Ads
Description
Downtown Vancouver's holiday season officially begins when the countdown ends and the giant tree outside the Vancouver Art Gallery lights up. The Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration is free, family-friendly and a fundraiser for children's charities, and it has been the city's festive kick-off for about twenty years. In 2026 it takes place on Friday, November 27, starting at 6 p.m.
Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting 2026 at a glance
| Date | Friday, November 27, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time | Ceremony from 6 p.m., ending with the tree lighting |
| Where | In front of the Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street (between Robson and West Georgia) |
| Cost | Free, with free hot chocolate |
| Host | Fred Lee, CBC contributor and longtime Vancouver personality |
| The tree | 76 feet tall with more than 100,000 bulbs, lit all season |
| Can't attend? | The ceremony is live-streamed; the link is posted on the official site closer to the night |
| Official site | treelightingvancouver.com |
What happens on the night
The program starts at 6 p.m. on the Art Gallery's north side and builds to the big moment at the end. Expect live performers and dancers, an appearance by Santa Claus and City Council guests, with CBC's Fred Lee as host. Hot chocolate is handed out free, and food vendors sell treats. The 2026 performers had not been announced as of early November.
The tree itself is the star: 76 feet of lights, roughly the height of eleven ordinary Christmas trees stacked end to end, with more than 100,000 bulbs, about twice as many as New York's Rockefeller Center tree. Once it is switched on it stays lit through the holidays, so if you miss the ceremony you can still see it any evening in December.
Buy a Bulb: where the money goes
The celebration is a charity event. Organizers say all proceeds go back to the community, supporting causes such as BC Children's Hospital Foundation, the Vancouver International Children's Festival and Honour House, and the event has raised more than $2 million over the past five years. You can buy a virtual bulb for the tree on the official site ($5 for one or $10 for three), and larger gifts can be made through a form there.
Getting there
Take transit. Vancouver City Centre station on the Canada Line is about a block from the Art Gallery, and Granville and Burrard SkyTrain stations are a short walk away. Downtown parking is limited on a busy Friday evening, and road closures for the event are announced close to the date.
Tips for the tree lighting
- Arrive before 6 p.m. The best spots facing the tree fill up quickly.
- Dress for rain. It's an outdoor evening in late November; bring a hood and warm layers.
- Bring a few dollars for a bulb or a snack from the vendors.
- Kids: agree on a meeting point in case you get separated in the crowd.
Make a night of it downtown
November 27 is one of the busiest festive nights of the year in Vancouver, and a lot is within walking distance:
- Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza, about 15 minutes' walk away.
- Robson Square Ice Rink, right behind the Art Gallery, when it reopens for the season.
- The Magic of Gastown and Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Regency through December.
- St. Paul's Lights of Hope on Burrard Street, a few blocks away.
- The VanDusen Festival of Lights opens the same night, a short bus or car ride south.
Christmas tree lightings around Metro Vancouver in 2026
Can't make Friday the 27th? There's a tree lighting almost every weekend from mid-November. Most are free.
| Date | Tree lighting | Where | Lighting time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 14 | CF Richmond Centre Tree Lighting | CF Richmond Centre, Richmond | 6 p.m.; at 78 feet, the tallest outdoor tree in the region |
| Thu, Nov 19 | Christmas at District 1881 | Downtown Chilliwack | Celebration 5–7 p.m. |
| Fri, Nov 20 | Wesbrook Village Tree Lighting | Norman MacKenzie Square, UBC | 5 p.m., opening the holiday market |
| Fri, Nov 20 | Sparkle Brighter at McArthurGlen | McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Richmond | During the 5–7:30 p.m. event |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Surrey Tree Lighting Festival | Surrey Civic Plaza | 6:30 p.m.; festival runs Nov 21–22, noon–8 p.m. |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Winter Jubilee | Historic Downtown Abbotsford | 7 p.m. |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Cambie Village Tree Lighting | Cambie Village Church, 3519 Cambie St | Sunset (festivities from 2 p.m.) |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Ladner Tree Lighting Festival | Historic Ladner Village | Santa lights the tree around 7 p.m. |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting | Vancouver Art Gallery | Ceremony from 6 p.m. |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Tsawwassen Springs Festival of Lights | Tsawwassen Springs, Delta | 6 p.m. |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Bright in Burnaby (Festive Village) | Burnaby Village Museum | About 6:50 p.m. |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Spirit of the Season Festival | The Shipyards, North Vancouver | 5:45–6 p.m. |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Christmas in the Square | Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam | 5:15 p.m. |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Edmonds Festival of Lights | Edmonds Community Centre, Burnaby | 5:15 p.m. |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Bright Walk | Memorial Park, White Rock | 5 p.m. |
| Sat, Nov 28 | North Delta Tree Lighting & Holiday Market | North Delta Recreation Centre | Event 5–8 p.m.; time TBA |
| From Sat, Nov 28 | Dundarave Festival of Lights | West Vancouver waterfront | 150+ lit trees into early January |
| Sun, Nov 29 | Christmas Wonderland on The Drive | Grandview Park, Commercial Drive | 5 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec 4 | Christmas in Pitt Meadows | Spirit Square, Pitt Meadows | 6 p.m. |
Lighting times can shift, so check the organizer's site on the day. For lights displays, markets, shows and Santa visits all season long, see our Christmas events in Vancouver guide and the December events calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting in 2026?
Friday, November 27, 2026. The ceremony starts at 6 p.m. in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends with the lighting.
Is the tree lighting free?
Yes. Admission is free and hot chocolate is handed out; donations through Buy a Bulb are optional.
How tall is the Vancouver Christmas tree?
76 feet, with more than 100,000 lights. It stays lit for the whole holiday season.
Can I watch the tree lighting online?
Yes, the ceremony is live-streamed. The link is shared on the official website before the event.
Which tree lighting is first in Metro Vancouver?
CF Richmond Centre's lighting on Saturday, November 14, 2026 opens the season, followed by District 1881 in Chilliwack, Wesbrook Village at UBC and McArthurGlen in Richmond.
Is there a downtown Vancouver Santa Claus Parade in 2026?
No downtown parade has been announced for 2026. Several suburbs hold their own Santa parades; see our Christmas events guide for the list.
