The holidays have arrived in New Westminster, bringing sparkling lights, cozy celebrations, and a full lineup of festive fun. Whether you’re wandering through illuminated parks, sipping hot chocolate at a bustling market, or settling in for a seasonal performance, there’s something in the city for every holiday mood. With cherished traditions returning and exciting new events joining the lineup, New West is ready to help you make the most of the season. Gather your loved ones and dive into our top picks for holiday events happening across the city in December!
Holiday Sip & Stroll Scavenger Hunt
Stroll through the streets of the Downtown neighbourhood this holiday season and explore cozy cafés new and old. Taste limited-edition holiday drinks and share what you tried for a chance to win a $250 gift card to a Downtown business of your choice!
Let the hunt begin! Find a participating café, then scan the QR code on the in-store campaign poster when you buy a drink and fill out the form to be entered into the draw. One entry per purchase, so the more visits you make, the more chances you have to win! Winners will be contacted Dec. 29-30, 2025.
✨November 24, 2025 – December 24, 2025
📍Downtown Neighbourhood, New Westminster
The Maltese Reindeer – Vagabond Players
It’s Christmas Eve and Detective Frosty T. Snowman and his assistant Jackie Frost are called upon to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the one and only Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. His disappearance could threaten the future of Christmas and possibly force the Claus’s to cancel Christmas, now and forever. Their only hope is to solve this crime by questioning the “usual suspects”, including The Grinch, Ebeneezer Scrooge and the evil Snow Queen. What happened to Rudolph and will Christmas ever be saved?”
Fun for all ages!
✨November 27 to December 14, 2025
📍The Bernie Legge Theatre, Queen’s Park
Bright in the Park
Bright in the Park is a new holiday light display in Tipperary Park. Bundle up and explore illuminated pathways with friends and family, and snap some Instagram-worthy photos to celebrate the season.
✨The display will be up December 1, 2025 – January 4, 2026
📍Tipperary Park
Holiday Market Guide
Whether you’re looking to find unique handmade gifts, savor seasonal treats, or simply soak up the cheerful atmosphere, New Westminster’s Christmas markets have something for everyone. From traditional crafts and artisanal goods to delicious holiday bites and warm drinks, this guide will take you through the must-visit markets where you can check off your holiday shopping list and make memories along the way. Get ready to experience the best of New Westminster’s festive finds by reading our holiday market guide!
✨Various dates
📍Various locations
Dance Into Christmas 2025
A festive and inspiring evening featuring excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker with special Guest Artists from Les Grands Ballets Canadiens who will perform the Nutcracker Pas de Deux. Enjoy specially choreographed works, live musicians, and singers performing alongside the Academy!
✨Friday, December 5, 2025
⏰7:30-9:30pm
📍Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave
ABBA Christmas with ABRA Cadabra
It’s an ABBA Christmas with ABRA Cadabra at Massey Theatre on December 6th!
Come dressed in your best holiday sparkle and bring the whole family to this all-ages stage extravaganza!
Featuring a captivating live band, powerful vocals, engaging dancers, dazzling NEW costumes and multi-media, this interactive stage show will have you moving, laughing & singing along to your favourite ABBA hits as well as some holiday favourites!
✨Saturday, December 6, 2025
⏰7:30-9:30pm
📍Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave
Light up Sapperton
Presented by the Sapperton Business Collective and Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, Light Up Sapperton 2025 is the second annual FREE event of this series. It brings families together, supports local shops, and spreads holiday cheer! Join us for a day of family-friendly activities where you can meet special Holiday characters with Photo opportunities, enjoy live performances, and help light up East Columbia Street in New Westminster. Start at Sapperton Plaza (411 E Columbia St) to pick up your Event Program.
✨Sunday, December 7, 2025
⏰12-6pm
📍Sapperton Plaza (hub) – East Columbia Street (participating shops in Sapperton)
Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir & Winter Harp: Sounds of Christmas
Winter Harp enchants with their ethereal, medieval-inspired music, stunning period costumes, and rare instruments including Celtic harps, flutes, and the Swedish nyckelharpa. Their haunting carols and heartwarming melodies transport audiences to Christmases past.
