Whistler Christmas (2025): Markets, Lights, Events + Dinner
Christmas in Whistler is pure MAGIC! A mountain village filled with festive lights, incredible activities, food to die for and often a snow globe of gently falling snow!
After spending 8 Christmases in Whistler, I can confidently say it’s one of the most magical places on earth during the holidays. Whether you’re coming for skiing, a romantic snowy escape or a family Christmas, this is your complete holiday guide with everything you need to know to have a wonderful Whistler Christmas.
Because transparency matters: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, I might earn a tiny commission — at no extra cost to you.
What to Expect in WHistler at Christmas
There are a few key things you need to know to make the most of your time in Whistler at Christmas. The most important thing to know? Book early! Whether it’s accommodation, dinner reservations, activities and tours, or lift passes for skiing – book everything as early as you possibly can.
Whistler at Christmas time is one of the busiest times of year, which means higher hotel prices, busier restaurants and longer lift lines. It doesn’t mean it’s not magical, but it does mean to have a seamless experience, the earlier you book, the more options you’ll have for hotels and restaurants, and the cheaper things will be.
The good news is, that even on Christmas Day (almost) everything is open! Restaurants, cafes, tour companies, Whistler Blackcomb, and sometimes even the grocery stores!
Whistler Christmas Events 2025
Annual Dress Like Santa Ski Day
Possibly the BEST event in the Whistler Christmas Calendar, is the Dress like Santa Day! Dress up in your best (and warmest 😅) Santa costume, gather at the bottom of the Whistler Gondola, ready for an 8am upload on Friday 19th December, and ski down to Emerald chair with a whole crowd of Santas!
The best part? The first 100 people in inline get a FREE lift pass!!
Miracle Christmas Pop up @ The Raven Room
Every year, the Raven Room, Whistlers best locally owned cocktail bar, transforms into a magical Miracle Christmas Pop up, complete with Christmas themed cocktails and glassware, and the kind of vibes that you make you feel the childlike Christmas wonder again!
Whistler Village Christmas Lights Display
Whistler knows how to do a light display, with the whole village turning into a magical display of lights all winter long with approximately 350,000 individual lights, lighting up the trees! Take a stroll through the village, across the Fitzsimmons Creek Bridge (dont miss the deer in Rebagliati Park on the way past), and into the upper village to see the full display!
Download the Go Whistler Tours app in your App Store, and follow the self guided tours Whistler Village Festive Lights!
Whistler Winterlight – A festive of lights!
As a kick off to winter and the festivities that lead into Christmas, Whistler host a festive evening of lights on the 27-29th November! With a ferris wheel, ice skating in the plaza, and various family friendly activities, its a chance to celebrate and soak in the start of the winter magic!!
Christmas Eve Carols
This year is the 40th annual Whistler Christmas Eve Carol Service! Performed by the Whistler Children’s Chorus and the Whistler Singers, and hosted at the Westin Resort and Spa, its free event open to everyone!
December 24th, 6.30 – 7.30pm
The Fire and Ice Show
A weekly occurrence during the winter, Whistler Blackcomb puts on a show with athletes throwing down tricks and jumping through a burning hoop of fire! It’s a free event right at the base of Whistler mountain, and wraps up with an epic Fireworks display, every Sunday from January 4th t0 1st March at 7.30pm!
The first one of the season kicks off on New Years eve! Check out the time here.
Whistler Christmas Markets 2025
I dont know about you, but I LOVE a market filled with incredible handcrafted and locally made items, and over Christmas Whistler hosts two incredible markets. The perfect place to find all your Christmas gifts!
Arts Whistler Holiday Market + The Bratz Biz Market
The Arts Whistler Holiday market is held at the Westin Resort & Spa and hosts over 65 different stands, including the incredible Bratz Biz market, which is reserved exclusively for stall owners under 18yrs old!
Market Dates: Saturday November 29th (11am – 6pm) & Sunday November 30th (10am – 5pm)
Location: The Westin Resort & Spa Whistler (4090 Whistler Way, Whistler, BC)
Entry: $5
SEEK Bespoke Market at Audain Art Museum
If you like art AND markets, the Seek Bespoke Market held at the Audain Art Museum, not only is an incredible market filled with 35 local entrepreneurs and creators, but you ALSO get entrance to the Audain Art Museum!
Market Dates: Saturday, December 6: 11 am – 6 pm and Sunday, December 7: 10am-5pm
Location: Audain Art Museum
Entry: $8
Family Friendly Activities During Christmas in Whistler
There’s nothing quite like the joy of a white Christmas as child. Not that I would know, because I grew up in New Zealand, where Christmas is in the middle of summer. But my first white Christmas at 26yrs old when I moved to Whistler, sure felt like I had the joy of a child!!
There are so many incredible activities and tours to do in Whistler in Winter, but these are the best especially Christmas-y things to do!
