Staying around Vancouver for the holidays? You may be far from your family and your closest friends, but that doesn’t mean you will have less to do this holiday season! Finally exam-free, you are now able to explore this city during the greatest time of the year. Here are the top 10 things to do during December in Vancouver:
1. The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain: 8,000 square foot outdoor ice skating pond, Santa’s workshop and much more all a top the peak of Vancouver.
2. The Vancouver Christmas Market: Celebrating the rich and unique German culture with all who enter through the gates, the Vancouver Christmas Market is a showcase of traditional German crafts, delicious food, and entertainment for all ages.
3. Skating at Robson Square: The Robson Square Ice Rink is a family favorite for the holiday season! Just beware that it may get a little crowded.
4. Bright Lights at Stanley Park: This year marks the 16th year of Bright Nights at Stanley Park. During the holiday season Stanley Park’s forest is adourned with 2 million lights transforming Vancouver’s crown jewel into a wonderful holiday winter wonderland.
5. Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge: CLIFFWALK, the park’s latest attraction and a hit with guests since it opened in June, brings an exciting new holiday thrill during the winter chill. The narrow 700-foot cliff-side walkway, split into ascending and descending staircases and viewing platforms takes guests along the colour-washed cliff-face, through an enchanting light display high above the rushing waters of Capilano River.
6. Karaoke Trolley Tour: Join The Vancouver Trolley Company and sing your favourite holiday carols while visiting two of Vancouver’s most spectacular light displays.
7. VanDusen Garden Festival of Lights
8.Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Jack Poole Plaza: This is the largest tree lighting ceremony in Western Canada, with a 50-foot Rockefeller-style Christmas tree that illuminates the dreary winter nights.
9. Woodward’s Windows: In the 60′s & 70′s in Vancouver, Christmas meant heading down to the Woodward’s Department Store with your family or sweetheart and seeing the display windows come to life with Santa, his elves, “The Lamplighter”, teddy bears and more. When Woodwards’ closed in 1993, Canada Place purchased the windows and since then they have been a part of the holiday magic at Canada Place adding nostalgia and romance to Christmas in Vancouver.
10.Christmas in Kerrisdale: Head to one of South Vancouver’s great neighbourhoods and soak in the sights and sounds of Christmas.
by Tina Gao