Vancouver is incredibly photogenic. The city and its surrounding area are blessed with a diverse range of natural landscapes, urban scenes and iconic landmarks that make it a paradise for photographers.
From the snow-capped mountains to the lush forests and beautiful beaches, there’s a wealth of magical places in Vancouver such as Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park and the North Shore mountains that are perfect for photography. The city’s proximity to the ocean offers breathtaking waterfront views. Locations like Coal Harbour, English Bay and False Creek provide fantastic vistas of the city skyline against the water. Vancouver also boasts a mix of modern such as University Canada West’s Vancouver House campus, and historic architecture including the London Building, home to UCW’s West Pender campus. Downtown’s sleek skyscrapers, Gastown’s charming cobblestone streets and the iconic Canada Place create an eclectic backdrop for photography.
With December approaching, we asked some of the great photographers in the UCW Community for the best spots for capturing Christmas-themed pictures.
Dmitry Chan, UCW’s Social Media Coordinator, says the annual Vancouver Christmas Market is a great setting for photos. Located at Jack Poole Plaza, near Canada Place, it’s a German-style market featuring 90 artisanal vendors, with everything from traditional food and beverages to gifts and more. The Vancouver holiday tradition runs until December 24. The whole area around Canada Place gets decked out with beautiful Christmas decorations and lights, offering a picturesque backdrop, especially with the iconic sails of Canada Place.
The VanDusen Festival of Lights is VanDusen Botanical Garden’s annual Christmas lights display. The event features more than 1 million lights spread out over 15 acres of the garden, creating a fairy-tale land that attracts over 110,000 visitors each year. The colourful illuminations cover flower beds, trees, and shrubs. The event typically runs to January 7, except for December 25, when it is closed on Christmas Day.
Staying on the holiday horticultural trail, Hilary Shandonay, Marketing Manager, Social Media, recommends the Bloedel Conservatory, located in Queen Elizabeth Park.
It is such a beautiful spot to take photos in their indoor tropical garden with an abundance of plants and exotic birds,” she said. The conservatory, located inside a triodetic dome, adds some festive lights and poinsettias during the holiday season.
Adds Mau Diaz, UCW student brand ambassador, “The gardens (of Queen Elizabeth Park) and the Bloedel Conservatory will make you fall in love with all the nature and birds that Vancouver has to offer. Plus it has one of the prettiest spots to see Vancouver’s skyline.”
Robson Square, with its outdoor skating rink, provides a picturesque setting for Christmas card photos.
Chan also recommends a couple of suburban must-sees. Lights at Lafarge is Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor winter lights display. It is located around Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake, featuring more than 100,000 Christmas lights and festive displays. Visitors can explore different themed areas among the shimmering displays and plan their visits for various special evenings. A bonus is that it’s conveniently located next to the Lafarge Lake-Douglas Skytrain station.
Another metro Vancouver spot is Burnaby Village Museum which transforms into a picturesque setting during the holiday season, making it an excellent spot for holiday photos. The village showcases heritage buildings and historical displays that add a unique backdrop to holiday photos. The old-fashioned decor and traditional holiday elements make for timeless and cozy images.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is known for its Canyon Lights event, where the entire park is adorned with festive lights, making it a magical setting for holiday photos either along the suspension bridge or in the treetop walks.
With The Peak of Christmas event, Grouse Mountain offers a snowy wonderland with Santa’s workshop, reindeer, sleigh rides, skating and a stunning backdrop of snowy landscapes. “This mountain has one the most beautiful views of the city of Vancouver,” says Diaz.
A family favourite is Bright Nights at Stanley Park. The miniature train is back on the tracks for 2023, but tickets sold out in 90 minutes! However, the surrounding area is one of the best picture spots in Vancouver and will be lit up with thousands of sparkling lights, providing a magical scene for holiday-themed photos.
The historic streets of Gastown, particularly around the steam clock and along Water Street, often have festive decorations and lights that create a cozy holiday ambiance. “A unique steam-powered clock that whistles and steams on the quarter-hour,” says Diaz. “The cobblestone streets and historic buildings add to the charm of Gastown.”
These locations offer beautiful settings and festive decorations that are perfect for capturing the Christmas season in Vancouver.
Don’t want Santa photo-bombing your picture? Here are a few other places for photographers to check out.
For Shandonay, Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver is a favourite photo-shooting spot.
“At the lighthouse, there is an incredible view of Vancouver in the distance. If it’s a clear day, you can see Mount Baker providing a stunning backdrop to the city.”
Also, Vancouver Public Library, “the rooftop garden offers a modern and unique setting for photos.”
Diaz recommends checking out Burnaby Mountain. “Personally, my favourite spot to admire all the cities of Metro Vancouver and super easy to access through the R5 line. One of the best places to see the sunsets in Metro Vancouver.”
And Granville Island, just a short hop across the water from Vancouver House. Says Diaz: “Wander through the public market, capture the vibrant street art, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of this artistic and cultural hub. Famous for its breweries and taxi boats, Granville Island is Vancouver-must when it comes to taking pictures in the city.”
No matter where you pick, you are sure to have an Insta-worthy holiday season.
Published on November 24, 2023.
