Coming to Whistler in late November through mid-December means you get all the festive feels, along with some great deals. Whistler Blackcomb is open for skiing, snowboarding and sightseeing (opening day is November 21, 2025), and thousands of twinkling lights turn Whistler into a magical, winter wonderland that can’t help but bring on the festive cheer.
At the same time, there’s good value on accommodation and Whistler.com’s shop local voucher gives you $100 toward your gift-buying this season if you stay for three nights or more. Book yourself a room with a fireplace, hot tub, and view of the mountains and make it a cozy, Canadian getaway.
Admire Whistler’s Festive Lights
Lights, lights and more lights – 350,000 to be exact – that’s how many you’ll find strung around Whistler Village. Download the free Go Whistler Tours app, which has three self-guided routes that take you around the best of Whistler’s festive lights. The app even has suggestions for where to get a warming hot chocolate. Read more about these tours in Walking in a Winter Wonderland.
Whistler Winterlight
Whistler Winterlight is happening on November 27, 28 and 29, 2025, at Olympic Plaza. It’s a kick-off to Whistler’s winter season, inviting the community to gather and light up the night. A glowing Ferris wheel dominates the plaza, with other spectacular light installations, interactive activities, live music and some sweet treats!
If you enjoy the Village light display, you’ll love Vallea Lumina, an immersive multimedia night walk in the forest. Watch stories play out over the snow and pursue hidden wonders around every corner. Read more in Magic in the Mountains: Winter Vallea Lumina.
Another early evening activity to consider is a twilight zipline tour. The head torch in your helmet lights the way as you zipline under the stars, with Whistler Village glowing underneath you.
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Go Ice Skating and Tobogganing in Whistler Village
Skating brings back those childhood holiday feelings of exhilaration and pure, simple delight. The outdoor rink at Whistler Olympic Plaza typically opens in late November, and you can bring your skates or rent them. Situated in the Village with views of the mountains as a backdrop, it’s got that magical, snow-globe feel, and on a clear night, you’ll be skating under the stars.
Right next door is the Snow Zone, a tobogganing heaven for kids and big kids alike. It starts as soon as there’s enough snow to mould into small hills and icy gullies, perfect for a few cool rides.
Olympic-Style Cross-Country Skiing and Sliding
If you’re looking for more sled and snow action, head to Whistler Olympic Park in the Callaghan Valley, which opens on November 28, 2025. The park has 55 kilometres of cross-country ski trails and 15 kilometres of wilderness snowshoeing trails for all skill levels, including dog-friendly options if you brought the pooch.
They have a dedicated toboggan zone at the base of the Olympic Ski Jumps. You do need to take your own sled and helmet, and if you’ve purchased a cross-country ski or snowshoe ticket, it’s included, or you can buy a separate toboggan/sightseeing ticket ($10 for adults, $5 for youth and free for kiddos six and under).
If you’re looking for an early festive gift or experience, the biathlon is a really unique thing to do.
If you want to up the ante on the sliding, then head to the Whistler Sliding Centre, which you’ll see snaking its way up Blackcomb Mountain. Here, you can try public skeleton and bobsled, on the same track as the Olympians used for the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Read more about this experience in our dedicated blog.
Spectating at the Whistler Sliding Centre is typically free, and with the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics coming up, all eyes are on qualifying races. One of these key events, the North American Cup for Bobsleigh and Skeleton athletes, is being held at the Whistler Sliding Centre from November 17 to 24, 2025. Check their This Week on Track webpage to access the current weekly schedule.
Shop Local Artisans
Carefully picking out the perfect gift for a loved one and supporting a local artisan at the same time – it’s a guaranteed double dose of the warm and fuzzies. You can shop for everything from scented candles to original paintings and prints in boutiques and galleries along the Village Stroll and at these upcoming events…
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Whistler Holiday Market | November 29 and 30, 2025
Bratz Biz Youth Artisan Market (in conjunction with the Whistler Holiday Market) | November 29 and 30, 2025
Whistler Bespoke Market at the Audain Art Museum: December 6 & 7, 2025
Fairmont Chateau Whistler Holiday Market Curated by SEEK Bespoke Market: December 12, 13 and 14, 2025
The Maury Young Arts Centre, located opposite the Brewhouse, has a year-round, Sea to Sky artisan shop in its lobby. On December 18, for one night only, Arts Whistler members get 15% off the entire store, and non-members get 10%. If you go there, make sure to enquire about any upcoming performances, shows and workshops. The Audain and Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre also have lovely gift shops featuring unique and locally-made items.
Christmas Cocktails
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Live Music and Shows
Music by candlelight? We love it. There are two Candlelight Concerts happening in Whistler, both on November 22. Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is first (6:30 to 7:30 PM), and then it’s a Tribute to Coldplay (8:30 to 9:30 PM). It’s quite the experience to listen to live music by the gentle glow of candlelight. There’s more classical, live music happening on November 23, with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra Chamber Players. Harpsichordist Alex Weimann and violinists Chloe and Christi Meyers perform lively Trio Sonatas, the “pop” music of the 17th and 18th centuries, on period instruments. Featuring works by Corelli, Vivaldi, Handel and Bach, this program brings Baroque classics to life.
Arts Whistler, headquartered at the Maury Young Arts Centre, always has some festive events on the calendar. Their Holiday Singapalooza with Barbed Choir, a high-spirited sing-along to festive pop favs, is happening on December 10 at 7 PM, with entry by donation ($5).
On December 12, go for a festive romp through Christmas classics interlaced with the musical and comedic shenanigans of Nico Rhodes and Patrick Courtin as they tackle everything “Christmas”. Whether it’s the nostalgic charm of Charlie Brown Christmas, a rock ‘n’ roll styled Nutcracker Suite, The Messiah on melodicas, or a rollicking ragtime Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, bring your festive spirit and prepare to sing-along at Piano Heist: A Very Merry Heistmas.
There will also be two festive film screenings (one all ages, and the other 19+) as part of their People’s Film series on December 17. You get to vote on these, so take a look at their website for how to be part of that. It’s also good to note that it’s free to go into their gallery, which is showcasing the 60 Seasons Deep exhibition, celebrating 60 years of mountain culture, community and adventure inspired by the unmatched terrain of Whistler Blackcomb (on until December 20).
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More festive celebrations will come up on the events calendar, so make sure to keep checking back to see what new things have been added.
Celebrate the Ski and Snowboard Season
The true gift of winter – the ability to ski and snowboard. Both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains are due to be open for skiing, riding and sightseeing on November 21, 2025. Get your season started early and take advantage of the quieter slopes in the early season, especially if you come midweek.
If you’ve got a 5 or 10-Day Edge Card, remember that you could have unlimited early-season skiing or one early bonus ski day to use (this depends on when you bought your pass – check with Whistler Blackcomb).
Whistler Film Festival
Talking of cozy nights, the Whistler Film Festival (WFF) is adding its own stars to Whistler’s starry skies from December 3 to 7, 2025. Read about what happened at last year’s festival in our dedicated blog.
For more events happening at this time of year, take a look at our early-season events calendar. It’s definitely a holly, jolly time of year.
Relax Before Festive
The festive season is fun, but it can get a little hectic. Take a breather in Whistler. Get out for some crisp, winter walks, stretch those muscles on the slopes or the Valley Trail, pamper yourself at one of Whistler’s spas or simply soak in your natural surroundings.
Early winter in Whistler can be absolutely magical. At the same time, there’s good value on accommodation, and remember, if you stay for three nights or more, you get a $100 shopping voucher. See you in Whistler for some early-season mountain magic!
