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Top 5 Christmas & Holiday Events in Vancouver

Christmas & Winter Holiday Events in Vancouver

By , About.com Guide

Spending Christmas or the winter holidays in Vancouver? Create fun, lasting memories by seeing at least one of Vancouver's amazing annual holiday attractions--or see them all. These top five attractions are the "must sees" of the season.

1. Bright Lights - Stanley Park

Top Christmas Events VancouverImage Courtesy of Tourism Vancouver

At Stanley Park's Bright Nights over a million twinkly lights transform the forest, train and Children's Farmyard into a winter wonderland. Access to the beautifully-lit plaza is free, though you do need to pay to ride the Bright Lights Train or enter the Children's Farmyard.

November 27, 2009 - January 2, 2010

2. Rogers Santa Claus Parade - Downtown Vancouver

Top Christmas Events VancouverPhoto by Greg Descantes

The Rogers Santa Claus Parade features over 60 marching bands, dance troupes, festive floats and community groups, attracting over 300,000 spectators along its route through downtown Vancouver. Volunteers will also be collecting non-perishable goods for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. In the past four years, over $22,000 and 26,500 pounds of food have been collected!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

3. Festival of Lights - VanDusen Botanical Garden

Top Christmas Events VancouverImage Courtesy of VanDusen Botanical Garden

The gorgeous VanDusen Gardens turn festive with elaborate light decorations, a Candy Cane Tree and a Gingerbread Walk. There are also nightly appearances from Santa, a Dancing Lights show, community choirs, and much more.

December 11, 2009 - January 3, 2010 (closed December 25)

4. Christmas at Canada Place - Downtown Vancouver

Top Christmas Events VancouverImage Courtesy of Canada Place Corporation

The iconic sails of downtown Vancouver's Canada Place are the site of another Vancouver holiday spectacle: the On the Sails light shows, happening daily from 6pm to 10pm. Viewable from Coal Harbour, Stanley Park, the North Shore, Gastown and Carol Ships on the water, the sails' transformation into a dazzling display of light and colour is a fantastic, free way to get in the holiday spirit.

December 6 - December 31, 2009

5. The Nutcracker - Downtown Vancouver

Top Christmas Events VancouverImage Courtesy of Goh Ballet

Can it be December without The Nutcracker, arguably the most famous and beloved ballet of all time? A close friend of mine makes it an annual tradition to see The Nutcracker with her goddaughter. It's a beautiful way to make memories, dress up in your holiday best and support local arts all at the same time.

December 17 - December 20, 2009

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