Here is our round-up of North Shore Christmas activities for the month of December, including shopping events, family outings, holiday music & theatre, festivals & light displays, activities just for kids, breakfasts with Santa, activities at shopping centres, photos with Santa (for kids & pets) & charity events. Safe & happy holidays everyone!
Shopping Events
Fri, Nov 30 to Sat, Jan 5 (2-4 pm) – Winter Gift Gallery
Location: Seymour Art Gallery, 4360 Gallant Ave, North Van
Details: Browse gifts including scarves, paintings, jewelry and cuddly toys.
Sat, Dec 1 & Sun, Dec 2 (10am-4pm) – Delbrook Christmas Craft Fair
Location: Delbrook Rec Centre, 600 West Queen’s Road, North Van
Details: Different crafters each day & $2 entry fee.
Sat, Dec 2, 9, 16 & 23 (12pm) – Christmas Craft Market
Location: Lonsdale Quay Market (retail level), North Van
Details: Visit the craft market every Sunday in December!
Family Christmas Outings
Fri, Nov 30 to Mon, Dec 24 – Grouse Mountain Peak of Christmas
Location: Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Van
Details: Enjoy Santa’s workshop, outdoor ice skating, mountain-top sleigh rides, antler-making and reindeer tattoos, meet the reindeer, and Christmas movie favourites in the mountaintop theatre.
Fri, Nov 30 to Sat, Dec 22 (various times) – Christmas Toy Train
Location: Lynn Valley Centre
Details: Ride the Toy Train with the North Pole bears and wave to Santa in his chalet. For children ages 2-10 only, $2 per ride.
Thurs, Nov 29 – Tues, Jan 1 (closed Dec 25) – Stanley Park Xmas Train
Location: Stanley Park Miniature Train
Details: Ride the miniature train and enjoy Stanley Park sparkle with two million twinkling lights, hot cocoa, popcorn, roasted nuts and more! Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended.
Fri, Nov 30 – Mon, Dec 24 – North Pole BC at Maplewood Farm
Location: Maplewood Farm, 405 Seymour River Place, North Van
Details: Enjoy the new interactive activities & scenes, Christmas lights galore, magical Elf, human & animal characters, and Santa visits!
Sat, Dec 1 – Sat, Jan 5 – Canyon Lights
Location: Capilano Suspension Bridge, 3735 Capilano Road, North Van
Details: Check out the 250,000 lights decorating Capilano bridge, treetop adventures and Cliffwalk, all while listening to live music, decorating gingerbread cookies and watching glass blowing demonstrations.
Fri, Dec 7th (6-8pm) – Tinsel, Trees & Treasures
Location: Parkgate Community Centre, 3625 Banff Court, North Van
Details: Free celebration for the whole family with drafts, carols, cookie decorating, Santa visit and more!
Sat, Dec 8 (noon-4pm) – Celebration in the Woods
Location: Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Road, North Van
Details: Celebrate the season with games, treats and a special puppet show!
Sat, Dec 15 (2-4pm) – Skate with Santa
Location: West Van Rec Centre
Details: Skate with Santa & enjoy Christmas snacks & refreshments, games & fun activities. Cost of $11 includes food, activities & skating (skate rentals $2.25).
Wed, Dec 19 (1:30 pm) – Christmas Family Story Time (all ages)
Location: West Van Memorial Library
Details: Drop-in for a half hour of festive stories and songs.
Holiday Music & Theatre
Thurs, Nov 29 to Mon, Dec 24 (Tu & Th 4-6pm) – Amicus Music Duo
Location: Lynn Valley Centre, North Van
Details: Musical duo plays an extravaganza of piano and clarinet classical favourites you’ll remember long after the Festive Season. Upper atrium opposite the bakery – no admission charged and seating is available.
Sun, Dec 2 (2pm) – A Christmas Carol (Monster Theatre)
Location: Centennial Theatre, 2300 Lonsdale Ave, North Van
Details: A new twist on the old Dickens classic – with only two actors performing the whole show! Puppets, songs, dance, and flying ghosts!
