Your guide to the Fraser Valley's 2024 holiday events

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Markets filling every hall.
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And shows playing wall-to-wall.

Everybody calls the valley such a festive place,
One with lots of Christmas joy.
Family groups, wanting holiday space
Will find activities to join

They know that Santa’s on his way,
Along with ballerinas dancing on the stage.
And every mother’s child is going to spy
To see if tree lights are more charming outside

And so, we’re offering this simple list
For kids from one to ninety-two.
We have tried our best, to make sure nothing’s missed,
There’s a lot of things to do.

There’s a lot of things to do.

Happy Holidays from Grace Kennedy and Nat King Cole.

Below, find festive activities in the Fraser Valley, including Christmas markets, holiday concerts, festive parades, light displays, and more.

Our colleagues at the Georgia Straight have put together this list of where to buy a real Christmas tree in the Lower Mainland.

There are so many events happening in the Fraser Valley that we couldn’t fit them all into one story. Insider members, check your weekly events story to see all the activities as they come up each week—including Grinchy happy hours, pictures with Santa Claus, and holiday crafting. Become a member here.

Christmas parades | Holiday light displays | Holiday markets | Seasonal concerts | Holiday theatre

Christmas parades

Get set to line the streets of the Fraser Valley to watch festive floats and beloved local groups participate in three parades this season.

Chilliwack Rotary Club Christmas Parade

The Chilliwack Rotary Club's Christmas Parade returns on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 5:30pm. Visitors can attend in person, or live-stream the event courtesy of GW Graham Secondary School. Details online. Find a map of the parade route here.

Mission Candlelight Parade

Mission's Candlelight Parade returns on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6pm. Judges will choose the parade's best floats for holiday spirit, lighting, originality, and charity. Details online. The parade travels in a mostly straight line down First Avenue and Lougheed Highway.

Aldergrove Christmas Light Up Parade

The Aldergrove Christmas Light Up Parade takes place on Saturday, Dec. 14 through the community’s downtown. Join the pre-parade gathering at the Aldergrove Plaza for food, hot drinks, and entertainment starting at 4pm. Details online.

Christmas tree-lighting

Across the Fraser Valley, live music, holiday treats, and other activities turn Christmas tree-lighting events into community celebrations.

Abbotsford Winter Jubilee

Abbotsford's Winter Jubilee returns to the city's downtown on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 3 to 8pm. Celebrate the start of the holidays with live performances, cookie-decorating, pictures with Santa, and a tree-lighting. Details online.

Cultus Lake Christmas

Cultus Lake hosts a family-friendly Christmas event on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 4 to 8pm on the main beach. Come for a Christmas tree-lighting, roasted marshmallows, a visit with Santa, and 8pm fireworks. Details online.

Harrison Lights by the Lake

Harrison's Lights by the Lake display runs from Saturday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Jan. 12. The opening ceremony begins at 4:30pm on Nov. 23, and complimentary hot chocolate, a pet parade, a Frozen sing-a-long, fireworks, live music, and a meet-and-greet Harrison's elusive Sasquatch. Details online. 

Aldergrove Christmas Tree Lighting

The Aldergrove Christmas Tree Lighting takes place Sunday, Nov. 24 starting at 4:30pm. The Grinch and Mrs. Claus will both be on hand, along with refreshments, music, and more. Details online.

Fort Langley Christmas Tree Lighting

Fort Langley lights up its Christmas tree on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 5pm in front of the Fort Langley Community Hall. Before the event, Naked Family Theatre will perform a family-friendly staging of A Boy Called Christmas in the old library space at 2:30pm. Stick around afterwards for a Christmas movie in the hall's ballroom starting at 6pm. All events are free. Details online.

Holiday light displays

There is nothing like twinkling lights to set the holiday season in motion. The Fraser Valley has a number of light displays taking place all season long—and one special railway event for one night only.

Glow: Enchanted Forest

Glow returns to Langley on Thursday, Nov. 21. This year's theme for the lights display is Enchanted Forest. The family-friendly outdoor event will include magic wands to bring the forest to life. The event ends on Dec. 28. Tickets and details online.

