Destination Downtown will light up thirteen sites across Vancouver’s city centre in December and the centrepiece will be a Ferris Wheel next to the 76-foot tall Christmas Tree in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery. There will also be thirteen light installations for the Eras Tour where you can enter to win tickets when you visit:

Destination Downtown – Free Fun | Eras Tour Lights & Contest

Ferris Wheel in Downtown Vancouver

• Dates: December 1-24, 2024
• Location: Tuesdays to Sundays
• Tickets: $7 for Ferris Wheel rides
  • FREE rides on Tuesdays thanks to Downtown Van!

In 2018, Variety – the Children’s Charity brought the first Ferris Wheel to Downtown Vancouver for Variety Week celebrations. It was setup above Robson Square behind the art gallery.

Concord Pacific presents the cherished holiday tradition of Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum. The free attraction officially opens November 23rd and runs until January 3rd, featuring live entertainment and incredible light displays across the 10-acre site in Deer Lake Park, one of the most beautiful areas of Burnaby.

Special Event: Bright in Burnaby Nov 30th

Free Holiday Fun at Heritage Christmas

• Dates: November 23, 2024 to January 3, 2025
• Hours:
  • November 23, 2024 to December 15, 2024
    • Closed Mondays
    • Tuesday to Friday 1:00pm to 5:30pm
    • Saturday & Sunday 1:00pm to 9:00pm
  • December 17 to January 3 (closed December 24 & 25)
    • Daily 1:00pm to 9:00pm
• Where: Burnaby Village Museum (6501 Deer Lake Ave)
• Tickets: Admission is FREE and no advanced booking is required but please plan your visit in advance as entry may be limited based on site capacity.
  • Carousel rides are $2.62 or a Baker’s Dozen (13 rides) for $31.45. Prices do not include tax.

Parking may be sparse, so visitors are encouraged to consider alternate means of transport to the museum. Please note that during times of high attendance, entry onto the site may be limited to ensure the safety of our visitors and staff. Updates will be posted on the Burnaby Village website and on social media.

This season there is a lineup of Indigenous market events where you can shop dozens of talented and creative artists and artisans all in one place:

Indigenous Markets to Shop Around the Holidays Vancouver

CJMC Holiday Craft Fair

• Date: Saturday, November 23 & Sunday, November 24
• Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm (Sat) 6:00pm (Sun)
• Location: Chief Joe Matthias Centre (100 Capilano Rd, West Vancouver)
• Details: All are welcome at the Squamish Nation’s Holiday Craft Fair. Admission is $5 at the door. Elders 55 years or older, students, and children get in for free.

Musqueam Holiday Craft Fair

• Date: Saturday, November 30 & Sunday, December 1, 2024
• Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm
• Location: Musqueam Community Centre (6777 Salish Drive)
• Details: Shop for holiday gifts created by Musqueam and other Indigenous artisans. Everyone is welcome. Proceeds are going to the Musqueam Elders program.

Tsleil-Waututh Nation Christmas Craft Fair

• Date: Saturday, December 7 & Sunday, December 8, 2024
• Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm
• Location: Tsleil-Waututh Nation Community Centre (3010 Sleil Waututh Rd, North Vancouver)
• Details: Join over 80 Indigenous vendors at the 22nd Annual Tsleil-Waututh Nation Christmas Craft Fair, hosted by Jen Thomas. All are welcome.

Cedar & Snow: Indigenous Art Market

• Date: Sunday, December 1, 2024
• Time: 11:00am to 4:00pm
• Location: Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver)
• Details: Free admission (pay what you can if visiting the museum). Find beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces, including beadwork, illustrations, books, medicines and more from local and urban Indigenous artists. Explore a vibrant range of handcrafted goods—from traditional art forms to contemporary designs, each reflecting the cultural connections of the artists who made them.

UNYA Holiday Craft Fair

• Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024
• Time: 2:00pm to 7:00pm
• Location: Urban Native Youth Association (1618 E Hastings, Vancouver)
• Details: UNYA will be transformed into a Holiday Wonderland, with an incredible line-up of youth vendors and UNYA Staff sharing their crafts and talent. Enjoy a free hot beverage, and snacks, and shop for this upcoming season

Winter Indigenous Artisans Market

• Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024
• Time: 11:00am to 4:00pm
• Location: Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art (639 Hornby St, Vancouver)
• Details: The market is included with Gallery admission. Discover one-of-a-kind treasures crafted by over 18 talented vendors, perfect for gifting this holiday season. Shop unique jewelry, artwork, apparel, and more, all while supporting Indigenous creators and their artistry.

stɑl’əw̓ Craft Fair

• Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024
• Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm
• Location: Museum of Surrey (17710 56a Ave, Surrey)
• Details: Free admission. Presented in partnership with stɑl̓əw̓ Arts and Cultural Society, this will be a full day filled with vendors showcasing unique handmade goods perfect for holiday gifting. Enjoy Indigenous programming (dance, welcome, drums) and browse the Christmas trees throughout the main floor of the museum.

Indigenous Christmas Market

• Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
• Time: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
• Location: Totest Aleng: Indigenous Learning House (13723 Crescent Rd, Surrey)
• Details: This market offers hand-crafted goods, including jewellery, natural soaps and lotions, art, activities/crafts and more. Do your holiday shopping while supporting a local Indigenous business! Coordinated by our Artist in Residence Joan Williams of Semiahmoo First Nation.  Free admission.

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Related: Don’t miss Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week November 20-23, 2024.

The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 have just announced that country superstar Jelly Roll will headline the Closing Ceremony at BC Place in Vancouver on February 16, 2025. The lineup will include the GRAMMY-nominated, Award-winning Nashville singer/songwriter, alongside legendary Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies, and electrifying Americana duo The War And Treaty.

Tickets | Sport Tickets | Invictus Villages | About

Jelly Roll Headlines Invictus Games
Closing Ceremony in Vancouver

• Date: February 16, 2025 at 6:00pm
• Location: BC Place
• Tickets: Available online now through Ticketmaster

Noah Kahan and Nelly Furtado will headline the Opening Ceremony on February 8, 2025 at BC Place.

This past Saturday, over 100 guests attended the 11th annual Chefs’ Charity Dinner in support of Dan’s Legacy Foundation, raising over $77,600 for the cause. The funds are going directly towards the organization’s trauma-informed, no-barrier counselling programs, and their Build a Kitchen campaign.

Chefs’ Charity Dinner for Dan’s Legacy
Helps Build a Kitchen

Celebrity host Erin Cebula was the evening’s MC, which featured the culinary creations of Chefs Shay Kelly (LACH& KEA Culinary Consultants), Andrew Brazeau-George (Ono Collectives), Alannah Peddie (Frolic & Forage Catering), as well as Luke Willingdon assisted by students from Dan’s Diner.