Things to Do on a Holiday Trip to Vancouver

If you’re looking for Christmas vacation ideas, Vancouver sparkles during the holiday season. Twinkling lights, festive markets, cozy hotels, seasonal menus, and cheerful concerts transform the city into a West Coast winter wonderland. But a little foresight goes a long way. Here is everything you need to book for your holiday trip to Vancouver.

Attractions You Can’t Miss

Vancouver’s holiday attractions are dazzling, with festive events ranging from mountain top magic to glowing gardens. Popular attractions can be busy, so booking a few weeks in advance is recommended.

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Picture this, a suspension bridge strung with thousands of tiny lights, swaying gently above a misty canyon. At Canyon Lights, the bridge, treetop walkways, and forest paths glow with colour, creating a heady mix of rainforest beauty and holiday magic.

Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden

If you’re searching for Christmas vacation ideas that combine nature and sparkle, the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden is a must. The garden transforms into a glittering wonderland each holiday season and includes over one million lights arranged into whimsical displays. Meander through glowing tunnels and then warm up with hot chocolate.

Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain

Want to experience a snowy winter wonderland without leaving the city? Let the gondola whisk you up to Grouse Mountain for the Peak of Christmas. Here you’ll find Santa’s workshop, sleigh rides, ice skating under sparkling lights, and snowshoe trails through frosted evergreen trees. The air is crisp, the views of the city below are magical, and the whole mountain feels like a holiday postcard come to life.

Forbidden Vancouver Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Walking Tour

Add a little storytelling to your seasonal fun with the Forbidden Vancouver Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Walking Tour. Guides in period costume lead you through the cobbled streets of Gastown, spinning tales of Vancouver's past with a festive twist. Stroll with a warm mug of hot chocolate in hand as you take in this tour that is part history lesson, part theatre.

Vancouver Christmas Market

The Vancouver Christmas Market is a feast for the senses, the smell of sizzling bratwurst fills the air, live music sets a festive tone, and twinkling lights sparkle overhead. It’s like stepping into a European holiday village, right in downtown Vancouver. Browse the stalls to shop for handcrafted gifts, delicate ornaments, and traditional German Christmas treats.

Christmas Concerts

Nothing sets the mood like live holiday music, and Vancouver has plenty to choose from. The all-male Choir Leoni is renowned for its powerful performances at their annual Christmas concert. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra delivers everything from symphonic renditions of festive classics to family-friendly renditions of pieces from A Charlie Brown Christmas, Elf, and Home Alone. You can also attend seasonal performances around the city, ranging from community productions to candlelit concerts.

Festive Hotels You’ll Love

When it comes to Christmas vacation ideas, the hotels in Vancouver aren’t just places to sleep - they’re part of the festive fun.

Imagine stepping into a miniature village made of spiced cookies and icing. The famed Gingerbread Lane event fills the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Vancouver. Dozens of elaborate gingerbread houses, crafted by local bakers, line the space, each one more whimsical than the last.

Just down the street, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver transforms into a forest of sparkling evergreens during the Festival of Trees each December. The stately hotel lobby fills with dozens of themed Christmas trees, each lovingly decorated by local businesses and charities.

Staying at the Pan Pacific Vancouver puts you right next to Christmas at Canada Place. Outside, the iconic sails glow with colourful lights. The Canadian Trail promenade transforms into a festive wonderland with giant illuminated ornaments, animated displays and holiday photo ops.

If the Vancouver Christmas Market is on your must-do list, the Fairmont Pacific Rim makes an ideal home base. Just a short stroll away, you can wander through rows of twinkling stalls, sip hot glühwein, and snack on sizzling bratwurst before heading back to the hotel’s chic, festive lobby.

Celebration-Worthy Restaurants

Vancouver’s food scene is top-notch year-round, but December adds a cozy, celebratory flair.

Planning ahead is essential if you want to snag a table at one of Vancouver’s Michelin-recognized restaurants. Spots like Published on Main, St. Lawrence, and AnnaLena offer refined menus that feel extra special during the holiday season. With glowing candles, artful plating, and seasonal ingredients, these meals will make your time in Vancouver memorable.

Beyond the Michelin crowd, many local restaurants roll out festive menus. Think mulled themed holiday cocktails, wine pairings, turkey dinners with a twist, or seafood feasts showcasing West Coast ingredients.

December is also a great time for unique dining experiences. Picture yourself sipping craft cocktails in a bar decked out like Santa’s workshop or indulging in a tasting menu that takes you on a journey through festive flavours. For something truly unforgettable, book a private snow globe at Winterlust at H Tasting Lounge. Dine under the stars inside the heated dome, wrapped in cozy blankets and surrounded by twinkling lights.