Fri, Dec 7 (7:30 – 8:15pm) – K Sisters Kristmas: All Ages Concert
Location: West Van Memorial Library
Details: Enjoy beautiful harmonies, sing-a-longs and sassy seasonal spirit.
Sun, Dec 9 (1:30-3:30pm) – Keynotes Christmas Concert
Location: West Van Community Centre (Seniors Activity Centre)
Details: Wonderous sounds of Christmas ($7.50)
Tues, Dec 11 (6:30-8:30pm) – Cookies & Carols
Location: Lynn Valley Rec Centre (Cardinal Hall)
Details: Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, caroling, craft centre & playdough station. Admission by donation to the Food Bank. Must register.
Sun, Dec 16 (1:30-3:30pm) – Singing Into Christmas Concert
Location: West Van Community Centre (Seniors Activity Centre)
Details: Heritage Choir invites you to an afternoon of Christmas carols & sing-a-longs to put you in the Christmas spirit ($7.50). Refreshments.
Christmas Festivals
Fri, Nov 30 to Sun, Dec 2 (& ongoing) – Christmas in Edgemont Village
Location: Edgemont Village, North Van
Details: Edgemont Village transforms into a winter wonderland each Christmas. The festivities kick off this coming weekend with the Nativity Display, Craft Fair and Kids Only Market at Highlands Church on Edgemont Boulevard. Lights will be illuminated this Sunday evening!
Sat, Dec 1st (4:30-7:30pm) – Lower Lonsdale Christmas Festival
Location: Shipbuilders’ Square at the foot of Lonsdale Ave, North Van
Details: The Square will be a sparkling Christmas wonderland complete with lights & carolers. Enjoy bug lantern building workshop, gingerbread man decorating, festive crafts and complimentary hot chocolate, coffee and cookies!
Sat, Dec 1 to Sat, Jan 5 – Dundarave Festival of Lights
Location: Dundarave Beach, 25th Street & Marine Drive, West Van
Details: Free live concerts at Dundarave beach every Saturday night before Christmas from noon until dusk, sponsorship of hundreds of outdoor Christmas trees you can decorate to benefit homelessness charities on the North Shore. Starts with Christmas Fair decorating on Dec 1, ultimate festival night with bonfire, live music & carol ships passing on Dec 22, and decorations stay up until January 5.
Sat, Dec 12 to Sun Dec 23 – A Lynn Valley Christmas
Location: Lynn Valley Village, 1233 – 1277 Lynn Valley Road
Details: Come out & enjoy 12 days of entertainment at Lynn Valley Village, incl. live music, a pancake breakfast, cookie decorating & dance performances!
Christmas Light Displays
- Donate for Harvest Project – 4967 Chalet Place, North Van
- Capilano Suspension Bridge – 3735 Capilano Road, North Van
- 256 East 6th Street, North Van
- Grouse Mountain – 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Van
- Park & Tilford Gardens – 333 Brooksbank Ave, North Van
- City Hall, North Van
- Dundarave, West Van
Activities Just for Kids
Fri, Nov 30 (3:30-4:45pm) – Christmas Pottery Workshop
Location: Gleneagles Community Centre
Details: Ages 3-10, $18 (must pre-register).
Sun, Dec 2, 9 & 16 (2:45-4:15pm) – Cooking with Mrs. Clause
Location: Ron Andrews Rec Centre (Takaya Room)
Details: Get into the Christmas spirit by rolling, cutting, baking and decorating homemade shortbread and gingerbread cookies from scratch (6-12yrs, $15.24).
Sun, Dec 2, 9 & 16 (1:00-2:30pm) – Elf Workshops
Location: Ron Andrews Rec Centre (Takaya Room)
Details: Each of these three classes will feature a different fun and creative project such as stocking stuffers, decorations, and unique Christmas cards (6-12yrs, $48.73).
