The lights at St Paul’s are being switched on, the Vancouver Christmas Market is open, the holiday event calendar is packed with fun and festive activities (including this big list of free attractions). Find all of these and more things to do in Vancouver this weekend listed below:
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend November 18-20, 2022
The CP Holiday Train will once again set out across the continent to entertain hundreds of thousands of people, collecting food and raising funds for food banks while also raising awareness for food insecurity issues.
Photo submitted
CP Holiday Train
The CP Holiday Train program has two trains, one that travels exclusively in Canada and another with stops in both Canada and the United States.
The U.S. Holiday Train departs Montreal on November 22 and features performers Brittany Kennell and Don Amero performing in communities in Maine and eastern townships of Quebec. Lindsey Ell and JoJo Mason will perform for communities in New York, southern Ontario, and down through Chicago to Kansas City. Alan Doyle and Kelly Prescott will pick up the tour in Iowa and finish the train’s journey back to Canada with the final show in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, on December 18th.
The Canadian Holiday Train departs Montreal on November 27th and follows CP tracks west to Vancouver. Performing free concerts in support of food banks from Montreal to Calgary are performers Tenille Townes and Aysanabee, while first-time Holiday Train artists McKenzie Porter and Virginia to Vegas will finish out the tour departing out of Calgary and wrapping up in the greater Vancouver area on December 18th.
How the Events Work
When the train arrives it will pull to a safe stop in front of the crowd in attendance. The stage door lowers and the band opens with its first song. After that, a brief presentation takes place with local food bank officials and other dignitaries.
Once complete, the band resumes performing a mix of traditional and modern holiday-themed songs. The whole event lasts about 30 minutes, and once the band plays its farewell show, the boxcar door closes, and the train slips off into the night on its way to the next stop.
Fraser Valley & Metro Vancouver Stops
MacKenzie Porter and Virginia to Vegas will roll up to play Agassiz on December 17th at 5:30pm, Maple Ridge at 7:50pm, and Pitt Meadows at 8:55pm. On December 18th the CP Holiday Train will finish its journey in Canada by reaching Port Moody at 4:45pm, and Port Coquitlam at 6:15pm.
City
Location
Dec 17th
Agassiz
Across from Agra Centre on Pioneer Ave West of Hwy 9
5:30pm
Maple Ridge (Haney)
Across from Billy Miner pub 22355 River Rd
7:50pm
Pitt Meadows
Railway crossing corner of Harris Rd & Advent Rd
8:55pm
City
Location
Dec 18th
Port Moody
300 Ioco Road behind Rec Center
4:45pm
Port Coquitlam
KingsWay between Mary Hill & Wilson Ave
6:15pm
The spectacular event is free to attend, but you are encouraged to bring a cash or non-perishable food donation if you’re able. Local organizations will set up collection stations at each event, with all donations made staying with the local food bank to help people in need in the community. Tip: Because local food shelves buy food at a discount, cash donations can go further than food donations to help those in need.
Since the Holiday Train program launched in 1999, it’s raised more than $21 million and collected 5 million pounds of food for community food banks across North America. Follow the #CPHolidayTrain on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by the Improv Centre Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
The Improv Centre (“TIC”) on Granville Island is serving up some festive laughs with Happy (Hectic) Holidays, a Year in Review, and NYC at TIC to round out 2022.
Photo credit: The Improv Centre
Holiday Fun at The Improv Centre
When: November 17 to December 31, 2022
Where: The Improv Centre (1502 Duranleau St, Vancouver on Granville Island)
Happy (Hectic) Holidays is a fun, festive, family-friendly show that runs Thursdays to Saturdays at 7:30pm from November 17 to December 23, with a 2:00pm matinee on December 24. Audiences will develop a case of the giggles as they follow The Improv Centre’s charming holiday host through the ups and downs of having loved ones over for the holidays. What could possibly go wrong?
Celebrate 2022 withYear in Review from Tuesday, December 27 to Saturday, December 31 at 7:30pm. TIC’s ensemble members celebrate the year with improv inspired by the fun, offbeat, and unbelievable true moments of 2022. Relive some of the happier stories and discover amazing things you may not have known about. From around the world or your own backyard, these stories will take TIC players in hilarious directions as they explore the Year in Review.
Photo credit: The Improv Centre
Finally, join TIC in bidding adieu to 2022 with libations and laughter at NYE at TIC on December 31 at 9:30pm at 11:15pm. Ring in the new year with an evening filled with fun, frivolity, and improv comedy – and stick around to enjoy The Improv Centre’s fully-licensed bar and lounge that overlooks False Creek Marina.
So do your local shopping on Granville Island, enjoy a lovely meal, get your Lee’s Donuts, and then plan your afternoon or evening with The Improv Centre. For all of these events and more, follow along on Instagram and Facebook.
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After being apart for a few holidays, the gift of experiences together with loved ones is more popular than ever. Take a stroll to enjoy a light display, visit a nostalgic attraction, and spend time with those you care about (while not breaking the bank). Here is my 7th annual list of *Free Holiday Activities in Vancouver & The Valley, which will be updated often throughout the season so be sure to bookmark it and check back often.
Free Holiday Activities in Vancouver
St Paul’s Lights of Hope illuminates for the season on Thursday, November 17, 2022 with a kick-off event with food trucks, music, Santa, and the official countdown and lighting ceremony for the 25th annual Lights of Hope which will be on all season.
Lumière Festival November 17-27, 2022 expands from the West End to also include Yaletown and Gastown with engaging light and art installations.
