Why You Should Visit Vancouver in December (From a Local)

I wait all year to experience Vancouver in December. While summer in Vancouver is popular for hiking and being outdoors, December is when ski season and snow activities begin. Even when it’s raining in the city, the mountains are only a short drive away and that’s usually where you’ll find snow. The festive spirit is everywhere too, from streets covered in lights to the Christmas market downtown.

Read below to find out what the weather is really like, the best things to do, whether you need a car and how many days to plan. That way, you can decide if December is the right time for you to visit Vancouver.

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Vancouver Weather in December

The weather in December in Vancouver is usually wet and grey, with temperatures around 6 to 8°C (43 to 46°F). You sometimes get sunny bright days, but generally Vancouver gets a lot of rain in December. The upside is that you can drive to the snowy mountains within 30 minutes of downtown.

How Cold is Vancouver in December?

If you’re staying in Vancouver, the city doesn’t get too cold in December, especially when you compare it with the rest of Canada. It’s very rare that Vancouver stays below freezing for more than a day. But the dry air can make even the sunniest days feel a lot colder than it actually is.

Vancouver in winter is beautiful but if you’re not used to cold weather, you should dress in layers and have a warm jacket on.

Does it Snow in Vancouver in December?

Since I moved to Vancouver it has rarely snowed in Vancouver in December. Even when snow falls in the city, it usually melts within a day or two.

I personally love seeing Vancouver covered in snow, but the traffic and transit becomes a nightmare. So if you’re visiting Vancouver in December and it snows, I strongly recommend enjoying Vancouver without a car.

17 Things to Do in Vancouver in December

Visit the Vancouver Christmas Market

Coming from Bolzano in Italy, where Christmas markets are a big deal, Christmas doesn’t feel real to me until I’ve visited one. The Vancouver Christmas Market is beside the Convention Centre and runs until Christmas Eve. There is an entrance fee, so it’s worth buying tickets online ahead of time.

It’s themed around a German Christmas village but if you’re looking for an actual Bavarian village, a day trip to Leavenworth in December is definitely worth it.

Neighbourhood Christmas Houses

Many residential streets in Vancouver go all out with lights and Christmas decorations. The best way to find them is to check Reddit community posts or local Facebook pages. Or if you prefer doing it the old school way, just take a walk around the neighbourhoods in Vancouver and see if you can find them yourself.

Explore VanDusen Festival of Lights

In December, VanDusen Botanical Garden is fully covered in glowing lights. The trees, lake sides and path are all decorated and if you’re visiting with kids, you can meet Santa in his cabin on select nights. To reserve a ticket you can either do it online or on the same day.

You can also reach VanDusen Botanical Garden by bus from downtown Vancouver. This is a less crowded activity compared to the downtown Christmas Market.

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Capilano Bridge is the most touristy spot in Vancouver. In every season, they organize special events to decorate the suspension bridge and nearby paths in a festive mood. If you’re visiting Vancouver in November, you can find the Canyon Lights event. In February they have the Love Lights show and in March the Hoppy Heights. In December they run the Canyon Lights festival.

You don’t need a car to get to Capilano Suspension Bridge, since the park runs a free shuttle from Canada Place. But if you prefer a cheaper alternative, I recommend checking out Lynn Canyon Park. Here you can find a free suspension bridge but no light display. It’s a quieter and less touristy activity.

Astra Lumina in Stanley Park

Astra Lumina in Stanley Park runs for the entire month of December. It is located on the old miniature railway site and the event takes place rain or shine. The admission lasts for about 1 hour as you walk an illuminated path through nine themed areas.

If you’re looking for a similar experience, Vallea Lumina is created by the same company and is one of the best things to do in Whistler in winter if you don’t ski.

Go on a Snowy Winter Hike near Vancouver

If you want to enjoy the mountains without skiing, a winter hike near Vancouver is the easiest way to get out. Cypress, Grouse and Mount Seymour all have marked snowshoe trails. But if you prefer a longer day trip, the Elfin Lakes winter hike and Joffre Lakes in winter are straight out of a postcard.

If you decide to hike in winter, be aware of the trail conditions, avalanche risk and road advisories. Also carry the 10 essentials when heading into the backcountry and remember that days are short in December.

Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain

Unless you’re visiting Alaska, Grouse Mountain is the closest version of Vancouver’s North Pole. This is an easy way to combine snow and Christmas cheer in one day. At the top of the mountain you can find a Santa Workshop, Breakfast with Santa, Light Walk around Blue Grouse Lake and if you’re skiing you can also spend the day on the slopes.

Access is included with your gondola ticket and no extra costs are charged to access Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain.

Visit Martini Town in Langley

If you want to feel like you’re part of a Hallmark Christmas movie, then visit Martini Town. This is a converted movie set lot run by Martini Film Studios. In December, it looks like a holiday town with a diner, town square and glowing streets. It’s extremely popular for photos. Despite it not being exactly a real town, nobody minds and it’s a great activity for the grey winter months.

Burnaby Village Museum’s Festive Village

The Burnaby Village Museum’s Festive Village is a free activity that runs for the entire month of December. The village museum is decorated with lights and ornaments, while the narrow streets give it a small town feel. You can reach it with the SkyTrain or bus from downtown.

Watch a Canucks Hockey Game

A Canucks Hockey Game at Rogers Arena is one of the most local Vancouver activities you can do. December is mid-season and the atmosphere at the stadium is great. Check the schedule before you book a ticket. Usually games against weaker opponents are cheaper. The stadium is a short walk away from Chinatown SkyTrain, making it easy to reach without a car.

Skiing on the North Shore Mountains

With the North Shore just a short drive a way, skiing in Vancouver is very convenient. My favourite part of skiing at Cypress or Grouse Mountain is the views over the water. At Cypress, you can even catch the sunset over Howe Sound if you’re night skiing. There aren’t many cities where you can ski under the stars while the city lights glitter below.

Skiing on the weekend at Cypress Mountain is very busy, so you should consider booking lift tickets online in advance.

Day Trip to Whistler

Whistler in winter is especially beautiful. It’s about 2 hours drive from Vancouver and is one of the best Sea to Sky Highway stops. It’s manageable as a day trip if you don’t overpack it and I’d recommend either choosing to ski or visit the village for the day. Read my guide on the best things to do in Whistler for non skiers.

Ice Skating in Vancouver

The outdoors ice rink at Robson Square is the most popular free option in Vancouver. But it’s quite small and often crowded. Another alternative is the Shipyards Skate Plaza next to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. It’s a larger one and you can pair it with a day on the North Shore.

Grouse Mountain also has a skating pod but I’d recommend this more for kids, as it’s rather small.

If you prefer indoor ice skating, Vancouver has many ice skating rinks. Check the closest one to you and their opening hours.

Gastown and Granville Island at Christmas

Gastown is in my opinion a great sight year round. The cobblestone streets, the steam clock and the decorated shop windows bring you back in time.

Granville Island is another great spot in Vancouver, mostly known for the Public Market where you can try local food and find gifts. I prefer to take the little Aquabus ferries from downtown for a scenic short trip in False Creek. But you can also reach Granville Island by car. Just be aware that parking is limited on weekends.

If you want to combine both Gastown and Granville Island in one day, visit Granville Island in the morning or early afternoon, followed by Gastown in the evening.

Bald Eagle Viewing in Squamish

Every winter, bald eagles fly to Brackendale near Squamish to feed on salmon. There is a viewpoint at Eagle Run dyke on Government Road where you can spot eagles on the nearby treetops.

The best time for eagle viewing is in November and December. Don’t forget to bring binoculars and some warm layers. To get the most of the day, combine it with the Sea to Sky Gondola or spend one day in Squamish.

Drive the Sea to Sky Highway

The Sea to Sky Highway is one of the best drives in Canada. You can drive it in winter and plan a few stops from Vancouver to Whistler to really enjoy it. In winter, winter tires are required and road conditions can change fast. I always check DriveBC before I leave Vancouver, as accidents on the Sea to Sky Highway are extremely popular.

If you don’t want to rent a car, you can also book a guided tour that covers a few of the main stops.

Soak in a Spa or Sauna

When temperatures start dropping, there is nothing better than a sauna and a spa day. The most popular Spa near Vancouver is the Scandinave Spa in Whistler, but Vancouver has a lot of similar alternatives, such as High Tide Sauna.

