Looking for Christmas events near Vancouver?
There are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday season in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
You can walk through Christmas lights, visit a Christmas market, explore a historic village, or enjoy a festive family event. Some events are free. Others offer a full evening of lights, food, music, and activities.
Here are 10 Christmas events to check out in 2026.
| Christmas Event | Best For | Location | Price |
| Glow Langley | Immersive Christmas Experience | Langley | $ |
| Canyon Lights | Christmas Lights in the Forest | North Vancouver | $$$$ |
| VanDusen Festival of Lights | Classic Christmas Light Festival | Vancouver | $$$ |
| Merry & Bright | Christmas Movie Experience | Aldergrove | $$ |
| Festive Village | Old-Fashioned Christmas | Burnaby | Free |
| Noël | Christmas festival | Surrey | $$ |
| Lights at Lafarge | Free Christmas Lights | Coquitlam | Free |
| Zoo Lights | Christmas Lights for Animal Lovers | Aldergrove | $$ |
| Lights of Hope at St. Paul’s Hospital | Christmas Lights Downtown | Vancouver | Free/By Donation |
| Winter in the Village | Community Christmas Event | Steveston, Richmond | Free/$$ |
1. Glow Langley
Location: Langley
2026 dates: November 19, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Price: $$
Best for: An immersive Christmas experience
Glow Langley is a walk-through Christmas light festival. It features large light displays, themed areas, and family activities.
In 2026, Glow has a brand-new theme: Christmas Treasures.
The theme takes visitors on an underwater adventure. Guests follow a search for lost treasures and the memories they hold.
New areas include:
- Shipwreck Graveyard
- North Pole Town
- Atlantis Maze
Glow is also adding private igloos where guests can enjoy a meal.
Large heated and covered areas are spread throughout the site. This gives visitors places to warm up while they explore.
Previous visitors have also praised Glow’s family-friendly atmosphere. Many say there is plenty to see and do.
Why go: Glow is a good choice if you want Christmas lights to be the main event. There are also enough activities and displays to turn your visit into a full Christmas outing.
2. Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Location: North Vancouver
2026 dates: November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Price: $$$$
Best for: Christmas lights in the forest
Canyon Lights turns Capilano Suspension Bridge Park into a Christmas light display.
Millions of lights cover the park. The displays stretch across the suspension bridge, forest, Treetops Adventure, and Cliffwalk.
The 2026 event will also feature Wildlight. This 3D wildlife projection will show West Coast animals across the rainforest.
Visitors often mention the forest setting when talking about Canyon Lights. The park also gives guests plenty of places to explore.
Keep in mind that there is a lot of walking. Tickets are also more expensive than some other Christmas events.
Why go: Choose Canyon Lights if you want Christmas lights in a dramatic forest setting. You can also explore several attractions during your visit.
3. VanDusen Festival of Lights
Location: Vancouver
2026 dates: November 27th, 2026, to January 3rd, 2027
Price: $$$
Best for: A classic Christmas light festival
VanDusen Festival of Lights turns about 15 acres of the botanical garden into a Christmas light display.
Guests can walk along illuminated paths and see themed displays. The popular Dancing Lights show is also part of the experience.
The 2025 festival included an illuminated grotto. It also featured an interactive mycelium-inspired display and an indoor Great Bear Rainforest exhibit.
Visitors have described the festival as impressive and atmospheric. Some reviews also mention crowds and the relatively high admission price.
Why go: VanDusen is a good choice if you want a traditional Christmas light festival. It works especially well if you enjoy walking from one display to another.
4. Merry & Bright at Martini Town
Location: Langley
2026 dates: November 20, 2026 – December 31, 2026
Price: $$
Best for: A Christmas movie experience
Merry & Bright takes place at Martini Town’s working film and television backlot.
The streets and buildings are transformed into a Christmas setting. The goal is to make visitors feel like they have stepped into a holiday movie.
The event includes Christmas lights, filming locations, Santa, and live music.
One visitor spent about two and a half hours exploring the event. They also said they could have stayed longer.
Why go: Merry & Bright is a good fit if you want something different from a traditional light festival. The film set gives the event a Christmas movie feel.
5. Festive Village at Burnaby Village Museum
Location: Burnaby
2026 dates: November 25, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Price: Free
Best for: A traditional Christmas village
Festive Village turns Burnaby Village Museum into an old-fashioned Christmas setting.
The 10-acre site features festive lights, traditional decorations, entertainment, and family activities.
