Last updated: November 11, 2024
From twinkling lights to festive parades, explore the holiday spirit in Richmond with us! Whether you're a Richmond insider or an outsider looking in, this guide reveals the city's holiday heart.
Popular events during the season include the Vancouver Christmas Market, an enchanting outdoor experience filled with handcrafted gifts and seasonal treats. Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge features stunning displays along the beautiful suspension bridge and surrounding forest, immersing visitors in a winter wonderland. And the VanDusen Festival of Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a mesmerizing array of lights across the garden. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Richmond Holiday Light Displays
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
- What to Expect
- Multi-colour bridge lighting and festive activities.
- Description
- Cross the world-famous bridge lit end-to-end with a changing multi-colour display, and sway high above the illuminated Capilano River. Journey into a glittering rainforest and walk high above the forest floor on a transformed Treetops Adventure. Finally, walk along the twinkling cliffside pathway of Cliffwalk. Capture an Instagram-worthy photo, sip a decadent hot chocolate to the sound of live festive tunes, or get in on all the fun of the many kids activities around the Park.
- Where
- North Vancouver | More Info : Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
VanDusen Festival of Lights
- What to Expect
- Interactive light displays 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 themed light areas inspired by BC's ecosystems.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : VanDusen Festival of Lights
Bright Nights at Stanley Park
- What to Expect
- Thousands of sparkling lights and live entertainment.
- Description
- Bright Nights at Stanley Park features millions of sparkling lights, a vintage fire truck, and live entertainment, all benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : Bright Nights at Stanley Park
Christmas Glow in Langley
- What to Expect
- Immersive walk-around festival with interactive light installations and live performances.
- Description
- Christmas Glow in Langley features over a million lights, an outdoor maze, indoor market vendors, live entertainment, and a holiday train. The event includes carnival games, a kids' scavenger hunt, and a craft corner, making it a comprehensive holiday experience.
- Where
- Langley | More Info : Christmas Glow in Langley
Noel Holiday Light Festival
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday light experience with interactive displays and festive activities.
- Description
- The Noel Holiday Light Festival in Surrey features over 1 million sparkling lights, a 1km accessible holiday light walk, and various interactive displays. Visitors can enjoy activities like photos with Santa, live music, and rides, as well as explore the Christmas Market and Holly Jolly Hub.
- Where
- Surrey | More Info : Noel Holiday Light Festival
Martini Town Merry & Bright
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a film backlot setting with live music and local vendors.
- Description
- Martini Town Merry & Bright is a unique holiday event featuring a transformed film backlot into a Christmas attraction with New York City-style architecture, including a movie theater, coffee shop, and diner. The event offers live music, artisan markets, and visits from Santa Claus, creating a festive atmosphere with heartwarming classic decor and modern light displays.
- Where
- Langley | More Info : Martini Town Merry & Bright
Lights at Lafarge
- What to Expect
- Community-driven display with over a million lights and themed zones.
- Description
- The Lights at Lafarge is Metro Vancouver's largest free outdoor winter lights display, featuring over a million lights and themed areas around Coquitlam's Lafarge Lake.
- Where
- Coquitlam | More Info : Lights at Lafarge
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 outdoor Christmas trees lovingly decorated by families, community groups, and businesses along West Vancouver's waterfront. The event includes free concerts and activities on select Saturdays, raising funds for local programs and initiatives.
- Where
- West Vancouver | More Info : Dundarave Festival of Lights
Bright Walk in White Rock
- What to Expect
- Extensive light installations along the waterfront.
- Description
- Bright Walk in White Rock is a winter light display 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 is located in Memorial Park and is lit from dusk to dawn weekdays and all day weekends and holidays.
- Where
- White Rock | More Info : Bright Walk in White Rock
Squamish at Dusk
- What to Expect
- Interactive light art installations and immersive environments.
- Description
- Squamish at Dusk is a light art festival transforming Rose Park with creative light installations, interactive experiences, and narrative storytelling about the region.
