Don’t miss these 19 free light displays in Vancouver 2024

Get into the holiday spirit with a visit to 19 free light displays near Vancouver.

Two of the best free light displays we highly recommend are the Lights at Lafarge, Coquitlam, and the Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village.

See our complete list of Christmas Lights in Vancouver.

Find out about the largest Gingerbread Village in the world.

Free Light Displays near Vancouver

1. Lights of Hope St. Paul’s Hospital – November 27 – January 3, 2025

Don’t miss the spectacular 27th annual Lights of Hope display in front of St. Paul’s Hospital.  Enjoy it as you walk or drive by. The light display starts November 27, 2024.

Come enjoy the first night lighting event on November 27 from 6-8 p.m. There will be free hot chocolate, a choir, fireworks and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Donations can be made onsite or online to support Providence Health Care hospitals. You can even buy your own star to display at home.

Location: 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver.

Lights of Hope at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. Courtesy Photo

2. Festival of Trees Fairmont Vancouver Hotel – November 23 – January 1, 2025

Activities: The Festival of Trees is celebrating it 31st year. The lobby of the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel is transformed into a beautiful Festival of Trees to raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. This year there are 30 stunning tree displays, each sponsored by a local organization, business or individual. Make a donation and vote for your favourite.
Location: Fairmont Vancouver Hotel, 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver

3. Light up the Harbour at Vancouver Maritime Museum – December 12, 2024

Beautiful vintage vessels light up the harbour this holiday season at the Vancouver Museum. There will be carolers, hot chocolate and festive crafts. Learn about the boast and their maritime history.

3.1 Western Canada’s Largest Christmas Tree – January 3, 2025

Downtown Vancouver has Canada’s largest Christmas tree! The fully lit 76-foot tree is located at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

4. Granville Island Festive Christmas and Holiday Lights – November 12, 2024 – January 3, 2025

Activities: Wander through the fresh air of almost 40 acres of Granville Island to see the light displays. Takeout hot drinks and treats available and other food options with patios.
Admission: There is no admission.
Closed: All businesses, including Granville Island Market, will be closed on December 25 and 26, but the lights will be on.
Location: 1661 Duranleau St.
Website: Granville Island

Holiday lights at Granville Island. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Granville Island free Christmas light display. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Granville Island free Christmas light display. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Granville Island free Christmas light display. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

5. Winter Solstice Light Festival – December 21, 2024

The 30th Winter Solstice Light Festival takes place in four Vancouver neighbourhoods, Granville Island, Strathcona, Yaletown and East Van.

Experience the Labyrinth of Light on the darkest night of the year. A self-guided ceremony with over 600 pure beeswax candles. The ritual is intended to help release old attachments and envision new possibilities.

6. Christmas at Canada Place – November 29 – January 1, 2025

Activities: Stroll the outdoor promenade to see the beautiful historic Woodward’s Windows and Avenue of Christmas Trees, the holiday-themed Sails of Light display, Canada’s North light display, “Chrismoose,” the 15-foot tall moose light sculpture and more!
Admission: Free
Hours: Daily from 8 am-11 pm.
Location: Canadian Trail (west promenade) 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Website: Canada Place Don’t forget to bring your camera for plenty of holiday photo opportunities amidst the festive displays.

7. Hyatt Gingerbread Lane – November 28-December 27, 2024

This wonderful holiday tradition is back! It is not a light display, but come down to the Hyatt Regency in downtown Vancouver to see the gingerbread creations. The aroma of gingerbread fills the hotel lobby. You won’t be disappointed.

Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver

8. Canuck Place

More than 60,000 festive lights glow on the grounds at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Lighting of the house has been a tradition since the first free-standing children’s hospice opened in 1995. The lights represent hope for the children and their families who have been comforted by the Canuck Place program.

Canuck Place is located just off Granville Street at 1690 Matthews Ave, Vancouver.

Burnaby Free Christmas Light Displays

The City of Burnaby has an impressive collection of 21 holiday displays. The largest of the displays are listed below. Most of the lights will be up from November 24 until January 20, 2024

Willingdon Linear Park

Take a stroll in Willingdon Linear Park, one of Burnaby’s newest parks to see shimmering festive lights. The park is located between Brentwood Town Centre and Hastings Street.

Hastings Street Trees

Travel along Hastings Street to see more than 200 trees adorned with an impressive display of gleaming lights from Boundary Road to Gamma. This strip has lots of great shops, bakeries, and restaurants.

Burnaby City Hall

Burnaby City Hall’s main building, 4949 Canada Way, is magically lit for the holiday season with an array of draping icicle lights, decorated trees, and banners.

9. Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum – November 23 – January 3, 2025

Activities:  Walk through the 1920s village with dazzling lights and vintage-themed displays. Take a ride on the vintage carousel. Mai’s Cafe is open for treats or a meal.  Carousel rides are available for a fee. See a map of the village.
Location: 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby, just off Canada Way.

Bright in Burnaby

The official launch of Heritage Christmas takes place November 30 from 5-9 pm, with a tree lighting ceremony at 6 pm. Proceeds from carousel rides on this night will go to the Burnaby Christmas Bureau with Concord Pacific matching the donations.

