10 Things to Do This Holiday Season

The holidays don’t just “roll around” in Vancouver -- they come in a blaze of glory, bright with festive zeal and nonstop joy. Family affairs are neverending with all our holiday activities, couples get lost in the thousands of Christmas lights and friends have plenty of holiday celebrations to use as an excuse to spread the good cheer. And visitors? They’re welcome to partake in long-held Vancouver traditions. Here are 10 quintessentially Vancouver things to do this holiday season. Have your own suggestions? Stop by our Facebook fan page and drop us a line.

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  1. Rogers Santa Claus Parade

  
  December 6, 1pm
  Downtown Vancouver
  

  “Ho, ho, ho” is right! Vancouverites gather in force to witness the sheer awesomeness of this annual parade, now in its sixth year. Expect the usual suspects to show up with festive floats: jolly old Saint Nick, Rudolph, Frosty, even Tigger and Winnie the Pooh. The best part: you can make food donations on Parade Day by passing nonperishable food items to the front of the curb where a “Spirit Train” will come and pick it up. Good cause, good times.

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  2. VanDusen Botanical Garden Festival of Lights

  
  December 11-January 3, 4:30-9pm
  

  No matter how many times we stand utterly awed by VanDusen Botanical Garden’s displays, we will never get tired of it. First, there’s the natural beauty of the garden in winter. Second, the spectacular lights simply ignite the holiday spirit even if we’re feeling like Scrooge. And third, any place with a real Candy Cane Lane is okay in our book.

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  3. Winter Solstice Lantern Festival

  
  December 21, time TBA
  Various Neighbourhoods
  

  As the days get shorter, lights get brighter, and one of the shining beacons of the holiday season is undoubtedly the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival. Six neighbourhoods come together with unique luminaries and lanterns, lighting up the night on winter solstice for peace, joy and unity. Don’t miss the renowned “labyrinth of light,” an experience unlike any other.

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  4. Canyon Lights

  
  December 4 - January 2, 5-9pm
  Capilano Suspension Bridge
  

  One of Vancouver’s most recognizable tourist attractions gets lit up each winter to dramatic effect. Think snow-covered evergreens and misty nights paired with 250,000 tiny, multicolored lights. If there were ever a Winter Wonderland, this is it.

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  5. Christmas at Canada Place

  
  December 1-30
  

  The distinctive sails of Canada Place turn into various holiday themes for its 22nd annual event. Artistic and beautiful, the festival also boasts exciting things to do for the family, including breakfast with Santa, light shows and tons of performances.

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  6. Shopping... and More Shopping

  
  Ongoing
  

  It’s not an “event” per se, but for many, it’s the main show. When December hits, holiday shopping revs into high gear, and shopping hubs such as Pacific Centre Mall, the Waterfront Centre, Granville Street and Robson Street are teeming with retail cheer.

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  7. Bright Nights in Stanley Park

  
  November 27-January 2, 3- 10pm daily, $8 adults
  

  This Vancouver tradition has catered to families for more than 20 years, which means it’s definitely something to write home about. Stanley Park is gorgeous year-round, but during Bright Nights, it dons its holiday glam and puts on quite the show with more than a million twinkling lights. Animated displays, hot chocolate and the beloved Christmas train make the festival an unforgettable experience. Call 604.257.8531 for the most up-to-date information.

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  8. The Nutcracker

  
  December 19, 7:30pm, The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts
  

  Holiday purists know that seeing the “Nutcracker” is just one of those things that never gets old. It may bring up rosy childhood memories, or maybe it’s a symbol of joy. Whatever it is, this ballet that dates back to the 1890s is not to be missed. This year, why not check out the Goh Ballet Academy’s new production by choreographer Anna-Marie Holmes.

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  9. The Peak of Christmas

  
  November 28-December 24, $37.95 adults
  Grouse Mountain
  

  In our opinion, the best part of this annual mountaintop celebration is skating on the 8,000-square-foot ice-skating pond, which truly is like gliding around inside a winter wonderland. Of course, there are also sleigh rides, real reindeer, live choral performances, encounters with Santa Claus and plenty of family-friendly activities.

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  10. New Year’s Eve 2010 at Telus World of Science

  
  December 31, 9pm-3am, $75-125
  

  What’s the holidays without a little party? Correction: what’s the holidays without a massive, blow-out party with three full bars and multiple VIP areas? For those who think Vancouver is tame, think again. Science World hosts two stages with house and hip-hop beats, and admission includes appetizers and champagne, as well as access to the house bars.