It’s that special time of year again: time for buying presents, drinking hot wassail, and spending quality time with loved ones around the Christmas tree. For many, this means being home for the holidays.
We’ve noticed, however, that many are starting to break with this tradition to create their own unique Christmas experiences away from home. If you’re spending December in Vancouver, you’ll find magical experiences at every turn.
Christmas in Vancouver
If you’re looking for a new, fun holiday tradition in your family, we recommend you experience December in Vancouver. Not only does the city come alive with a number of yuletide events, but it’s the perfect place for you and your family to make a treasured holiday memory together.
Below are just a few holiday activities to enjoy during a stay in Vancouver.
Visit the Vancouver Christmas Market
A truly authentic Christmas experience, the Vancouver Christmas Market is a festive experience you and your loved ones won’t want to miss out on.
With more than 80 huts brimming with a variety of authentic German sweets, foods, and gifts, this is an event that will be sure to fill the whole family with holiday spirit.
Other activities include a Christmas Carousel, a Lover’s Lane installation, and a walk-in Christmas tree that’s decked out with more than 36,000 lights.
How much: $7 – $17, depending on age and type of ticket.
Where: Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place
Dates: November 20 through December 24
The Aurora Winter Festival
Many visitors who experience Christmas in Vancouver tell us that the Aurora Winter Festival is where holiday magic comes to life.
Advertised as Canada’s largest winter festival, this large-scale event held in Hastings Park combines mystical worlds and characters, rides and games, a tubing park, a frozen pond, a holiday market, and story-time with Santa to give visitors an enchanting evening of family fun.
How much: $13 – $18, depending on age and type of ticket. Family passes available for $50.
Where: Hastings Park
Dates: November 22 through January 5
Ride the Bright Nights Christmas Train
What brings more holiday cheer than a Christmas train ride? A ride on the Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park is a fun choice for the whole family.
For the holiday season, this historic train and the Train Plaza get decked out with over three-million twinkling lights. The ride also includes astonishing displays and live performers, all along the train route.
How much: $8 – $12, depending on age
Where: Stanley Park
Dates: November through January
Holiday Lodging, Perfect for Families
The last thing we want you to stress about on your trip is where you and your family are staying.
Many people find that staying with Sunset Inn & Suites is the perfect match for their vacation needs in Vancouver. Besides being close to the holiday festivities mentioned above, this is also because the hotel is entirely composed of suites, so it’s perfect when traveling with a family.
Our Vancouver suites include complimentary breakfast with waffles, Wi-Fi, and full HDTV TV channels. Guests and their families can also enjoy a walk on Sunset Beach, only a few blocks away.
Christmas in Vancouver is a memorable experience few forget. When you arrive, you can count on us to have a warm, comfortable suite waiting for the whole family.
For more information on lodging with us, visit our website for more details, including pricing and availability.
