Kick off the holidays at the Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting

Want to kick off Christmas in style? Then get yourself down to the city-wide Christmas tree lighting ceremony on December 1.

For the 11th year in a row, a huge Christmas tree will light up Robson Square, and people will celebrate the holiday season with free snacks, photos with Santa, and a holiday concert.

While you mill around the 76 ft tree, and the three smaller trees, you’ll be able to sample free hot chocolate and cookies from the event partners. If you’re feeling peckish, you’ll also be able to visit one of the food trucks at the event.

There will also be music to accompany the tree lighting, and there will be a ton of kid-friendly activities – from photos with Santa and face painting, to decorating gingerbread men and writing letters headed for the North Pole.

Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting was founded by Amacon as a way to give back to the community, and it continues to fulfill that mission. The Lighting offers a Buy-a-Bulb event to help raise funds for the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. For $5 you can purchase five bulbs to help light the tree, or you can get 15 for $10.

Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting 2017

When: December 1, 5 to 7 pm

Where: Outside Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby St.

Price: Free