Plan your holiday fun in Richmond with our detailed guide. Whether you're a Richmond expert or a novice, this guide unlocks the city's festive secrets.
Experience the magic of the season at the Vancouver Christmas Market, where you can explore traditional German holiday treats, crafts, and entertainment. Marvel at the breathtaking light displays set against the stunning forest backdrop at Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. And the Bright Nights Christmas Train is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a delightful ride through a wonderland of twinkling lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Richmond
See these and even more events listed below!Richmond Other Holiday Activities
Steveston Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Community-decorated trees in a historic cannery setting
Description:
Steveston Festival of Trees fills the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site with a forest of uniquely decorated Christmas trees. Local businesses and organizations showcase their creativity through imaginative tree designs. The industrial setting of the preserved cannery provides a striking contrast to the festive decorations. You can vote for your favorite tree and learn about Steveston's rich fishing heritage. This community event, started in 2011, celebrates the holiday season while honoring the area's important role in Canada's West Coast fishing industry.
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Nearby Events
Vancouver Christmas Market (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
European-inspired outdoor market with traditional German food and drinks
Description:
Vancouver's Jack Poole Plaza transforms into a slice of Europe during the Vancouver Christmas Market. Stroll through wooden huts offering authentic German cuisine, handcrafted gifts, and steaming mugs of Glühwein. The market's centerpiece, a towering Christmas pyramid, pays homage to the centuries-old German tradition. Visitors can join in carol singing around the festive tree or try their hand at creating traditional ornaments. This annual event has been bringing European holiday cheer to the city since 2010.
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Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (North Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Illuminated suspension bridge and treetop walk
Description:
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park sparkles with thousands of lights during Canyon Lights. The iconic suspension bridge, stretching 140 meters across the canyon, becomes a glowing pathway in the sky. Venture into the illuminated rainforest and ascend to the Treetops Adventure, where seven suspension bridges connect the towering evergreens. You can hunt for hidden lit-up snowy owls throughout the park. This breathtaking display honors the park's history, which dates back to 1889 when George Grant Mackay first built a hemp rope bridge across the canyon.
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Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Bright Nights Christmas Train (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Miniature train ride through a forest of lights
Description:
Stanley Park's Bright Nights Christmas Train whisks passengers through a twinkling forest wonderland. The 14-minute journey winds past dazzling light displays and charming animated scenes. Listen to the cheerful melodies of holiday tunes as you glide along the tracks. Children can visit Santa in his living room and share their Christmas wishes. This beloved Vancouver tradition has been delighting families since 1997, raising funds for the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund.
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Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Santa's Workshop atop a mountain with panoramic city views
Description:
Grouse Mountain's Peak of Christmas elevates holiday celebrations to new heights. Ascend via the Skyride gondola to a snow-capped winter playground 1,128 meters above Vancouver. At the summit, Santa's Workshop comes to life with elves busily preparing for the big day. Visitors can glide across the mountaintop skating pond or embark on a guided snowshoe tour through frosted forests. The event showcases the mountain's rich history as a recreational destination since the 1920s.
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Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain
Lights at Lafarge (Coquitlam)
What to Expect:
Free light display around a scenic lake
Description:
Lights at Lafarge illuminates Coquitlam's Town Centre Park with a dazzling array of themed light displays. The 1.2-kilometer trail encircling Lafarge Lake becomes a glowing canvas of color and creativity. Stroll past illuminated nature scenes, fantastical creatures, and twinkling tunnels. You can participate in a scavenger hunt to find hidden light features throughout the display. This community-driven event began in 2014 and has grown to become the largest free outdoor light display in the Lower Mainland.
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Vancouver Santa Claus Parade (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Large-scale parade with floats and marching bands
Description:
Vancouver's streets come alive with the Santa Claus Parade, a grand procession of floats, marching bands, and costumed characters. The parade route winds through downtown, filling the air with joyful music and laughter. Spectators line the sidewalks, eagerly awaiting glimpses of elaborately decorated floats and the jolly man in red. You can bring a non-perishable food item to support the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. This cherished event has been a city tradition since 2004, spreading holiday cheer to thousands each year.
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Christmas at Canada Place (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Iconic sails of Canada Place illuminated with holiday projections
Description:
Christmas at Canada Place transforms the landmark building into a beacon of holiday spirit. The famous white sails glow with vibrant projections of seasonal scenes and patterns. Inside, the Avenue of Christmas Trees showcases uniquely decorated evergreens from various sponsors. Visitors can explore the Woodward's Windows, restored displays that once graced the historic department store. This celebration at Canada Place, a symbol of Vancouver since 1986, blends modern technology with nostalgic holiday traditions.
