20-stunning-christmas-lights-events-to-see-around-vancouver
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20 stunning Christmas lights events to see around Vancouver

ByDaniel Chai

The days are getting shorter, which means there’s so much more time to see all the bright and colourful Christmas lights around Vancouver! Pull on your warmest toque and grab the hot chocolate because there are a bunch of holiday light displays and stunning festivals that you won’t want to miss this year. The good news is that many are running throughout December, and some even last into January! So you’ll have plenty of time to catch as many of these magical events as possible. VanDusen Festival of Lights VanDusen Festival of Lights/Submitted What: Get ready for a walk in a winter wonderland because one of Vancouver’s largest holiday light displays is officially returning for the season. VanDusen Festival of Lights will be delighting visitors at the botanical garden from Friday, November 29, to Sunday, January 5, 2025. Discover over one million lights across 15 acres, with new displays and returning favourites for all ages. When: November 29, 2024 to January 5, 2025 (closed on Christmas Day) Time: 4 to 10 pm (last entry time 8:30 to 9 pm) Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden — 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver Admission : $11-$28, free for children four years and under (must reserve a ticket). Purchase online Noel Holiday Light Festival & Market What: A new holiday festival is coming to Metro Vancouver, and it promises to be an enchanting time for the whole family. Noel Surrey will feature Santa’s castle, a Holly Jolly Hub with food trucks and beverages, bumper cars, and more. There will also be plenty of interactive light displays and photo ops, including a 1 km accessible outdoor holiday light walk filled with illuminated see-saws, a frosty forest, a 150-foot light tunnel, and more. When: November 28 to December 1, December 5 to 8, and December 12 to 23, 2024 Time: 4 to 10:30 pm Where: Cloverdale Fairgrounds, Surrey Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 for youth and seniors, and free for children ages 6 and under. Pre-sale online Bright Nights at Stanley Park What: The Christmas Train tickets may be sold out for the season, but there is plenty of family fun and holiday cheer in Stanley Park throughout December. Guests will be treated to stunning light displays during their visit, including returning favourites like the giant red reindeer, a vintage fire truck, and the tunnel of lights in the plaza. The event is also in support of the Burn Fund. When: November 29, 2024, to January 4, 2025 (closed on December 25) Time: 4 to 10 pm Where: Pipeline Road in Stanley Park, via the West Georgia Street park entrance Admission: Train tickets are sold out. Free to visit the holiday lights display and festive activities in the plaza Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park What: Cross the world-famous bridge, lit end-to-end with a changing multi-colour display, and sway high above the illuminated Capilano River. Journey into a glittering rainforest and walk high above the forest floor on a transformed Treetops Adventure. Finally, walk along the sparkling cliffside pathway of Cliffwalk.  Don’t forget to snap an Instagram-worthy photo, sip a decadent hot chocolate to the sound of live festive tunes, and get in on all the festive fun of the many kid’s activities around the Park. Tickets are on sale now and must be purchased in advance online. There are limited tickets available during peak event times, and visits are scheduled in 30-minute arrival increments. When: November 22, 2024, until January 19, 2025 (closed on December 25) Time: 11 am to 9 pm daily. Guests are allowed to stay in the park up to an hour after closing. Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver Tickets: Various prices, with annual passes (included with admission) available for BC residents. Purchase online St. Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope kickoff and fireworks What: The holidays in Vancouver just wouldn’t be as bright without the Lights of Hope, and this year is kicking off with the return of the popular fireworks display. St. Paul’s Foundation’s massive light display outside of St. Paul’s Hospital has been an annual Christmastime tradition and fundraising campaign since 1998. More than 100,000 lights and hundreds of shining stars recognizing the support of generous donors will be officially switched on Wednesday, November 27. And fireworks will commemorate the occasion on opening night. When: November 27, 2024 (lights will be on display until January 3, 2025) Time: 6 to 8 pm for kickoff, nightly throughout the holiday season Where: St. Paul’s Hospital – 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver Squamish at Dusk What: Explore a winter wonderland of lights, art, magic, and stories. Squamish at Dusk is a stunning light experience at Rose Park with immersive installations for all ages to enjoy this holiday season. Bring the whole family and enjoy the mesmerizing tunnel of lights, a sparkling grotto, an enchanted forest, and more. When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday from November 28 until December 14, 2024 Time: 4:30 to 9:30 pm Where: Rose Park – 38550 Loggers Lane, Squamish Cost: $10-$15, plus fees; free for children four and under. Purchase online Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration Amacon What: One of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions, the free outdoor celebration will take place at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on Friday, November 29. Guests will enjoy live entertainment, colourful photo opportunities, and free cocoa at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square. Santa Claus is even rumoured to be making an appearance. When: November 29, 2024 Time: 6 pm Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square – 850 W Georgia Street, Vancouver Cost: Free PNE Winter Fair

surrey-tree-lighting,-coquitlam-lights-and-lots-of-holiday-markets-happening-in-metro-vancouver-this-weekend-–-ctv-news-vancouver
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Surrey tree lighting, Coquitlam lights and lots of holiday markets happening in Metro Vancouver this weekend

