8 PLACES TO ENJOY BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN VANCOUVER

Nothing says ‘festive’ like bundling up with your family and heading outside to see Christmas lights! Fortunately, there’s no shortage of amazing holiday displays to take in over the next couple of weeks, with both free and paid options. Put some hot chocolate in a thermos and work your way through our list of the best Christmas lights displays around Vancouver.

2400 – 2900 Trinity Street

The families along this stretch of Trinity Street, near the PNE, have been decorating for well over ten years. As one of the biggest neighbourhood displays in the Lower Mainland, they also have carolling and hot chocolate stands to enjoy. The neighbourhood gets very busy so we’d suggest taking transit or prepare to park at least a few blocks away.
Cost: Free

E 12th Avenue + Semlin Drive

The Ballards have been decorating their house on 12th Avenue for over 30 years and they’ve collected all kinds of lights and inflatable displays along the way. While you may not want to make this display a destination specifically, you should check it out if you’re already in the area. Or if you happen to drive down 12th Avenue at night, you can’t miss it!
Cost: Free

3224 – 3228 W. 37th Avenue

Another wonderful neighbourhood Christmas lights display in Vancouver, these houses have it all: a Santa in his sleigh pulled by reindeer, a star over seven meters tall, flamingos, and more! Visitors are welcome to enter the sidewalks and driveways to get a closer look at the displays.
Cost: Free

Lights of Hope, St. Paul’s Hospital

The Lights of Hope are an iconic display every holiday season. With more than 100,000 lights and 200 stars, this display is part of St. Paul’s fundraising campaign and dazzles Burrard Street every year.
Cost: Free. Donations encouraged.

Vancouver Art Gallery

Outside the art gallery, four Christmas trees have been decorated – and one of them is 76 feet tall! With thousands of bulbs twinkling on the trees, you can ‘Buy a Bulb’ online for $5 and support the Vancouver International Children’s Festival.
Cost: Free. Donations encouraged.

Bright Nights, Stanley Park

With more than three million lights on display, Bright Nights in Stanley Park is a can’t-miss family event. There are plenty of free display areas to enjoy, including a couple of indoor spaces where you can warm up. You do need to purchase tickets if you want to ride the train, but that includes more breathtaking displays and live performers along the tracks.
Cost: Free for displays, $8 – $12 for the train. Donations encouraged.

VanDusen Festival of Lights

At night, the VanDusen Botanical Garden is transformed into a winter wonderland with more than one million lights. There’s a charming carousel, interactive displays, and multiple food vendors on site. Of course, the centrepiece of The Festival of Lights is the coordinated light and music show that plays over the pond every 15 minutes.
Cost: $11 – $19

Karaoke Christmas Lights

If you want to see multiple displays in one night, the Karaoke Christmas Lights guided tour with The Vancouver Trolley Company is the way to go! The festive trolleys are equipped with televisions and karaoke machines so you can sing your favourite carols with everyone on board. You’ll pass by several holiday displays around downtown Vancouver and enjoy stops at Bright Nights and VanDusen Festival of Lights.
Cost: $30 – $45