You can get $125 spending money when you book a Vancouver staycation

Vancouver is a stunning city year-round (have you seen those mountains?) but at this time of year, it’s particularly magical.

Whether you’re ice skating on the top of Grouse Mountain at the Peak of Christmas (and gazing at that glorious view below), warming up with a hot apple cider at the Vancouver Christmas Market, or witnessing the millions of beautiful lights at Glow Gardens, Vancouver is the city to be in for the holidays.

And since it’s the season for giving, Tourism Vancouver (in partnership with Stay Vancouver) has thought of the ultimate Christmas gift for you to make the most of this beautiful city.

Let’s just say that if you’ve been eyeing off a hotel room in Vancouver lately, you’re in for a treat! With the incredibly generous Very Merry Vancouver offer, when you book a hotel room, you’ll also receive a Visa prepaid card with up to $125 spending money loaded on. You read that right.

Vancouver Christmas Market/Lindsay Elliot

Whether it’s you and your friends booking a room to ring in the new decade (if there’s one NYE to go all out on, it’s this one), you and a special someone who’ve been putting off that staycation, or your friends from out of town who you’ve been trying to coax into visiting you — if there was ever a time to book a room, it’s now, people!

The deal is valid for stays up until the end of February 2020 and available at 38 hotels across the city.

Christmas shopping in Yaletown/Jillian Ong

Looking for some inspiration for your Vancouver holiday itinerary? Tourism Vancouver is your go-to resource about how to make the most of your time in Vancouver. And this time of year there’s no shortage of magical events.

While you might have already been to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, have you seen it decked out in thousands of lights for its annual Canyon Lights? It’s pretty mesmerizing. The eight 110 feet Douglas fir trees will be lit from head to toe, making the 250-year-old trees the biggest Christmas trees in the world (no big deal!) There will even a holiday band and gingerbread cookies to decorate.

Capilano Suspension Bridge with Canyon Lights/Tourism Vancouver

Speaking of lights, if you’re looking for something closer to downtown, Bright Nights in Stanley Park has three million lights, complete with its own incredible Christmas train. With live performers along the way and festive displays, it’s the perfect event to get you in the Christmas spirit!

Is strolling through picturesque gardens more your style? VanDusen Garden’s Festival of Lights only happens once a year. See giant light formations of Christmas trees, and tunnels and bridges covered in lights. If there was a holiday destination made for the ‘gram, this is it!

VanDusen Gardens Festival of Lights/VanDusen Gardens

Feeling like a dose of festive theatre? Why not check out Ballet BC’s iconic Nutcracker show at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. With live music from none other than Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and a cast of 70 kids from the Lower Mainland, it’s sure to be a magical night.

And if you’re still undecided, there’s no more all-encompassing holiday event than Aurora Winter Festival at the PNE. It’s Canada’s largest winter festival, and you’ll find not only a skating rink, but a tube park, light displays, a Christmas market, food, and rides.

We all know Vancouver is a beautiful city, but it’s even more special at this time of year. Whether you’re discovering Vancouver for the first time and visiting as many holiday attractions as possible, or you’re carrying on your annual holiday traditions in the city — don’t miss out on all the festive events this city has to offer!