Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 from 4pm – 8pm
Experience the magic of the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 2nd from 4pm to 8pm by attending The Spirit of the Season Festival at The Shipyards. Come spread cheer and enjoy live music, ice skating and entertainment under dazzling holiday lights.
Festive activities for everyone
Spirit of The Season Festival will kick off with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving atop a City fire truck, followed by welcoming ceremonies from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and a performance by the Eagle Song Dancers starting at 4pm. Mayor Buchanan will then lead us from Shipbuilders' Stage to the foot of Lonsdale and light the holiday tree between 4:15pm and 4:45pm.
Enjoy fun, family-friendly activities including:
- Free hot chocolate and a variety of food trucks
- Holiday artisan market at The Pipe Shop | 12pm-6pm
- Burrard Yacht Club Festival of Lights Cruise | 6:15pm
- Musical performances by the Ridgeway School Band, the Carson Graham Vocal Jazz Choir, and The ShowStoppers - a GLEE troupe
- Winter Elves Skate
- Dance performances by Method of Modern Movement, Perform Art Studios, North Shore Academy of Dancing, and Ballet Bloch
- Photo Op with Disney’s Anna and Elsa rinkside | 4:30pm-5:30pm
- Ornament Decorating with Zen Maker Lab
- Skating at the Skate Plaza
The Spirit of the Season Festival would not be possible without participating community organizations, including The Museum of North Vancouver (MONOVA), Family Services North Shore, and The Shipyards District - Lower Lonsdale Business Improvement Area. Be sure to check out their activity booths!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the entertainment schedule?
| Time |
Location |
Details |
| 3:45pm |
Shipbuilders' Square
|
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the City Fire Truck |
| 4:00pm - 4:05pm |
Shipbuilders' Stage |
səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation Welcome by Dennis Thomas – Whonoak
|
| 4:05pm - 4:15pm |
Shipbuilders' Stage |
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Welcome & Performance by the Eagle Song Dancers |
| 4:15pm - 4:45pm |
Shipbuilders' Stage to the Foot of Lonsdale |
Mayor Linda Buchanan and Council Welcome and Tree Lighting Ceremony |
| 4:30pm - 5:30pm |
Skate Plaza - Rinkside |
Disney's Anna and Elsa performance and photos |
| 4:30pm - 5:30pm |
Skate Plaza - Ice |
Winter Elves Skate |
| 4:45pm - 5:10pm |
Shipbuilders' Stage |
Ridgeway School Band Performance |
| 5:30pm - 5:45pm |
Shipbuilders' Stage
|
Method of Modern Movement Dance Performance
|
| 5:45pm - 6:00pm |
Shipbuilders' Stage |
Perform Art Studios Dance Performance |
| 6:15pm - 6:40pm |
Shipbuilders' Stage |
Carson Graham Vocal Jazz Choir |
| 6:30pm - 7:30pm |
Skate Plaza - Rinkside |
Ballet Bloch Nutcracker Pop-up Performance and photos |
| 7:00pm - 7:10pm |
Shipbuilders' Stage |
North Shore Academy of Dancing Performance |
| 7:20pm - 7:35pm |
Shipbuilders' Stage |
ShowStoppers - an acappella holiday performance |
7:50pm - 8:00pm
|
Shipbuilders' Stage
|
Ballet Bloch Nutcracker Performance |
When is the lighting of the Christmas tree?
The tree lighting with Mayor Buchanan will take place at the foot of Lonsdale Plaza between 4:15pm and 4:45pm, steps away from Shipbuilders' Stage.
Do I need tickets to get into the festival?
The festival offers free admission for everyone!
How do I get to the festival?
Visitors are encouraged to walk, take transit and bike to The Shipyards. The area is pedestrian-friendly with connecting trails and safe spaces to walk with friends and family. Bike parking is located throughout the area, and access is easy by transit, with the SeaBus arriving right at The Shipyards and bus connections nearby. There will be no bike valet for this event. Bike racks are located along Wallace Mews west of the rink, on Victory Ship Way near Reckless Bikes and next to Tap & Barrel, and next to Polygon Gallery. There are also pay parking lots within a few blocks but is limited vehicle parking available, please view our
map of parkades or check out
alternative travel options.
Will there be food and drinks available?
There will be a variety of food trucks to choose from, along with many dining options available at The Shipyards. Check out
The Shipyards District website for more information on restaurants and cafes that are in the area.
Is the area accessible?
The event spaces and public realm are all accessible, including the public washrooms. There are elevators from the parking lots for accessibility needs. Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome on the skating rink.
Winter at The Shipyards
The Spirit of the Season kicks off Dec. 2nd, but the festive spirit lasts all winter long! The Shipyards will be transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights and festive decorations, and there's plenty of holiday happenings planned throughout December.
Holiday Light Experience
December 2023 - January 2024
Get into the spirit of the season with a stroll through The Shipyards holiday light displays, including the twinkling lights on The Pier, Wallace Mews and Skate Plaza. There are plenty of festive photo opportunities for you and your loved ones around The Shipyards.
The Shipyards Skate Plaza
December 2023 - March 2024 | 1-8pm daily
Lace up your skates and join us on the region's largest outdoor skating rink! Located on the waterfront at The Shipyards, skate with family and friends and enjoy breath-taking views of downtown Vancouver and the North Shore mountains. For more info visit cnv.org/Skate.
Carols & Candles with CapChurch
Dec. 24 | 5pm
A family-friendly Christmas Carol Sing with CapChurch, open to anyone in the community. Free hot chocolate, performance by candlelight.
New Year’s Eve DJ & Kiddies Ball Drop
Dec. 31 | 5-8pm
Skate into the New Year with us at The Shipyards Skate Plaza! DJ Sage and DJ Em Reese will be spinning tunes from 5-7pm and join us at 7pm on ice for a kiddie ball drop to ring in 2024.