Saturday, Nov 21

Festivals · Surrey

Surrey Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market

Surrey Civic Plaza

Noon–8pm both days; tree lit 6:30pm Saturday

Free

Free rink with free skates and helmets, photos with Santa (book online), crafts, a Ferris wheel and rides, vendors indoors.

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.

Shows · Vancouver

PAW Patrol at the planetarium

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Weekend mornings (10 or 11am); Nov 11 at 10am

Tickets; under 5 free with a paying adult, ages 5–11 $19.60 plus tax

The holiday PAW Patrol on the planetarium dome, for ages 5 and under, with a Santa's sleigh ride scene at the end.

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.

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.

Shows · Vancouver

Elf: The Musical

Stanley BFL Canada Stage

Matinees and evenings, varies by date

Tickets

Buddy the Elf on stage, holiday songs and laughs.

Lights · Vancouver

Astra Lumina, Stanley Park

Stanley Park

Timed entry, start times 6:15–9:15pm; about an hour

From $27.20 on Fever, plus a booking fee. Under 4 free.

A night walk through nine lit-up areas of the park, by Moment Factory.

Other · Vancouver

Holiday Splash at the Aquarium

Vancouver Aquarium

Scuba Claus dives daily until Dec 24

Aquarium admission; the Mighty Snow Monkeys 4D film is included

Scuba Claus dive shows, a Jellyfish Snow Globe for selfies and a new 4D film.

Lights · Langley

Glow Christmas Treasures

Glow Gardens

Closed Sundays and Christmas Day

Tickets

An underwater holiday adventure with glowing sea creatures and a Crystal Palace.

Shows · Vancouver

East Van Panto: Hercules

York Theatre

Evenings 7pm; weekend matinees at 2pm (more Dec 22–31)

$35–64, children 16 and under $49 for most dates

A playful local twist on Hercules, full of Vancouver jokes.