Free Vancouver Events in December Canada Reviews

There so many free things to do in Vancouver in December 2024 including holiday concerts, Craft Fairs, Christmas lights and seasonal attractions.

 

For a list of some of the best things to do in December, including activities that aren’t free, check out Vancouver’s December Events Calendar. For a list of the best FREE (or almost free) special events this month, see below.

In addition to what we list below, there are also Parks & Places in Nature to explore, plus attractions with free admission, like the Museum of Surrey, Granville Island, and other places of interest. You’ll find a list of other affordable events and activities in our article about Vancouver on a Budget.

 

 

Sunday, December 1st (2024)

Christmas Events & Attractions

Sunday Markets

• Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – a winter market at the Port Moody Rec Centre.
• Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver. Admission ranges from $2 to $4 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
• Cloverdale Flea Market – at Surrey’s Cloverdale Fairgrounds. Admission is $2, but free for children ages 12 and under.

 

 

Monday, December 2nd (2024)

• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens. (TBC)
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• Lights by the Lake – Christmas light displays at Harrison Hot Springs.
• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver.

 

 

Tuesday, December 3rd (2024)

• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver.
• Lights by the Lake – beautiful Christmas light displays with a Sasquatch theme in the evening at Harrison Hot Springs.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens. (TBC)
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Cheap Movie Night – at various movie theatres throughout Metro Vancouver (so although not free, it is less expensive than usual).
• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas things to do and see at Burnaby Village Museum.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
• WinterFest at MOS – decorated Christmas trees and other things to see and do at the Museum of Surrey.

 

 

Wednesday, December 4th (2024)

• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver.
• Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas things to do and see at Burnaby Village Museum.
• Lights by the Lake – beautiful Christmas light displays with a Sasquatch theme in the evening at Harrison Hot Springs.
• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens. (TBC)
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• WinterFest at MOS – decorated Christmas trees and other things to see and do at the Museum of Surrey.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver.

 

Thursday, December 5th (2024)

• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver.
• Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas things to do and see at Burnaby Village Museum.
• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Lights by the Lake – beautiful Christmas light displays with a Sasquatch theme in the evening at Harrison Hot Springs.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens. (TBC)
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• WinterFest at MOS – decorated Christmas trees and other things to see and do at the Museum of Surrey.

 

Friday, December 6th (2024)

• Bill Reid Gallery – free admission to the First Nations art gallery between 2:00 and 5:00 pm (because it’s the first Friday of the month).
• Vancouver Art Gallery – admission from 4:00 to 8:00 pm is free (as it’s the first Friday of the month).
• Made in the 604 Markets – a free indoor artisan market happens at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver.
• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver. In addition to the decorated trees to admire, there is also a free event with live entertainment at Grosvenor Ambleside from 4:00 until 5:00 pm.
• The Singing Christmas Tree – an impressive concert at Broadway Church in Vancouver.
• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas things to do and see at Burnaby Village Museum.
• Lights by the Lake – beautiful Christmas light displays with a Sasquatch theme in the evening at Harrison Hot Springs.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens. (TBC)
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• WinterFest at MOS – decorated Christmas trees and other things to see and do at the Museum of Surrey.

 

 

Saturday, December 7th (2024)

Vancouver Markets

Other Events

 

Sunday, December 8th (2024)

Christmas and Other Sunday Markets

 

 

Monday, December 9th (2024)

• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver.
• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Lights by the Lake – beautiful Christmas light displays with a Sasquatch theme in the evening at Harrison Hot Springs.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens.
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
• Bright Walk in White Rock – Christmas lights and holiday decorations along the waterfront in White Rock.

 

Tuesday, December 10th (2024)

• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver.
• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Lights by the Lake – beautiful Christmas light displays with a Sasquatch theme in the evening at Harrison Hot Springs.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens.
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas things to do and see at Burnaby Village Museum.
• Cheap Movie Night – at various movie theatres throughout Metro Vancouver (so although not free, it is less expensive than usual).
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
• WinterFest at MOS – decorated Christmas trees and other things to see and do at the Museum of Surrey.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• Bright Walk in White Rock – Christmas lights and holiday decorations along the waterfront in White Rock.

 

Wednesday, December 11th (2024)

 

Thursday, December 12th (2024)

 

 

Friday, December 13th (2024)

 

 

Saturday, December 14th (2024)

Christmas Concerts

Christmas Events in the City of Vancouver

• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.

