Dundarave Festival of Lights in West Vancouver
The Dundarave Festival of Lights is a Christmas attraction featuring Christmas trees and live entertainment at Dundarave Beach in West Vancouver. It’s also a fundraising event for a couple of charities.
The Dundarave Festival of Lights is one of the North Shore’s most cherished holiday traditions. It transforms the waterfront into a glowing forest of decorated Christmas trees and community celebration. In early winter each year, Dundarave Beach and the nearby shoreline fill with beautiful trees, local performances, and family-friendly holiday spirit.
The festival runs from late November through December, with the illuminated Forest of Miracles remaining on display into early January. In 2025 it starts on November 29.
During the holiday season, visitors can stroll along the seawall, enjoy free entertainment on the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas, and experience a uniquely West Vancouver take on the holiday season.
For full event details, visit the official Dundarave Festival of Lights website.
A Beloved North Shore Holiday Tradition
For more than two decades, the Dundarave Festival of Lights has brought together residents, families, local businesses and visitors through light, music and community giving. Set along one of the most scenic stretches of shoreline in the region, the festival blends coastal beauty with heartfelt tradition.
Thousands of people visit the attraction each year to take in the decorated trees, enjoy live music, or simply relax by the ocean as the lights reflect across the water. On select Saturdays, the park becomes the hub of holiday gatherings featuring cultural performances, caroling, and community-led celebrations that highlight the diversity of the North Shore.
The festival continues to evolve annually, with an increasing focus on sustainability, volunteer involvement, and supporting local social-impact initiatives.
Where the Festival Takes Place
The Dundarave Festival of Lights is set along the waterfront at Dundarave Park in West Vancouver (near 25th Street and Bellevue Avenue). This is where the weekend events take place, and where the majority of decorated trees and community installations are found.
The Christmas trees and light displays are in two places. They are at Dundarave Beach, but also close to 3 km further east at Grosvenor Ambleside Galleria, an indoor-covered area that adds extra comfort for visitors during wet or windy weather. The venue’s address is 1355 Bellevue Avenue. It’s close to Ambleside Park. In some years there are also trees at Millennium Park.
All displays are free to visit, and the Forest of Miracles is pretty to see both day and night throughout the holiday season (weather permitting).
What You’ll Experience
The Dundarave Festival of Lights is more than a light display. It’s a community showcase rooted in generosity and connection. At the attraction you’ll find the Forest of Miracles as well as cultural celebrations and a place for community gathering. The festival brings a Christmas holiday atmosphere to the waterfront and presents a wonderful opportunity for charitable giving.
The Forest of Miracles
At the Dundarave Festival of Lights you’ll see a sprawling collection of creatively decorated trees sponsored by families, schools, community groups, and local businesses. Each tree supports housing initiatives through both the Lookout Housing Society and Hollyburn Community Services Society, making the displays both festive and meaningful.
Cultural Celebrations & Community Gatherings
Throughout the festival, musical performances, cultural showcases, and community events bring the park to life. These gatherings include caroling, Indigenous blessings, world-music celebrations, and festive family activities. They take place on the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas Day. In 2025 they are on November 29 as well as on December 6, 13 and 20.
Holiday Atmosphere by the Ocean
Few holiday attractions offer such a beautiful backdrop. Visitors can stroll the seawall, watch the sunset behind the trees, and enjoy the lights as they come to life at dusk. It’s a serene place for a weeknight walk and a lively destination on weekends.
A Tradition of Giving
Since the early 2000’s, the Festival of Lights has raised well over a million dollars for shelter and housing support services. Visitors can make optional donations online, support tree sponsors, or volunteer with festival partners. As mentioned above, the two charitable beneficiaries of the festival are Hollyburn Community Services and Lookout Society.
The Forest of Miracles
At the heart of the festival is the Forest of Miracles, one of the largest outdoor displays of decorated trees in the province. With displays at both Dundarave Beach and near Ambleside, the forest is an impressive showcase of creativity and community spirit.
Each tree is sponsored and decorated by an individual, school, local organization, or company. The result is a diverse collection of styles and themes. Some of the decorated trees are whimsical, others artistic, and many highlight meaningful causes or local stories.
The display of trees is open day and night, offering two very different experiences:
- Daytime: A peaceful walk with ocean views and colourful decorations.
- Evening: A glowing promenade of lights and illuminations.
Tree sponsorships and community donations directly support the Lookout Society’s North Shore Shelter, helping provide essential services during the coldest months of the year.
Weekend Celebrations & Community Spirit
On the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas, the Dundarave waterfront becomes a festive gathering place filled with music, cultural performances, storytelling, and family-friendly activities. Dates for the events in 2025 are November 29 and December 6, 13 & 20.
While specific performers vary each year, visitors can typically enjoy the following over the course of the season:
- Local choirs and youth bands
- Indigenous blessings and storytelling
- Multicultural music and dance
- Holiday sing-alongs and caroling
- Seasonal celebrations around a bonfire at the beach
- Appearances from community groups and special guests (like Santa)
The Saturday events are free, open to all ages, and designed to bring neighbours together in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Other information
The Dundarave Festival of Lights is a magical, community-driven celebration on the West Vancouver waterfront. With its decorated trees, free concerts, and stunning ocean views, it’s one of the North Shore’s most memorable holiday experiences.
For more details or to support the Forest of Miracles, visit the official Dundarave Festival of Lights website.
Other Christmas attractions you might also like to visit on the North Shore (in nearby North Vancouver) are the following:
- Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain
- Shipyards Christmas Market
- Holiday Hi-Light Festival