Christmas lights for families in Metro Vancouver, 2026

Christmas lights are one of the easiest family outings in Metro Vancouver from November to early January. Here are the big light shows for the 2026 season, the free displays, and tips for going with kids. Every detail was checked on each official website on October 23, 2026.

The 2026 light shows at a glance

Free light displays

• Festive Village, Burnaby: November 25, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Free gate admission. Carousel rides $2.86 plus tax each.
• Lights at Lafarge, Coquitlam: Season kick off Friday, November 27, 2026, 5pm to 8pm. Free.
• Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, Surrey: Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 2026. Free, including outdoor skating with free skate and helmet rentals.

Details for each light show

Noel Holiday Light Festival with Bright Nights

Bright Nights, the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund light display that ran in Stanley Park for more than 25 years, is now a light walk around the pond at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. Free parking on site.

Where

Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 17905 62 Ave, Surrey

Dates

November 27 to December 29, 2026. Closed November 30 and December 7, 24 and 25

Hours

3pm to 9:30pm nightly

Price

Adults from $24, youth 7 to 18 and seniors from $18, kids 6 and under free. Prices vary by day; tax and service charges extra

For kids

Kids 6 and under free but still need a ticket. Under 16 must come with an adult

Booking

Timed 30 minute entry slots online. A few box office tickets each night, subject to capacity

Strollers

Yes. The organizer says the outdoor path is fully paved and the indoor venue is flat concrete

Official Bright Nights at Noel Surrey page

VanDusen Festival of Lights

Over 1 million lights across 15 acres and a Dancing Lights show every 20 minutes. It runs rain or shine. The free lot off West 37th Avenue fills up, and the #17 Oak bus stops nearby.

Where

VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver

Dates

November 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Closed December 25

Hours

4pm to 10pm, last entry 9pm

Price

Adults $29, youth 13 to 18 and seniors $19, children 5 to 12 $12, 4 and under free. Before GST and service fees

For kids

Children 4 and under are free but need a reserved ticket. A sensory friendly evening is on Tuesday, December 1

Booking

Online only, for a set entry time. Tickets go on sale November 4. Non refundable, exchanges up to 12 hours before

Strollers

Yes. The City of Vancouver says strollers and wheelchairs are welcome

Official VanDusen Festival of Lights page

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Lights on the suspension bridge, Treetops Adventure and Cliffwalk, plus a new 3D wildlife projection. Parking is limited, and the park runs a free shuttle from downtown Vancouver on peak nights.

Where

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver

Dates

November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027. Closed December 25

Hours

Park open 11am to 9pm, and you can stay an hour past closing

Price

Included with park admission or the BC resident Annual Pass. Children 0 to 5 free. See the official site for current prices

For kids

Kids can collect rainforest explorer stickers and pick up an ornament at the Treetops Adventure treehouse. Under 15 must come with someone 18 or older

Booking

Timed entry tickets online. BC Annual Passholders must reserve a time before visiting

Official Canyon Lights page

The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain

The Light Walk loops around Blue Grouse Lake at the top of the mountain, entered through a glowing light tunnel.

Where

Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver

Dates

November 20 to December 24, 2026

Hours

Elf Headquarters crafts 10am to 8pm daily. See the official site for mountain hours

Price

Included with Mountain Admission. Canadian rate: adults $69, children 5 to 12 $38, tots 0 to 4 $5. Peak of Christmas family rate (2 adults, 2 children) $99 from November 21 to December 5, $135 from December 6 to 12, $155 from December 13 to 25

For kids

Visit Santa in his workshop, letters to Santa and ornament crafts at Elf Headquarters, mountaintop skating (rentals $10 adult, $6 child) and a sliding zone

Booking

Mountain Admission tickets are for a chosen date. Breakfast with Santa reservations open soon

Official Peak of Christmas page

Glow Langley

A walk around outdoor light festival with heated and covered areas. Free parking, and TransLink route 562 stops nearby.

Where

Glow Gardens, 6690 216 St, Langley

Dates

November 19, 2026 to January 2, 2027. Closed Sundays and Christmas Day. New Year's Eve celebration on December 31

Hours

Evenings, closing at 9pm or 10pm depending on the day. See the calendar on the official site

Price

Adults 16 and up $19.99 plus $4 fees, ages 4 to 15 and 65 plus $14.99 plus $3.50 fees, family pass (2 adults and 3 youth or seniors) $69.99 plus $9.50 fees, plus tax

For kids

Toddlers need no ticket. Train ride, Santa, princesses, crafts and an indoor play area are included

Booking

Timed tickets online. A few box office tickets each night at a small premium

Official Glow Langley page

Festive Village at Burnaby Village Museum

A 10 acre open air heritage village lit with holiday lights and classic decorations. Parking is limited, so carpool or take transit.

Where

Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby

Dates

November 25, 2026 to January 3, 2027. November 25 to December 13: Wednesdays to Sundays. December 16 to January 3: daily. Closed December 24 and 25

Hours

2pm to 9pm, last admission 30 minutes before closing

Price

Free gate admission. Carousel rides $2.86 plus tax each

For kids

Carol singers, roving entertainers, Father Christmas and a scavenger hunt

Booking

No tickets. Entry may be limited when the site is full, so arrive early or come on a weekday

Official Festive Village page

Lights at Lafarge

The City of Coquitlam calls it Metro Vancouver's largest free outdoor winter lights display.

Where

Lafarge Lake, Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

Dates

Season kick off Friday, November 27, 2026, 5pm to 8pm. The end date for 2026 is not announced yet as of October 23, 2026

Hours

Nightly hours for 2026 not announced yet. Check the City page

Price

Free

For kids

The kick off night has food trucks and live entertainment

Booking

No tickets

Strollers

Yes. The City of Coquitlam describes the 1.6 km loop as flat, mostly paved and accessible by strollers, with one short section of fine packed gravel

Official Lights at Lafarge page

Surrey Tree Lighting Festival

Surrey Central SkyTrain station is right next door. Free parking is limited (Surrey City Hall parkade, P1 and P2).

Where

Surrey Civic Plaza, 13450 104 Avenue, Surrey

Dates

Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 2026. The tree is lit at 6:30pm on November 21 and stays lit until early January 2027

Hours

12pm to 8pm both days

Price

Free, including outdoor skating with free skate and helmet rentals

For kids

Free photos with Santa (online reservations open 10am on November 4), letters to Santa, holiday crafts, rides and a sensory friendly space

Booking

No tickets. Skating uses first come, first served wristbands

Strollers

The City of Surrey says the site is entirely paved and has baby change tables

Official Surrey Tree Lighting Festival page

Vancouver Christmas Market

A 35 foot Christmas tree light show, the lit Pyramid and snow showers every 30 minutes. A short walk from Waterfront Station.

Where

Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver

Dates

November 16 to December 24, 2026

Hours

Until December 3: weekdays 4pm to 9:30pm, weekends 11:30am to 9:30pm. December 4 to 18: 11:30am to 9:30pm (10pm Fridays and Saturdays). December 19 to 23: 10am to 10pm. December 24: 11:30am to 6pm

Price

Tickets from $7.99. Kids 6 and under free

For kids

Unlimited carousel rides (riders 2 and up, at least 36 inches tall), Santa's Workshop, a passport adventure and Mrs. Claus storytelling on Sundays

Booking

Book a 30 minute arrival window online. Gate tickets are sold too, but sold out slots are not

Strollers

Free stroller parking (not attended). The market says Jack Poole Plaza is fully accessible

Official Vancouver Christmas Market page

Lights of Hope at St. Paul's Hospital

St. Paul's Foundation says 2026 is the final Lights of Hope celebration on Burrard Street before the new hospital opens in early 2027.

Where

St. Paul's Hospital, Burrard Street, Vancouver

Dates

Lighting celebration Thursday, November 12, 2026

Hours

See the official site

Price

Not stated on the official page

For kids

The foundation describes the night as fireworks, fun and fundraising

Booking

Not stated

Official Lights of Hope page

Tips for families

• Book the right time: Most paid light shows sell timed entry online. Weekend slots can sell out, and the Vancouver Christmas Market suggests coming early in the season and picking an early slot for a quieter visit.
• Sunset is later this year: BC is now on permanent Pacific Time, and the City of Vancouver notes sunset during VanDusen Festival of Lights is about an hour later than in past years. Pick an entry time after dark.
• Leave the car if you can: VanDusen is on the #17 Oak bus route and a 15 minute walk from Oakridge Station. The Vancouver Christmas Market is a short walk from Waterfront Station, and the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival is next to Surrey Central Station. Noel Surrey and Glow Langley have free parking on site.
• Dress for rain and cold: VanDusen and Noel Surrey run rain, snow or shine. Glow Langley and Noel Surrey have heated indoor areas for a warm up break. Bring layers, hats and gloves for little ones.
• Know what is extra: Food, drinks and market shopping cost extra almost everywhere. Burnaby Village Museum's carousel is $2.86 plus tax a ride.

Checked on each official website on October 23, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before you go. Not listed yet: the Carol Ships Parade of Lights (its site could not be checked) and Christmas at Canada Place (no 2026 dates on its page).