Christmas at Greendale Acres

Chilliwack's Greendale Acres opens for its first Christmas season on Friday, Nov. 22 until Monday, Dec. 23. The farm will have a light display, Santa's workshop, a holiday express train, and a wishing tree. Details online.

Merry & Bright

Martini Studios in Langley celebrates movie magic with its Merry & Bright holiday event on its backlot from Wednesday, Dec. 4 to Sunday, Jan. 5. Details online.

Christmas in the Country

Langley's Thunderbird Show Park hosts Christmas in the Country from Thursday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Dec. 29. The indoor event will feature light displays, food trucks, a beer garden, photos with Santa, and more. Details online.

Holiday Lights in Williams Parks

Holiday Lights in Williams Park is back this year as a drive-through event from Dec. 9 to 29. Tickets are free, but advance registration is required. Registration for Township of Langley residents opens Nov. 22. Registration for everyone else opens Nov. 29. Details online.

CPKC Holiday Train

The CPKC Holiday Train is coming through Agassiz on Thursday, Dec. 19 around 5:45pm. Head to the Ag Hall to watch the decorated train roll in and enjoy a live musical performance. Details online.

Holiday markets

Local artisans and vendors will be at nearly two dozen markets throughout the Fraser Valley during November and December. From small school markets to large community events, there is a holiday shopping option for everyone.

Nov. 22: Richard Bulpitt Elementary in Langley is hosting its Winter Market on Friday, Nov. 22 starting at 5pm. The market will feature local vendors, including some RBE students, as well as a coffee bar and door prizes. Details online.

Nov. 22-23: Windsor Greenhouse in Abbotsford hosts a Christmas Market on Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23. Check out more than 30 local artisans and listen to live music. Details online.

Nov. 23: Tis the Season Christmas Market is at Evergreen Hall in Chilliwack on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10am to 4pm. Check out handcrafted soaps, home decor and more. Details online.

Nov. 23: The McConnell Creek Christmas Market will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10am to 2pm at the McConnell Creek Hall in Miracle Valley, north of Mission. There will be more than 20 vendors and craft corner to keep kids busy while the adults shop. Details online.

Nov. 23: Alex Hope Elementary in Langley hosts its holiday market from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, Nov. 23. The market will feature 40 vendors, and admittance is by a non-perishable food donation. Details online.

Nov. 24: Trails End bistro in Fort Langley hosts its Christmas Market on Sunday, Nov. 24 from 2 to 6pm. The market will include handmade crafts and beers on tap. Details online.

Nov. 29: Very Merry Mango Market comes to the Ag-Rec Centre building in Abbotsford from Friday, Nov. 29 to Sunday, Dec. 1. Tickets and details are online.

Nov. 29-30: The Ag Hall in Agassiz hosts its third annual Christmas market on Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30. The market runs from 3 to 8pm on the Friday, and 10am to 4pm on the Saturday. Details online.

Nov. 30: The Abbotsford Eagles host a holiday craft fair at their hall on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10am to 4pm. Free admission. Photos with Santa and face-painting run from 1 to 3pm, by donation. Details online.

Nov. 30: Lynn Fripps Elementary in Langley hosts its Winter Craft Market on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10am to 3pm. Admittance is by donation, and two quilts will be raffled off. Details online.

Nov. 30: Shortreed Elementary in Langley hosts its holiday market on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10am to 3pm. Raffle baskets with items from each vendor will be available; raffle tickets are $1. Details online.

Nov. 30: Cascade Community Church's Christmas Market Brunch and Bake Sale take place on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10am to 2pm in Abbotsford. Admission is by donation. Details online.

Dec. 6 and 13: Gourmet Groceries Canada hosts its Friday Holiday Markets Friday, Dec. 6 and Friday, Dec. 13 at the Fort Langley Community Hall. Each day features a daytime market starting at 10am and a night market starting at 6pm. Visitors on Dec. 6 will get a chance to win Taylor Swift tickets to her concert on Dec. 8. Details online.

Dec. 7-8: Kensington Prairie Farm in Langley hosts an Alpacas and Artisan Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8. Head to the farm to check out local vendors, meet some alpacas, and see Santa. Tickets and details online. (If you want to read more about Kensington Prairie's alpacas, check out our story here.)

