Things to Do in Vancouver in November 2026

Last Updated on November 2, 2026 by Explore Vancouver

Looking for things to do in Vancouver in November? The month moves from the last fall colours to the first Christmas lights. Early in the month, Vancouver, BC has big concerts, Diwali celebrations and a final run of fall walks. By the third week the Christmas market opens, light shows switch on across Metro Vancouver, and the city glows after an early sunset.

This guide lists Vancouver events in November 2026 in date order, then adds free things to do, rainy day ideas, weather tips and cosy places to warm up. Dates come from event organizers and can change, so check each official page before you go. For more, see our festivals and events hub.

Here are the key November events in Vancouver at a glance:

Date	Event
Nov 3 to 25	Chutzpah! Festival
Nov 4	LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil opens
Nov 5 to 15	Diwali Fest
Nov 6 to 20	Bear Creek Lights in Surrey
Nov 11	Remembrance Day
Nov 16	Vancouver Christmas Market opens
Nov 18 to 21	Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week
Nov 19 to 22	Eastside Culture Crawl main event
Nov 20	Peak of Christmas and Canyon Lights open
Nov 27	VanDusen Festival of Lights opens

Visiting Vancouver in November: what to expect

Is November a good time to visit Vancouver? Yes, if you plan for rain. Crowds are smaller than in summer, indoor attractions are easy to reach, and the holiday season builds through the month. Most Vancouver attractions stay open in November, but hours can be shorter, so check each official page before you go. The weather section further down covers what to wear.

• Early November (Nov 1 to 10): the last fall colours, Diwali Fest, Rogers Arena concerts and the start of Bear Creek Lights.
• Mid November (Nov 11 to 20): Remembrance Day, the Circle Craft Holiday Market, the Vancouver Christmas Market opening, Indigenous Fashion Week and the first big light shows.
• Late November (Nov 21 to 30): the Eastside Culture Crawl weekend, Festive Village, VanDusen Festival of Lights, Noël Surrey and the Steveston Christmas Craft Fair.

Astra Lumina at Stanley Park (all month, to Dec 31)

Astra Lumina runs at the Stanley Park Railway site through November and continues to Dec 31, which makes it one of the easiest evening plans to fit around the month's bigger events. It is a ticketed after-dark experience, so book ahead and check the official page for times. Wrap up warm, since the walk is outdoors and November nights are damp and cool. Pair it with a daytime visit to Stanley Park for the seawall and forest trails.

Chutzpah! Festival (Nov 3 to 25)

Chutzpah! is Vancouver's Jewish performing arts festival, with theatre, music, dance and more at venues across the city from Nov 3 to 25. The long run makes it easy to catch a show on a weeknight. Check the festival schedule for individual dates, venues and ticket details.

Jade Music Fest at Granville Island (Nov 3 to 8)

Jade Music Fest brings Chinese-language music and cultural exchange to Granville Island from Nov 3 to 8. Make an afternoon of it by browsing the Granville Island Public Market before or after a performance. See our Granville Island guide for more to do nearby.

LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil (opens Nov 4)

LUZIA opens Wednesday, Nov 4 at the Big Top at Concord Pacific Place and runs to mid December. It is the first Cirque du Soleil show built around rain, which suits a Vancouver November. Tickets are required and popular dates fill up, so book early.

Diwali Fest across Metro Vancouver (Nov 5 to 15)

Diwali itself falls on Sunday, Nov 8, and Diwali Fest celebrations roll across the region either side of it. These free events are a good way to experience the festival of lights with music, dance and food.

• Thu Nov 5: Coquitlam, Evergreen Cultural Centre, 6 to 8 pm, free
• Sat Nov 7: Vancouver, Roundhouse Community Centre, 2 to 5 pm, free
• Sat Nov 7: Diwali Fusion Bollywood Boat Party, the 7th annual evening cruise
• Mon Nov 9: New Westminster, Anvil Centre, 5:30 to 8 pm, free
• Sun Nov 15: Surrey finale, Surrey City Hall, 2 to 5 pm, free

Read more on the Diwali Fest page.