If you’re looking at a way to celebrate a special event with friends, Hot Voyage allows you to rent the floating sauna boat for a group of max 12 people. You’ll float through the Indian Arm while taking in the views of the gorgeous rainforest.

Can You Go Skiing near Vancouver in December?

Yes, yes, yes! This is one of the things that makes Vancouver so special. In just 30 to 45 minutes from downtown, you can reach Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain or Mount Seymour. You can choose to ski for half a day and be back for dinner in Vancouver or try night skiing.

Cypress Mountain is the largest of the three North Shore Mountains, but Grouse is the easiest to reach by public transit. Grouse Mountain also has a Christmas themed village at top, which makes a full day trip from Vancouver even more worthwhile.

Seymour Mountain is the most family friendly local mountain, with gentler slopes and fewer crowds.

December marks the start of winter in Vancouver and snow conditions can be still patchy early in the month. Check each mountains snow report before you go, as well as their webcams.

If you’re looking for a larger ski terrain, I strongly recommend driving to Whistler. It’s about 2 hours drive from Vancouver and you can ski on Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb. With two mountains and several ski slopes, the terrain is one of the largest in North America. If you’re spending a few extra days in Vancouver, consider visiting Whistler in winter. You don’t necessarily need to ski, as there are several activities for non-skiers as well.

How Many Days Do You Need in Vancouver?

If you’re visiting Vancouver for the first time, three to four days are plenty for the main highlights.

If you have 2 days in Vancouver, you can visit Granville Island, the Christmas Market and walk along the Stanley Park seawall. You’ll have enough time to get into the Christmas spirit and explore the downtown Vancouver area.

With 3 days in Vancouver, you can also spend a day snowshoeing on Cypress, Grouse or Seymour Mountains.

But the ideal length for a trip to Vancouver in winter is 4 to 5 days. On top of the activities mentioned above, you can spend one day in Squamish or Whistler. You can also do a forest walk in Lynn Canyon or take a day trip from Vancouver to Bowen Island. Five days in Vancouver will give you more flexibility and buffer for rainy days.

Is Vancouver Easy to Explore Without a Car?

You can visit Vancouver without a car and not miss out on any activities nearby. The local transit connect downtown with the North Shore and nearby locations. It’s usually reliable unless it snows.

I wrote an entire article on how to spend 3 days in Vancouver without a car. This is an itinerary you can both do in summer and winter.

Renting a car is only needed if you plan a winter road trip along the Sea to Sky Highway or want to be flexible in getting out of the city. Make sure you have proper winter tires on your rental vehicle before you leave Vancouver. Winter tires are mandatory on many roads from October 1 to March 31 or April 30.

Can You Visit Whistler as a Day Trip?

A day trip to Whistler is a classic but staying overnight is better if you have the time. I spend most of my winter weekends driving from Vancouver to Whistler for a ski day. I stayed in Whistler Village a few times but I personally don’t mind a long day trip either.

If you decide to do a day trip to Whistler, leave Vancouver around 7 or 8 am the latest, to avoid traffic close to Whistler Village. Read my guide on what to do when visiting Whistler in winter that is not skiing. But if you also want to ski, I’d recommend adding a night in the village before driving back to Vancouver.

You can also visit Whistler without a car from Vancouver. Epic Rides or Skylynx are two reliable bus companies but there are also guided tours from Vancouver.

Pros and Cons of Visiting Vancouver in December

Is December a Good Time to Visit Vancouver

Visiting Vancouver in December is absolutely worth it to get into the Christmas spirit. This isn’t the best month for long road trips or hiking but it’s the best one for festive lights, snowshoeing, skiing and winter hiking. As a local, the secret is to stop fighting the rain and lean into it. When it rains in downtown, it means it snows in the mountains.

But if you prefer to visit Vancouver in summer, the best times to visit are from June to September.

❄️ Planning to visit Vancouver in winter? Here are a few more ideas to help you plan your trip:

• Best snowy winter hikes near Vancouver
• Joffre Lakes winter hike near Pemberton
• Elfin Lakes winter hike near Squamish
• Best things to do in Whistler in winter for non-skiers
• Main stops on the Vancouver to Whistler drive
• Best day trips from Vancouver without a car

👉 First time in Vancouver or still figuring out when to visit? Start with these local guides.

Vancouver in Fall

• September trip
• October trip
• November trip

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