Christmas Events Elsewhere in Metro Vancouver

Christmas Events Elsewhere in the Lower Mainland

Saturday Markets

 

 

Sunday, December 15th (2024)

• The Singing Christmas Tree – an impressive concert at Broadway Church in Vancouver.
• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver. Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver.
• Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas things to do and see at Burnaby Village Museum.
• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Lights by the Lake – beautiful Christmas light displays with a Sasquatch theme in the evening at Harrison Hot Springs.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens.
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
• Bright Walk in White Rock – Christmas lights and holiday decorations along the waterfront in White Rock.
• WinterFest at MOS – decorated Christmas trees and other things to see and do at the Museum of Surrey.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.

Sunday Markets

 

 

Monday, December 16th (2024)

• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver.
• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Lights by the Lake – beautiful Christmas light displays with a Sasquatch theme in the evening at Harrison Hot Springs.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens.
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
• Bright Walk in White Rock – Christmas lights and holiday decorations along the waterfront in White Rock.

 

Tuesday, December 17th (2024)

 

 

Wednesday, December 18th (2024)

 

 

Thursday, December 19th (2024)

• Beaty Nocturnal – admission is by donation at UBC’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum today between 5:00 and 8:30 pm.
• CP Holiday Train – the Christmas train is making its way across Canada with stops and live music this evening in Agassiz, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Admission is by donation of food or money to the local food bank.
• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver.
• Lights by the Lake – beautiful Christmas light displays with a Sasquatch theme.
• Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas things to do and see at Burnaby Village Museum.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens.
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• WinterFest at MOS – decorated Christmas trees and other things to see and do at the Museum of Surrey.
• Bright Walk in White Rock – Christmas lights and holiday decorations along the waterfront in White Rock.

 

 

Friday, December 20th (2024)

• Last day of school before Christmas holidays for most Lower Mainland schools.
• Coquitlam Christmas Night Market – an artisan market at the Evergreen Cultural Centre beside Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam. Admission is just $2, but children are free. Lights at Lafarge is just outside and also free for everyone.
• CP Holiday Train – the Christmas train is making its way across Canada with stops and live music this evening in Port Moody and Port Coquitlam. Admission is by donation of food or money to the local food bank.
• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver.
• Lights by the Lake – beautiful Christmas light displays with a Sasquatch theme in the evening at Harrison Hot Springs.
• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens.
• Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas things to do and see at Burnaby Village Museum.
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
• Bright Walk in White Rock – Christmas lights and holiday decorations along the waterfront in White Rock.
• WinterFest at MOS – decorated Christmas trees and other things to see and do at the Museum of Surrey.

 

 

Saturday, December 21st (2024)

 

Sunday, December 22nd (2024)

 

 

Monday, December 23rd (2024)

 

Tuesday, December 24th (2024)

• Christmas Eve
• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver.
• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Lights by the Lake – beautiful Christmas light displays with a Sasquatch theme in the evening at Harrison Hot Springs.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens.
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free ice skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
• Bright Walk in White Rock – Christmas lights and holiday decorations along the waterfront in White Rock.

 

Wednesday, December 25th (2024)

• Christmas Day (Stat Holiday)
• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver.
• Lights by the Lake – beautiful Christmas light displays with a Sasquatch theme in the evening at Harrison Hot Springs.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens. (TBC)
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free ice skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
• Bright Walk in White Rock – Christmas lights and holiday decorations along the waterfront in White Rock.

 

Thursday, December 26th (2024)

 

Friday, December 27th (2024)

 

Saturday, December 28th (2024)

 

Sunday, December 29th (2024)

 

Monday, December 30th (2024)

 

Tuesday, December 31st (2024)

• New Year’s Eve – festivities and fireworks normally take place at various venues.
  • Public transit is likely free this evening (although exact details are to be confirmed.)
• Dundarave Festival of Lights – Christmas trees and holiday lights at the beach in West Vancouver.
• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and decorations at Stanley Park. Admission is by donation benefiting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
• Lights by the Lake – beautiful Christmas light displays with a Sasquatch theme in the evening at Harrison Hot Springs.
• Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village – free Christmas things to do and see at Burnaby Village Museum.
• Lights at Lafarge – free Christmas light displays around Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.
• Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford Gardens. (TBC)
• Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and seasonal displays in downtown Vancouver.
• Granville Island – the world-famous shopping, restaurant and entertainment district has Christmas lights at night.
• Skating at the Shipyards – free ice skating on the giant rink at Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver.
• Robson Square Ice Skating – free ice skating in the square underground behind the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street.
• Bright Walk in White Rock – Christmas lights and holiday decorations along the waterfront in White Rock.

 

Other December Events

For a list of other things to do this month (including activities that aren’t free), see the December Events Calendar.

Click Best Christmas Activities for other best seasonal things to do in December.

To see what’s happening next month, see the January Calendar of Events.

For more, check out Vancouver’s Best Places for Winter Activities or Vancouver’s Top Things to do at Christmas Time.

 

 

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