Thursday, Dec 3

Other · Vancouver

Gingerbread Lane

Hyatt Regency Vancouver

Hours vary, check the site

Free to look, donations to Make-A-Wish

A village of gingerbread houses at toddler eye level.

Markets · North Vancouver

Shipyards Christmas Market

The Shipyards

Nov 27–Dec 17 Sun–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm; Dec 18–23 11am–10pm; Dec 24 11am–8pm

Free

Waterfront huts, treats and visits with Santa.

Festivals · Richmond

Winter in the Village, Steveston

Steveston Village

Santa arrives by boat Nov 29; the Winter Tram runs Dec 1–31, Tue–Sun 10am–5pm

Free family events, some extras

A month of free family events in Steveston Village, including visits with Santa and the Winter Tram.

Skating · Surrey

Surrey Civic Plaza outdoor rink

Surrey Civic Plaza

Mon–Fri public skate 3–9pm; Sat–Sun 12–9pm; Dec 19–Jan 3 daily 12–9pm; Dec 24, 25, 26, 31, Jan 1 1–4pm

Free skating; skate rentals $5, helmets free

A rink at Surrey Civic Plaza all winter with free helmets, an easy first skate for little ones.

Festivals · Burnaby

Festive Village at Burnaby Village Museum

Burnaby Village Museum

2–9pm

Free admission; carousel rides about $3 ($2.86 plus tax)

A heritage village in holiday lights, old-fashioned Christmas charm.

Lights · Coquitlam

Lights at Lafarge

Town Centre Park

Nightly 4–10pm to late February; opening night Nov 27, 5–8pm

Free

A 1.2 km lit path around Lafarge Lake in Town Centre Park.

Festivals · North Vancouver

Spirit of the Season tree lighting and Shipyards Skate Plaza

The Shipyards

Festival Sat Nov 28, 4–9pm, tree lit 5:45–6pm. Skate Plaza daily 12–8pm until March

Free; skate rentals $8 adults, $5.50 kids, helmets free

The festival is Saturday Nov 28 (4–9pm) with the City tree lit between 5:45 and 6pm.

Lights · Vancouver

Lights of Hope at St. Paul's

St. Paul's Hospital

The lighting is Nov 12, 6–8pm, with fireworks; the lights stay up through the season

Free

Lighting night is Thu Nov 12 with fireworks, and the lights stay up through the holidays.

Festivals · Surrey

WinterFest at the Museum of Surrey

Museum of Surrey

Museum hours: Tue–Sat 9:30am–5:30pm, Sun 12–5pm

Holiday crafts and trees at the museum through Dec 20.

Other · Vancouver

Breakfast with Santa at the Aquarium

Vancouver Aquarium

Select dates

$55–75 a ticket, tax included; members $45–60. Includes aquarium admission.

A festive breakfast buffet and Scuba Claus's dive show, then the aquarium.

Lights · North Vancouver

The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain

Grouse Mountain

Hours vary, check the site

Family rate (2 adults, 2 kids) $99 Nov 20–Dec 4, $149 Dec 5–11, $169 Dec 12–25; included with Mountain Admission

Santa's Workshop, Elf Headquarters, reindeer talks and a Light Walk on the mountain.

Markets · Vancouver

Vancouver Christmas Market

Jack Poole Plaza

Nov 16–Dec 4 Mon–Fri 4–9:30pm, Sat–Sun 11:30am–9:30pm; Dec 5–18 11:30am–9:30pm (Fri–Sat to 10pm); Dec 19–23 10am–10pm; Dec 24 10am–6pm

Single entry from $7.99 presale (through Nov 15); kids 6 and under free

European-style huts, festive treats and a spin on the carousel.