Past events have included:
- Carolers
- Father Christmas
- Live music
- Scavenger hunts
- Demonstrations
- Family activities
The 2026 event will return with free gate admission.
Visitors often praise the atmosphere and family-friendly setting. Busy evenings can bring crowds, though. Parking may also be limited.
Why go: Festive Village offers something different from a modern light show. The historic buildings make it feel like a Christmas village.
Free admission also makes it a useful option for families on a budget.
6. Noël Surrey
Location: Surrey
2026 dates: November 25, 2026 – December 29, 2026
Price: $$
Best for: A Christmas festival
Noël Surrey combines Christmas lights with a market, food, entertainment, and family activities.
The Bright Nights display features millions of lights. Guests can also walk through illuminated tunnels and see large light installations.
Inside, the Noël Village offers shopping, food, and visits with holiday characters.
In 2025, Noël became the new home of Bright Nights. This brought the long-running Christmas light display back to Surrey.
Why go: Noël is a good choice if you want more than Christmas lights. There are indoor and outdoor areas, rides, entertainment, shopping, and food.
You can easily spend several hours at the festival.
7. Lights at Lafarge
Location: Coquitlam
2026 dates: Returning November 2026
Price: Free
Best for: A free Christmas light walk
Lights at Lafarge is a free Christmas light display around Lafarge Lake.
The route follows a 1.6-kilometre path. Along the way, visitors can see many illuminated displays.
The City of Coquitlam calls it Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor winter lights display.
There is no ticket or scheduled entry time. Visitors can walk the route at their own pace.
Why go: Lights at Lafarge is a good option if you want a Christmas light outing without paying admission.
It also gives families and groups more freedom. You can stay as long as you like.
8. Zoo Lights at the Greater Vancouver Zoo
Location: Aldergrove
2026 dates: To be announced
Price: $$
Best for: Christmas lights for animal lovers
Zoo Lights combines Christmas lights with the Greater Vancouver Zoo.
The 2025 event featured several themed areas, including:
- Nutcracker Boulevard
- Mystic Grove
- Spirits of the Wild
- Dragon’s Passage
- Zodiac Trail
The event also included a holiday market, holiday photos, and the Arctic Express.
The zoo setting gives families more to explore than a typical light trail.
Why go: Zoo Lights is a good fit for families who want more than Christmas lights. It is especially suited to children who enjoy animals and themed areas
9. St. Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope
Location: Vancouver
2026 dates: To be announced
Price: Free/By donation
Best for: A downtown Christmas light display
Lights of Hope turns the front of St. Paul’s Hospital into a large Christmas display.
The building is covered with illuminated stars. The stars represent donors who support the annual fundraiser.
The opening celebration has included:
- Live performances
- Children’s activities
- Hot chocolate
- Cookies
- Fireworks
The 2025 display ran from November 27 through January 2.
Why go: Lights of Hope is a good choice for a quick Christmas stop in downtown Vancouver.
It is also easy to combine with other downtown activities. You can visit the display before or after shopping, dinner, or other holiday events.
10. Steveston’s Winter in the Village
Location: Steveston, Richmond
2026 dates: To be announced
Price: Free
Best for: A Christmas village atmosphere
Steveston’s Winter in the Village turns the historic waterfront community into a Christmas destination.
Visitors can see Christmas lights, holiday window displays, and seasonal activities throughout the village.
The 2025 season included:
- A tree-lighting event
- Festive displays
- Songs in the Snow
- The Winter Tram
- Santa’s arrival by boat
The village itself is part of the experience. Visitors can also explore local shops, restaurants, and the waterfront.
Why go: Winter in the Village is a good option if you want Christmas atmosphere without a ticketed light festival.
It works well for a slower afternoon or evening. You can take your time walking through the decorated village.
Which Christmas event should you visit?
There are many Christmas events near Vancouver in 2026. The right one depends on what you want to do.
For a large light festival: Glow Langley, Canyon Lights, or VanDusen Festival of Lights offer large displays and plenty to explore.
For a free outing: Lights at Lafarge and Festive Village offer Christmas activities without a regular admission fee.
For something different: Merry & Bright offers a Christmas movie experience, while Noël combines lights with a larger Christmas festival.
For families: Glow Langley, Zoo Lights, and Festive Village all offer activities beyond the lights.
For a Christmas village: Steveston’s Winter in the Village and Festive Village offer a more traditional setting.
Whether you want Christmas lights, family activities, shopping, food, or a festive evening out, there are plenty of Christmas events to explore across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in 2026.
