holiday lights. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by fire truck, followed by Indigenous welcomes and the lighting of a 30-foot Christmas tree. The event includes a holiday artisan market, free hot chocolate, and various performances by local groups.
Where: North Vancouver | More Info: Spirit of the Season Festival
Interactive Santa-themed adventure with toy testing and holiday train ride.
The PNE Winter Fair is a family-friendly event featuring holiday lights, food, ice skating, ice bumper cars, and live shows. It includes a holiday market, the PNE Holiday Express, and interactive activities like meeting Santa and toy testing.
Where: Vancouver | More Info: PNE Winter Fair
Community-driven parade with floats, marching bands, and Santa.
The Chilliwack Rotary Christmas Parade is a community event featuring floats, marching bands, and Santa, taking place in historic downtown Chilliwack. It includes a variety of decorated vehicles, live bands, and festive activities.
Where: Chilliwack | More Info: Chilliwack Rotary Christmas Parade
Santa Claus Parade with festive lights and family activities.
The Maple Ridge Christmas Festival features a Santa Claus Parade, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities at Memorial Peace Park, celebrating the start of the holiday season with festive lights and holiday-themed events.
Where: Maple Ridge | More Info: Maple Ridge Christmas Festival