Enjoy the magic of Christmas at these North Shore holiday lights displays

If you haven’t had a chance to get festive yet, don’t worry, there’s still time to experience the magic of the holiday season.

While events can’t go ahead as planned this December and into January with provincial health restrictions in place to reduce coronavirus transmission, families and household bubbles can still view and enjoy some of the stunning light displays on the North Shore.

Here’s what’s on... 

Take a stroll through The Shipyards Spirit of the Season display 

North Vancouver's waterfront has been transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and outdoor fireplaces for The Shipyard’s Spirit of the Season display.

Visitors can expect to see tree lights at Wallace Mews and 15 metres of festoon lighting along the Wallace Mews walkway leading to Burrard Dry Dock. The display also includes tree lights in front of Pier7 restaurant, lights along the bridge on the Spirit Trail, and LED PAR bulbs attached to various parts of The Shipyards Crane.

The city’s stunning 40-foot Christmas tree is also part of the display. The lights will add festive cheer to The Shipyards until Jan. 4 from sunset onwards. This is a free experience.

Snowshoe a kilometre of twinkling lights to a lodge on Cypress Mountain Resort

Snowshoe a one-kilometre path nestled in an old forest of snow-laden trees, and lit with thousands of twinkling lights, atop Cypress Mountain Resort in West Vancouver.

Lights to the Lodge makes for a unique evening for families, household groups, and couples seeking an intimate and self-guided mountain experience. The mountain trail leads to the more than 100-year-old Hollyburn Lodge, settled among First Lake’s forest, serving warm delights including hot chocolate, cookies, burgers, and beer.

Tickets for this experience start at $34 per adult, which includes the cost of snowshoe rentals. COVID-19 health and safety measures are in place.

See over 100 luminous trees in the Forest of Miracles

For the first time, the Dundarave Festival Forest of Miracles tree display will stretch from its original site at Dundarave Beach eastward to Millennium Park and the Grosvenor Ambleside Galleria to ensure public safety during the pandemic.  

There are more than 130 B.C. grown grand firs and live trees to see at the “eccentric open-air art gallery,” which have been decorated beautifully by families, community groups, and businesses who made a charitable donation to sponsor a tree.  This is a free experience.

Go up to Grouse Mountain for a magical snowy light walk

Enjoy the magic of winter at the Peak of Vancouver. Visit Grouse Mountain at night to experience the enchanting, snowy Light Walk. The entrance is marked by a glowing light tunnel, just off of the mountaintop skating pond. 

Sparkling lights along the path around Blue Grouse Lake allow visitors to snowshoe or walk in the winter night.

The Light Walk is open through the winter season starting at dusk. Visitors are required to buy a mountain admission ticket and reserve a SkyRide boarding time for travelling uphill and downhill. The mountain has COVID safety protocols in place.

Be dazzled by the daytime display at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

While the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park’s usual Canyon Lights event is cancelled, the park is still operating from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at this time, with COVID safety measures in place.

The park has its stunning lights display turned on during the day for visitors to enjoy. Walk across the wondrous bridge for that perfect Instagram shot and explore the treetops lit up by twinkling lights. Reservations and masks are mandatory. No tickets are sold at the gate. The park is closed Dec. 25. 

Take a break from shopping to admire the Parade of Trees

Stroll by the many decorated trees at the Parade of Trees at Lynn Valley Village.

Historically, the event is a fundraiser for the Lynn Valley Community Association, with net proceeds supporting the work of LVCA throughout the year. The trees are sponsored by community members and businesses who also decorate the trees.

Drive by the North Shore neighbourhood Christmas lights displays

Navigate your way to some seriously festive holiday light displays on the North Shore with a community-sourced map. 

Many North Vancouverites have taken to decking out their yards with beautiful displays to help spread extra cheer and they’re well worth a look.

There’s everything from giant blow-up Santa and friends displays, rooftops lined with the characters from Dr. Seuss’s Whoville, Star Wars stormtroopers holding candy canes, and simply stunning traditional showcases that are sure to put a smile on even the Grinch’s dial.

Happy Holidays, North Shorerites!

Elisia Seeber is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

-- with files from Sarah Grochowski