More than 20 free and cheap things to do in Vancouver this December

No need to blow your budget this holiday season when you’ve got our list of 24 free and cheap things to do in and around Vancouver this December.

Get festive without breaking your wallet with Gingerbread Lane, CP Holiday Train, and more!

And for more great events happening around town, be sure to check out our Listed section.

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One-time-only events and activities

Gingerbread Lane at Hyatt Regency Vancouver

What: A huge gingerbread display is back for its 33rd year in Vancouver as the Hyatt Regency once again plays host to the popular festive tradition.

Gingerbread Lane will take over the lobby of the Burrard Street hotel until Sunday, Dec. 28. Previously recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records for housing the tallest gingerbread man, Gingerbread Lane welcomes more than 20,000 visitors annually. And this year promises to be another feast for the eyes (if not the stomach).

When: Now until Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025
Time: Regular hotel hours
Where: Hyatt Regency Vancouver — 655 Burrard St., Vancouver
Admission: Free

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• Dave Chappelle coming to Vancouver for huge comedy show at Rogers Arena
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Make It The Handmade Revolution

What: Looking for the perfect gifts for everyone on your holiday list? Want to support local and Canadian makers this season? Then you’ll be excited to know that Make It is returning in December.

With over 100 vendors and makers to discover, you’re sure to find unique items perfect for gifting to loved ones or for treating yourself.

Shoppers at this year’s massive market will find apparel, jewellery, food, artwork, home decor, personal care products, sustainable treasures, one-of-a-kind items, and more.

When: Dec. 4 to 11, Dec. 11 to 14, 2025
Time: 5 to 9 p.m. (Thursday), 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Friday), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday), and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Where: PNE Forum – 2901 East Hastings St., Vancouver
Tickets: $15 at the door, tickets also available online; Kids ages 12 and under enter for free

Vancouver Singing Christmas Tree

What: Broadway Church’s Singing Christmas tree is full of songs, drama, dance, and more. This year’s holiday production is themed “The Music Box” and will treat audiences to performances by singers, an orchestra, dancers, actors, and acrobats.

The highlight is a massive Christmas tree filled with over 80 choir members singing on 10 levels.

When: Dec. 5 to 7 and Dec. 12 to 14, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m. (Fridays), 3 and 7 p.m. (Saturdays and Sundays)
Where: Broadway Church – 2700 East Broadway, Vancouver
Tickets: Free, register online

Steveston Christmas Dog Parade

What: Your favourite canine companions don’t have to feel left out of the festive fun this holiday season, thanks to the Steveston Christmas Dog Parade.

Dozens of paw-dorable dogs and puppies will dress up in holiday attire and parade along Imperial Landing on Sunday, Dec. 14.

The event starts at 10:30 a.m. at Phoenix Pond bridge arch and ends at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, where there is more seasonal fun for the community to enjoy from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

When: Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014
Time: 10:30 a.m. start
Where: Starts at Phoenix Pond bridge arch and ends at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site
Cost: Free

Skate Plaza at The Shipyards

What: The City of North Vancouver’s free Shipyards Skate Plaza is opening on Friday, Nov. 28, and skaters of all ages can glide on the approximately 12,000 sq. ft. surface daily from noon to 8 p.m. Fun can be had no matter the weather – the Shipyards Skate Plaza is covered by a retractable roof.

When: Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, until the end of the season
Time: Noon to 8 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards Commons, North Vancouver
Admission: Free. Skate rentals are available for $7 for adults and $5 for children (quantities are limited)

Dipt Kicks 25th Anniversary Event and Limited Edition Collection

What: Vancouver’s Dipt is celebrating 25 years at its original location with an in-store event on Thursday, Dec. 11. The celebration includes giveaways, complimentary drinks, and the launch of Dipt’s limited-edition 25th Anniversary Collection.

When: Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025
Time: 7 to 10 p.m.
Where: Dipt — 819 Hornby St., Vancouver
Admission: Free

Lights by the Lake at Harrison Hot Springs

What: Harrison Hot Springs will be overflowing with Christmas spirit this season, thanks to the return of its annual holiday lights festival.

The village’s annual Lights by the Lake will happen until Sunday, Jan. 11. Visitors will enjoy magical holiday displays that transform the Harrison lakefront into an enchanting world of lights celebrating the local wildlife as well as the elusive Sasquatch.