Ice Skating at Whistler Olympic Plaza
A quintessential Canadian Christmas experience. Skate around the outdoor rink, with epic snow capped mountain views during the day and twinkling tree lights by night. Skates are right there for hire as well as skating aids and helmets. The perfect activity for every age!
Tube Park
If you’re up for a touch more adrenaline without needing the skills to skate or ski – the Bubly Tube Park is fun for the whole family! Make sure to book ahead during the busy Christmas season!
Vallea Lumina
For the ultimate immersive light show experience, head to Vallea Lumina, for a walk through a light up forest, following a story of two long ago hikers!
Where to Eat Christmas Dinner in Whistler
Arguably one of the most important meals of the year, and a little more complicated to figure out when you’re not hosting it at home. But don’t worry, Whistler has incredible options to make your Christmas Dinner one to remember (and one where no one has to do the dishes!).
Unique Experiences for Christmas Dinner in Whistler
Mountain Top Fondue Dinner by Snowcat
Want to eat Christmas Dinner at the top of a mountain, in a rustic log cabin?! Now thats a story to tell! Canadian Wilderness Adventures hosts Christmas Dinner at the Crystal Hut, high up on Blackcomb Mountain – it’s a fondue dinner, and you get up there in a snow cat!
The Chalet – Fondue
Perfect for a romantic Christmas dinner for two, and maybe a little less traditional, try Fondue at the Fairmont Whistler’s Chalet.
Fine Dining for Whistler Christmas Dinner
Sidecut and Braidwood Tavern
The Four Seasons Whistler, has several incredible options for a very special Christmas Dinner. Choose between Christmas Eve or Christmas Day sit down dinner at the SIDECUT, or Christmas Day Buffet at Braidwood Tavern!
Barefoot Bistro and the Vodka Ice Room
If you’re looking for fine dining with a little extra flare, The Barefoot Bistro offers Champagne Sabering and the Vodka Ice Room, to add a bit of fun to your Christmas Dinner!
Araxi
A Whistler staple in the fine dining scene – The Cellar By Araxi offers a special five-course holiday tasting menu over Christmas, or you can enjoy Christmas lunch from 11.30am – 2pm on the 24th and 25th of December.
Fairmont Chateau Christmas Gala (and other options!)
The Fairmont Chateau goes ALL OUT at Christmas time, and that includes Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinning. Everything from Christmas breakfast, to a Family Gala Dinner, take your pick!
Christmas Dinner for the Budget Conscious
Hunter Gather
If you’re looking for something just a special, but a little more casual, Hunter Gather offers an awesome Christmas dinner, in their bright, family friendly dinning room. Make sure to book early so you dont miss out!
Caramba Restaurant
A family vibe with absolutely fantastic food, Caramba offers a delicious Turkey Dinner on Christmas Day!
For the Last Minute: Where to eat Christmas Dinner in Whistler if you didn’t book in advance!
Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub: right at the bottom of Whistler mountain, the usually serve a Turkey dinner, with no reservations – first in first served!
Beacon Pub and Eatery: Casual fare, in the heart of Whistler. Check out their opening times over Christmas.
La Brasserie: Casual dinning with no reservations, grab a meal on Christmas Day without the stress of booking in advance!
Catering Christmas Dinner
If you’re staying in an accommodation with a kitchen, and want the full Christmas Dinner experience without having to cook – Whistler Cooks will deliver a full Turkey Dinner on the 24th, ready to heat up and serve for Christmas Dinner! Ski all day, spend quality time with the family, and just follow the simple instructions for your Christmas dinner done for you!
Order everything here.
Where to Stay for Christmas in Whistler
For a detailed breakdown of where to stay in Whistler, for the kind of ski holiday you are dreaming of, I have a full article. But, for the two BEST places for a true Christmas vibe, keep reading!
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler – The Ultimate Christmas Fairy Land
The lobby of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler at Christmas, looks like something straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. It’s what all your Christmas dreams are made of. Incredible, tasteful, festive decorations everywhere.
Even if you don’t stay here for your Christmas holiday, make sure to head to the Mallard Lounge for a cocktail during your Christmas in Whistler, just to see the lobby!
Four Seasons Resort Whistler – For and Epic Family Christmas
The Four Seasons really goes all out for the children over Christmas, with ornament decorating classes, photos with Santa, building a snowman and Christmas movie nights! So if you’re coming with the family for Christmas, the Four Seasons really does make its magical experience!
How to get to Whistler for Christmas
After driving the Sea to Sky highway hundreds of times, my recommendation to make your Christmas Holiday as stress free as possible, is to get book a shuttle or a private transfer.
For a full breakdown of all the options, including tips for driving the Sea to Sky Highway in Winter, I have a detailed post here.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re coming for the skiing, the food, the thousands of festive lights sparkling around the village, or to create a magical Christmas experience for your family, Whistler is here to provide you a magical Christmas!
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive itinerary, check out my 3 days in Whistler (in Winter) Itinerary.
