THE HOLIDAYS are finally here! There is so much to do around the city – to check out, to participate in, to donate to – here are some of my favourites:

Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting

Where: Robson Square
When: Dec 2, 5-7pm (Tree Lighting at 6:30)
Price: FREE
Live entertainment, free cookies and hot chocolates, local food trucks and more at the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony!

Rogers Santa Claus Parade

Where: Robson Square
When: Dec 4, Parade starts at 12
Price: FREE
The 13th Annual Rogers Santa Claus parade is back! Take the whole family to wave to Santa and his friends.

Breakfast with Santa at the Fairmont

Where: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
When: Dec 4, 8am-10am
Price: $19.95 kids 12 and under, $39.95 adults
Join Santa for some delicious breakfast that includes a design-your-own pancake and waffle station and much more.

Ballet BC presents Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker

Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
When: Dec 8-11
Price: $26-$91
A Christmas favourite!

Pan Pacific’s Christmas Wish Breakfast
Where: Pan Pacific
When: December 13 6am- 9am
Price: By Donation
One of the largest toy drives in Canada, the Pan Pacific asks friends to visit with an unwrapped present to donate in exchange for a delicious free breakfast!

Cirque du Soleil – TORUK
Where: Pacific Coliseum
When: December 14 -18
Price: Starting at $49
Cirque du Soleil is back with Toruk, a Avatar inspired show that’s sure to enchant the entire family.

Goh’s Nutcracker
Where: The Centre 777 Homer
When: December 15-20
Price: Starting at $28.00-$91.50
A Christmas classic performed by Goh Ballet.

VanDusen Festival Of Lights
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden
When: December 1-January 2, 2017  (4:30-9/10pm)
Price: $17.86 Adults (Online $15.24), $13.81 (Online $11.43) Seniors (65+) and Youth (13-18), $10.71 (Online $8.57) Child (4-12), Kids under 3 FREE. Visit one of Vancouver’s best light displays during the holiday season! With over 1 million lights to enjoy and a new carousel, it’s perfect for the family.

Peak of Christmas

Where: Grouse Mountain
When: November 25- January 2, 2017
Price:$44.95 (Adults), $40.95 (Seniors), $25.95 (Youth), $15.95 (Children), $114.95 (Families).
Partake in beautiful light installations, an ice skating pond, sliding zone, meet Santa’s reindeer, story time and even live entertainment at Grouse Mountain.

Capilano Canyon Lights

Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
When: November 24 to January 8, 2017, 11AM-9PM
Price:$39.95 (Adults), $36.95 (Seniors 65+), $32.95 (Student 17+ w/ID), $26.95 (Youth 13-16), $13.95 (Child 6-12), FREE Kids under 6. You can also get an annual pass for the price of one day’s regular admission!
Glittering lights everywhere! Check out the tallest living Christmas tree, spot Snowy Owls and enjoy live entertainment.

Bright Nights in Stanley Park

Where: Stanley Park
When: November 28 to January 1, 2017, Matinee Train: 10am-2:30pm, Night Train: 3pm – 10/11pm
Price: $6 Matinee Train, $12 (Adults), $9 (Seniors 65+, Youth 13-18), $8 (Child 3-12 years), FREE 2 years and under.
Experience the Bright Nights Christmas Train benefitting the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.

Vancouver Christmas Market

Where: Jack Poole Plaza (1055 Canada Place)
When: November 26 to Dec 31, 11am-9pm
Price: $8 Adult, $7 (Senior), $4 (Youth 7-12), FREE 6 years and under.
This German-inspired Christmas Market is fun for the whole family with good eats, wooden toys, nutcrackers and so much more, including the Christmas Carousel.

Enchant

Where: 1st + Crowe Street
When: November 25 to Dec 31, 4pm-10pm
Price: $19.95 Adult, $14.95 (Child 6-15, Seniors 65+),  FREE 6 years and under.
Check out the world’s largest Christmas Light Maze and enjoy the market.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Where: Waterfront Theatre
When: November 26 to Dec 31
Price: $35 Adult, $29 (University/College Students w/ID, Seniors), $18 (Youth 5-17), $18 (Preschooler and Toddlers 0-4) .
Join Charlie Brown as he discovers the true meaning of the season.

Robson Square Ice Rink

Where: Robson Square
When: Dec 1 – February 14, 9am – 9/11pm
Price: $4 skate rental fee
Vancouver’s outdoor skating rink is a fun time with friends and family.