Monday, Dec 21

Festivals · Vancouver

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival

Granville Island and Yaletown

Hours vary, check the site

The 33rd annual solstice festival of lanterns and music, run by the Secret Lantern Society on Dec 21.

Trains · Squamish

North Pole Express, Squamish

West Coast Railway Heritage Park

Nov 28–29, Dec 5–6, 12–13, 19–20 and Mon Dec 21; departures 11am, 1pm, 3pm (5pm Platinum only)

Seats from about $49 (Bronze) to $75 (Platinum)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.