Vancouver with kids
Vancouver at Christmas with Kids: Lights, Markets, Skating and a 2-Day Plan
From late November, Vancouver turns into one big holiday light show: a rainforest canyon lit up on the North Shore, a botanical garden glowing with a million lights, a German-style market on the waterfront and a free rink downtown. December is also rainy, so book the evening light shows and keep indoor backups in mind.
This 2-day plan covers the highlights. Dates below are for the 2026 season; check each official website for times and tickets.
Day 1 · Downtown
Free skating, the waterfront market and a garden of lights after dark.
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Morning
Skating at Robson Square (opens Google Maps)
A covered rink in the heart of downtown with free skating; skate rentals with a helmet are available for a small fee. It usually opens in late November.
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Lunch · Lunch
Lunch downtown
Robson Street and the streets around it have plenty of quick family options.
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Afternoon
Vancouver Christmas Market (opens Google Maps)
A German-style Christmas market on the waterfront by the Olympic cauldron, running from November 16 to December 24, 2026. Entry is ticketed, and weekday afternoons are calmer than evenings and weekends.
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Evening
VanDusen Festival of Lights (opens Google Maps)
More than a million lights through the botanical garden, open every evening from November 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027 except Christmas Day. Timed tickets sell out on weekends, so book ahead.
Day 2 · North Shore
Christmas on the mountain by day, and a lit-up rainforest canyon by night.
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Morning
Peak of Christmas on Grouse Mountain (opens Google Maps)
Ride the gondola up for Santa's workshop, a light walk around the mountaintop pond and skating with the city below. It runs from late November to Christmas Eve; check this year's dates.
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Lunch · Lunch
Lunch on the mountain or in Lonsdale
Eat at the top, or come down to Lower Lonsdale by the SeaBus terminal for more choice.
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Afternoon
Rest at the hotel
Today ends after dark; a break keeps everyone happy for the lights.
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Evening
Canyon Lights at Capilano (opens Google Maps)
The famous suspension bridge, the treetop walkways and the cliffside path, all covered in lights over a rainforest canyon. It runs from late November into early January. Go early in the evening with younger kids.
Good to know
- The Stanley Park Christmas train no longer runs. The miniature train has been closed since December 2024, and the Bright Nights light show moved to the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey in 2025. Older guides still send families to Stanley Park.
- Book the evening shows (VanDusen, Capilano) as soon as you know your dates, especially weekends in December.
- Dress for rain, not snow. Downtown December is usually wet rather than white; waterproof boots and layers work best. The mountain can be snowy.
- Getting to the North Shore: the SeaBus from Waterfront Station is part of the trip for kids, and free shuttles to Grouse and Capilano run from downtown in some seasons; check before you go.
Plan the rest of the trip
Rain on one of your days? See our rainy day in Vancouver with kids plan, built around Science World and Granville Island.
Questions
What are the best Christmas lights in Vancouver for kids?
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and the VanDusen Festival of Lights are the two big ones; both need tickets and both are best early in the evening with young children.
Is the Stanley Park Christmas train running in 2026?
No. The miniature train has been closed since December 2024, and the Bright Nights light festival moved to the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey.
Where can kids skate for free in Vancouver at Christmas?
Robson Square downtown has a covered rink with free skating; you can bring your own skates or rent a pair with a helmet for a small fee.