10 Things to do in Vancouver at Christmas

Vancouver is a multicultural city, where Christmas is very special. Temperatures drop considerably in December, usually between 3°C and 7°C, so you'll want to dress warmly to enjoy all the activities. The city opens its doors to seasonal attractions, such as the FlyOver Canada themed flight over the North Pole.

You can also take advantage of the Christmas lights switch on, enjoy the Christmas events scattered throughout the city and experience the Christmas markets. Additionally, the Santa parade is a must-see, especially if you're travelling with children. For the best things to do in Vancouver at Christmas time, don't miss the gingerbread house display and the events at the Grouse Mountain pine tree.

FlyOver Canada is a fun activity, available all year round in Vancouver. However, at Christmas it has a magical twist, as it transforms into a flight simulation over Canada's North Pole. You'll get to explore the country's most iconic landscapes, such as Niagara Falls, while enjoying special effects that include smells, fog, twists and turns, winds and more.

During the journey you'll meet Santa's elves and helpers as you pass through Christmas-inspired locations. Additionally, breakfasts with Santa are organised, allowing you to spend a magical morning sampling Christmas dishes. You can even drop a letter in the North Pole letterbox located in the cafeteria. Please note that flights are available from November to January.

If you're looking to purchase tickets for the Vancouver FlyOver Canada experience, note that it's located in Canada Place, the harbour district which offers the best views of Vancouver Bay. The experience lasts approximately eight minutes and you can find tickets for as little as 23 euros. Please note that children under the age of 15 get in free.

Vancouver's Capilano Suspension Bridge is a unique Christmas location, hosting winter activities from November to January. Each year it is covered with thousands of coloured lights, which are installed during the Canyon Lights festival. It's a different kind of out-of-town plan, which allows you to breathe in the fresh air under the treetops. There are caroling groups in the vicinity, as well as gingerbread biscuit making workshops.

In general, the Canyon Festival offers a variety of activities and craft workshops for children, such as Christmas tree making. Please note that to gain access to the festival, you only need to purchase tickets to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver.

From November onwards you can enjoy Vancouver's Christmas markets, some of which are temporary, but you can also find options available throughout the winter season. The main one is the annual Vancouver Christmas Market, a fun outdoor option. It's held in Jack Poole Plaza, where you can keep out the cold with mulled wine, do your Christmas shopping and buy arts and crafts.

Its events are inspired by German and Austrian traditions, so you'll find craft beers from those countries. In addition, you can visit Santa's residence, ride the Christmas carousel, go on a treasure hunt and more. Other markets not to be missed include:

• Pacific Arts Market: is a quaint market, where a Christmas bazaar is held in November, where you can find household goods, clothing, crafts and food. There is also Santa's workshop offering last minute Christmas shopping deals, as well as live music and things to do in Vancouver with kids.
• Japan Market: In early December, this market usually features a Christmas fair, where the main attraction is the Japanese food stalls.
• Granville Island Market: This is a great place for Christmas shopping and also has a children's market with rides for the little ones. I recommend you sign up for a guided tour of the market to learn more about its gastronomic and entertainment options.

Grouse Mountain is an icon of the region, where you can find a variety of activities and attractions, including snowboarding, skiing and hiking. In winter it transforms into Canada's North Pole, so you can see Santa's reindeer and ice skate. Here the festive atmosphere, decorations and magical adventures will allow you to make the most of the holiday season.

Additionally, by booking tickets to Grouse Mountain you can visit Santa in his workshop, as well as enjoy the enchanting Light Walk light show. You can also learn about local birds and explore the grizzly bear habitat. If you're travelling with children, don't miss The Theatre in the Sky, where Christmas movies are shown. There's also a craft area and an elves' headquarters for writing letters to Santa Claus. This is an ideal destination if you're looking for things to do in Vancouver in winter, as you'll find snowshoe trails, ski areas and a skating rink.

Christmas cruises are a must-see stop in Vancouver, in fact to kick off the season the Carol Ships Parade of Lights takes place. This event lights up the city's harbours and ships, usually in early December. You can see the catamarans sailing from the Burrard Yacht Club to Lonsdale Quay.

The evening procession can be viewed from the harbour, where there are free activities and entertainment shows. The best way to enjoy this event, however, is on board a cruise ship. Christmas parties on Vancouver's ships are a classic, allowing you to see the light show, dine on Christmas dishes and enjoy Christmas carols. In addition, bars and clubs are set up on board, ideal for celebrating Christmas and New Year's Eve.

In December, the streets of Vancouver are adorned with hundreds of light shows, thanks to the arrival of Christmas. I recommend taking a tour to explore the city, a great option is to join a bike tour of Vancouver or take advantage of the city's best sightseeing bus tours. Especially around dusk and at night when the decorations can be best appreciated, some of the lights that you can't miss are:

VanDusen Botanical Garden's Festival of Lights.

