15 fun things to do in Vancouver this weekend: November 29 to December 1

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December is here — let the festivities begin!

If you’re looking to get into the spirit of fun, we’ve got you covered with 15 great events happening in Metro Vancouver from November 29 to December 1. There’s WWE Survivor Series, Santa Claus Parade, and more.

Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.

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Surrey Santa Parade of Lights

Surrey Santa Parade of Lights

What: The 17th annual Surrey Santa Parade of Lights is happening on Sunday, December 1, throughout Cloverdale Town Centre, with seasonal floats, stunning lights, and more.

Cloverdale BIA, with the help of local businesses, non-profit, and community organizations, is putting on the event. They are supported by many volunteers who believe in the magic of Santa.

When: December 1, 2024
Time: 5 pm start
Where: Throughout Cloverdale Town Centre. See the full route online.
Admission: Free. Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item or gift item for donation.

What: Spirit of the Season, North Vancouver’s annual holiday kickoff, will transform Carrie Cates into a festive wonderland filled with live music, ice skating, free hot chocolate, and more.

You can even witness the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus atop a city fire truck, and the lighting of the massive holiday tree.

When: November 30, 2024
Time: 4 to 8 pm
Where: The Shipyards — 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free

What: Calling all Swifties! Destination Downtown is offering a chance to win tickets to Taylor’s final Eras performances at BC Place.

From November 29 to December 6, visit one of 13 Taylor-themed lighting installations throughout Vancouver’s downtown core for your chance to enter. The more Taylor-inspired lyrics you visit, the greater the chances of seeing the American pop icon.

For a list of all 13 locations and details on how to enter, visit them online.

When: November 29 until December 6, 2024
Time: Midnight on November 29 until noon on December 6
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free

Gingerbread Lane

Gingerbread Lane

What: Gingerbread Lane, the sweetest street in Vancouver, is back for its 32nd year as the Hyatt Regency once again plays host to the popular festive tradition.

As per tradition over the past three decades, the free event features delightful gingerbread creations designed by secondary school students, amateur culinary artists, and professional bakers.

In addition to providing a welcome dose of holiday feels, the event also helps to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of BC and the Yukon, which is celebrating its 41st year of granting wishes to children living with critical illnesses.

When: November 28 to December 27, 2024
Time: Regular hotel hours
Where: Hyatt Regency Vancouver — 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free

What: Legendary children’s entertainer Raffi is performing all of his hits to fans of all ages at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The Order of Canada recipient and the United Nations’ Earth Achievement Award winner will play faves like “Down By The Bay,” “Baby Beluga,” and more.

When: November 30 and December 1, 2024
Time: 2 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

What: Survivor Series is coming to Vancouver, marking the first time our city has been chosen for a marquee WWE pay-per-view event.

First introduced in 1987, Survivor Series is WWE’s second longest-running pay-per-view event, second only to WrestleMania. Along with Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, and Money in the Bank, Survivor Series and WrestleMania are among WWE’s five marquee annual events.

When: November 30, 2024
Time: 2:30 pm
Where: Rogers Arena, 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

What: Mastercard has teamed up with local small businesses of Fort Langley to create the original storybook, Cranberry & Crumm. Discover the immersive small business shopping experience on Glover Road to receive your free copy of the book at Fort Langley Community Hall or one of the participating shops.

You can also receive an exclusive gift when paying with Mastercard at participating small businesses in Fort Langley. Collect all eight pieces to complete a wooden puzzle of the community’s landmarks. And you can warm up with free hot chocolate in Gasoline Alley from 9:30 am to 6 pm on weekends.

When: November 30 to December 15, 2024
Where: Various locations in Fort Langley
Cost: Free

Robson Square Ice Rink

Robson Square Ice Rink (Daniel Chai/Daily Hive)

What: Calling all whimsical winter lovers! The Robson Square Ice Rink is open for the new skating season and all ages are invited to hit the ice.

Located under the covered outdoor plaza at Robson Square, the rink operates seasonally when temperatures begin to dip. Skating is free, and those without skates can rent them on-site for a fee. Helmets are mandatory for anyone under the age of 12.

