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Vancouver Christmas Lights

Vancouver Christmas Lights

Vancouver absolutely sparkles during the holiday season. The city gets decked out with millions of twinkling lights and it’s heaven for Instagrammers. The good news is you don’t have to be an Instagram model to take beautiful selfies with Vancouver Christmas lights. There are many wonderful places to snap the perfect holiday photo in Vancouver. 

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Top Spots to Snap the Perfect Holiday Picture

There are many beautiful light installations to explore during Canyon Lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Photo by DEBBIE OLSEN

More Holiday Travel Ideas: Check out our post about the best Christmas Markets in Europe
 

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

An image of white lights hanging over a lake and reflecting in the water below - Vancouver Christmas Lights
Reflecting lights hanging over a lake have a beautiful effect. Photo by GREG OLSEN

Canyon Lights is an annual Vancouver Christmas lights festival that runs from late November through the end of January. Hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights adorn Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Visitors can walk across the main suspension bridge, enjoy a lighted treetop adventure in the eight tallest Christmas trees in the world or wander through many other wonderful lighted areas of the park. There’s live music, cookie decorating and other activities to enjoy as well. 

An image of the lighted canopy walk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in Vancouver, BC Canada - Vancouver Christmas Lights
One of the highlights of a visit to Canyon Lights is a lighted canopy walk high above the forest floor. Photo by GREG OLSEN

Aurora  Winter Festival

An image of a couple standing in front of the sign for the Aurora Winter Festival - Vancouver Christmas Lights
The Aurora Winter Festival is the newest Vancouver Christmas Lights Festival. 

The Aurora Winter Festival is a brand new Vancouver Christmas lights event as of 2018. The event runs from late November through the end of December. Located in the downtown area, this festival features some incredible Christmas light installations. There is also a hidden village with a skating rink, a tube park, a Christmas Market, amusement rides, food vendors, magical characters and fun activities for children and adults alike.  

An image of the large lighted animals at the Aurora Winter Festiival in Vancouver, BC Canada. Vancouver Christmas Lights
You can go on a Vancouver Christmas Light s safari at the Aurora Winter Festival. Photo by GREG OLSEN
An image of the colorful lighted forest at the Aurora Winter Festival in Vancouver, BC Canada. Vancouver Christmas Lights
There’s also a colorful forest at the Aurora Winter Festival that is a great spot for holiday photos. Photo by GREG OLSEN
An image of a woman posing with the Abominable Snowman at the Aurora Winter Festival in Vancouver, BC Canada - Vancouver Christmas Lights
Meeting the characters is part of the fun at the Aurora Winter Festival in Vancouver. Photo by GREG OLSEN

Vancouver Christmas Market

There are more than 80 vendor huts at the Vancouver Christmas Market, an authentic German Christmas market at Jack Poole Plaza in downtown Vancouver. You’ll find authentic German sweets, treats, wooden toys and ornaments and other items on sale. There’s a walk-in Christmas tree, visits with Santa, a Christmas carousel, and a Lover’s Lane complete with a Love-Lock installation. This spot isn’t as focused on Vancouver Christmas lights, but it still provides some great photo-ops and really puts you into the Christmas spirit. 

An image of a nutcracker stand at the Vancouver Christmas Market in Vancouver, BC Canada - Vancouver Christmas Lights
You can purchase wooden toys and decorations at the Vancouver Christmas Market. Photo by DEBBIE OLSEN
An image of a man purchasing roasted chestnuts at the Vancouver Christmas Market in Vancouver, BC Canada - Vancouver Christmas Lights
If you’ve ever wanted to try roasted chestnuts, you can get them at the Vancouver Christmas Market. Photo by DEBBIE OLSEN

Bright Nights at Stanley Park

From late November to early January, Stanley Park sparkles with three million twinkling lights. There’s a Bright Nights Christmas Train with live performers and lovely displays along the train route. If you’re not riding the train, you can view the light displays at the Train Plaza by donation. ($5 suggested) Donations at the front gate and a portion of ticket sales goes towards the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. 

An image of a woman posing with a snowman in Vancouver, BC Canada - Vancouver Christmas lights
There are plenty of great spots to snap a holiday picture in Vancouver. Photo by GREG OLSEN

VanDusen Festival of Lights

The VanDusen Festival of Lights transforms the VanDusen Botanical Gardens from early December to early January. There are frames, sets and selfie spots throughout the light show. There’s music, dancing lights, a carousel and a chance to visit Santa at his special cabin. 

An image of the ice queen at the Aurora Winter Festival in Vancouver, BC Canada - Vancouver Christmas Lights
Exploring the Vancouver Christmas lights is fun, but watch out for the Ice Queen at the Aurora Festival. Photo by GREG OLSEN

More Info on Vancouver Christmas Lights

For more information about visiting Vancouver during the holiday season, check out the official website of Tourism Vancouver. 

Ever Thought About Visiting a Christmas Market in the UK? Read our post about the Lincoln Christmas Market.

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