---
title: "Shipyards Skate Plaza opens November 27, and the Spirit of the Season festival lights the tree on November 28"
description: "The City of North Vancouver opens the Shipyards Skate Plaza on November 27, 2026, holds its Spirit of the Season festival on November 28 from 4 pm to 9 pm, and runs the Shipyards Christmas Market to December 24."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/north-vancouver-city-2026/news/shipyards-skate-plaza-spirit-of-the-season-christmas-market-2026"
last_updated: "2026-11-09T03:36:57.108Z"
---

The City of North Vancouver set out its winter season at the Shipyards in a notice on November 5, 2026. The Skate Plaza opens on Friday, November 27, the Spirit of the Season festival is on Saturday, November 28, and the outdoor Christmas Market runs from November 27 to December 24.

## The Skate Plaza

The Shipyards Skate Plaza, which the City calls the region's largest outdoor ice rink, opens for the season on November 27 and stays open daily until early spring 2027. Skating, helmets and skate aids are free. Skate rentals cost $8 for adults and $5.50 for kids, and people who bring their own skates use the rink for free. The City posts the hours and special events at cnv.org/SkatePlaza.

## Spirit of the Season, November 28

The festival runs from 4 pm to 9 pm across the Shipyards area. The City lists these times:

- Public skating at the Skate Plaza: 12 pm to 8 pm
- Performances at the Foot of Lonsdale: 4 pm to 9 pm
- Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by City fire truck at Carrie Cates Court: 5 pm
- Opening ceremony and tree lighting at the Foot of Lonsdale: 5 pm to 6 pm

The opening ceremony starts at 5:15 pm with remarks from the mayor and council, and the giant holiday tree is lit at about 5:45 pm. The festival also has live music, markets and other activities.

## The Christmas Market

The outdoor Shipyards Christmas Market, which the City describes as European-inspired, is open daily from November 27 to December 24, with free admission. On the festival day it is open from 11 am to 10 pm. Shops and restaurants at the Shipyards stay open through the winter.

The City lists more seasonal events at cnv.org/TheShipyards and cnv.org/Events. More City of North Vancouver news is on the [news page](/bc/north-vancouver-city-2026/news).

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/bc/north-vancouver-city-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.