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Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum (Burnaby)
What to Expect:
Step back in time to experience an early 1900s Christmas
Description:
Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum transports visitors to a bygone era of yuletide celebrations. The recreated 1920s village comes to life with period-costumed interpreters, traditional decorations, and the sounds of carolers. Ride the restored 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel, its painted horses gleaming in the soft light. You can learn about early 20th-century holiday customs and crafts through hands-on demonstrations. This immersive experience has been educating and entertaining visitors about Burnaby's history for over 45 years.
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Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum
VanDusen Festival of Lights (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Botanical garden transformed into a light-filled wonderland
Description:
VanDusen Botanical Garden's Festival of Lights paints the night with over one million twinkling bulbs. Wander through themed areas like the whimsical Gingerbread Wood or the serene Cypress Pond, each offering a unique light display. The centerpiece Livingstone Lake reflects a dancing light show choreographed to music. Visitors can warm up with a cup of hot chocolate in the cozy garden pavilion. This annual event not only celebrates the holiday season but also showcases the garden's diverse plant collection, established in 1975.
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Aurora Winter Festival (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Immersive winter village with light sculptures and ice skating
Description:
Aurora Winter Festival creates a captivating winter village in the heart of Vancouver. Towering light sculptures and glowing ice formations dot the landscape, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Glide across the ice skating rink, surrounded by twinkling lights and festive music. You can challenge yourself in the mystical light maze, searching for hidden clues. This relatively new addition to Vancouver's holiday scene, launched in 2018, draws inspiration from the mesmerizing Northern Lights.
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Christmas Glow (Langley)
What to Expect:
Indoor light festival with interactive light features
Description:
Christmas Glow in Langley offers a weather-proof holiday experience inside a vast greenhouse complex. Wander through illuminated tunnels and gardens filled with millions of lights and seasonal displays. The event features interactive light exhibits where visitors can control colors and patterns. Try your hand at LED swings that create dazzling light trails as you soar. This unique indoor festival, which began in 2017, takes advantage of Langley's agricultural heritage by repurposing greenhouse spaces for winter entertainment.
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CandyTown – A Yaletown Holiday Festival (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Candy-themed street festival in historic Yaletown
Description:
CandyTown transforms Vancouver's Yaletown into a sweet-themed holiday celebration. The streets come alive with candy-cane stilt walkers, roving characters, and live ice sculpting demonstrations. Artisanal vendors offer locally-made treats and gifts, perfect for holiday shopping. Visitors can decorate cookies at Santa's Workshop or take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic district. This free community event, established in 2012, highlights Yaletown's vibrant small business community and its transformation from a warehouse district to a trendy neighborhood.
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CandyTown – A Yaletown Holiday Festival
PNE WinterLights (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light experience at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds
Description:
PNE WinterLights reimagines the fairgrounds as a drive-through holiday spectacle. Wind your way through a 2-kilometer route filled with dazzling light displays, towering sculptures, and seasonal vignettes. Marvel at the choreographed light shows synchronized to holiday tunes played through your car radio. You can purchase traditional fair treats to enjoy during the drive. This innovative event, launched in 2020, continues the PNE's long-standing tradition of providing family entertainment since 1910.
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Enchant Christmas (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
World's largest Christmas light maze and village
Description:
Enchant Christmas boasts the world's largest Christmas light maze, a labyrinth of twinkling wonder spanning several acres. Navigate through the intricate pathways, discovering hidden light sculptures and festive scenes. The event also features an artisan market, ice skating trail, and gourmet food village. Visitors can meet Santa and his elves in an elaborate photo-op setting. This grand-scale event, which originated in Vancouver in 2016, has since expanded to multiple cities across North America.
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Gingerbread Lane (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Competitive display of elaborate gingerbread creations
Description:
Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver showcases a collection of intricate gingerbread houses created by professional and amateur bakers. The hotel lobby transforms into a miniature village of sweet-scented architectural marvels. Examine the detailed craftsmanship and creative designs of each unique creation. You can vote for your favorite house in the People's Choice Award competition. This aromatic display has been a Vancouver tradition for over 25 years, raising funds for local charities.