When: Now until Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026
Time: Dusk to 11 p.m.
Where: Harrison Hot Springs
Cost: Free

Sonder: Life in Lights

What: Yaletown has transformed into an immersive light gallery for the holiday season with Sonder: Life in Lights.

From now to Jan. 11, guests can explore a self-guided route through the Heritage District and discover a series of cinematic light projections designed in collaboration with acclaimed creative studio Best Coast.

Visitors can follow a self-guided route from Hamilton and Mainland all the way to the waterfront along Marinaside Crescent, where the reflections off the harbour make some of the projections feel especially magical. It’s free, open nightly at 5 p.m., and perfect for cozy holiday date nights or anyone looking to experience something magical in the city this season.

When: Now until Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026
Time: Nightly starting at 5 p.m.
Where: Self-guided route from Hamilton and Mainland to the waterfront along Marinaside Crescent in Yaletown, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Robson Square Ice Rink

What: The Robson Square Ice Rink will soon reopen for the new skating season, and all ages are invited to hit the ice during the holidays and into the new year.

Located under the covered outdoor plaza at Robson Square, the rink operates seasonally when temperatures begin to dip.

The downtown Vancouver wintry tradition will kick off on Monday, Dec. 1 and will operate until the end of February. Over 100,000 skaters are expected to visit each year.

When: Open daily from Monday, Dec. 1, until Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (holiday hours apply on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day)
Where: Robson Square — 800 Robson St., Vancouver; beneath Robson Street and Howe Street
Cost: Free for all ages if you bring your skates. Skate rentals are also available for a fee.

Jingle + Mingle at Bentall Centre

What: Guests are invited to sip on holiday-inspired cocktails in the Fa la la la la lounge, served up by FUNK. Coffee Bar by House of Funk. There will also be comforting chowder by Jack’s Chowder and treats by Lee’s Donuts to enjoy while listening to festive music by Lions Gate Chorus.

You can also explore an outdoor market featuring local vendors, get creative with holiday crafts and candle-making workshops, and snap a photo in front of Bentall Centre’s dazzling 45-foot holiday tree.

When: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Where: 1055 Dunsmuir St., Vancouver
Admission: Free

CP Holiday Train

What: The CPKC Holiday Train rolls back into B.C. this December, bringing lights, holiday cheer, and one of Canada’s favourite music acts to a bunch of communities across the province and Metro Vancouver.

The 27th edition of the beloved holiday tradition will travel across Canada and the U.S. this season to raise money, food, and awareness for local food banks. Attendees at each CPKC Holiday Train stop in B.C. will also enjoy a free and festive concert by eight-time Juno winners, the Barenaked Ladies.

When: Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free; donations for the local food bank to help those in need are encouraged

Fleurs de Villes Noël

What: The seventh annual Fleurs de Villes Noël is happening in Vancouver from Friday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Dec. 15. The stunning activation creates a “floral art trail” that decorates Vancouver’s downtown core with some of the city’s top florists and local businesses being inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas.

When: Friday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Dec. 15, 2025
Where: Various locations in Downtown Vancouver
Cost: Free

Surrey Civic Plaza Ice Rink

What: This is the first-ever activation of the public plaza in Surrey City Centre with an outdoor ice rink, and the City of Surrey is aiming to potentially turn this into a new annual civic tradition.

The ice rink spans an area of 4,000 sq. ft., with 5,000 gallons of water used to create the slick surface. Moreover, it is fully covered under a large tent, protecting it from inclement weather.

When: Open daily from Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, until Monday, Feb. 16, 2026
Time: 1 to 8 p.m. (holiday hours of 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. apply on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day)
Where: Surrey Civic Plaza — 13450 104th Ave., Surrey
Cost: Free for all ages. Skate rentals are also available for a fee.

Festive Village at Burnaby Village Museum

What: Heritage Christmas and the Burnaby Village Museum are truly where history comes alive. Enjoy the magical atmosphere of festive lights and traditional decorations in this 1920s-era village.

There will also be seasonal entertainment, demonstrations and activities, and delicious food served up at Heritage Christmas. Keep an eye out for the historic streetcar on your way to the old-timey ice cream parlour.

When: Now until Friday, Jan 2, 2026 (Closed Dec. 24 and 25)
Time: Various times
Where: Burnaby Village Museum — 6501 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby
Admission: Free, Carousel rides $2.62 plus tax