- Where
- Squamish | More Info : Squamish at Dusk
Liven Up Coal Harbour
- What to Expect
- Dazzling light installations and live performances along the waterfront.
- Description
- Liven Up Coal Harbour features dazzling lighting installations, live music, and storytelling along Vancouver's iconic waterfront, creating a family-friendly atmosphere with over 150 musicians and a specialty bar.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : Liven Up Coal Harbour
St Paul’s Lights of Hope
- What to Expect
- Illuminated star decorations representing generous donations.
- Description
- St. Paul’s Lights of Hope is a significant fundraising event featuring a large Christmas light display at St. Paul’s Hospital, symbolizing hope and generosity during the holiday season. The event includes festive choir performances, complimentary hot chocolate, and photos with Santa.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : St Paul’s Lights of Hope
Richmond Holiday Markets and Shopping
Vancouver Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Traditional German Christmas market with artisan shops and festive eats.
- Description
- The Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza offers a traditional German Christmas market experience with artisan shops, festive eats, and special events like the Aeroplan Holiday Carousel and Walk-Through Christmas Tree.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : Vancouver Christmas Market
Shipyards Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday experience with European cuisine and community entertainment.
- 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
Candytown
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of holiday shopping and festive entertainment.
- Description
- CandyTown is a free outdoor winter festival in Yaletown, Vancouver, featuring live music, a gift market, horse-drawn carriage rides, and ice-carving demonstrations.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : Candytown
Circle Craft Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Unique, high-quality Canadian handcrafted goods.
- Description
- The Circle Craft Holiday Market is Western Canada's largest craft market, showcasing hundreds of artisans from coast to coast under one festive roof. It features a diverse array of handmade goods, including jewelry, soaps, home decor, and locally-made art.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : Circle Craft Holiday Market
Winter Treasures Artisan Market
- What to Expect
- Exceptional handcrafted gifts from BC artists.
- Description
- The Winter Treasures Artisan Market offers a holiday shopping experience with exceptional handcrafted gifts, pottery, jewelry, glass, and art created by BC artists. New items arrive regularly, making it a great place to discover unique gifts for everyone on your list while supporting local artists.
- Where
- Port Moody | More Info : Winter Treasures Artisan Market
Richmond Other Holiday Activities
Steveston's Winter in the Village
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday activities and Lego displays in a historic tram setting.
- Description
- Steveston's Winter in the Village features a beautifully restored century-old interurban tramcar 1220, decorated with sparkling lights and festive decorations. The tram building includes a Lego display by local artist Peter Grant, a winter-themed scavenger hunt, and a cozy reading nook with holiday-themed books. Children can dress up as junior tram conductors and participate in storytime sessions, including a special reading of "The Polar Express."
- Where
- Richmond | More Info : Steveston's Winter in the Village
Soar With Santa at FlyOver Canada
- What to Expect
- Immersive flying experience with sensory engagement.
- Description
- At FlyOver Canada, immerse yourself in a high-flying adventure that transports you across Canada's breathtaking landscapes, from the Arctic tundra to the Atlantic coast. Experience the thrill of flight with unique scents and special effects that make you feel like you're soaring through the country's most epic places.
- Where
- Vancouver | More Info : Soar With Santa at FlyOver Canada
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 showcasing the community of Mission. It features community groups and businesses displaying their services, activities, and opportunities. The parade is supported by the City of Mission and attracts over 10,000 spectators.
- Where
- Mission | More Info : Mission Christmas Parade
Maple Ridge Christmas Festival
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly holiday celebration with live entertainment and a festive parade.
- Description
- The Maple Ridge Christmas Festival is a one-day event featuring live entertainment, a winter holiday-themed parade, and family-friendly activities at Memorial Peace Park. The event includes children’s crafts, photo opportunities with Santa, and a variety of festive activities.
- Where
- Maple Ridge | More Info : Maple Ridge Christmas Festival