Events in Vancouver : Festival of Lights

As the days get shorter and the holiday season approaches, Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Garden transforms into a breathtaking spectacle: the VanDusen Festival of Lights. Running this year from November 28, 2025, to January 4, 2026, the Garden lights up 15 acres with over one million twinkling lights.

What Makes It Special

  • Immersive Light Displays: Wander through themed light areas, including a show-stopping interactive mycelium installation (“Wood Wide Web”) and a dynamic Salmon Run.

  • Dancing Lights: Three unique “Dancing Lights” sets synchronized to music play every 20 minutes from the top of the hour.

  • New Indoor Exhibit: This year features a new Great Bear Rainforest exhibit inside the Visitor Centre, offering a multi-sensory journey into BC’s natural wonders.

  • Food & Festivities: A festive lineup of food vendors will be on site, serving everything from sweet treats to savory bites so you can refuel as you stroll.

Sensory-Friendly Night

For the third year in a row, there’s a sensory-friendly evening on Tuesday, December 2. On this night, the event reduces capacity by 50%, turns down audio levels, and eliminates flashing lights — a welcoming environment for neurodiverse individuals, their families, and caregivers.

Important Notes:

  • No outside food or reusable drink containers allowed.

  • The event runs rain or shine.

  • Re-entry is not allowed.

  • Pets (other than service animals), scooters, and skateboards are not permitted inside.

Minju B