29 best things to do in Vancouver in November

14. Vancouver Christmas Market – November 13 – December 24, 2025

Activities: Vancouver’s beloved Christmas Market is back with all the festive fun, great gift ideas, festive foods and drinks. There are over 90 European and local artisan stalls to enjoy. Ride the magical Carousel. Get into the holiday spirit with holiday entertainment. There are lots of gourmet treats along the Gourmetstrasse.

Delicious food and drink options are available at the Christmas Market in Vancouver. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

15. Eastside Culture Crawl – November 20-23, 2025

The Eastside Culture Crawl, a festival of visual arts, design and crafts, celebrates its 29th anniversary in 2025.

Find out more about the Eastside Culture Crawl.

16. Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge – November 21, 2025 – January 18, 2026

Activities: Journey through a magical festive light display in a rainforest high above the Capilano River Canyon. Cross the glowing suspension bridge, walk along the Cliffwalk and through the “Arc de Lumina” light tunnel. The world’s eighth tallest Christmas tree is found at the Treetops Adventure.
The park is closed on Christmas Day. It is located at Capilano Suspension Bridge, 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver. A free shuttle is available from Canada Place.

A spectacular light display at Canyon Lights at Capilano Canyon Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver

17. Harrison Lights on the Lake – November 22, 2025 – January 11, 2026

Harrison Hot Springs lakefront will be lit up from dusk until 11 pm. Stroll along the 1 km waterfront promenade to see the sparkling light display. The holiday lights focus on the natural environment, wildlife and the elusive Sasquatch.

Website: Harrison Lights on the Lake

18. Lumière – Returning November 13-16, 2025

Lumière is an incredible series of interactive light displays at several locations in Vancouver’s West End, Downtown and Granville Island. This is the 11th year the event has provided Vancouver an exceptional visual experience.

Activities: There are numerous stunning art and interactive light displays in Vancouver.
Admission: Free for all to enjoy.

18.1 Holiday Splash at The Vancouver Aquarium – November 12 – January 5, 2026

Activities: The Holiday Splash at the Vancouver Aquarium includes twice-daily dives by Scuba Claus until December 24, Glowing Jelly Snow Globe and Penguins 4D, this year’s Holiday Splash feature film. Holiday treats are available for purchase. Breakfast with Santa is back on selected dates.
Admission: Book your tickets in advance.
Location: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver

18.2 Granville Island Festive Christmas and Holiday Lights – November 12 – January 5, 2026

Activities: Wander through the fresh air of almost 40 acres of Granville Island to see the light displays. Takeout hot drinks and treats available and other food options with patios.
Admission: There is no admission.
Hours: Starts November 12, 2025, from sunset to 10 pm. daily.
Closed: All businesses including Granville Island Market are closed on December 25 and 26, 2024, but lights will be on.
Location: 1661 Duranleau St.

19. Noel Lighting Festival and Bright Lights – November 26-December 28, 2025

Bright Lights from Stanley Park join the Noel Lighting Festival this year. The festival takes place at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, both indoors and outdoors. The immersive experience is better than ever and features over 1 million dazzling lights, a 300-ft light tunnel and other illuminated displays.

20. Surrey Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market – November 23 and 24, 2025

Activities: Santa and Mrs. Claus host the event, which includes the lighting of Surrey’s 60-foot Christmas tree, followed by entertainment from a variety of local performers, dance groups, choirs and more. Be sure to visit the Holiday Market.

Children can enjoy free pictures with Santa, free hot chocolate, free holiday cookie kits, Kids’ Crafts, magical light and holiday displays, and illuminated swings and teeter-totters.

The Enchanted Eats zone offers delicious treats for purchase from food trucks and free hot chocolate while it lasts.
Admission: Free
Location: Surrey Civic Plaza, 1340 104 Avenue, Surrey
Website: Surrey Tree Lighting Festival

21. A Series of Concerts by Candlelight until December 31, 2025

Enjoy a series of live concerts illuminated by candlelight in a variety of locations throughout Vancouver. Find out more about this Concert by Candlelight and to book tickets.

22. Winterlust at the H Tasting Lounge – November 5 until February, 2025

Activities: Winterlust is an elevated outdoor domed dining experience at the Westin Bayshore Inn’s Coal Harbour patio. Enjoy festive cocktails and food in a magical heated snow globe. Each dome seats a maximum of six people.
Hours: Various seating times from 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. Winterlust at the H Tasting Lounge books up fast. We were lucky to secure a reservation on the same day due to a cancellation.
Location: 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver.
Reservations are a must.