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Harrison Hot Springs Festival of Lights (Harrison Hot Springs)
What to Expect:
Lakeside village illuminated with themed light displays
Description:
Harrison Hot Springs Festival of Lights bathes the picturesque lakeside village in a warm glow. Themed light displays reflect off the waters of Harrison Lake, creating a double dose of illuminated beauty. Stroll along the promenade to see whimsical light sculptures and decorated storefronts. Visitors can warm up in the village's famous hot springs after exploring the lights. This charming event highlights Harrison's natural beauty and its history as a wellness destination since the late 1800s.
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Harrison Hot Springs Festival of Lights
Whistler Holiday Experience (Whistler)
What to Expect:
Free indoor family fun zone in a world-renowned ski resort
Description:
Whistler Holiday Experience transforms the Whistler Conference Centre into a winter playground for families. The indoor space features mini-golf, table games, bouncy castles, and craft stations. Children can visit with Santa in a cozy alpine setting. This free event provides a warm retreat from the outdoor winter activities. You can try your hand at video games or challenge friends to a game of air hockey. The Holiday Experience showcases Whistler's commitment to family-friendly entertainment, complementing its reputation as a world-class ski destination.
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The Polar Express (Squamish)
What to Expect:
Train ride experience based on the popular children's book
Description:
The Polar Express brings the beloved children's story to life aboard the West Coast Railway. Passengers don pajamas for a magical journey to the "North Pole," complete with hot chocolate service and a reading of the classic tale. The train winds through the scenic Cheakamus Canyon, offering breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains. Children receive a special gift from Santa himself during the ride. This immersive experience, which began in 2014, combines the nostalgia of rail travel with the wonder of a favorite holiday story.
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Sea to Sky Gondola Spirit of Christmas (Squamish)
What to Expect:
Alpine Christmas celebration with stunning views of Howe Sound
Description:
Sea to Sky Gondola's Spirit of Christmas elevates holiday festivities to new heights. Ascend 885 meters above sea level to a winter playground with panoramic views of Howe Sound and surrounding mountains. The Summit Lodge transforms into Santa's Workshop, where children can meet the jolly old elf. Visitors can embark on a guided snowshoe tour through frosted forests or warm up by the fire pits. This alpine celebration, which began in 2014, showcases the natural beauty of British Columbia's Coast Mountains.
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Sea to Sky Gondola Spirit of Christmas
Karaoke Christmas Lights Trolley Tour (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Sing-along trolley tour of Vancouver's best light displays
Description:
Karaoke Christmas Lights Trolley Tour combines sightseeing with festive sing-alongs. Board a vintage-style trolley for a journey through Vancouver's most spectacular light displays. Belt out your favorite holiday tunes as you cruise past twinkling neighborhoods and illuminated landmarks. The tour guide shares stories about Vancouver's holiday traditions and history. You can request your favorite carol and lead the group in song. This unique experience, offered since 2012, adds a lively twist to traditional Christmas light tours.
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Karaoke Christmas Lights Trolley Tour
Navidad Latina (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Latin American holiday celebration with traditional food and music
Description:
Navidad Latina brings the vibrant flavors and rhythms of Latin American Christmas traditions to Vancouver. The event features live performances of traditional holiday music from various Latin American countries. Savor authentic seasonal dishes like tamales and buñuelos from local vendors. Visitors can participate in workshops on making piñatas or learn traditional dances. This cultural celebration, established in 2015, highlights the diversity of Vancouver's Latin American community and their rich holiday customs.
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New Westminster Christmas Parade (New Westminster)
What to Expect:
Small-town parade atmosphere in a historic downtown setting
Description:
New Westminster Christmas Parade winds through the charming streets of this historic city. The procession features local marching bands, community groups, and festively decorated floats. Victorian-era buildings along Columbia Street provide a picturesque backdrop for the holiday spectacle. Spectators can warm up with hot chocolate from local shops lining the parade route. This community event, which began in 2004, celebrates New Westminster's small-town charm and its status as the oldest city in Western Canada.
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New Westminster Christmas Parade
Festival of Trees at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (Vancouver)
What to Expect:
Charity tree-decorating competition in a grand hotel lobby
Description:
Festival of Trees at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver transforms the iconic hotel's lobby into a forest of creatively decorated Christmas trees. Local organizations and businesses compete to create the most impressive tree, each supporting BC Children's Hospital Foundation. The grand lobby, with its soaring ceilings and elegant architecture, provides a majestic setting for the display. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree by donation. This charitable event, running for over 30 years, combines holiday spirit with community giving in one of Vancouver's most historic hotels.
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Festival of Trees at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver