If you're anything like us, there’s no need to max out your credit cards when you’re planning your festive activities in and around the city. Here at the Vancouver Christmas Guide, our natural approach is to hunt for free, low-cost or by-donation things to do during the holidays­­. Close your wallet and check out some of our thrift-hugging suggestions below. And don’t forget to peruse the Free Stuff! page on our site for a chance to win lots of gratis tickets and more.

 

Festive illuminations

 

Vancouver is richly baubled with shimmering holiday displays that won't cost you a penny. Start with Burrard Street’s eye-popping St. Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope, but keep in mind that donations towards the work of their Foundation are greatly appreciated. There's even a free launch party on November 27 to kick things off (hot chocolate included).

 

Then stroll north on Burrard to Canada Place. Typically starting in early December and running throughout the holiday season, the building’s ground-level exterior will be adorned with decorated trees and illuminations. Also back this year are the beloved Woodward’s Christmas windows––antique Yuletide store displays from the 1960s.

​

Be sure to wrap up warmly and head to Stanley Park this year as well. The park's beloved  Bright Nights will be back for its 27th season in 2024, complete with walk-through light displays and shimmering dioramas. A vital fundraiser for the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, your at-the-gate donation is always welcome. The beloved Stanley Park Christmas Train will also be back on the rails this year (tickets must be purchased in advance for this).

​

Trees galore

 

On the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery, the city’s official Christmas tree––a 76-foot-high cone of twinkling illuminations––invites feverish selfie photo action throughout the holidays every year. For 2024, there'll be a free switch-on party from 6pm on December 6. The City of Surrey also has its own admission-free Tree Lighting Festival on November 23 and 24, complete with live entertainment, food trucks and fairground rides.

 

Need to warm-up? Downtown's historic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver will once again be hosting the annual Festival of Trees Vancouver, complete with a forest of beautifully decorated trees, from late-November onwards. It's not the only free-entry tree fest around. The  Museum of Surrey is also hosting its annual Cloverdale Christmas Tree Festival.

 

Downtown delights

 

Speaking of foliage, don't miss downtown’s 2024 Fleurs de Villes NÖEL. Back for its sixth year and running from December 6 to 15, this floral art trail includes dozens of brilliantly creative flower-studded sculptures and installations––previous years have included a Snow Queen, flying reindeer and much more.

​

And while the city’s Christmas Parade has sadly been cancelled again in 2024 (will it ever return?), several beloved cost-free festive happenings are back this year. Don’t miss the Hyatt Regency’s Gingerbread Lane, complete with lots of brilliant gingerbread constructions, and be sure to visit the Christmas Wish Breakfast at the Pan Pacific. Bring an unwrapped new toy or two for the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau’s toy drive here and you'll enjoy a festive reverie of breakfast, live music and much more.

​

Ice skating, markets and more

​

Robson Square Ice Rink is also returning in early December, and you can hit the ice (hopefully not literally) for free with your own skates or rent them for a few dollars. 

 

Alternatively, finish off your gift shopping at some great free-entry festive market. Among our under-the-radar favourites are Tugboat Landing Artisan Market and New West Holiday Farmers Market. This year, we're also planning to do a little Christmas gift shopping at the Blackberry Winter Market, as well as dropping into the Maple Ridge Christmas Craft Fair, where there's even a free North Pole Express holiday show!

​

Baubled ‘burbs

 

You'd be be remiss not to include the communities around Vancouver in your holiday celebrations this year––especially if you're looking for cost-free activities. A few steps from Coquitlam's Lafarge-Lake Douglas SkyTrain Station, you'll find the ever-popular Lights at Lafarge illuminations.

 

While ​over in Richmond, shoreline Steveston Village is hosting a roster of free or low-cost holiday happenings with its Winter in the Village program, which runs for several weeks during the holiday season. Look out for alfresco carol performances and the festively decorated Steveston Tram exhibit, a holiday highlight for Christmas fans of all ages.

​

For more information on festive events, attractions and shows in the city and beyond, visit the Vancouver Christmas Guide. Written by Lonely Planet travel writer John Lee, it’s the best online guide to the area’s 2024 holiday happenings. The site was co-created with Christmas Cat Max, who pens its gift reviews and often appears on its @VancouverChristmasGuide Instagram feed.