Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park
When: December 5, 2013 – January 5, 2014
Cost: $6-$11

Travel over trestles and through tunnels on your two-kilometre winding journey through the forest. Appreciate nature from a relaxing seat on the Miniature Train, a replica of Canadian Pacific Railway #374, famous for pulling Canada’s first transcontinental passenger train into Vancouver in the late 1880s. The Miniature Train is one of Vancouver’s most popular attractions carrying more than 200,000 passengers per year. See the Miniature Train and Plaza sparkle this winter holiday season at Bright Nights in Stanley Park. Ride the train, watch animated displays and be dazzled by three million twinkling lights. Partial proceeds go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.

For more information visit: http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park-miniature-train.aspx

Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden
When: December 11, 2013 – January 4, 2014
Cost: $14.25

Get into the spirit of the holiday season at the 2013 Festival of Lights. The Festival of Lights is a magical experience for everyone with over a million twinkling lights covering Van Dusen Botanical Garden from 4:30pm to 9:00pm, every evening during the holiday season except on Christmas day (December 25).

For more information visit: http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/festival-of-lights.aspx

The Robson Square Ice Rink
When: November 15, 2013 at 1pm until the end of February 2014
Cost Skating is free and rentals are available for a cost of $4

Come down, lace up your skates and enjoy the rink. This winter, renew a classic Vancouver tradition and enjoy some old-fashioned fun. Come celebrate winter in style with free skating in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Enjoy the holidays with your friends, family and loved ones.

For more information visit: http://www.robsonsquare.com/ice-rink/

The Vancouver Christmas Market
When: November 22 – December 24, 2013
Cost: $3-$6

This is an annual can’t-miss Vancouver Christmas event!! More than just a craft fair, this authentic German Christmas Market creates the perfect atmosphere to mix and mingle with friends and family, strolling through romantic rows of little wooden huts decorated in pine branches and illuminated with strings of little white lights. In each hut discover food and drinks and a wonderful array of gifts.

For more information visit: http://vancouverchristmasmarket.com/about-vancouver-christmas-market.php

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
When: November 20, 2013 – January 4, 2014
Cost: $25.95 for Students 17+ with I.D

Capilano Suspension Bridge’s annual holiday tradition Canyon Lights always adds sparkle to the holiday season. Canyon Lights is a must-see holiday event for all ages. You will be dazzled by thousands of magical lights twinkling across the Suspension Bridge, on the Cliffwalk and throughout the park.

For more information visit: http://www.capbridge.com/explore/canyon-lights/

The Whistler Holiday Experience
When: December 20 – January 5, 2014
Cost: Varies depending on activity

In addition to snowboarding and skiing, whistler’s annual holiday experience consists of a variety of events that will fill everyone’s hearts with Holiday spirit. Come out and enjoy the Peak 2 Peak Sightseeing, the Coca-Cola Tube Park, Skating with Santa, the exciting and free Fire and Ice Show or one of the many other unique activities offered.

For a full listing of activities offered visit: http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/events-and-activities/winter-activities/christmas-season-in-whistler.aspx

Grouse Mountain – The Peak of Christmas
When: November 23, 2013 – December 24, 2013

Sleigh bells ring, choirs sing! Grouse Mountain presents a magical celebration and a multitude of festivities. Come out and explore Santa’s Workshop and meet reindeer, or take a sleigh-ride through our mystical alpine forest. You can also experience the tranquil beauty of skating on our 8,000 square foot mountaintop Ice Skating Pond, surrounded by snow-topped trees. 

For full listing of activities offered visit: http://www.grousemountain.com/events/the-peak-of-christmas-2013 or call 604.980.9311 for more information and cost details

Cypress Mountain
When: December 2013 to April 2014

Cypress Mountain, the Official Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard Venue for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Located in West Vancouver, BC, Canada. Cypress is only 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver and is proud to continue to provide skiers, riders and sliders with the most vertical drop, most terrain, most lifts and best snow conditions on the highest skiing and riding peak of Vancouver’s Legendary North Shore Mountains.

For more information visit: http://cypressmountain.com/

by Nikisha Khare