Eastside Culture Crawl (preview Nov 5 to 28, main event Nov 19 to 22)

The Eastside Culture Crawl celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The preview P.A.R.T.Y. exhibition opens Thursday, Nov 5 at 716 E Hastings with a free opening reception from 6 to 8 pm and stays open to Nov 28, Wednesday to Sunday afternoons. The main event runs Thursday, Nov 19 to Sunday, Nov 22, when more than 525 artists open their studios to visitors for free. Expect Thursday and Friday evenings and full days on the weekend. Pick a handful of studios per visit rather than trying to see everything.

Rogers Arena concerts: Smashing Pumpkins, Teddy Swims and Pentatonix (Nov 5 to 7)

Three big shows hit Rogers Arena in the first week: Smashing Pumpkins on Thursday, Nov 5, Teddy Swims on Friday, Nov 6, and Pentatonix on Saturday, Nov 7. Plan transit or parking early on show nights, since downtown gets busy around the arena. Tickets are sold through the official venue and promoter pages.

Bear Creek Lights in Surrey (Nov 6 to 20)

Bear Creek Lights turns the trails of Bear Creek Park in Surrey into a walk-through light festival from Nov 6 to 20. It is closed on Nov 11 for Remembrance Day. Entry is free, but check Surrey's official Bear Creek Lights page for ticket requirements and the nightly schedule before you go. Wear shoes you do not mind getting muddy and bring a light for the paths between displays. Read our Bear Creek Park guide for the park layout and what to expect.

Last chance: Emily Carr at the Vancouver Art Gallery (closes Nov 8)

The Emily Carr exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery closes on Sunday, Nov 8. If you have been meaning to see it, this is the final weekend. Check the gallery's official page for opening hours and admission.

Beck and Penn and Teller at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Nov 9 and 10)

Beck plays the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Monday, Nov 9, followed by Penn and Teller on Tuesday, Nov 10. Both are weeknight shows in the heart of downtown, so dinner nearby is easy to plan. Tickets are on sale through the official theatre listings.

Remembrance Day ceremonies (Wed Nov 11)

Remembrance Day ceremonies take place across Metro Vancouver on Wednesday, Nov 11, including at Victory Square downtown. Ceremonies are free to attend. Arrive early, dress warmly and expect road closures near the larger services. Many attractions and events change their hours or close for the day, including Bear Creek Lights, so check ahead.

Circle Craft Holiday Market (Nov 11 to 15)

The Circle Craft Holiday Market fills Vancouver Convention Centre West from Wednesday, Nov 11 to Sunday, Nov 15 with more than 315 Canadian artisans. It is a handy first stop for handmade gifts before the Christmas rush. Check the official site for hours and tickets. For more gift ideas see our Christmas shopping guide.

Lumière Festival (Nov 12 to 14)

Lumière Festival runs Thursday, Nov 12 to Saturday, Nov 14. Check the official festival page for the schedule and locations, then plan your evening around it.

Lights of Hope final celebration (Thu Nov 12)

The Lights of Hope final celebration takes place on Burrard Street on Thursday, Nov 12 from 6 to 8 pm. It is a short evening event, so it pairs well with dinner downtown.

More shows: VSO Cinderella, Raffi and Tyla (Nov 5 to 15)

• Thu Nov 5: the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs Prokofiev's Cinderella at the Orpheum
• Sat Nov 14 and Sun Nov 15: Raffi in concert, a good pick for families
• Sun Nov 15: Tyla at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, UBC

Check the official ticket pages for showtimes and availability.

Vancouver Christmas Market opens (Mon Nov 16 to Dec 24)

The Vancouver Christmas Market opens at Jack Poole Plaza on Monday, Nov 16 and runs to Dec 24. Go on a weeknight or early in the run for shorter lines, and dress for rain. Our Vancouver Christmas Market guide covers what to expect, and our Christmas markets roundup lists other markets across Metro Vancouver.

Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (Nov 18 to 21)

Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week runs Nov 18 to 21 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, with shows at 7 pm each night under the 2026 theme, EARTH. The line-up is Opening Night (Red Dress) on Wednesday, Nov 18, All My Relations Couture on Thursday, Nov 19, Indigenous Futures on Friday, Nov 20, and Spirit of the West Coast, the closing night, on Saturday, Nov 21. Tickets are on sale at vifw.ca.