Sat, Dec 8 (9-10:30am) – Christmas Decor Pottery Class (6 yrs +)
Location: Parkgate Community Centre (Pottery Studio)
Details: Make unique pottery pieces in this “Christmas” themed class ($13 adults, $10.50 child)
Sat, Dec 8 (10-11:30am) – Christmas Cookies (6-9 yrs)
Location: Memorial Rec Centre (Kitchen) – North Van
Details: Create delicious Christmas treats that you and your family can enjoy during the holiday season! ($19 fee).
Thurs, Dec 13 (4:30-5:45 & 6:15-7:30) Gingerbread House Workshop
Location: Mollie Nye House (Activity Room)
Details: Build a gingerbread house with the whole family to take home!
Tues, Dec 18 (10:30am & 4pm) – Christmas Puppet Show
Location: West Van Memorial Library
Details: Half-hour puppet show to get you in the holiday spirit! Pick up free tickets at the Youth Dept. Desk beginning Mon, Dec 3rd.
Breakfasts with Santa
Sat, Dec 8 (9-10:45 or 11-12:45) – Breakfast with Santa at Parkgate
Location: Parkgate Community Centre, 3625 Banff Court, North Van
Details: Pancake breakfast with Santa (Adults $8.25, Kids $5.50).
Sun, Dec 9 & 15-24 (9-11am) – Breakfast with Santa on Grouse
Location: Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Van
Details: Delicious hot and cold buffet, Christmas sing-a-long, face painting, reindeer antler-making, and a visit from Santa. Book early! $16 – $43.
Sat, Dec 15 (9:30-12) – Breakfast with Santa & Family Swim
Location: Ron Andrews Rec Centre
Details: Delicious breakfast, visit with Santa, festive crafts & entertainment. Stay for a Family Swim after breakfast! Adults $9.50, Children/Seniors $6.50
Christmas Activities @ Shopping Centres
Fri, Nov 29 to Mon, Dec 24 (various times) – Park Royal Mall
Details: Activities at Park Royal Mall throughout the month of December include photos with Santa, Holiday Kid Zone next to Toy Jungle, gingerbread house decorating, holiday storytimes, Goh Ballet excerpts from the Nutcracker, live ice carving & live music. Check out their website for more details.
Fri, Nov 29 to Sun, Dec 23 (various times) – Capilano Mall
Details: Activities at Capilano Mall throughout the month of December include photos with Santa, storytime with Santa & cookie decorating. Check out their website for more details.
Fri, Nov 29 to Sun, Dec 23 (various times) – Lynn Valley Centre
Details: Activities at Lynn Valley Centre throughout the month of December include the Christmas Toy Train, Amicus music performances, local school choir performances, and photos with Santa.
Photos with Santa (Children)
Thurs, Nov 29 – Sun, Dec 23 – Capilano Mall (North Van)
Thurs, Nov 29 – Mon, Dec 24 – Park Royal Mall (West Van)
Details: Every child receives a candy cane, ornament & reindeer antlers.
Thurs, Nov 29 – Mon, Dec 24 – Lynn Valley Centre (N. Van)
Details: Every child receives a free bag of goodies from Santa’s workshop.
Photos with Santa (Pets)
Mon, Dec 3 & Dec 10 (6-8pm) – Capilano Mall (North Van)
Details: Dogs & cats only please!
Tues, Dec 11 & Dec 18 (5-8pm) – Park Royal Mall (West Van)
Details: A new tradition this year in Park Royal North.
Charity / Not-for-Profit
Fri, Dec 7 (all day) – Food Bank Day @ Park Royal
Location: Park Royal North, Centre Court
Details: Shoppers will receive a FREE Santa Photo CD ($10 value) when they bring in a non-perishable food item or cash donation to Park Royal North Centre Court. All proceeds will support local food banks.
Ongoing – Bikes for Tykes Program (FS of the N. Shore)
Location: Obsession Bikes, 94 Lonsdale Avenue, North Van
Details: Obsession Bikes needs previously owned bikes to restore to “like new” condition and deliver to children on the North Shore for Christmas. For more info email James Wilson at info@obsessionbikes.com or Janet Sanderson at Christmas@familyservices.bc.ca.
If you know of any other Christmas events around town, please send an email to angela@modernmama.com and we’d be happy to add it!