Photo: Capilano Suspension Bridge
Celebrate the season with thousands of twinkling lights. Check out 20 places to enjoy outdoor Christmas lights around Vancouver in 2021.
Christmas at Canada Place
Enjoy a free outdoor holiday experience at Canada Place. The iconic sails will be lit up in a holiday light display. Stroll down the Avenue of Christmas Trees and enjoy the light displays at North Point including the 15-foot-tall Chrismoose. The historic Woodward’s Windows holiday scenes will also be on display.
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Location: 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Dates: Until January 2
Admission: Free
More Info: Christmas at Canada Place
Photo: Canada Place
Bright Nights Train at Stanley Park
Sing along to Christmas carols as you ride the Stanley Park train through a magically lit forest. A special day-time train runs December 18-23 at a reduced price. The event is a fundraiser for the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund.
Location: Stanley Park, 690 Pipeline Road, Vancouver
Dates: Until January 2
Admission: $6-13/person depending on age and time of day. Book online.
More Info: Bright Nights Train
Photo: British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund
VanDusen Festival of Lights
This botanical garden gets decked out in over one million twinkling lights to celebrate the holiday season. Enjoy holiday music and fun themed areas.
Location: VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Dates: Until January 3
Admission: $10.25-17.50/person depending on age. Proof of vaccination is required. Book online
More Info: VanDusen Festival of Lights
Photo: Brett Ryan Studios/Brett Hitchins/City of Vancouver
Granville Island Holiday Lights
Wander through the streets of Granville Island to enjoy twinkling holiday lights. Buildings from the Public Market to the Granville Island Hotel will be decked out for the season. Head to the Public Market Courtyard to spot a giant star or explore hidden alleyways to discover canopies of lights overhead.
Location: 1661 Duranleau Street, Granville Island, Vancouver
Dates: Until January 3
Admission: Free
More Info: Granville Island
Photo: Granville Island
Lights of Hope at St. Paul’s Hospital
Since 1998, St. Paul’s Hospital has lit up every holiday season with a gorgeous Christmas light display you can walk or drive past. It uses over 10 kilometres of lights! The event raises money for the St. Paul’s Foundation. You can also support the hospital by buying a limited edition Hope at Home star to decorate your home.
Location: 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Dates: Until early January
Admission: Free
Watch Online and More Info: Lights of Hope
Photo: Lights of Hope
PNE Winter Lights
Experience dazzling holiday lights from the warmth of your car. Winter Lights at the PNE is a drive-thru adventure. In 2021 they have a new snow globe village and even more illuminated tunnels. Drive through the land of winter creatures with adorable foxes, seals, and moose made entirely of Christmas lights.
Location: PNE Gate 9, Bridgeway Street, Vancouver
Dates: Until December 31
Admission: $37-42 per car depending on the date. Book online
More Info: PNE Winter Lights
Photo: PNE Winter Lights
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Stroll across the world-famous Capilano Suspension Bridge as it is lit up with a multi-colour display of lights. Don’t miss the “Arc de Lumina” light tunnel wrapped around part of the Cliffwalk. Take on the Snowy Owl Prowl scavenger hunt for a chance to win a trip to the Canadian Rockies. There will also be live music.
Location: 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
Dates: Until January 23
Admission: $18.95-54.95/person depending on age. Book online.
More Info: Capilano Suspension Bridge
Photo: Capilano Suspension Bridge
Light Walk at Grouse Mountain
Walk through a glowing light tunnel into the snowy forest illuminated with sparkling lights. Listen to the crunch of snow underfoot as you stroll around Blue Grouse Lake. Glowing strings of lights brighten your path.
Location: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Dates: Until early January
Admission: The Light Walk is included in your Mountain Admission Ticket, which costs $34-61 depending on age. Proof of vaccination required.
More Info: Grouse Mountain
Photo: Grouse Mountain
Dundarave Festival of Lights
Wander through a forest of decorated Christmas trees at three different locations in West Vancouver’s Dundarave waterfront neighbourhood. On Saturdays, enjoy live music.