The downtown Vancouver wintry tradition will operate until the end of February.

When: Open daily from November 29, 2024 until February 28, 2025
Time: 9 am to 9 pm (holiday hours apply on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day)
Where: Robson Square — 800 Robson Street, 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.

What: A new holiday festival is coming to Metro Vancouver, and it promises to be an enchanting time for the whole family.

Noel Surrey will feature Santa’s castle, a Holly Jolly Hub with food trucks and beverages, bumper cars and more.

There will also be plenty of interactive light displays and photo ops, including a 1 km accessible outdoor holiday light walk filled with illuminated see-saws, a frosty forest, a 150-foot light tunnel, and more.

When: November 28 to December 1, December 5 to 8, and December 12 to 23, 2024
Time: 4 to 10:30 pm
Where: Cloverdale Fairgrounds, Surrey
Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 for youth and seniors, and free for children ages 6 and under. Pre-sale online

What: One of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions, the free outdoor celebration will take place at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on Friday, November 29.

Guests will enjoy live entertainment, colourful photo opportunities, and free cocoa at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square. Santa Claus is even rumoured to be making an appearance.

When: November 29, 2024
Time: 6 pm
Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square – 850 W Georgia Street, Vancouver
Cost: Free

rosewood closing sale vancouver

What: Remember that massive Rosewood Home & Condo warehouse closing sale we recently told you about? Well, the luxury furniture store is upping the ante by slashing prices even more in order to liquidate all remaining stock. This means that the already-reduced prices will be fractioned down even more — but it won’t last.

Coinciding with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the sale will be on from November 29 to December 2, which means if you want to take advantage of this opportunity to acquire luxury furniture at affordable prices, you’ll need to act fast.

If you can’t make it in-store, the sale is also available online with featured products on the best deals page. While some products may be further reduced for Black Friday, don’t wait around to find out — once something’s gone, it’s gone for good.

When:

  • Friday, November 29, 10 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday, November 30, 10 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday, December 1, 11 am to 5 pm
  • Monday, December 2, 10 am to 5 pm

Where: Unit 1175 — 1579 Kingsway Avenue, Port Coquitlam

What: H.R. MacMillan Space Centre hosts Sparks Fly: A STEAM Party and Immersive Listening Show where guests get to enjoy hands-on science, themed treats, and more. Dressing up in your favourite Eras-inspired outfits is highly recommended.

When: November 30, 2024
Time: 6 pm
Where: H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Cost: $21.50 plus fees for early bird, purchase online

What: A new pop-up holiday market in Vancouver this week is ready to help you treat your loved ones to unique gifts while supporting the city’s burgeoning entrepreneurs.

Employ to Empower’s Make Change Market, sponsored by Coast Capital Savings, is happening on Friday, November 29, at the Heritage Hall on Main Street.

The free event features creative gift ideas and giveaways and offers an opportunity to meet low-income entrepreneurs from around Vancouver.

When: November 29, 2024
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: Heritage Hall – 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
Cost: Free

Stanley Park Christmas Train

Bright Nights at Stanley Park

What: The Christmas Train tickets may be sold out for the season, but there is plenty of family fun and holiday cheer in Stanley Park throughout December. Guests will be treated to stunning light displays during their visit, including returning favourites like the giant red reindeer, a vintage fire truck, and the tunnel of lights in the plaza. The event is also in support of the Burn Fund.

When: November 29, 2024, to January 4, 2025 (closed on December 25)
Time: 4 to 10 pm
Where: Pipeline Road in Stanley Park, via the West Georgia Street park entrance
Admission: Train tickets are sold out. Free to visit the holiday lights display and festive activities in the plaza

What: Explore a winter wonderland of lights, art, magic, and stories. Squamish at Dusk is a stunning light experience at Rose Park with immersive installations for all ages to enjoy this holiday season.

Bring the whole family and enjoy the mesmerizing tunnel of lights, a sparkling grotto, an enchanted forest, and more.

When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday from November 28 until December 14, 2024
Time: 4:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: Rose Park – 38550 Loggers Lane, Squamish
Cost: $10-$15, plus fees; free for children four and under. Purchase online

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