1177 Melville Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6E 0A3 Phone: 604 669 5060 | Fax: 778 373 1609 December Activities for Vancouver Canyon Lights: Capilano Suspension Bridge When: November 29-January 3rd, 2016 Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge What: Canyon Lights is the home of the world's tallest living Christmas tree! Standing 46.4 m (152 ft) tall, this Douglas-fir will be adorned in thousands of sparkling lights. Park guests will also be dazzled by the thousands of lights glittering throughout the rainforest, across the Suspension Bridge & on CLIFFWALK. A children's scavenger hunt, gingerbread cookie decorating, sing-a-long carols with the holiday band are all back by public demand. Bright Nights - Stanley Park Christmas Train When: Daily from November 26, 2015 to January 2, 2016 Where: Stanley Park Description: The best Vancouver Christmas attraction for younger kids is fun for the whole family, too! At Stanley Park's Bright Nights, over a million twinkly lights transform the forest and the famous Miniature Train into a winter wonderland. Ride the train, visit Santa, see the Parade of Trees, and more. Vancouver Christmas Market When: November 21 - December 24, 2015 (Recurring daily) Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre Admission: $7.00 Adults / $3.00 Youth (7-12) / Free Children (0-6) Description: Christmas Market taking place at Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza right in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Inspired by traditional European Christmas markets, the Vancouver Christmas Market is the perfect place to get into the spirit of the holiday season by eating delicious food, shopping for authentic gifts and watching family-friendly entertainment. SantaCon Vancouver When: Saturday, December 12; noon Where: Top secret – check back to the Facebook page to learn where it’ll be. What: The premise is simple: dress up as Santa, meet in a specific location and go on a festive pub crawl with hundreds of other people dressed just like you. You don’t have to replicate Santa’s likeness exactly, but you need more than a Santa hat, and everything needs to be red. Christmas at FlyOver Canada When: Friday, November 27 to January 5, 2016 – daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Where: FlyOver Canada – 201 – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver What: FlyOver Canada will transform into a magical winter wonderland this Christmas season. Guests will have fun helping Santa Claus search for his missing elves during an exhilarating flight across Canada and on to the North Pole. An extended holiday edition of FlyOver Canada that leads guests on to Santa’s workshop in the North Pole also included. Free Ice Skating at Robson Square When: December 1, 2015 until February 28, 2016 Where: Robson Square Description: Since reopening for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, the free outdoor ice skating at Robson Square has become one of Vancouver's most popular winter activities. Located at 800 Robson Street (just across from the Vancouver Art Gallery in the heart of downtown Vancouver), Peak of Christmas - Grouse Mountain When: November 27 - December 24, 2015 Where: Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver Description: Located just 15 minutes north of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is an easily accessible winter wonderland, complete with outdoor ice skating, sleigh rides, reindeer, breakfasts with Santa, and live entertainment, which is why it makes this list of top Vancouver Christmas attractions. Rogers Santa Claus Parade When: Sunday, December 6, 2015 Where: Downtown Vancouver Description: The only Vancouver Christmas attraction that lasts for one-day- only, the Rogers Santa Claus Parade has become a bona fide don't-miss holiday event. The Parade features over 60 marching bands, dance troupes, festive floats and community groups, attracting over 300,000 spectators along its route through downtown Vancouver. Volunteers will also be collecting non-perishable goods for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. Festival of Lights - VanDusen Botanical Garden When: December 1 - December 31, 2015 Where: Van Dusen Botanical Garden Description: The gorgeous VanDusen Gardens turn festive with elaborate light decorations, a Candy Cane Tree and a Gingerbread Walk. There are also nightly appearances from Santa, a Dancing Lights show, community choirs, and much more. The Nutcracker (Goh Ballet) When: December 17- 22, 2015 Where: The Center- 777 Homer Street Description: Can it be December without The Nutcracker, arguably the most famous and beloved ballet of all time? A close friend of mine makes it an annual tradition to see The Nutcracker with her goddaughter. It's a beautiful way to make memories, dress up in your holiday best and support ballet all at the same time. Ballet BC presents Alberta Ballet in The Nutcracker When: Tuesday, December 29 to 31; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 649 Cambie Street, Vancouver What: Ballet BC presents Alberta Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker, a city-wide favourite and consistently ranked as one of the most quintessential Christmas traditions. Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music accompanies the classic story of Clara, live toy soldiers, dancing mice and more. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony When: Friday, December 4, 2015 (5:30 to 7:00 p.m.) Where: Jack Poole Plaza-Convention Centre Description: Back for its 9th year, the Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting takes place on Friday December 4th at Jack Poole Plaza. Join us to watch four magnificent holiday trees, one of which is 50 feet tall, come alive with hope and light. This free family-friendly event features live entertainment and music, free cookies and hot chocolate, local food trucks and fun activities for kids! The 22nd Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival When: Monday, December 21 (6-10pm) Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Description: The 22nd Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden produced in partnership with the Secret Lantern Society transforms the Garden into a magical place on December 21st, from 6 pm – 10 pm with hundreds of hand-made lanterns, live music, shadow puppets and hot aromatic tea. Spirit of Christmas at Sea to Sky Gondola When: Friday, December 4 to January 3, 2016 Where: Sea to Sky Gondola – off Highway 99 just before Squamish What: High up in the alpine range lies the Sea to Sky Gondola near Squamish, offering unparalleled views of snow-capped mountains. The Christmas festivities include snowshoeing, tubing, a forest walk, warm and cozy storytime and a brunch with Santa himself. There will also be a Christmas Market at the mountain base and local choirs singing holiday carols, including a special holiday concert. Cirque du Soleil presents Kooza When: Until Dec 27th, 2015 Where: Grand Chapiteau (Concord Pacific Place) What: An adrenaline rush of acrobatics in a zany kingdom. KOOZA tells the story of The Innocent, a melancholy loner in search of his place in the world. KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil: It combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning A Christmas Story, The Musical When: Nov 5-Dec 27th 2015 Where: Arts Club-Granville Island What: Based on the popular film, this festive musical tells a tale familiar to anyone who has ever been a kid: the dogged pursuit of acquiring a desired toy. It’s the 1940s and for 9-year-old Ralphie nothing under the tree will satisfy—save for an Official Red Ryder carbine-action BB gun. Filled with whimsical imagery, a memorable score, and energetic dance sequences, this Canadian premiere is a holiday gift for the whole family. Whistler Blackcomb When: Opening Day November 26, 2015 Where: Whistler What: Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which combined offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls and three glaciers. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Holidays at the Vancouver Aquarium When: November 26th-January 3rd 2016 Where: Vancouver Aquarium What: This holiday season drop by the Aquarium for some festive underwater fun with Scuba Claus, the electric eel Christmas tree, and more. Throughout the galleries you’ll find plenty of holiday activities, shows and interactive displays to engage the whole family. Read more about our holiday offerings below and plan your visit today to experience the magic of the season at the Vancouver Aquarium .