In order to feel a little more festive in Vancouver this Christmas, Dad and I set off in search of the Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge. Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of Vancouver’s most popular attractions, and is suspended across thousands of trees, a staggering 230 feet in the air. It’s magnificent – over the other side of the bridge, you’ll discover a maze of rope bridges and platforms for views over the incredible structure. So, you can imagine how amazing it is at Christmas. Here’s what happened when I visited Canyon Lights.
Arriving at Canyon Lights
We headed over to North Vancouver, up towards Grouse Mountain (home of the Grouse Grind) to Capilano Suspension Bridge. Everywhere we looked, the surrounding trees and buildings were blanketed in Christmas lights.
Canyon Lights is a great opportunity to experience the magical festivities of the Christmas season. This is thanks to the thousands of incredible lights throughout the park.
Everything, from Capilano Suspension Bridge, to the Cliffwalk and Treetops Adventure area are covered in Christmas lights. It’s incredible having a whole rainforest area transformed into a festive garden.
The Cliffwalk at Christmas
The Cliffwalk is the most recent addition at Capilano Suspension Bridge, but it’s even better to visit at Christmas. It’s an exhilarating clifftop walk that takes you through rainforest to a suspended walkway.
Eventually, you’re left suspended from the cliff face over Capilano River, dozens of feet below you in the dark. It’s high up and fairly narrow in places, yet still magical with the festive Canyon Lights.
Ensure to look back and experience the incredible view back over the Capilano Suspension Bridge in all its festive glory. It’s not often in the year you’ll experience it in the dark and lit so magically.
We followed the Cliffwalk around its path, soaking in the atmosphere and the fitting Christmas lights.
It was a pretty walk to really get into the Christmas spirit.
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano Suspension Bridge has existed since 1889, and has seen millions of visitors walk over it above the Capilano River. Since its initial build, the ropes have of course been upgraded, and are now capable of holding a full sized aircraft. It’s 450 feet long, and hangs a whopping 230 feet above the beautiful Capilano River.
Despite the spectacular decorations, walking over the bridge is actually pretty scary. There are lots of other people on it at the same time, making it wobble and bounce as you walk across! It’s so worth it for the views, and it’s a really fun experience.
If you’re wondering whether or not you can get refreshments at Canyon Lights, you certainly can. I opted for a Bailey’s hot chocolate which helped warm me up on the walk around the Christmas lights.
We walked on to explore the last feature attraction of the Canyon Lights, the Treetops Adventure.
Canyon Lights at Treetops Adventure
Treetops Adventure offers a bird’s eye view of the rainforest at Capilano Suspension Bridge. It’s a series of seven suspension bridges tied up to Douglas fir trees that are well over 200 years old. It’s a beautiful canopy walk that’s even more special during the festive period at Canyon Lights.
Canyon Lights at Treetops Adventure means all the wonderful Douglas fires are lit. As they reach up to 110 feet above the ground, it means they’re technically the tallest Christmas trees in the world. You’ll come across lakes filled with festive decorations.
There are also dozens of activities for children at Canyon Lights, and you may even catch some singalong carols to get you in the festive spirit.
That’s my experience at Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge. Have you been before? What else would you recommend doing in Vancouver during the festive period?