Dec. 20-22: The Fort Langley Village Farmers' Market hosts its Christmas market at the Fort Langley Community Hall from Friday, Dec. 20 to Sunday, Dec. 22. The market runs from 10am to 6pm each day, and features baked goods, free Santa photos, and more than 50 local vendors. Details online.

Select dates in November and December: The iMade Christmas market is at Fort Langley Community Hall select weekends in November and December. Admission is free. Details and complete market dates online.

Until Dec. 21: Abbotsford's Kariton Gallery in Abbotsford hosts its holiday art market until Saturday, Dec. 21. Details online.

Seasonal concerts

From the holiday bops of Buddy Holly to the traditional sounds of Handel’s Messiah, the Fraser Valley is filled with the sounds of the season. Concerts in a variety of musical styles will be taking place throughout the end of November and into December.

Nov. 24: The Chilliwack Cultural Centre hosts Rocky Mountain High Christmas, a showcase of the hits and Christmas classics of John Denver on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 2pm. Details and tickets online.

Nov. 26: The Chilliwack Cultural Centre hosts Winter Fantasia, a concert, art show, and storytelling of The Christmas Cookie Sprinkle Snitcher on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Details and tickets online.

Dec. 3: The Chilliwack Cultural Centre hosts Buddy's Holly Jolly Christmas on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 7:30pm. Tickets and details online.

Dec. 6-7: Songs Strings and Steps hosts its annual Christmas concert on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 at Central Heights Church in Abbotsford. Violinist Calvin Dyck will be directing, with performances by tenor Ken Lavigne and the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra. Details online.

Dec. 8: The Chilliwack Metropolitan Orchestra presents A Traditional Christmas at the Hub International Theatre on Sunday. Dec. 8. Details and tickets online.

Dec. 10: The Chilliwack Cultural Centre hosts Winter Harp, a concert with poetry, percussion, and rare medieval instruments, on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Details and tickets online.

Dec. 13: The Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah on Friday, Dec. 13 starting at 7:30pm. Details and tickets online.

Dec. 14: Abbotsford Community Music School presents its 40th annual Christmas concert on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6:30pm in Emmanuel Mennonite Church. Admission is free; details online.

Dec. 14: The North Shore Celtic Ensemble returns to Chilliwack for Celtic Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 14. Details and tickets online.

Dec. 14: The Chilliwack Cultural Centre presents a candlelight concert featuring music from The Nutcracker and other holiday tunes on Friday, Dec. 14. Details and tickets online.

Dec. 15: Cascadia's Christmas Celebration takes place at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2pm. Details and tickets online.

Holiday theatre

Let the season take you to the stage with performances of The Nutcracker, Charles Dickens’ famous tale of a holiday grouch, or the original nativity story.

The Nutcracker

Tchaikovsky’s ballet about a young girl whisked away to a magical land of mice and candy is a holiday classic, and there is more than one way to watch the performance in the Fraser Valley this season.

The Royal City Youth Ballet opens their season of The Nutcracker with two performances in Abbotsford on Sunday, Nov. 24. It continues its performances elsewhere in the Lower Mainland throughout December. Details and tickets online.

The Fraser Valley Academy of Dance hosts its reimagined version of The Nutcracker on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Clarke Theatre. The performance takes the ballet and turns it into a one-act version with 70 dancers. Details and tickets online.

Ballet Victoria is in Chilliwack with its more traditional performance of The Nutcracker on Saturday, Dec. 21 starting at 7:30pm. Details and tickets online.

Abbotsford’s AzestA Ballet Studio stages its matinee and evening performance of The Nutcracker Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Abbotsford Arts Centre. Details and tickets online.

First Christmas Experience

Christian Life Assembly in Langley hosts an interactive walk-through version of the nativity from Friday, Dec. 6 to Sunday, Dec. 8. Admission is free. Details online.

A Christmas Carol

Behind the Gate Theatre Company presents its readers' theatre version of A Christmas Carol on Friday, Dec. 20, Saturday, Dec. 21 and Monday, Dec. 23 at Harrison's Memorial Hall. Details and tickets online.