Bymichael

Don’t look now, but Christmas is less than five weeks away, and holiday festivities are ramping up across Metro Vancouver. Here are some events to check out this weekend. Surrey’s Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market Surrey’s holiday tradition returns for its 14th year this weekend and – like last year – it will be a two-day affair. The free festival will take over Surrey Civic Plaza from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with the titular lighting of the city’s 60-foot Christmas tree at 6:30 p.m. Surrounding the marquee event will be four stages of live entertainment, a holiday market, amusement rides and light displays. A full schedule of events and lots more information can be found on the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival website.  Lights at Lafarge Coquitlam’s signature winter event also kicks off this weekend with the return of Lights at Lafarge. Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor winter lights display features a 1.2-kilometre pathway with more lights and “reimagined elements,” according to the city. The lights will be on from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily beginning Friday night, and this year the display will continue into February. The city is hosting an opening ceremony event with live entertainment and food trucks from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.  Canyon Lights Another holiday light display kicking off this weekend is Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. From Friday through Jan. 19, visitors to the suspension bridge will find it illuminated from end to end with a changing multicolour display. There will also be live music and other lights displayed throughout the park. Canyon Lights is included with the price of park admission, but tickets must be purchased online in advance and a limited number are available during peak times, according to the attraction.  Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Head to the Burnaby Village Museum in Deer Lake Park starting Saturday for “Heritage Christmas.” The 10-acre open-air site will be decorated with lights and classic decor, and guests will be treated to seasonal activities and roving entertainers. Admission to Heritage Christmas is free and the festivities run through Jan. 3. However, it is closed on Mondays, as well as on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. More information can be found on the Burnaby Village Museum website.  ‘Soar with Santa’ In Vancouver, this weekend marks the return of “Soar with Santa,” the annual Christmas version of Flyover Canada at Canada Place. From Thursday through Jan. 1, the attraction says it will be celebrating with “special activities and surprises” to get guests into the holiday spirit. Flyover Canada is open daily and tickets can be booked online.  Holiday markets, craft fairs and art sales Numerous holiday markets and craft fairs are scheduled around the region in the coming weeks. Here’s a roundup of some of the ones happening this weekend. Dunbar Holiday Craft Fair : More than 140 local artisans will gather at Dunbar Community Centre in Vancouver from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Children 12 and under get in free.  North Shore Artists Winter Art Sale : North Shore artists will be selling their work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School on West Keith Road in North Vancouver.  Emily Carr Indigenous Winter Market : The Aboriginal Gathering Place on the Emily Carr University campus will host an Indigenous Winter Market as part of the university’s Student Art Sale. The Indigenous market will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, from noon to 8 p.m. Friday and from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday.  Got Craft Holiday Market : Got Craft is hosting its holiday market at the Croatian Cultural Centre in Vancouver from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online or at the door. 

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Harrison Hot Springs transforms into magical holiday village this month

ByDaniel Chai

Harrison Hot Springs will be overflowing with Christmas spirit this season, thanks to the return of its annual holiday lights festival. The village has announced that the popular Lights by the Lake will be held from Saturday, November 23, 2024, to Sunday, January 12, 2024. Visitors will enjoy magical holiday displays that transform the Harrison lakefront into an enchanting world of lights, celebrating the local wildlife and the elusive Sasquatch. Tourism Harrison The free event will feel as if you’ve stepped into a Hallmark movie, with decorated Christmas trees and old-fashioned lamps dotting the village square. Each business will decorate its storefront with cozy holiday cheer, including winter window paintings and colourful lights to make everything glow. Tourism Harrison Pop into one of the cafes or restaurants for your favourite seasonal beverage and treats, such as a peppermint mocha, to take with you as you enjoy the light display. Or pick up a guide to see all the Christmas tree displays in Harrison. As you stroll along Harrison’s wheelchair and stroller-friendly promenade to see all of the custom-built light displays, keep an eye out for the mysterious Sasquatch. The creature may be fishing for sturgeon or keeping warm by the fire. Lights by the Lake (Tourism Harrison/Facebook) The 2 km-long Lights by the Lake will be lit from dusk to 11 pm. The Starlight Skating Rink will also be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until January 5. Skating is free if you bring your own skates, though skates are available for rent and a concession. Lights by the Lake at Harrison Hot Springs When: November 23, 2024 to Sunday, January 12, 2025 Time: Dusk to 11 pm Where: Harrison Hot Springs Cost: Free