On Wednesday, December 21st the sun will come up at 8:05am and set at 4:16pm, making it the shortest day of the year. Silver lining? If Wednesday is the shortest day, it follows that Thursday will be just a little bit longer, and Friday, longer still. Eventually we will hit summer and the luxurious 9pm+ sunset! Celebrate the change by taking part in one of several winter solstice processions happening Wednesday evening. The Secret Lantern Society has once again organized several individual festivals around the city. Check them out in Yaletown, Granville Island, and Strathcona).

The dance of the sun and earth has inspired celebrations of the human spirit, expressed through art and music, throughout the ages. Honouring many cultural traditions, the annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival illuminates the darkest night of the year with lanterns, fire, singing, drumming, music and dancing!

Come celebrate this free community event with a glowing constellation of lanterns shining in three Vancouver neighbourhoods. Wherever you wind up, we hope you feel connected to your community and to the universal spirit of celebration!

• FIRE PERFORMANCES – In response to public feedback, we have moved the traditional fire performances to later in the evening. There are no fire performances at 7:00 PM; instead Granville Island and Yaletown will each host a Fire Finale at 9:30 PM.
• GRANVILLE ISLAND – Processions follow the traditional routes beginning at 6:00 PM. Indoor activities take place in Performance Works (Labyrinth of Light) and the False Creek Community Centre from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. A procession leaves False Creek Community Centre at 9:15 PM and heads to the Fire Finale that takes place in Ron Basford Park at 9:30 PM
• YALETOWN – The traditional processions from the Aquatic Centre or Cooper’s Park have been cancelled. One procession leaves the Gathering Place (609 Helmcken St.) at 6:00 PM and heads to the Roundhouse. The Roundhouse hosts indoor activities from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM, with a small lantern procession leaving the Roundhouse on a short mystery tour from 8:00 – 8:30 PM. The Fire Finale takes place on the Roundhouse Turntable at 9:30 PM.
• STRATHCONA – Following the traditional lantern workshop at the Strathcona Community Centre from 4:00 – 6:00 PM, the lantern procession leaves at 6:00 PM and goes to our NEW LOCATION in McLean Park for a one-hour mini-festival from 6:30 – 7:30 PM.

Wed, Dec 21 | Various Locations | DETAILS