Locations: Dundarave Beach Park at 25th Street and Bellevue Avenue, Millenium Park at 15th Street and Bellevue Avenue, and Grosvenor Ambleside Galleria at 13th Street and Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver
Dates: Until early January
Admission: Free
More Info: Dundarave Festival
Photo: Dundarave Festival
Lights to the Lodge at Cypress Mountain
Lights to the Lodge offers a safe and easy one-kilometre snowshoe trek to the historic Hollyburn Lodge along a self-guided trail through the enchanting old-growth forest. The trail is lit with LED lights strung sustainably through the ancient cedar, fir, and hemlock trees.
Location: Cypress Mountain Nordic Ski Area, 5000 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver
Dates: early December until February
Admission: $11.20 to $36 depending on age and whether you need to rent snowshoes
More Info: Lights to the Lodge
Photo: Cypress Mountain / Dennis Cheung
McArthur Glen in Richmond
Richmond’s McArthur Glen Design Outlets are decked out for the holidays. Wander the outdoor paths between stores to discover all kinds of festive decorations including nutcrackers, a giant walk-through ornament, and a 52-foot-tall Christmas tree. Enjoy live music on weekends.
Location: 1000-7899 Templeton Station Road, Richmond
Dates: Until January 1
Admission: Free
More Info: McArthur Glen
Photo: McArthur Glen
Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum
Enjoy festival lights and traditional Christmas decorations at Burnaby Village Museum. Wander through the historic village while you listen to live music or challenge yourself with a fun scavenger hunt.
Location: 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Dates: Until January 3
Admission: Free
More Info: Burnaby Village Museum
Photo: Burnaby Village Museum.
Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam
Take a walk around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park to enjoy dazzling light displays. This year there are two separate loops to reduce congestion and encourage physical distancing.
Location: Lafarge Lake in Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Dates: Until January 31
Admission: Free
More Info: Lights at Lafarge
Photo: Tourism Coquitlam
Lumagica Surrey
Wander through a one-kilomtere-long illuminated walk that takes you through a light tunnel, past Gingerbread Lane, and to the magic of North Pole Village. The exhibit includes interactive displays, animation, and lots of photo ops.
Location: 17607-17905 62 Avenue, Surrey
Dates: Until December 30
Admission: $16-25 depending on age and day of the week. Book online. Proof of vaccination required.
More Info: Lumagica
Photo: Lumagica Surrey
Winterfest at the Bear Creek Train in Surrey
Enjoy a ride on the Bear Creek Train as it glides past a beautiful display of Christmas lights. Day-time visitors can enjoy a visit with Santa and a take-home activity bag.
Location: 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey
Dates: Until December 31
Admission: $11.50/person. Book online.
More Info: Bear Creek Train
Glow Gardens Langley
This drive-through experience lets you enjoy light gardens and magical landscapes. The theme for 2021 is “A Fairytale Christmas”. The 20-minute cruise takes you through an illuminated wonderland surrounded by your favourite fairytale characters.
Location: 6690 216th Street, Langley
Dates: Until January 1
Admission: $34.99-39.99 depending on the date. Book online.
More Info: Glow Gardens
Photo: Glow Gardens Langley
Christmas in Williams Park, Langley
This free community event has been running for 31 years. Drive through the magical light displays to experience decorated Christmas trees, familiar characters, and thousands of sparkling lights.
Location: Williams Park, 6595 238 Street, Langley
Dates: Until December 19
Admission: Free
More Info: Christmas in Williams Park Society
Photo: Christmas in Williams Park Society/Facebook
Glow Maple Ridge
Head to Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge to experience illuminated trees, a light tunnel, giant ornaments, a glowing bandstand, and more. Enjoy live music most nights.
Location: Memorial Peace Park, 22407 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge
Dates: Until January 7
Admission: Free
More Info: Glow Maple Ridge
Photo: Discover Maple Ridge
Vallea Lumina in Whistler
Experience a multi-media light walk through the snowy forest near Whistler. It’s an interactive experience where you’ll be sworn in as a deputy ranger, then look for clues as you set out through the illuminated trees.
Location: Sixteen Mile Creek Forest Service Road, Whistler
Dates: Until April
Admission: $24.99-29.99 depending on age. Book online.
More Info: Vallea Lumina
Photo: Vallea Lumina
Explore Your Neighbourhood
Take a walk or drive through your local area this year to discover how your neighbours are celebrating. You’re sure to discover whimsical displays and plenty of bright lights.
By Taryn Eyton
Source Inside Vancouver
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