Check out these free and festive holiday activities around the Lower Mainland
From outdoor light displays to celebratory community initiatives, there are many ways to get into the holiday spirit this month
Bright Nights at Stanley Park has an outdoor Christmas light display, open nightly by donation until Jan. 6. (Claudia Culley)
Whether it’s spending quality time with loved ones or putting out festive decorations, the holiday season is one of the most special and beloved times of the year. In between the holiday baking and gift shopping, finding time to enjoy seasonal activities and displays is the ultimate way to get into the festive spirit.
Since money is often tight this time of year, it can be hard to find the extra cash to afford some of these festive experiences. However, there are lots of free holiday activities taking place across the Lower Mainland, so grab your toques, gloves, and winter coats, and head outdoors.
As you probably expected, there are multiple activities offered in Vancouver this year, some of which are within walking distance of each other. If you’re looking to spend an afternoon of festive fun, head into downtown and make your way to the Vancouver Art Gallery. There, the city has set up its 76-foot-tall Christmas tree, set aglow with snowflakes and multicoloured lights.
On the other side of the art gallery is the Robson Square Ice Rink, which is free to all and open daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Starting Dec. 13, the rink will have live music every evening until New Year’s Eve. Visitors can bring their own skates to use on the ice or purchase skate rentals for $5.
A few blocks away from the ice rink is the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, which has transformed its lobby for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation Festival of Trees, a walk through of over 30 dazzling Christmas trees decorated by local businesses and organizations. The event raises funds for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation by allowing visitors to vote for their favourite tree by making a donation.
Further down Burrard Street towards the Waterfront area you’ll find the 31st annual Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. This gingerbread house exhibition features impressive and breathtaking cookie constructions, submitted by professional cooks and amateur teams. If the scent of gingerbread doesn’t invite you to take in this display, the creativity will.
Down at Canada Place is another free holiday display featuring light sculptures, decorated trees, and Woodward’s Windows, nostalgic holiday scenes brought to life with animatronics. Presented by the Port of Vancouver, Christmas at Canada Place is on daily until Jan. 2 from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Also in Vancouver is Bright Nights at Stanley Park. While this attraction is known for its miniature train ride, the park is full of glimmering light displays, live entertainment, and classic holiday characters, all of which are free to stroll through, although a donation upon entrance is preferred which goes to the BC Professional Firefighters Burn Fund. The display is open every evening until Jan. 6.
Another outdoor light display is Lights at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam, Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor winter light display. Walk the 1.2 kilometre lake loop that’s fully glitzed up with lights that highlight reimagined fairy tales. The lake is lit up daily from 4:00 to 10:00 pm until February. The exhibit is also transit accessible with the SkyTrain’s Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station just a six minute walk away.
For those with a vehicle, Williams Park in the Township of Langley has its parking loop decorated with a drive-through Christmas light display. Featuring ionic blowup and figurine Christmas characters along with twinkling lights hanging from the trees above, this display is organized and decorated by the Christmas in Williams Park Society, a volunteer group that puts in this work out of their love for the season. The light display at Williams Park is open every night from 5:00 to 9:00 pm until Dec. 17.
Out in Burnaby is a historic Christmas display at the Burnaby Village museum. Heritage Christmas, presented by Concord Pacific, allows visitors to wander the outdoor museum’s 10 acre reconstructed 1920s village, featuring full scale buildings and costumed staff demonstrating traditional trades, all of which are themed in the spirit of Christmas. The attraction is open daily until Jan. 5 with varying hours of operation.
Whether you’re hoping to visit one of these light displays or take your chances skating at Robson Square Ice Rink, remember there’s more to the holiday season than shopping and gift giving. Find some time to enjoy the beauty of this time of year, especially with the ones you love.