One of the best free lights displays near Vancouver is Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum

Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum is one of the best free Christmas lights displays. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Free Light Display in White Rock

10. White Rock Bright Walk – December 7-January 12, 2025

White Rock’s waterfront is transformed into a sparkling wonderland. Drive along Marine Drive or walk along the waterfront, pier and promenade area. November 30 at 4:30 p.m., White Rock’s Mayor turns on the lights. There will be live entertainment on stage, photos with Santa, Festive Holiday Market in the White Rock Museum, light up robot and juggler performances, kid’s crafts and games, and more.

Website: White Rock Bright Walk

West Vancouver Free Light Display

11. Dundarave Festival of Lights 2024

The Forest of Miracles illuminates the waterfront of West Vancouver, starting at Grosvenor Ambleside Galleria and moving west to Millennium Park and then to Dundarave Beach.

Stroll along the seawalk to see the beautiful light displays. Be sure to stop at the Dundarave Nativity scene created by two master carvers, Bill Seminoff and Frank Carius.
The forest, planted by West Vancouver firefighters, is sponsored and decorated by families, community groups and businesses to raise funds for the Lookout Society‘s North Shore Shelter.

Make a donation or sponsor a tree to help support the needs of homeless people.

Location: Grosvenor Ambleside Galleria, Millennium Park and Dundarave Beach, West Vancouver waterfront.

Website: Dundarave Festival of Lights

Richmond Free Christmas Light Displays

12. Winter in the Village in Steveston – November 23 – December 31, 2024

Activities: Explore the decorated historic sites of Richmond’s charming waterfront village of Steveston.

“Light Up the Village” self-guided tour.
Location: Steveston Village
Website: Visit Richmond

Coquitlam Free Christmas Light Displays

13. Lights at Lafarge – November 22 – End of February 2025

Activities: This year, the Winter Lights at Lafarge display lights on two walking loops to help disperse crowding. The new loop will go through Inspiration Garden and the new concession plaza in Town Centre Park.
Admission: Free. Parking is limited. Consider walking or taking the SkyTrain to  Lafarge Lake – Douglas station.
Hours: November 22 – End of February 2025 from 4 pm – 10 pm. Avoid the crowds for the best viewing experience. Come before 6 pm or after 8 pm. Try to avoid the crowds on weekends and the week of December 16 – 26.
Location: Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Email: FestivalsandEvents@coquitlam.ca
Website: Lights at Lafarge

Maple Ridge Free Christmas Light Displays

14. Christmas Festival – December 7, 2024

Activities: Downtown Maple Ridge turns into a magical wonderland of lights and outdoor activities with a feel of an old-fashioned Christmas Village. Take a walk through Memorial Peace Park to see the light tunnel and decorated trees, hear festive music and more.Admission: Free
Website: Christmas Festival

Free Surrey Light Displays

15. Winterfest at Bear Creek Park – December 1-31, 2024

Activities: During the day enjoy arts and crafts, Santa, a train ride and lots of photo opportunities. At night enjoy a train journey through a magical light display. Santa leaves on December 24. Note: the train is not free.
Santa Express Day Train, 7 days a week – 10 am – 4 pm.
Christmas Night Train through the light display, Wednesday through Sunday, 6 – 9 p.m. It is closed on December 25 and 26.
Location: Bear Creek Park – 13750 88th Avenue at King George Blvd., Surrey
Email: contact@bctrains.com
Phone: 604-501-1232
Website: Bear Creek Christmas Train

16. Surrey Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market – November 23 and 24, 2024

Activities: Santa and Mrs. Claus host the event, which includes the lighting of Surrey’s 60-foot Christmas tree. Entertainment from a variety of local performers, dance groups, choirs, and more follows. Be sure to visit the Holiday Market.

Children can enjoy free pictures with Santa, free hot chocolate, free holiday cookie kits, Kids Crafts, magical light and holiday displays, as well as illuminated swings and teeter totters.

The Enchanted Eats zone offers delicious treats for purchase from food trucks and free hot chocolate while it lasts.
Admission: Free
Location: Surrey Civic Plaza, 1340 104 Avenue, Surrey
Website: Surrey Tree Lighting Festival

17. Potters Christmas Store

Activities: Come browse western Canada’s largest Christmas store offering 60,000 themed ornaments and intricate whimsical displays covering 28,000 square feet. Explore the Enchanted Fairy Garden, marvel at the 30 decorated trees, upside-down Bee Tree, Ice Cream Tree, Whoville, the Dark Room.
Admission: Free
Hours: Open November through Christmas Eve. Monday and Tuesday 9 am-6 pm, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9 am- 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 6 pm.
Location: 19158 48th Avenue, Surrey
Email: 192general@potters.ca
Phone: 604-576-5011
Website: Potters Christmas Store 

Free Langley Christmas Lights

18. Christmas in Williams Park – Drive-thru Christmas Lights – December 9-24, 2024

Activities: Christmas at Williams Park has been a holiday tradition since 1991. It is a drive-thru event now taken over by the City of Langley. Advanced registration is required.
Location: 238 Street and 68 Avenue, Langley
Website: Christmas in Williams Park Society

Christmas in Williams Park is a great Metro Vancouver drive-thru Christmas lights event in Langley.

Harrison Hot Springs Free Christmas Lights

19. Harrison Lights on the Lake – November 23, 2024 – January 12, 2025

Harrison Hot Springs lakefront will be lit up from dusk until 11 pm. Stroll along the 1 km waterfront promenade to see the sparkling light display. The holiday lights focus on the natural environment, wildlife and the elusive Sasquatch.

Website: Harrison Lights on the Lake

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