Glow Langley (opens Nov 19 to Jan 2)

Langley's winter light event, Glow Langley, opens on Thursday, Nov 19 and runs to Jan 2. It is a good option if you want a lights outing away from the busier downtown venues. Check the official page for entry details and nightly hours.

From the Deep at the Museum of Anthropology (opens Nov 19)

From the Deep: In the Wake of Drexciya, with artist Ayana V. Jackson, opens at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC on Thursday, Nov 19 as a Canadian premiere. Opening night starts at 7 pm, with free admission from 6 pm, and the exhibition runs to Mar 29, 2027. Combine it with the museum's Great Hall and collections in our Museum of Anthropology guide.

Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain (Nov 20 to Dec 24)

Grouse Mountain's seasonal celebration, Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain, opens on Friday, Nov 20 and runs to Dec 24. Mountain weather is colder and wetter than the city, so bring extra layers and waterproof shoes. See our Grouse Mountain guide for how to get up the mountain.

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge (Nov 20 to Jan 10)

Canyon Lights opens on Friday, Nov 20 and runs to Jan 10 at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. This year adds new WILDLIGHT 3D projections to the forest after dark. Read our Capilano Suspension Bridge guide for tips on timing your visit and avoiding the busiest hours.

Festive Village at Burnaby Village Museum (Nov 25 to Jan 3)

Festive Village opens on Wednesday, Nov 25 at Burnaby Village Museum and runs to Jan 3. The heritage setting makes it feel different from the big-city light shows. Start with our Burnaby Village Museum guide and see our best Christmas lights roundup for more ideas.

VanDusen Festival of Lights (opens Nov 27 to Jan 3)

The VanDusen Festival of Lights opens on Friday, Nov 27 and runs to Jan 3. Tickets for popular evenings sell out, so book ahead. Our VanDusen Festival of Lights guide has planning tips.

Noël Surrey with Bright Nights (opens Nov 27 to Dec 29)

Noël Surrey with Bright Nights opens on Friday, Nov 27 at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds and runs to Dec 29. It is a good pick for a Surrey-side holiday evening. Check the official page for ticket and entry details.

Steveston Christmas Craft Fair (Sat Nov 28)

The Steveston Christmas Craft Fair takes place on Saturday, Nov 28 at the Net Shed at Steveston Community Centre. It is a relaxed local market for handmade gifts, and the village is worth a stroll afterward. See our Steveston Christmas Craft Fair guide and our Steveston Village guide.

Free things to do in Vancouver, BC in November

You do not need a ticket to enjoy the month. These options cost nothing, or close to it:

• Catch the last fall colours in early November. See our fall photo spots and fall hikes.
• Watch late-season salmon. Our salmon watching guide lists the best viewing spots.
• Walk the Stanley Park seawall on a dry day.
• Join the free events above, including Diwali Fest, the Eastside Culture Crawl and Remembrance Day ceremonies.
• Start planning your lights season with our Christmas lights guide.

What to do in Vancouver in November when it rains

Rain is common in November, so keep a few indoor attractions in Vancouver in your back pocket. Museums, galleries, covered markets and theatres all work well, and many of the events above are indoors. Our rainy day activities guide has ideas organized by city.

Vancouver weather in November and what to pack

Vancouver, BC weather in November is cool and damp. Daytime highs in Vancouver, Canada are usually around 8 to 10 degrees Celsius, nights are cooler, and rain is frequent. The clocks fall back on Nov 1, so sunset arrives before 5 pm all month, which is good news for light shows but means shorter daylight for hikes. Pack a waterproof jacket, warm layers, waterproof shoes and an umbrella. If you plan to head up Grouse Mountain, bring extra layers for the colder summit.

Cafes and comfort food

November is cafe season. Warm up with a coffee on Granville Island after the market, or travel for a bookstore cafe like Wendel's Bookstore Cafe in Fort Langley or a waterfront stop at Tell Your Friends Cafe on Bowen Island. Many events above also sell hot drinks and snacks on site.

Frequently asked questions

Want more? Browse our festivals and events hub, plan your lights nights with the best Christmas lights in Vancouver roundup, or see Christmas markets in Vancouver for more holiday shopping.