✨Sunday, December 7, 2025
⏰3-5pm
📍Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave
Homes for the Holidays
Tour five festive homes and historic Irving House—celebrate the season and support Queen’s Park Care Centre residents!
✨Sunday, December 7, 2025
⏰4:30-7:30pm
📍Various Locations
Have A Holly Jolly Jazzy Christmas
Piva presents: Jazz at the Anvil celebrates local, talented musicians from the Metro Vancouver area. The goal of these shows is to both elevate the appreciation of jazz, but also to engage, strengthen, and amplify arts in the community.
✨Monday, December 8, 2025
⏰7-9pm
📍Anvil Theatre, 777 Columbia Street
Santa Claus Holiday Meet & Greet!
Get ready for some festive cheer! The Hyack Festival Association invites you to a special Meet & Greet with Santa Claus! Bring your family and friends to enjoy holiday music and delicious treats.
Donate & Get Your Photo with Santa
While this event is FREE to attend, we are partnering with the Don’t Go Hungry food support program. Please bring a non-perishable food item donation to receive your photo opportunity with Santa!
✨Wednesday, December 10, 2025
⏰5-7pm
📍204 6th St
Ugly Sweater Party!
Dust off your most questionable knitwear and join us for an Ugly Sweater Party — where fashion crimes are encouraged, clashing patterns are celebrated, and side-eyes might just win you the prize.
✨Thursday, December 11, 2025
⏰7:30-11:30pm
📍Craft Café, 960 Quayside Drive
Fireside Stories and Holiday Magic
Fun free holiday-themed workshops all December long at Kinder Books!
✨December 13, 14, 20 & 21
⏰Check poster for times
📍Kinder Books, River Market
Christmas 2025 at St. Barnabas
Join the St. Barnabas Church for one, or all of our Advent and Christmas celebrations this year.
✨December 13, 17, 21, 24 & 25
⏰Check poster for times
📍St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 1010 Fifth Avenue
The Dimes – Christmas Special
The Dimes are bringing their beautiful Christmas Special to the Bernie Legge Theatre for their holiday show debut. They will be taking you on a warm musical memory tour of the best Christmas songs that we all know and love. Join us on December 19th, 20th or 21st for this nostalgic Christmas celebration that will make you feel like you are home for the holidays!
✨Friday, December 19, 2025 at 8pm
Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 2 & 8pm
Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 2pm
📍The Bernie Legge Theatre, Queen’s Park
The Nutcracker
Experience the magic of The Nutcracker this holiday season with RCYB’s full length ballet, featuring a cast of 100+ dedicated and enthusiastic dancers under the direction of Keitha Campeau. Performing to Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music, this traditional ballet has beautiful sets designed by Jean Claude Olivier and extravagant, colourful costumes by Chris Sinosich.
✨Saturday, December 20, 2025
⏰1pm & 4:30pm
📍Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave
A New Westminster Christmas
Join in a magical celebration of the season with the New Westminster Regimental Band, the Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir, and guest artist Benjamin Sigerson on Piano.
✨Sunday, December 21, 2025
⏰3-5pm
📍514 Carnarvon St.
O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy
Combining British propriety with an unabashed love for the unexpected, London’s 3-time Impresario Award-winning duo steep an outrageously funny and brilliantly inventive show reminiscent of classic British pantos. Rich in wordplay, comic physicality, and cleverly crafted interactive elements, O Christmas Tea is uproarious fun, yet it is the duo’s boundless imagination and endea
ring chemistry that provide the real magic and heart of this play. When catastrophe strikes at James and Jamesy’s Christmas tea party, flooding the world with tea, the duo conjure wildly funny solutions to stay afloat, and sweep the audience out to sea in a jolly aquatic escapade brimming with whimsy, action, and ingenuity in a celebration of friendship at Christmas.
✨Sunday, December 28, 2025
⏰3:00pm & 7:30pm
Running time: Approximately 90 minutes, with no intermission
📍Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave
Get ready to soak up the holiday spirit and experience the magic that makes New West shine this time of year. Mark your calendars, share these festive outings with friends and family, and enjoy a season filled with joy, warmth, and community. Here’s to making unforgettable holiday memories in New Westminster! 🎄
