Join us for back-to-back days of holiday magic! Guests are invited to visit The Shipyards for two days of festive fun at the City’s waterfront to kick off the winter season. On Friday, November 28, celebrate the opening of The Shipyards Skate Plaza with an afternoon of skating. Then, on Saturday, November 29, get ready for wonder and cheer to return to The Shipyards with the annual Spirit of the Season Festival. From Friday to Saturday, you can expect free entertainment, magical performers and more!
Skate Plaza Opens November 28, 2025
The Shipyards Skate Plaza will be open daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. starting Friday, November 28. Join us on opening day from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to celebrate with live music by DJ Emnesia and special appearances by Anna and Elsa from Disney’s Frozen.
Skating, helmets and skate aids are free, and skate rentals are available at a cost of $8 for adults or $5.50 for kids. Those who bring their own skates can enjoy the rink for free!
Visit the Skate Plaza
As guests gear-up to visit the region’s largest outdoor ice rink, please keep in mind the rules of the Skate Plaza. These include:
- The Skate Plaza closes for ice cleaning at 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. daily for approximately 30 minutes
- Skate rentals close at 7:30 p.m. daily
- Helmets are mandatory for kids 12 and under
- Supervision at the Skate Plaza is not provided
- No food or drinks are permitted on the ice
- The Skate Plaza may close unexpectedly due to weather or for repairs/maintenance
For more information about this season at the Skate Plaza, visit cnv.org/SkatePlaza
Spirit of the Season Festival on November 29, 2025
On Saturday, November 29, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., join us for a family-friendly evening at the annual Spirit of the Season festival.
After Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive atop a City firetruck at 3:45 p.m., the festivities officially begin at 4 p.m. with a special welcome from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, along with a performance by the Eagle Song Dancers on Shipbuilders’ Stage. From 4:20 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Mayor Buchanan will guide attendees to the foot of Lonsdale for the ceremonial tree lighting.
Throughout the evening, guests are invited to lace up their skates, shop the holiday markets and take in one of the many live performances at Shipbuilders' Stage. Back and bigger than ever is the Shipyards Christmas Market, filled with seasonal shops, gourmet food and artisan crafts.
To help you plan your evening, guests can expect the following activities:
- Public skating at the Skate Plaza
- Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by City firetruck
- Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus
- səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation welcome and song with Dennis Thomas-Whonoak & Family
- Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation welcome and dance by the Eagle Song Dancers
- Mayor Buchanan and Council welcome
- Tree lighting ceremony with Mayor Buchanan and Council at the foot of Lonsdale
- Musical performances by Ridgeway School Band, Casey Thomas-Burns Jazz Quinet and VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir
- Dance performances by Method of Modern Movement, Perform Art Studios, ShowStoppers, North Shore Academy of Dancing and Ballet Bloch
- Holiday markets and shopping at The Pipe Shop and the Shipyards Christmas Market
Details and the full entertainment schedule are available at cnv.org/SpiritoftheSeason
Getting to The Shipyards
Lower Lonsdale may see increased traffic, so visitors are encouraged to plan their route ahead of time, and if possible, walk, transit or bike to The Shipyards. The Shipyards’ area is pedestrian-friendly with connecting trails and safe spaces to walk with friends and family. Bike parking is located throughout the area. Access is easy by transit, with the SeaBus arriving right at The Shipyards and bus connections nearby.
Parking near The Shipyards includes on-street and off-street options. Most on-street parking in Lower Lonsdale is pay parking, with free, time-limited parking spaces available outside the commercial core.
For more information on parking throughout Lower Lonsdale, visit cnv.org/Curb
We Hope to See You There!
For regular information, visit
cnv.org/SkatePlaza,
cnv.org/SpiritoftheSeason or follow along on
social media.