One of Vancouver's most recognisable attractions is about to get its annual winter glow-up. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver is staging the 20th edition of Canyon Lights, its holiday festival that strings millions of lights across the famous swinging bridge and surrounding rainforest, from 20 November 2026 through 10 January 2027.
The setup goes beyond simple string lights. A 3D wildlife projection mapped onto the forest returns with sharper animation and a new spot in the park, while a fresh installation called Light Storm takes over the Cliffwalk Gardens — think a giant glowing moon, rain-like cascades of light and an illuminated chandelier reflected across the water. The main bridge itself gets wrapped in festive colour against the evergreen backdrop, and the Pond of Many Moons shimmers on the park's large pond like, as the organisers put it, a snow globe.
There's plenty for families beyond the visuals. Kids can take on the Rainforest Explorer scavenger hunt, collecting stickers around the park, and try a gingerbread craft session. Photo opportunities are dotted throughout the site, so plan extra time for the slow-moving queues at the best vantage points.
When the cold sets in, live entertainment runs through the season, and warm drinks — mulled wine, eggnog — are on hand. The Cliffhouse Restaurant and Bar is the obvious spot to thaw out, and the Trading Post Gift Store covers any last-minute presents.
Tickets cost $76.95 for adults, $71.95 for seniors (65+), $65.95 for students 18+, $49.95 for youth 13-17 and $29.95 for children 6-12, with under-fives presumably free. Partial proceeds go to the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund, a nice touch given the ticket price. Book online in advance — the park opens daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with last entry at 9 p.m., and it's closed on Christmas Day (25 December 2026). The address is 3735 Capilano Rd., North Vancouver.
A few practical notes if you're coming from out of town: the park is roughly a 20-30 minute drive from downtown Vancouver, and a free shuttle typically runs from Canada Place — worth checking the schedule before you go. Evening slots are the most atmospheric since that's when the lights do their thing, but they're also the busiest, so arriving closer to opening or right at the 9 p.m. cutoff window can mean thinner crowds. And it's a rainforest: December drizzle is common, so waterproof layers and grippy shoes will make the Cliffwalk far more enjoyable.
Twenty years in, Canyon Lights has become a fixture of the Vancouver holiday calendar — equal parts tourist attraction and local tradition. If you're in the city over Christmas or New Year and haven't done it, it's an easy half-day outing that pairs well with Grouse Mountain up the road or a warm-up stop in nearby Deep Cove.
