Top Five Things to do in Vancouver this Winter 2019

As winter approaches in Vancouver, the city’s sunny beaches are becoming less crowded as people prepare for the holidays. While the temperature has dropped and the city’s summer events have come to an end, there is still a huge selection of things to do, especially if you’re looking for winter-themed events! This post offers five things to do when you’re in Vancouver during the winter, with each one providing a look into what makes Vancouver such a special city during the holidays.

Vancouver Christmas Market

This year will be the 10th anniversary for the Vancouver Christmas Market, which features more than 80 huts of Christmas and holiday-themed snacks, gifts, and activities. A traditionally German Christmas market, the Vancouver Christmas market has more than 80 huts with holiday gifts, local delicacies and treats, and traditional German holiday food and drink. From walking the twinkling pathways to enjoying freshly made pretzels with Glühwein (mulled wine), the market features all kinds of seasonal music and entertainment for people of all ages.

The Vancouver Christmas Market for 2019 is open from November 20th until December 24th, from 11:30am to 9:30pm, closes early on Christmas Eve at 6:00pm, and can be found at Jack Poole Plaza downtown. Tickets are already on sale online, with reduced prices compared to if you purchase tickets at the gate. You can find information about the various vendors and activities at the Christmas market, along with their hours and prices on the Vancouver Christmas Market website. 

Bright Nights Christmas Train at Stanley Park

While Stanley Park is a worthwhile attraction at any time of the year, during the holiday season it really brightens up with the Bright Nights Christmas Train. More than just your average train, this train takes guests along a dazzling train route with beautiful light displays and live performers, all within Stanley Park’s gorgeous natural surroundings. The train pulls into the Stanley Park Train Plaza, where there’s over three million Christmas lights, various food trucks and cafes, and opportunities to get a photo taken with Santa Claus.

The rain is available to ride from November 28th 2019, until January 1st 2020, with evening times typically from 3pm to 10pm and matinee times from 11am to 2:30pm. Those not interested in riding the train can still view the displays at the Stanley Park train plaza by donation, with donatinos going to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. You can check the complete schedule of times and dates on the City of Vancouver’s website, where you’ll also find information on ticket pricing. 

Festival of Lights at the VanDusen Botanical Gardens

The Festival of Lights at the VanDusen Botanical Gardens is one of Vancouver’s longest running holiday attractions, and is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Every winter the VanDusen Botanical Gardens turn into a festive winter wonderland with more than one million lights decorating the 15 acre gardens. With scheduled dancing light shows on Livingstone lake and interactive themed areas of the garden to explore, it’s very easy to get lost in the beautiful collection of lights and decorations.

The Festival of Lights also features a carousel if you’re looking to enjoy a ride in the gardens, and you’ll be able to light a candle at the Make-A-Wish Glowstar grotto. Along with exploring the gardens, you can take a break and relax at the fireside lounge, where you’ll find hot chocolate, snacks, and festive music to enjoy while you warm up. Something to note is that there are a limited amount of tickets available at the gate and online tickets quickly sell out, so be sure to book or get in line early if you’re determined to see the Festival of Lights. 

While the VanDusen Botanical Gardens haven’t yet updated their website for this year’s Festival of Lights, you’ll be able to find information there soon.

Canyon Lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge

Just like Stanley Park, another one of Vancouver’s iconic attractions lights up when the holidays come around with the Capilano Suspension Bridge’s Canyon Lights. From Friday, November 22nd, 2019 to Sunday, January 26th, 2020, the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the surrounding park will be completely decked out in all kinds of Christmas lights and festive decorations. From the suspension bridge to the 30-ton Douglas fir trees, all of the Capilano Suspension Bridge’s delights are available, including the Treetops Adventure which brings you 110 feet above the forest floor.

At the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park you’ll also be able to go on the Snowy Owl Prowl, decorate gingerbread cookies, and join in on festive carols with the holiday band. If you’re looking to avoid long line-ups for the popular attraction, it’s recommended you visit on weekdays before December 20th, or after January 5th. The park hours are from 11am until 9pm during the holiday season, and you can find admission rates on the Capilano Suspension Bridge website.

Ski, Snowboard, or Snowshoe at Cypress, Grouse, or Whistler

While it’s not exactly possible to go for a ski-trip right in Vancouver, one of the city’s many advantages is how close it is to a variety of mountains that offer fantastic skiing, snowshoeing, and snowboarding opportunities. The hardest part of your trip will probably be picking out which mountain to ski on, as they all have a great set of trails and are located fairly close to the city. If you’ve not gone skiing much before and want a beginner-friendly start, we suggest trying out Cypress or Grouse mountain, as they have a wide variety of beginner runs available, and are slightly closer to the city compared to Whistler. 

More seasoned skiers or those looking for a more committed ski-resort experience should think about going to Whistler Blackcomb, as it offers a huge selection of courses as North America’s largest ski resort. During the holidays, all three of these mountains have a variety of holiday-themed events and decoration, making them a great place to get away from the city and get lost in a winter wonderland. You can find more information about these mountains on their respective websites (Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain, and Whistler Blackcomb).