We have put together our 9th annual Free Holiday Events in Vancouver & The Valley list, and it’s growing every day! Visit a nostalgic attraction, stroll around a light display, enjoy live music and art installation, and spend time with those you care about (while not breaking the bank).
The Free Holiday Events in Vancouver & The Valley list will be updated often throughout the season so be sure to bookmark it and check back often.
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 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 Saturday, November 23, 2024 come visit Santa in the country at Glenda’s Christmas Cottage. Nibble on popcorn, sip a cup of hot cocoa, and take a photo in the gnome photo booth. Donations will be accepted for Matthew’s House.
Chilliwack Rotary Christmas Parade enjoy a holiday parade presented by the Chilliwack Rotary Club on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 5:30pm.
Winter Jubilee and Historic Holiday Tree Lighting Saturday, November 23, 2024 enjoy a holiday festival in downtown Abbotsford with live performances, food trucks, reindeer games, holiday crafts, photos with Santa and tree lighting.
The Lights at Cultus Lake from November 23 to January 2, 2025 at Main Beach. Bundle up and celebrate the season at one of BC’s most picturesque locations at The Lights at Cultus Lake where sparkling lights illuminate the lakeside in a stunning winter display.
Christmas at Cultus Lake kicks off the season November 23rd at Main Beach. There will be a kick-off event from 4:00pm to 9:00pm with Santa Claus, a holiday market, food trucks, and fireworks display over the lake at 7:30pm
Remembrance Day, November 11th, is a day to remember the courage and sacrifice of thousands of Canadians who have fallen in service of their country. We honour them by never forgetting them. Here is where you can find a service or ceremony around Vancouver:
Your city will most likely have a service or ceremony around its local cenotaph, and you can find more ceremonies listed via the Royal Canadian Legion online here.
Free Transit for Service Members and Veterans
In honour of the service and sacrifices made by both past and present veterans, TransLink is offering free transit services, including HandyDART, on Remembrance Day.
Details About Free Transit
Veterans, active members of the Canadian Armed Forces, police and fire personnel, Canadian Coast Guard members, officers from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and BC Ambulance Service personnel can present their badge, military ID, Veteran’s Service Card, or by appearing in uniform to receive free transit.
On November 11, veterans and other eligible riders can enjoy free bus rides all day without the need to tap their Compass Cards. Additionally, veterans and eligible customers can access SkyTrain and SeaBus services at no cost from 8:00am to 6:00pm. During these hours, one accessible fare gate will remain open at all stations.
SkyTrain, SeaBus, and buses will observe a moment of silence at 11:00am (buses will stop at nearest stop closest to the hour) across the transit system.
National Indigenous Veterans Day Location: 312 Main Street followed by a march to Victory Square Date: November 8, 2024 from 9:00am to 3:00pm Details: Opening ceremonies from 9:15am to 10:00am. Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Tsawwassen Nations represented along with other special guests and dignitaries. The Order of Honour March will leave at 10:00am and head to Victory Square.
The Grey Cup Festival in Vancouver is just over a week away and organizers have announced that a drone show will be added to the festivities which already include parties, concerts, ziplines, and more.
Grey Cup Festival Vancouver Drone Show
The 1,000 unit drone show will fly over Coal Harbour between the festival site at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, and the Westin Bayshore, on Wednesday, November 13th at 8:30pm.
In the event that the show is unable to move forward on Wednesday, it will be rescheduled for Friday November 15th.
UPDATE! The Drone Show will be Friday, November 15th at 9:30pm. Follow Pixel Sky Animations for updates.
Art lovers can experience the diverse range of established and emerging artists practicing their art in their studios, workshops, and galleries at the 28th annual Eastside Culture Crawl Visual Arts, Design & Craft Festival from November 14-17, 2024.
There are more than 500 registered artists representing more than 55 buildings, including roughly 90 new artists participating in the four-day festival for the very first time.
Eastside Culture Crawl in Vancouver
Dates: November 14-17, 2024
Thursday & Friday, 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Saturday & Sunday, 11:00am to 6:00pm
Location: In-person at various Eastside Locations Between Columbia St. 2nd Ave, Victoria Drive, and the Waterfront (check out the map)
One of the biggest cultural events of the fall season, the Culture Crawl open studios attract and inspire tens of thousands of visitors annually. Encompassing the region bounded by Columbia Street, 1st Avenue, Victoria Drive, and the Waterfront, the Eastside Arts District (EAD) is the most concentrated area of artists, designers, performers, craftspeople and culture producers in Vancouver and is known nationally as an area rich with creativity and inspiration.
The festival offers visitors a window into the artistic practices of artists living and/or working in Vancouver’s EAD, representing creators specializing in painting, jewelry, sculpture, furniture, leather goods, photography, glass works, textiles, and more.
This year’s multi-venue, salon-style curated exhibition explores the unlimited human emotions and experiences related to the word, “Green.” The exhibition represents a broad and diverse range of mediums from 90+ selected artists at four galleries and venues from on now until November 29th.
Preview at the Lumière Festival
MOVING ART: 5 Senses, 4 Elements will be projected outdoors at the West End Community Centre (870 Denman) during the Lumière Festival November 7-10. Short films from 11 participating artists explore the theme of “Transmission: The Elements,” selected by Moving Art curators Esther Rausenberg and Kate MacDonald.
Arleigh Wood piece: 10×10 inches – original painting on wood panel
These highly textured mixed media painting filled with silkscreened abandoned shelters, painted geometric shapes, hand drawn roots and trees. Artist Arleigh Endo Wood was brought up in a mixed heritage (Japanese-British) family of makers in East Vancouver, constantly working on creative projects. Since completing her BFA through Concordia University (CAN) and the University of Hertfordshire (UK) Arleigh has participated in various international and Canadian exhibitions. Her work is in private and corporate collections and has been featured in hotels and in various interior design magazines. She has worked with companies such as Birkenstock, Hilton, Vancouver Mural Festival & Mobi & others. Her work is represented by the Vancouver Art Gallery Rental and Sales Program and Art Interiors in Toronto.
Naomi Yamamato/Flight Path Designs: Workshop for 2 (Needs to be redeemed from February-June 2024)
Indigo magic: In this hands-on 2 hour dye workshop, we will explore the magic of indigo in combination with various shibori and resist dyeing methods. Participants will leave with a basic knowledge of the process and some beautiful hand dyed pieces. We will be utilizing clamps, string and blocks to create patterns onto the fabric. Some small pieces of sample fabric will be provided and participants are asked to bring natural items (cotton,linen,silk) to dye. The winner can contact Naomi to book their workshop for redemption from February-June 2025.
Bright Nights in Stanley Park is gearing up to illuminate the forest with its signature sparkle from November 29, 2024, to January 4, 2025. Supporting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, tickets will go on sale November 8, 2024
This year, over 1,200 off-duty professional fire fighters will volunteer their time to transform the Stanley Park Railway plaza into a magical forest adorned with almost 3 million lights, creating a winter wonderland for visitors.
Location: Pipeline Road in Stanley Park (follow signs to Miniature Railway)
Admission to the site: Free, suggested donation to the BC Burn Fund.
Train Tickets: Tickets for the Stanley Park Train at Bright Nights will be available exclusively online for designated time slots starting November 8 at 12:00pm PST.
