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Forbidden Vancouver Holiday Tour

Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour with Forbidden Vancouver

Forbidden Vancouver’s Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour is a walking tour in downtown Vancouver that includes stories, history and a cup of hot chocolate.

The tour is one of the city’s most charming seasonal experiences. Running annually from mid-November through the second weekend of January, this festive walking tour blends Vancouver’s hidden past with sparkling holiday décor. It also includes a cup of premium hot cocoa along the way.

The Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour is the wintertime version of Forbidden Vancouver’s popular Sinners & Sweets Tour which runs from January until October or November. Both tours explore downtown Vancouver.

While the routes and historical highlights of the two tours are similar, the Christmas-season edition has warm holiday touches, twinkling lights, and a cozy, celebratory atmosphere. Another difference is that the winter holiday-themed tour includes a hot drink and costs slightly less. The Sinners & Sweets Tour at other times of the year, on the other hand, includes tasty bites (and so, consequently, costs slightly more).

Holiday Hot Chocolate Tour Guide

 

A Festive Walking Tour Through Vancouver’s Past

The Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour invites guests to explore downtown Vancouver with a knowledgeable guide who shares captivating true stories from the city’s early decades. Participants learn about powerful families, long-forgotten scandals, and dramatic events that shaped Vancouver during the early 20th century. Tales of ambition, rivalry, and intrigue come to life amid the city’s decorated streets.

On the tour guests get to peek inside some of Vancouver’s most iconic structures. A highlight for many is the Marine Building. It’s an Art Deco masterpiece once considered one of the tallest and most luxurious skyscrapers in the British Empire. The tour offers exclusive access to the Marine Building’s stunning interiors, making it a memorable feature of the experience.

Visit the Forbidden Vancouver website for details about all of the company’s tours.

 

Where the Tour Begins & How Long It Lasts

During the holiday season, the Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour starts outside Trees Café at 738 Granville Street, just steps from the city’s busiest shopping district. The experience lasts about 90 minutes, although it can stretch slightly longer depending on the group size and seasonal crowds.

The Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour run nearly every day from late November until early January, with the exceptions of December 25 and January 1.

 

Ticket Information & Pricing

Tickets for the Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour are available exclusively online. As of 2025, the tours cost $49 for adults and $45 for youth and seniors. The experience includes a complimentary cup of high-quality hot chocolate to enjoy during the walk. It’s a lovely addition that’s perfect for staying warm as you explore Vancouver’s downtown streets.

TIP: Because this is one of Forbidden Vancouver’s most popular seasonal tours, advanced booking is strongly recommended!

Visit the Forbidden Vancouver website for details about all of the company’s tours.

 

What Makes This Tour Special

The Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour is ideal for anyone who loves the following things:

  • Immersive storytelling
  • Festive city atmospheres
  • Architecture and heritage sites
  • Unique seasonal activities
  • Hot chocolate on cold evenings

The Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour is also one of Forbidden Vancouver’s few tours recommended for participants ages 10 and up, making it more family-friendly than Forbidden Vancouver’s other, more adult-themed experiences (which are recommended for folks ages 14+).

While the winter tour doesn’t include the sweet treats offered on the Sinners & Sweets Tour at other times of the year, its combination of holiday decorations, cozy drinks, and rich historical tales makes it a magical way to experience Vancouver during the festive holiday season. (Note: Because it doesn’t include the edible goodies, the Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour costs a bit less. Also, if you want chocolate or pastries, you can always get them for yourself either before or after your tour.)

Forbidden Holiday Hot Chocolate Tour

 

Other Information

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Forbidden Vancouver or discovering it for the first time, each of the company’s various tours offers an inspiring blend of culture, creativity and learning. They are both educational and fun.

Other tours in the series are the following:

For current schedules and bookings, visit the official Forbidden Vancouver website.

Articles about other Christmas attractions in the City of Vancouver that you might find of interest are the following: