Free Holiday Events in Vancouver & The Valley 2025

by Rebecca Bollwitt Wednesday, November 5th, 2025 — 8:00am PST

We have put together our 10th annual Free Holiday Events in Vancouver & The Valley list, and it’s updated regularly so be sure to bookmark this and check back often. Attend a festive parade, stroll around a light display, enjoy live music and art installation, and spend time with those you care about (while not breaking the bank).

Jump to location:
Abbotsford & Chilliwack	North Shore
Burnaby & New Westminster	Richmond
Delta / Tsawwassen	Surrey & White Rock
Langley & Fort Langley	Tri-Cities
Ridge Meadows & Mission	Vancouver

Free Holiday Activities in Vancouver & The Valley

Please note that there may be costs associated with extra activities at these free holiday events in Vancouver and beyond, such as food/snacks, admission to rides, other attractions or sites, etc. This post covers information available at the time of publishing and any posted signage or fees at these activities should be observed.

Free Holiday Fun in Abbotsford & Chilliwack

Santa in The Country is Saturday, November 22, 2025 where you can experience the charm of a Country Christmas. Sit on a haybale, sip a steaming cup of hot cocoa, and nibble on freshly popped popcorn. Visit with Santa and snap a photo to remember the day and don’t miss the brand-new gnome and snowglobe photo booths.
Chilliwack Rotary Christmas Parade enjoy a holiday parade presented by the Chilliwack Rotary Club on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 5:30pm.
Winter Jubilee and Historic Holiday Tree Lighting Saturday, November 22, 2025 enjoy a holiday festival in downtown Abbotsford. Shop the vendor market, grab a warm drink from one of many partner booths, and enjoy the live performances on stage.
The Lights at Cultus Lake kick-off event is Saturday, November 22nd from 4:00pm to 8:00pm then enjoy the lights daily from November 23, 2025 to January 2026 along Main Beach. This free, self-guided experience captures the magic of the holidays in the heart of nature.
Lights at District 1881 will be aglow from November 15, 2025 to January, 2026 with a 40-foot Christmas tree and twinkling holiday displays. Meet-and-greet with Santa November 30th to December 24th by donation Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. NOTE: There is a $40 fee for Santa visits on weekends.

Free Holiday Fun in Burnaby & New Westminster

Edmonds Festival of Lights on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Inside Edmond’s Community Centre, enjoy a visit with Santa, and have fun making holiday crafts with your kids.
Bright in Burnaby kicks off the holiday season at Burnaby Village Museum on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 6:30pm. Admission is free. Enjoy the tree lighting ceremony, the lights in the village, and carousel rides for $2.71.

Free Holiday Fun in Langley & Fort Langley

Aldergrove Christmas Light Up Parade on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Parade will run through downtown Aldergrove starting at 4:00pm.
Fort Langley Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 29, 2025 is a traditional event that features the Langley Community Music School Children’s Choir singing Christmas tunes to welcome Santa’s arrival to magically light the Community Christmas tree.
Holiday Lights in Williams Park 2025 dates to be confirmed, check back soon! Free admission but advanced registration is required. A family-friendly outdoor event featuring over 150,000 lights and festive displays. Holiday Lights is a drive-through event. Family and friends can enjoy this holiday experience from the comfort and warmth of their vehicle.

Free Holiday Fun in Delta & Tsawwassen

Festival of Lights at Tsawwassen Springs enjoy beautifully decorated trees at Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course starting November 28, 2025 to January 4, 2026.
Ladner Tree Lighting Festival on Thursday, November 27, 2025 at Ladner Village celebrate the holiday season with gingerbread cookie decorating, colouring contest photo booth, live music and other fun activities. Santa will arrive at 7:00pm to help light the Christmas tree.

Free Holiday Fun in Maple Ridge & Mission

Candlelight Parade in Mission on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 6:00pm. A parade where community groups and businesses showcase themselves with parade floats and use the opportunity to inform residents about the varied services in Mission.
Maple Ridge Santa Claus Parade on December 6th enjoy the annual Christmas festival in the park from 4:00pm to 8:00pm with light displays, food trucks and Christmas market. As well as the Santa Claus parade at 6:00pm.
CPKC Holiday Train touring Canada and the US, the holiday train arrives in Maple Ridge on December 19th at the Billy Minor Pub. Featuring live performances from the train’s stage, decorated boxcars and Santa with his elves. Attendees are encouraged to bring a heart-healthy food donation for the food bank. The Barenaked Ladies are playing these stops as well!

Free Holiday Events on the North Shore

Burrard Yacht Club’s Holiday Boat Parade is December 6th. Head to the North Shore waterfront to see a procession that is as merry as it is bright, continuing a 30-year tradition!
Shipyards Christmas Market from November 28 to December 24, 2025 with free admission. Enjoy even more stalls this year selling artisanal gifts, holiday treats including mulled wine and hot chocolate, as well as festive music and ice skating.
The Shipyards Skate Plaza, the region’s largest outdoor ice rink, will be open daily from 12:00pm to 8:00pm starting Friday, November 28. Skating, helmets and skate aids are free, and skate rentals are available at a cost of $8 for adults or $5.50 for kids. Those who bring their own skates can enjoy the rink for free. The Skate Plaza will be open all winter long until March 2026.
Made in the 604 Market at the Pipe Shop Building has free admission November 28, December 12, and December 29.
Dundarave Festival from November 29 to December 20, 2025 enjoy 4 weekends of family fun including Christmas fair, nativity and paddle songs, Christmas wassail and bonfire as well as the largest display of community decorated Christmas trees in coastal B.C.

Free Holiday Fun in Richmond

Steveston’s Winter in the Village is December 1-31, 2025. After the tree lighting event November 30th at 4:00pm, the village will be turned into a winter wonderland for the holiday season. Check out the lights, holiday window displays, songs in the snow and shop in the unique shops.
- Santa arrives by boat on December 7th
Christmas at the Cannery runs from December 1-24 from 10:00am to 5:00pm. See trees decorated by local businesses as you tour the Cannery (seven days a week from 10:00am to 5:00pm). NOTE: Regular admission fee apply December 1-6; and December 8-11. Free admission on December 7th for Santa at the Cannery; and then additional free admission days are December 12 to January 15, 2026 as part of the Government’s Canada Strong Pass.

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Free Holiday Fun in Surrey & White Rock

Bear Creek Lights from November 7 to 21, 2025. Celebrate a stunning display of lights along 1km of show garden and nature trails. As well as various family-friendly activities several nights a week including music and storytimes. Tickets are free, but reserve online in advance to ensure your preferred time slot.
Surrey Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market on November 22 and 23, 2025 Enjoy two-days of festive activities, including shops from local artisans at the holiday market, light displays, rides and live entertainment.
Christmas on The Peninsula on Saturday, November 22nd at the White Rock Community Centre and in a few spots in uptown White Rock.
Bright Walk in White Rock from December 7, 2025 to January 12, 2026. The outdoor light display features over 50,000 lights, a 20-foot tree, an LED light tunnel, and photo opportunities located around the park. Dusk to dawn weekdays and will be on all day on weekends and holidays.

Free Holiday Events in the Tri-Cities

HollyDaze in the Heights is Saturday, November 15, 2025 in the Austin Heights neighbourhood. Free admission, with family activities, entertainment, live music, and more! 4:00pm to 9:00pm along the 1000 block of Ridgeway in Coquitlam.
Lights at Lafarge Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor lights display features 1.2 km of lights along pathways, live entertainment, a large selection of food trucks serving warm beverages and a variety of food options. Join the kick-off event on Friday, November 28th then the lights will stick around until the end of February, 2026.
CPKC Holiday Train touring Canada and the US, the holiday train arrives in Port Moody & Port Coquitlam on December 20th. The lighted train hosts concerts benefitting local food banks when it rolls into town. Enjoy free live performances The Barenaked Ladies at 300 Ioco Road in Port Moody from 5:45pm to 6:15pm.

Free Holiday Events in Vancouver

We’ll be missing a few key free and by-donation events this year like Bright Nights in Stanley Park. However, we have new events like the return of Destination Downtown to light up dark nights in the city.

St Paul’s Lights of Hope the 28th annual Lights of Hope returns on Thursday, November 27, 2025. See the fabulous display light up for the first time in 2025, experience a fireworks show, take a holiday photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, listen to live holiday favourites, and more. The lights will be up until early January, 2026.
Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, November 28, 2025 at 6:00pm at the Vancouver Art Gallery, this celebration brings visitors together to view the tree lighting and marks the start of the holiday season. Enjoy live music, complimentary hot beverages and photos with Santa. Then enjoy the tree in Downtown Vancouver for the rest of the season.
Destination Downtown Enjoy all the family-friendly activities downtown Vancouver has to offer from December 2025 through February 2026. Fan favourites from last year return, including Ferris Wheel rides throughout December, dazzling performances from local entertainers, over a dozen lit words with chances to win major prizes, and sparkling lights that illuminate your path along the Coal Harbour seawall.
Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Vancouver is Canada’s longest running gingerbread display! Stroll through the lobby from November 27 to December 28, 2025 to view the contest entries from professional pastry chefs, amateur bakers, and students.
Fleurs de Villes NOEL brightens up Downtown Vancouver once again this year from December 5 to 14. Enjoy a free, self-guided tour of stunning floral installations created by Vancouver’s top floral artists, on display throughout downtown Vancouver and along Robson Street.
Robson Square Ice Rink Opening for the season on December 1, 2025 for free skating, through to February 2026. Skate rentals are available for a fee.