Add Joy with These Winter Activities Around the City

Add Joy with These Winter Activities Around the City

Posted on December 17, 2021

Winter’s holiday magic is in full swing across the Lower Mainland with a host of winter activities around town. Whether you’re chasing the next epic light display or shredding powder on the local slopes, we’ve rounded up all the details in one place for you right here. Grab your keys and your favourite person and see what Metro Vancouver has to offer this winter season.

DRIVE-THRU SPOTS.

PNE WinterLights: Celebrating its second year, this holiday adventure lets you enjoy all the nine enchanted lands filled with glowing lights, special characters, and festive performers right in the comfort of your own vehicle. The last day of the exhibit is December 31st.

Glow Gardens Langley: Showcasing their “Fairytale Christmas” magical world with an exclusive station (105.5 Glow FM) featuring festive tunes and a bit of yuletide magic as you cruise along is pretty sweet. Glow is open now through January 1, 2022.

MAGICAL LIGHT DISPLAYS. 

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park: It’s not every day that you see a world-famous bridge lit from end to end with a multi-colour changing display. Open for your enjoyment until January 23, 2022.

Vancouver’s Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden: Bundle up and tour VanDusen Botanical Garden’s winter wonderland from now until January 3, 2022. With more than one million lights decorating 15 acres, you won’t want to miss this.

Surrey Holiday Lights: This holiday event features live music, light displays, food trucks, and a hot cocoa bar. This event runs until January 2, 2022.

Dundarave Festival of Lights: Featuring a shimmering multitude of outdoor Christmas trees on the West Vancouver waterfront, it is the largest outdoor tree display in the region. Each tree is fully illuminated by local groups, schools, and businesses.

Lights at Lafarge Christmas: Thousands of tiny lights return to Town Centre Park in Coquitlam this year and will be on until January 31, 2022. Visit early or late during the weekdays for the best views.

SIGHTS, SOUNDS, AND OF COURSE FOOD.

It wouldn’t be the holidays if we didn’t highlight the special goodies and vendors around town. With tons of markets happening around town, you’ll be sure to find some yummy treats and drinks to quench those cravings.

Chilliwack Country Christmas Village: There’s an indoor village, an outdoor village, and Santa’s Magical Train of Light to name just a few. Catch all the fun before their last day on December 24th.

Vancouver Christmas Market: Downtown Vancouver’s holiday tradition is back this year with a scavenger hunt, Lover’s Lane, Holiday Life Carousel, Walk-In Christmas tree, Eats, and much more. Plus you’ll be able to get up close and personal with the highly anticipated BMW iX until December 24th. Don’t miss out!

HOW ABOUT SKATING OUTDOORS?

We would have never thought of skating outdoors in Vancity given our mild temperatures. Now we’ve got two venues!

Shipyard Commons Skate Plaza: BC’s largest outdoor skating rink is open 12 pm - 7 pm daily and you can skate for free when you bring your own skates.

Robson Square Ice Rink: Skating is also free at this rink and there’s a Skate Rental and Café that recently opened too. Plus, there’s live music happening until December 24th. This rink is open from December to February.

TREKKING THROUGH FRESH POWDER. 

Vancouverites are no strangers to the excitement that comes with skiing and snowboarding on our local slopes. But, have you tried trekking through the magical outdoor wonderland lit with holiday lights? 

Lights to the Lodge: Enjoy a safe and easy one-kilometre snowshoe trek to the historic Hollyburn Lodge along a self-guided trail lit with thousands of lights atop Cypress Mountain. 

We hope you’ve enjoyed our quick list of winter activities to check out this holiday season. Remember to tag us in your adventures. We would love to send some love your way!

For those who are going to make the trek up the local slopes, but haven’t swapped into winter tires yet, we can easily take care of that for you. Book a safe and limited-contact service appointment online or give us a call at 604-303-8000. Don’t miss out on our current winter specials from now until December 31st!