Top 5 Holiday Light Displays in Vancouver

Photo sourced from Capilano Suspension Bridge

We’re in the home stretch now. With Christmas less than a month away, Vancouver is getting into the spirit with festive holiday light displays.

Here are some can’t-miss light displays in Vancouver to brighten up your holiday season:

Photo sourced from Capilano Suspension Bridge

Canyon Lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge: This is possibly the most impressive display on the list (and also, probably not coincidentally, the most expensive). For starters, you’ve got the 140-metre long bridge itself, festooned with thousands of white lights, dangling there in the abyss.  Cross to the other side of the canyon and there’s an entire old-growth forest bedecked with lights.  And did I mention that Capilano also features the world’s tallest live Christmas tree, a 46.4-metre Douglas fir?  Nov. 29-Jan. 3; adults $32.95, youth 13-16 $21.95, kids 6-12 $12.

Photo credit: janheuninck | Flickr

Festival of Lights at the VanDusen Botanical Garden: This is the 30th year that Vancouver’s elegant botanical garden will be putting on its unique light display.  More than 1 million lights are strung throughout the garden. The highlight is the “dancing” display around Livingstone Lake, which blinks in rhythm with holiday tunes every half hour.  Also enjoy gnome performances, shadow puppets and photos with Santa. Dec. 10-Jan. 4; adults $15, youth 13-18 $11, kids 3-12 $8.

Photo credit: Rick Chung | Flickr

Bright Nights at Stanley Park: Ride Stanley Park’s miniature locomotive into forests decorated with an incredible 3 million twinkling lights. The lights are complemented by breathtaking displays and live performers along the 14-minute-long train route.  The Train Plaza (which is free to visit) is an experience in itself, with great light displays . Nov. 27-Jan 4; adults $11, kids $8. (The afternoon “matinee” train is $6 for all ages.)

Image submitted to the Inside Vancouver Flickr Pool by greatscott94 | Flickr.com

Canada Place Christmas Tree at Jack Poole Plaza: This year, four separate trees are being lit up at Jack Poole Plaza in downtown Vancouver, site of Vancouver’s Olympic Cauldron.  The tallest tree towers 50 feet, weighs nearly 8 tons and is decorated with 64,700 lights.  The Dec. 5 lighting ceremony features live music and entertainment and you can also “buy a bulb” to support the Kids Help Phone Service.  Best of all, it’s free! See Carrie’s post to learn more. Dec. 1-first week of January; free.  

Image from Trinity Street Christmas Lights Festival Facebook Page

Trinity Street Christmas Light Festival in East Vancouver: This private display in a residential neighbourhood definitely deserves a spot on the list. Local homeowners in the 2400-2900 blocks of Trinity Street in the Hastings-Sunrise area strive to out-do each other every year with over-the-top light displays. There are special guided walks on Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 featuring choir singing. The displays are free but donations are accepted for Harbourview Daycare and Cottage Hospice. Dec. 1-Jan 5; free.  

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Article source: http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2014/11/30/top-5-holiday-light-displays-in-vancouver-2/