Making Spirits Bright: Where to See Holiday Lights Around B.C.

It’s the time of year when daylight hours are depressingly short, and the darkness stretches on seemingly forever. What better way to banish the dark than with bright and colourful holiday lights? As a bonus, many of these seasonal displays also raise much-needed funds for local charities.

19 Spots to See Holiday Lights in B.C. in 2024

Festival of Lights

Nov. 29 to Jan. 5, Vancouver

More than a million lights sparkle in VanDusen Botanical Garden. Wander amongst the themed light areas, watch one of the Dancing Lights shows, visit Santa’s castle, and be sure to stop by the exhibit Salmon Run (inspired by BC’s Great Bear Rainforest), along with Wood Wide Web, the garden’s new interactive mycelium installation, which is based on research into how trees communicate with each other.

Lights of Hope

Nov. 27 to Jan. 3, Vancouver

Colourful stars and lights brighten the outside of St. Paul’s Hospital. Each star represents a donation of at least $1,000 from an individual or company toward Providence Health Care’s goal of raising $3.7 million this year.

Christmas at Canada Place

Nov. 29 to Jan. 1, Vancouver

Stroll around the outside of Canada Place to check out the Canada’s North Light Display, featuring an illuminated orca, and the nostalgic Woodward’s Windows, filled with animatronic characters in Victorian-era holiday scenes. Each of the 20 beautifully decorated trees in the Avenue of Trees was sponsored by a local organization. The iconic sails of Canada Place light up in holiday colours every evening.

PNE Winter Fair

Dec. 6 to 23, Vancouver

Prepare to be dazzled by BC Hydro’s Winter Lights display, with its Polar Passage light tunnel, Candy Cane Lane, illuminated train, glowing animals and more. Also at the Pacific National Exhibition’s fair this winter: photos with Santa, a holiday train, ice skating, ice bumper cars, midway games, a Ferris wheel, seasonal music and festive food.

Bright Nights in Stanley Park

Nov. 29 to Jan. 4, Vancouver

Thousands of lights twinkle throughout the forest of Stanley Park at this popular annual event. Wander through the trees, buy something tasty from one of the food vendors and get a photo with Santa. The event raises money for the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.

DuPlessis Family Christmas Display

Dec. 1 to Jan. 6, Burnaby

Joel DuPlessis started building Christmas displays when he was 16 years old. Now the BC Hydro electrical technologist—who has been called a real-life Clark Griswold—books off work each November to transform the exterior of his home into a dazzling display that changes and grows every year. Pause while walking past the house to fully appreciate the 12-minute lights sequence set to music, or watch the show from the warmth of your car and tune in to 92.3 FM to hear the accompanying music. The DuPlessis family encourages donations to BC Children’s Hospital and hopes to top last year’s fundraising total of $35,006.

Canyon Lights

Nov. 22 to Jan. 19, North Vancouver

This time of year, millions of lights illuminate Capilano Suspension Bridge, Cliffwalk, Treetops Adventure and the towering trees surrounding these beloved attractions, transforming the area into a winter wonderland. Also enjoy hot chocolate, mulled wine and other seasonal treats. Partial proceeds go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.

Glow: Enchanted Forest

Nov. 21 to Dec. 28, Langley

Explore Glow by foot, or hop on the Glow-Comotive to see all the lights in style. Walk through a light tunnel, take part in a scavenger hunt, visit Santa, shop for gifts in the Merry Makers Market, enjoy musical performances and refuel at a food truck. The centrepiece of this year’s event is the dazzlingly lit Crystal Palace.

Merry & Bright at Martini Town

Dec. 4 to Jan. 5, Langley

You’ll feel like you’re starring in your very own Hallmark holiday movie as you wander through the charmingly lit and decorated facades of Martini Town, which has been used as an outdoor film set in festive flicks such as A Magical Christmas Village, A Tale of Two Christmases, and Lights, Camera, Christmas! Merry & Bright has photo ops galore, with a snow machine delivering picturesque flurries to one specific street corner every 30 minutes. Enjoy live musical performances, fuel up at the food trucks, find artisan gifts made by local vendors in Market Lane and snap a selfie with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Partial proceeds go to the Langley Food Bank.

Christmas Tea Lights

Nov. 15 to Dec. 22, Belcarra Regional Park

Against the magical backdrop of more than 150,000 lights glowing in the forest, enjoy a five-course prix fixe dinner in a GloDome or more casual fare in Nutcracker Hall. These fairy-tale meals take place at Camp Howdy, reachable in the evenings only by water taxi (one hour from Rocky Point in Port Moody, or 20 minutes from Deep Cove in North Vancouver).

Lights of Wonder

Nov. 30 to Dec. 31, Victoria

Centennial Square is home to Victoria’s largest free outdoor display of lights. Wander through four light tunnels, gaze up at the 40-foot-tall tree, enjoy live entertainment and snack on festive fare.

The Magic of Christmas

Dec. 1 to Jan. 6, Brentwood Bay

Thousands of lights twinkle throughout the Butchart Gardens. Meander along the garden pathways to see the dozen scenes from “The 12 Days of Christmas,” sing along with carollers, listen to the festive brass band and warm up by a fire while enjoying hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies.

Festival of Lights

Nov. 28 to Jan. 12, Ladysmith

Walk or drive along First Avenue to see thousands of mesmerizing lights. The town of Ladysmith has a population of just under 9,000—including former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson—but that number more than doubles each year on the evening in November when the street is first lit up.

The Lights at Cultus Lake

Nov. 23 to Jan. 2, Chilliwack

Bring the whole family to soak up some holiday spirit on the lakeside. Stroll along the main beach at Cultus Lake to see thousands of twinkling lights.

Christmas at Greendale Acres

Nov. 22 to Dec. 23, Chilliwack

Each year in Abbotsford, Murray Blackham and his family used to put up a stunning display of seasonal lights on Old Yale Road. Greendale Acres farm is now home to those beloved lights. Hop aboard the Greendale Express Train to see the lights, or explore the farmstead at your own pace on foot. Find artisan gifts in the market, buy a fresh-cut Christmas tree, enjoy live entertainment, write a letter to Santa, embark on a scavenger hunt and nibble on seasonal treats. Partial proceeds go to charity.

Lights by the Lake

Nov. 23 to Jan. 12, Harrison Hot Springs

This annual holiday display stretches along two kilometres of the Harrison Hot Springs waterfront. Keep an eye out for the elusive sasquatch—rumoured to live in the area—as you amble along the promenade, marvel at all the glowing lights and perhaps glide around the Starlight Skating Rink.

Festival of Trees

Nov. 22 to Jan. 5, Kelowna

Mission Hill Family Estate is aglow with trees decorated by local sponsors. Oenophiles will enjoy the Festival of Trees Winery Experience, which includes a tour of the winery’s cellar and a seated tasting of Mission Hill wines paired with tasty bites. Partial proceeds go to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Lights on Fitzpatrick

Dec. 1 to 30, Kelowna

This home and yard on Fitzpatrick Road in Kelowna is illuminated by 20,135 LED pixel lights—3,090 on the large tree alone—that light up in time to festive favourites such as “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” by Wizzard and “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid. Tune in to 97.7 FM to hear the accompanying songs.

Light Up the Orchard

Nov. 15 to Dec. 31, Prince George

Thousands of lights adorn Northern Lights Estate Winery at this annual family-friendly event. Sip a holiday drink while roaming around the orchard and admiring the display.