Burnaby Village Museum’s free seasonal experience: Festive Village is open now until January 2, 2026.
This is an annual free event for those looking for something to do over the holidays. Guests are invited to wander through the museum’s 10-acre open air site that is beautifully illuminated with holiday lights and adorned with classic decorations.
As it is for the rest of the year, the space functions as museum for Burnaby’s history. This is where you can explore what it was like to live in Burnaby during the 1920’s. You have the ability to enter homes and businesses and learn about life therein, through factoids and significant artifacts in this self guided tour.
There was a bank, a store for the purchase of musical instruments, drug shop, barber shop, and movie theatre; to name a handful. New to the village this year is the Japanese style bath house.
This foundation all stays stationary with window dressing and displays put out on rotation by season, occasion, and to showcase their vast collection in an artful manner.
This holiday season, on top of twinkling lights, festively decorated trees, and a tunnel of light was the underlying theme of food.
Burnaby Village Museum’s latest Popup exhibit is “delecTABLE”. This is Burnaby’s history through food eaten and served. The main exhibit had plastic dishes on display, the likes of pad thai, pakora, souvlaki, and a comparison between ketchup and tamarind. To echo this, numerous businesses had food stuffs on display. The general store with jello packets and moulds, the seamstress shop with hot cocoa, mini sausages, and bagels; and the Chinese apothecary with dried herbs used for medicinal purposes.
Mai’s Cafe remains open for those looking for a bite to eat. A warm beverage, full plates, and/or a baked sweet. Or guests could look to kettle popped corn from the local food truck Cravings Kettle Corn, for a snack on the go.
The carousel still remains the most popular attraction with long lines and rides for $2.71 plus tax.
There was also live entertainment the likes of a blacksmith hammering and shaping metal into candy canes to be sold at the museum’s gift shop. A roving juggler performing with light up props. And carollers in period dress performing classic songs to large gathered crowds. All these individuals volunteers, alongside presenting partner Concord Pacific.
Worth mentioning is that due to the high attendance, entry onto the site may be limited to ensure the safety of visitors and staff. The parking is also limited in the area, so it is recommended that guests carpool or take transit.
December 16, 2025-January 2, 2026
Daily, 1-9 pm
Closed December 24 and 25
Open January 1
Last admission into the Museum is 30 minutes before closing.
Burnaby Village Museum
6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3T6
(604) 297-4565
burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