The Vancouver Botanical Garden offers an annual event, with Christmas light displays. It's known as the VanDusen Festival of Lights and offers a fairytale atmosphere with millions of twinkling lights, food stalls and live entertainment. You can pass by the gingerbread houses in the treetops, as well as visit Santa's workshop.

It's an ideal environment for the whole family to spend the winter holidays. The lights go up in November and come down in January, so make sure you stop by if you're looking for things to do in Vancouver in winter. You can find tickets from 12 euros to explore this fun-filled maze which is considered the city's green lung.

Sneak off to Coquitlam's Christmas Lighting

Lights at Lafarge is a Christmas light display near the long Lafarge. Specifically, it's located forty minutes from Vancouver, in the mini-town of Coquitlam. It's not as crowded as other events in the region, so you can enjoy an exclusive experience. The forest is usually decorated with hundreds of lights and looks like something out of a Christmas movie.

It's a free winter attraction, where a night-time Christmas market is usually set up, ideal for enjoying a mulled wine. You can experience this event between November and January, so you have plenty of time to admire the decorations and enjoy the magic and comedy shows, food stalls and live entertainment.

Marvel at Christmas lights on Granville Island and Harrison Lake

Granville Island is a great destination at Christmas time, as it is the site of the boardwalk switch-on. You can enjoy this attraction between November and January, but keep in mind that this island is actually a residential neighbourhood surrounded by museums, galleries and breweries. On these dates you can find activities for the whole family, while enjoying the exhibits.

Another must-see is the Lights By the Lake Festival at Harrison Hot Springs. It's a themed celebration, where you can enjoy the winter nights. The inaugural event is usually held in November with dance performances, Santa presentations and skating rinks. You can even find decorations in local restaurants and see the iconic snowmen.

Vancouver's annual Father Christmas Parade is a massive free event, which includes live entertainment by bands, floats and dance troupes. It usually starts on West Georgia Street and there are other events beforehand such as Christmas breakfasts, Santa letter stations, face painting for children and more. Fun fact: some people dress up in costumes that are not directly related to Christmas.

Some pre-events are held near the Vancouver Art Gallery, most of which are free family activities. Other Christmas parades taking place in the vicinity include:

• Aldergrove Christmas Light Parade: this is an evening parade held in a community about an hour from Vancouver. The main attraction is the lights and floats.
• Timms Community Centre Parade: A parade that is accompanied by holiday events such as craft workshops, ice carving demonstrations and beer tasting.
• Bowen Island Parade: Part of the Lantern Festival, the parade runs from Village Square to Union Steamship Marina. Highlights include Santa's arrival by boat, caroling groups and theatre performances for the little ones.

Stanley Park is a magical location during the Christmas season as it hosts the legendary Bright Nights, where the interactive train is the main attraction. Note that tickets for the train are sold online months in advance, usually selling out within minutes. This attraction allows you to insert yourself into the High Elves' journey, which will take you through the forest in a 1961 locomotive.

Tickets for the train start at 10 euros per person, although there are special offers for children and seniors. In the square you'll find free activities, as well as extravagant displays and light shows. You can enjoy the parade of trees, as well as take part in Christmas workshops. In addition, every year the Christmas theme is different.

Throughout the month of December you can enjoy the activities of the Stevenston Festival of Lights, also known as Stevenston Winter in the Village. It takes place in Steveston, located in the Richmond neighbourhood of Metro Vancouver. Here you can't miss a tour of the Christmas decorations as well as the seasonal food stalls.

Most people are attracted by the Christmas display, where the pine trees and lights are a unique spectacle. Nearby there is a harbour area, where you can see illuminated boats. I also suggest you go to the Festival of Trees in mid-December, which costs about 10 euros. You can buy pine trees, see the decorated trees on display and vote for the best one. Other activities not to be missed include:

• The Craft Fair: which offers a festive atmosphere, and is a great place to enjoy a hot drink and take shelter from the cold. Admission is a donation at the discretion of the individual.
• Stevenston Christmas Market: a great place to shop for souvenirs, crafts and clothes.
• Santa in Town: is an annual event, where most activities are free. Santa usually arrives by boat and opens the celebration. There is also a parade and free carriage rides.
• The Dog Parade: This is a fun Christmas run, where you can bring your pet dressed as Santa's reindeer. Held on the Phoenix Pond Bridge, the best dressed dogs receive a prize.

Gingerbread houses are a Christmas classic, in fact Vancouver is hosting a free event where you can build your own. The Hyatt Gingerbread Lane Gingerbread House Exhibition has become a real tradition, having been held since 1992. Each year there is a different theme, the most popular being the North Pole, the Grinch and Charlie Brown.

It is held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, and is available throughout the month of December with cooking workshops and tastings. As an added bonus, another Christmas event not to be missed is the lighting of the tree in Robson Square. It's the city's main pine tree, so it's a big deal and is accompanied by concerts, free biscuit stations and live entertainment.