The 12 Days of Holidays on Vancouver’s North Shore

Embrace the winter wonder on Vancouver’s North Shore as the holidays roll in! Whether you’ve longed for this festive season or could use a gentle nudge into winter’s charm, December brings an array of holiday delights to warm your spirit. From cozy mug-worthy experiences to sparkling lights, discover the magic that awaits on Vancouver’s North Shore this winter.

1. Get into the Spirit of the Season Festival

The fabulous Shipyards are transformed into a winter wonderland this year on Saturday, December 2, from  4:00 pm – 8:00 pm. It’s a full, family-friendly evening of ice skating, a visit from the Clauses, live entertainment on stage and a whole lotta festive cheer to get you feeling good and merry for the holiday season.

If you want to make a whole night out of it, you can also Sip & Shop your way through the Shipyards District! Featuring late-night shopping, discounts, and giveaways from 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Explore local businesses, enjoy wandering entertainers, and savour delicious treats while finding the perfect holiday gifts.

Photo courtesy of @shipyardistrict

2. Visit Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Be dazzled by one of the most spectacular holiday lights displays in the world. The suspension bridge, the Capilano River below, and the surrounding rainforest, including the Treetops Adventure, are all lit up with colour and twinkling lights for the season.

Photo courtesy of @capilanosuspensionbridge

3. Reach the Peak of Christmas on Grouse Mountain

Santa in his workshop, and real live reindeer make this annual family-friendly event around Blue Grouse Lake the closest you can get to the North Pole without a refrigerator car ride with Frosty. Stroll through a breathtaking tunnel of lights and skate on a magnificent mountain-top skating pond to really bring the holidays home.

Photo courtesy of Destination Vancouver/Kindred & Scout

4. Follow the Lights to the Lodge on Cypress Mountain

A safe and easy one-kilometre snowshoe trek through Old Growth Forest, all magically lit, leads you to the historic Hollyburn Lodge, where a classic “apres-ski” menu is available to warm your tummies and toes. Keep an eye out on the Cypress Mountain website for opening dates. 

5. Ho-Ho-Ho, the Holidays at The Shipyards

All through the month of December up to the big day, the halls will be decked all over The Shipyards with live music, Christmas stilt-walkers and even a visit from the Jolly One himself on Christmas Eve. It’ll put you right into the mood for holiday shopping, so be sure to pop into the Quay Market and Food Hall for one–of–a–kind gifts and treats.

6. Stroll Through the Dundarave Festival of Lights

Dubbed the Ultimate Canadian Christmas, this beloved West Vancouver holiday tradition is a seaside Christmas Fair highlighted by the “Forest of Miracles,” a collection of live, planted Christmas trees all trimmed up next to Dundarave Beach. 

7. Traipse Through the Park & Tilford Hi-Light Festival

On Friday, December 1st, from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm, over 50,000 lights will bring North Vancouver’s 3-acre garden paradise to spectacular life with captivating new displays, hot chocolate, cookies and treats, and photo ops in a Christmas sleigh. Not to worry, if you happen to miss the festival, the light displays will be up throughout the month of December. 

8. Get Your Bells On at the Shipyards Brewery District Boxing Day Crawl

Keep the party going the day after Christmas on a crawl through nine of the North Shore’s finest breweries, all within walking distance in the Shipyards Brewing District.

Photo courtesy of @bcaletrail

9. Explore Edgemont Village

Whisk away to a little mountain resort town that sits at the bottom of Grouse Mountain, where in nearly 100 family-owned shops, you’ll find plenty of BC artisans at work, unique toys for the kids and other fascinating local specialties. And a good selection of coffee shops and restaurants serve up all the sustenance to keep you going for another round.

10. The Polygon Gallery’s Annual Holiday Shop

The Polygon Gallery is excited to showcase its annual Holiday Shop until January 7th. Experience the charm as the gallery’s main floor is adorned and thoughtfully filled with distinctive gifts from independent makers and artists. Join us this year for weekly interactive activities, and embrace the festive spirit while supporting local businesses at The Polygon during this holiday season.

11. Go A-Wassailing at Holiday Singalong

Gather round with friends and family at the Presentation House Theatre for a rousing singalong of all your favourite holiday tunes. Local musicians Andy Toth and Patrick Ray will provide the accompaniment; you provide the angelic voices. Song sheets are provided, so no rehearsal is needed! Two evenings happen on December 13 & 17.

12. Hunt for Treasures at Holiday Markets

Finding that most unique gift for that most unique friend on your list is easy, thanks to numerous Holiday Markets happening around The Shipyards this month. First up on December 2 & 3 is the Made in the 604 Pop-Up Market at The Pipe Shop, and that Saturday evening, get ready to Sip & Shop when neighbourhood shops stay open late offering nibbles, refreshments and one-day deals. Holiday Alley opens Dec 8 to 10, and The Shipyards Christmas Market goes Dec 16 & 17, where local designers, crafters and artists are showcased.

Photo courtesy of @madeinthe604

Looking for a last-minute gift or even a little something for yourself (yes, you deserve it this holiday season)? Our Shop, Sip and Stay Holiday Package is the perfect gift that keeps on giving! For more information on these and other winter events and activities on Vancouver’s North Shore events, visit vancouversnorthshore.com.