23. Hopscotch Festival Grand Tasting Hall – November 18-24, 2025

The Hopscotch Festival is a premium tasting event for beer and spirits in BC. At the festival, there will be more than 250 products of whiskey, cider, wine, beer and other spirits to sample and learn about. Food will be served and there will be live music.

Masterclasses hosted by Scottish Island distilleries are available for whiskies in a more intimate private sip and learn setting.

The event takes place at the PNE Forum.

24. Glow Langley at Milner Village Garden Centre Christmas Lights – November 20 – December 30, 2025

Langley’s Christmas Glow is a walk-around adventure with a new “Christmas Carnival” theme.

Activities: Find Santa’s elves in a scavenger hunt as you wander through the sea of giant ornaments, a forest of dancing magical trees and a dazzling display of almost one million lights. Visit the animated musical tunnel, Elf Castle, swings, hopscotch, playpark, and bouncy farm, and take a ride on the Glow Comotive. Meet special characters and the Glow princesses. Plan a visit with Santa, who will be there nightly until December.

Food trucks and entertainment will be featured.
Location: Milner Village Garden Centre, 6690 216th Street, Langley.

25. VanDusen Festival of Lights – November 28 to January 4, 2026

Vancouver’s VanDusen Festival of Lights features more than one million shimmering lights in the 15 acres of botanical gardens.

Activities: The 45-minute experience follows the one-way path through a magical wonderland with themed areas. Enjoy holiday music, dancing lights show and tasty treats are offered for purchase.

Enter the website password FOLVIP to access the presale, and the promo code VIP25 at checkout to apply the discount. The promo code is only valid until November 3 at 11:59 pm—act fast!

Tickets: Tickets must be booked online. There are no tickets available at the gate. The event happens rain or shine and there are no refunds.
Location: 5251 Oak St at West 37th Avenue, Vancouver.

26. Christmas at Canada Place – November 29 – January 4, 2026 to be confirmed

Activities: Stroll the outdoor promenade to see the beautiful historic Woodward’s Windows and Avenue of Christmas Trees, the holiday-themed Sails of Light display, Canada’s North light display, “Chrismoose,” the 15-foot tall moose light sculpture and more! While there, take in Soar Like Santa at Fly Over Canada. Admission: Free
Hours: Daily from 8 am-11 pm.
Location: Canadian Trail (west promenade) 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Website: Canada Place

27. Lights at Lafarge – November 28 – End of February 2026

Activities: The winter Lights at Lafarge has two walking loops to help disperse crowding.
Admission: Free. Parking is limited. Consider walking or taking the SkyTrain to  Lafage Lake – Douglas station.
Hours: November 28 – End of February 2026 from 4 pm – 10 pm. Avoid the crowds for the best viewing experience. Come before 6 pm or after 8 pm. Try to avoid the crowds on weekends and the week of December 16 – 26.
Location: Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

28. North Pole Express at the Railway Museum – Select dates from November 29 – December 21, 2025

Activities: Board a one hour ride on the North Pole Express to find Santa Claus. On your journey, meet elves, sing songs and be entertained. Enjoy freshly baked cookies and candy canes onboard the train. When you arrive at the North Pole there will be arts and crafts, hot chocolate, cotton candy, ride a holiday minirail train, and explore the holiday model train displays and more.
Tickets: Available online here.
Hours: Select dates in November and December. Location: 39645 Government Road, Squamish
Website: The North Pole Express

29. Bear Creek Park Lights – November 7-21, 2025

Bear Creek Park Lights offers a safe, fun, family-friendly evening event.

Journey through half-kilometre trails of the park gardens to be dazzled by a series of illuminated natural landscapes and whimsical light displays.
The display runs from November 7-21 from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. It is closed on November 11 for Remembrance Day.
Tickets must be booked in advance. They are free for this event. There are 80 tickets for each booking time for purchase online or by phone at 604-501-5100.

Location: 13750 – 88 Avenue, Surrey

29.1 Whistler’s Cornucopia November 6-16, 2025

Whistler’s annual Cornucopia is an 11-day fall festival of food and drink with culinary demonstrations, drink seminars, winemaker dinners, parties and more, featuring wineries, breweries and distilleries.

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