The JCC Chanukah Carnival on Sunday, December 11, 2022 with live performance, food, music, crafts, and dance. By donation to the Jewish Food Bank.
Christmas at Canada Place December 2, 2022 to January 2, 2023 with free outdoor displays, lights, the legendary Woodward’s Windows, and more. Miss604 is a proud Media Sponsor.
Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Vancouver from December 2 to 29, 2022 visit the Hyatt to see the display the amazing creations of talented students, amateurs, and professional bakers setup in the lobby.
Fleurs de Villes December 9 to 18, 2022 floral installations around Downtown Vancouver, festive photo ops abound!
Honourable Mention: Holiday Pop-Up on the Square, a free outdoor market in Downtown Vancouver December 9-10, 2022.
Canadian Christmas Festival on Granville Island November 25 to December 24, 2022, open Fridays to Sundays from 12:00pm to 8:00pm. It’s a small, free holiday event with a Canadian theme on the boardwalk in front of The Vancouver Fish Company on Granville Island where you’ll find local artists and craftspeople showcasing their hand-made creations as well as a delicious variety of holiday-themed food and beverages.
Bright Nights in Stanley Park is by donation in support of the BC Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund. The 25th Anniversary of Bright Nights will be celebrated with twinkling light displays and live entertainment. While this year’s event looks different with the absence of the vintage trains, it is still certain to be full of family fun and holiday cheer—and all for a good cause!
Free Holiday Activities in Burnaby & New Westminster
Shine Bright New Westminster December 1, 2022 to January 31, 2022 there will be light displays around Downtown New West along with some free creative and crafty activities for all ages.
Bright in Burnaby December 2, 2022 is the kick off for the season of Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas November 26, 2022 to January 2, 2023. Free gate admission includes light displays, entertainment, and more in this 10 acre open air museum site. Miss604 is a proud Media Sponsor.
Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam kicks-off with a free event November 26, 2022 with live entertainment and more. The lights will be on display all around Town Centre Park until January, 2023.
Celebrations of Light presented by Coquitlam Heritage is December 17, 2022. Learn about Diwali, Hannukah, Kwanzaa and Winter Solstice as well as how the French community in Maillardville celebrated the Christmas season. Free to attend, register in advance.
The CP Holiday Train arrives in Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam December 17 & 18, 2022 with performances from MacKenzie Porter & Virginia to Vegas. Bring a donation for the local food bank to enjoy these rolling shows.
Honourable mention: The Port Moody Christmas Craft Fair. Admission is $3 but it will be waived if you bring a donation of a new, unwrapped toy.
Free Holiday Activities on the North Shore
Dundarave Festival of lights with free concerts by the beach December 3, 10, 17, 2022.
Steveston Winter Tram open December 1-24, 2022 closed on Mondays. Climb aboard and explore the new interactive exhibits on the history of interurban travel in Richmond. Don’t miss the junior train conductor dress-up station and strike a pose with the historic tram, all decked-out for the holidays.
Free Christmas Activities in Langley & Fort Langley
The Magic of Christmas Saturday, December 3 & Sunday, December 4, 2022 at Timms Community Centre (20399 Douglas Crescent). Crafts for kids and adults including ornament and wreath-making workshops, a letter to Santa booth, live ice carving and snow sculptures, a beer garden, food trucks, visits from Santa Claus, and musical acts and performers throughout both days.
Christmas in Williams Park November 25 to December 18, 2022. Experience the illuminated holiday displays in Williams Park from the comfort of your own vehicle.
Christmas Tree Lighting in Fort Langley Saturday, December 3, 2022. Santa will arrive by canoe and be escorted by a parade of children to the Fort Langley Community Hall in an evening of music, hot chocolate, candy canes and the magical lighting of the community Christmas tree.
Honourable mention: Free entry to the Stɑlə̓w̓ Christmas Craft Market at the Museum of Surrey on Saturday, December 3, 2022.
If you have any other free Christmas activities around Vancouver to add, send them in via my contact form and I’ll include them (free or not) on the December event list. Thank you!
* Please note that there may be costs associated with extra activities at these events and attractions, such as food/snacks, admission to 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.
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Follow Miss604Holidays this season for the latest arts and culture activities, attraction and event news »
What do you get when you combine the magic of light sculptures and installations, a beautiful waterfront location with mountain views, plenty of photo ops, and the magic of holiday nostalgia? Christmas at Canada Place, of course!
Presented by the Port of Vancouver, this free, family experience captures the spirit of the season with beautifully decorated Avenue of Christmas Trees, the nostalgic Woodward’s Windows and a winter wonderland display of lights on Canada’s Great Bright North powered by Best Buy.
Christmas at Canada Place Woodward’s Windows
Christmas at Canada Place 2022
When: December 2, 2022 to January 2, 2023
Where: Canada Place (999 Canada Place, Vancouver)
Admission: Free! Just show up and stroll
Holiday themed music will be playing from speakers along the promenade and north point of Canada Place as well to soundtrack your festive experience. Not only is this a signature holiday experience in Downtown Vancouver, it’s open when many other attractions are not, December 24th, December 25th, December 26th, and January 1st.
Christmas at Canada Place
Don’t miss Canada’s biggest drone show as well! Bright Skies powered by Best Buy will be lighting up the night sky at Canada Place Friday, December 2nd and Saturday, December 3rd at 6:00pm to celebrate the opening weekend of the annual Christmas at Canada Place. Over 300 drones will form festive holiday scenes and animations during the 10-minute synchronized show which is free to watch.
