Keep the spirits bright by checking out a great event around Vancouver!
Here are 15 fun things to do in and around Vancouver from Dec. 19 to 21. An Elf Eat-Along, Winter Solstice Lantern Festival, and more.
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
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Elf Eat-Along
Mark Yuen/The Rec Room
What: The Rec Room Granville is hosting a fully immersive dining and movie event where guests will be able to enjoy a special Elf-themed menu served in sync with Buddy the Elf’s most iconic moments from the film.
The Rec Room is offering its take on Buddy’s iconic meal. Instead of the pasta topped with maple syrup, chocolate syrup, marshmallows, M&Ms, and crushed Pop-Tarts, guests will be served a sun-dried tomato and goat cheese spaghettini served with a playful side of Buddy’s favourite candy.
Then, powdered sugar mini donuts will be served when Buddy meets up with his brother, Michael, after school and is swept up in an epic snowball fight.
When: Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Where: The Rec Room Granville — 855 Granville St., Vancouver
Tickets: $38.16 plus tax, available online
Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
What: If the dark days are getting you down, then you can find some light at a city-wide lantern festival this December solstice.
Yaletown and Granville Island will have a mesmerizing labyrinth of light experiences. You can take a meditative walk through a maze of lanterns in a massive space filled with hundreds of glowing candles.
There will also be food vendors, live entertainment, workshops, and more for all ages.
When: Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: False Creek Community Centre on Granville Island, Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown
Cost: Free for the festival. Labyrinth of Light tickets online
Hyrox: World Series of Fitness Racing
What: Hyrox, the world’s fastest-growing fitness sport, is making its Vancouver debut, and you’d better be ready to work up a sweat.
The huge competition is taking over the Vancouver Convention Centre from Dec. 20 to 21, with thousands of fans and participants expected to attend.
The World Series of Fitness Racing is composed of over 80 international competitions in 2025, and organizers are promising that Hyrox Vancouver will be an “unforgettable weekend.”
When: Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Starlight with Santa
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
What: Holiday cheer meets science at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre on Dec. 20 and Dec. 21.
For one weekend only, Starlight with Santa allows families to blast off into a festive adventure where they can explore the magic of the season while discovering the wonders of the night sky.
The event runs from 1 to 5 p.m., and ticket holders get to choose a showtime at the immersive 360° star theatre: Messenger of Time and Space at 1 p.m., World of Ice at 2 p.m., Big Astronomy at 3 p.m., or One Big Sky Project: Dream of the Stars at 4 p.m.
Each show ranges from 30 to 45 minutes, and guests are encouraged to arrive early or stick around after to enjoy the rest of the festive activities available.
When: Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: H.R. MacMillan Space Centre — 1100 Chestnut St.
Tickets: $26.20 for adults, purchase online
Give the Gift of Bordeaux
What: Celebrate the season of giving with a timeless gesture. At BCLIQUOR’s Bordeaux Engraving Event, when you purchase any Bordeaux wine over $100, you’ll receive a complimentary personalized engraving for your bottle—perfect for gifting someone special.
Bordeaux wines are known for their elegance, heritage, and depth. Now, you can make your bottle even more meaningful with a custom message that turns a fine wine into a cherished keepsake.
When: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025
Time: 2 to 6 p.m.
Where: BCLIQUOR 39th & Cambie — 5555 Cambie St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
The Jury Experience: Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man
What: Take part in a thrilling Jury in an interactive, live theatre courtroom drama where you help make the final verdict.
The Jury Experience: Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man will see the audience making the difficult decisions to help guide the story. Get ready to unpack evidence, dissect witness testimonies, and weigh the arguments at Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island.
When: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025
Time: 6 and 8:30 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Theatre — 1412 Cartwright St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Vancouver Goldeneyes
@PWHL__Vancouver/X
What: Vancouver Goldeneyes take the ice at Pacific Coliseum this weekend for a home game against the Montreal Victoire.
When: Saturday, Dec. 20., 2025
Time: Noon
Where: Pacific Coliseum at the PNE – 2901 E. Hastings St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices; purchase online
Breakfast With Santa at Good Co Granville
What: Celebrate the holidays with an all-ages breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Good Co. Granville, presented by Downtown Van.
There will be a delicious holiday pop-up menu and a free Santa & Mrs. Claus photobooth for the whole family to enjoy. A 19+ bar is available, and complimentary table reservations can be made online.
When: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025
Time: 3 to 6 p.m. (free photobooth from 4 to 6 p.m.)
Where: Good Co Granville — 965 Granville St., Vancouver
Admission: Free, reserve a table online
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
Canada Strong Pass
Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site
What: Those wanting to watch their spending this time of year, while discovering some amazing attractions and destinations near Vancouver, are in luck this year with the return of the Canada Strong Pass.
From Dec. 12, 2025, to Jan 15, 2026, families can once again enjoy free and discounted access to parks, national galleries, museums, and even rail travel.
When: Various days of operation
Time: Various hours of operation
Where: Various attractions and destinations near Vancouver. See the list online.
Goh Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
What: It simply wouldn’t be the holidays without The Nutcracker. That’s why we’re excited that Vancouver’s own Goh Ballet will soon be bringing the beloved show to life, along with some international stars.
Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker is taking over the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for five performances. With its iconic musical score by Tchaikovsky played live by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and a diverse cast of over 250 dancers, watching this ballet in December is a tradition that spans generations.
When: Thursday, Dec. 18 to 21, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m. (Thursday, Friday, Saturday), 2 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre — 630 Hamilton St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Paws of Nude Meets Santa
What: The Paws of Nude Meets Santa event invites pet owners to bring animals of any kind for a printed and digital photo with Santa in exchange for a donation of any amount.
Guests can expect festive pet photos, free local goodies, and an opportunity to support critical rescue dog training programs.
All proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association, a non-profit that trains avalanche search and rescue dogs for Canada’s mountains.
Nude Beverages donates a portion of every sale to animal rescues and has contributed over a quarter of a million dollars to organizations across Canada with a goal of hitting $1 million in the next five years.
When: Sat. Dec. 20, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Yaletown Roundhouse Community Centre — 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
Cost: By donation to Carda
Soar with Santa at Flyover
Flyover
What: Christmastime is here in Vancouver, and a visit to Flyover should be at the top of everyone’s wish list. Experience the magic of Christmas this holiday season as you fly across Canada and up to the North Pole in Soar with Santa.
When: Now until Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday to Thursday), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Friday to Sunday)
Where: Canada Place Pier – 999 Canada Pl., Vancouver
Tickets: Various, purchase online
Portraits with Santa Paws
What: The Metropolitan Hotel is hosting a one-of-a-kind holiday photo experience for guests and their beloved pets.
Marriott Bonvoy members can book an exclusive 10-minute photo session with Santa at the centrally located, pet-friendly hotel for just $30. A professionally captured photo gallery will be delivered to your inbox within 48 to 72 business hours, and all proceeds will be donated to a local charity.
When: Dec. 18, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Metropolitan Hotel — 645 Howe St., Vancouver
Cost: $30, all proceeds donated to a local charity. Purchase online
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