Vancouver & Lower Mainland
Vancouver’s festive spirit comes alive in winter with dazzling displays of holiday lights, dining delights, and celebrations well into the new year.
Work up an appetite with light walks happening all around the Lower Mainland. In Vancouver, check out the Bright Nights in Stanley Park (on until Jan. 2) and VanDusen Festival of Lights (on until Jan 3); The Winter Solstice Lantern Festival also returns to False Creek this year, in December. Across the shore, check out Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge (on until Jan. 23); or enjoy Surrey Holiday Lights (on until Jan. 2) and Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam (until midnight on New Year’s Eve), both accessible by SkyTrain.
Come Christmas Day, ARC Restaurant at Fairmont Waterfront puts a spin on their Bottomless Brunch with unlimited festive selections of roasted turkey with all the trimmings, eggnog smoothies, and smoked salmon Benedict. Brunch goers can ease into the afternoon with a skate at th Shipyards Commons just across the way on Vancouver’s North Shore.
In Richmond, take a self-guided tour of Steveston’s Winter in the Village and Fisherman’s Wharf boat display, and while you’re there, don’t miss the sweets. Shop hop for winter treats and baked delights from Something Sweet, Sweet Surrender Gelato, Sinfully the Best, The Sweet Spot, and Outpost Mini Donut Company.