Since reopening for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, the free outdoor ice skating at Robson Square has become one of Vancouver’s most popular winter activities. Located at 800 Robson Street (just across from the Vancouver Art Gallery in the heart of downtown Vancouver), the Robson Square Ice Rink is open Sunday – Thursday from 9am – 9pm and Fridays & Saturdays from 9am – 11pm. Skating is free; skate rentals are $4, helmets and ice cleats are $2.

One of Vancouver’s more unique holiday traditions is the parade of “Carol Ships”–ships decked out with elaborate Christmas lights–that take to Vancouver’s waterways for nightly processions. To go aboard the Carol Ships costs money, but it’s free to watch the spectacle at any of the shoreside Carol Ship events, including Carol Ship watching and bonfires in North Burnaby and West Vancouver’s Dundarave Park.

One of the Top 5 Vancouver Holiday Attractions, the Rogers Santa Claus Parade features over 60 marching bands, dance troupes, festive floats and community groups, attracting over 300,000 spectators along its route through downtown Vancouver.

Sponsored by Amacon, a Vancouver real estate company, the fifth annual Vancouver Tree Lighting Celebration is a free party at the Jack Poole Plaza at the Convention Centre in downtown Vancouver. The celebration includes the ceremonial lighting of a 50-foot Christmas Tree, plus live music from the Vancouver Children’s Choir and Christmas soloists, and special guest appearances by the BC Lions along with the Felines and Bro Jake from Rock 101. Amacon will also be collecting toys and non-perishable goods for the Aboriginal Mothers Centre.

Part of Christmas in Kerrisdale, this free afternoon of indoor ice skating at the Kerrisdale Arena runs from 3:45pm – 5:30pm and includes live music.

Take part in one of the world’s oldest traditions at this annual event that celebrates the return of the light after the year’s shortest day, the Winter Solstice. The Festival includes lantern displays, live musical performances, and events in five Vancouver neighbourhoods, including Yaletown, the Downtown Eastside, Granville Island, and at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden in Chinatown. All Festival events are free, but donations are requested.