6 magical small towns near Vancouver that transform into dreamy winter wonderlands

Holiday lights are being strung and Christmas plans are being made. It's that time of the year, and nothing says festive like escaping to a snowy little town for the day. There's a handful of small towns near Vancouver that turn up the charm during the holidays, decked out with dazzling lights, Christmas parades, and adorable markets. Some have Bavarian heritage that will make you feel like you're at a German Christmas market, and others have a Stars Hollow feel that will whisk you away into a holiday movie. If you want to escape the busy streets of Vancouver for a weekend getaway, or even an afternoon, then these small towns will bring you all the Christmas cheer you could hope for. See on InstagramTake your pick of a 30-minute drive outside the city, or opt for a longer road trip into the mountains.Martini TownSee on InstagramDrive from Vancouver: About 45 minutes. Why You Need To Go: Starting off strong, this town is a literal Hallmark movie come to life. It's actually a movie-set town that's usually closed off to the public, strictly used as the set from flicks set in small towns, or picturesque New York streets. For a short window during the holidays though it opens up, going all out with Christmas decor, pop-up shops, and even fake snow gently falling to give you the ultimate movie-worthy scene. You can wander the Brownstone streets, an urban alley, and the quaint small town square, from December 4 until January 5. You can buy tickets on the Martinti Town website. Leavenworth, WashingtonSee on InstagramDrive from Vancouver: About 4 hoursWhy You Need To Go: Although this is across the border, it's just a four-hour drive from Vancouver and worth the road trip. It's a popular Christmas town, with everything from gingerbread competitions to live carolers and horse-drawn sleighs, all within the German-style town surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The annual Village of Lights: Christmastown celebration brings the holiday season to life, with millions of lights, live music, a huge Christmas tree, and holiday characters roaming the streets. Then there are the European-style shops, mulled wine, and tasty pretzels to make you really feel like you're in Germany. If you need any more convincing, there's also the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm to bring your childhood Christmas dreams to life. Harrison Hot SpringsSee on InstagramDrive from Vancouver: About 2 hours.Why You Need To Go: A little further outside of Vancouver, this small town has stunning scenery that will immerse you into nature. Every year the community puts on some fun holiday events, like the Lights on the Lake. You can watch as thousands of lights illuminate the lakeside, making for a magical stroll. The Lights on the Lake event is happening from November 23 to January 12, 2025, so you have lots of time to make the trip and see them. The local businesses here also decorate their storefronts and paired with the town's Christmas trees and old-fashioned lamps in the village square, it's like a scene from a storybook. You can check out all of their events on the tourism website. Fort LangleySee on InstagramDrive from Vancouver: About 45 minutes. Why You Need To Go: While Martinti Town is a fake town, it's right by the very real Fort Langley, which is quite possibly the cutest spot near the city. There's a historic feel here that makes you feel like you're far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can pop in and out of the little shops, see the stunning Christmas tree outside the community hall, or stop by the Christmas in the Village market. There's also an array of other holiday markets you can stop by to get your gift shopping done. HopeSee on InstagramDrive from Vancouver: About 2 hours. Why You Need To Go: This small town is the backdrop to some popular Hallmark holiday movies, including Winter's Dream, a love story set on the ski slopes. It's clear why they chose the town for the location, with its mountains that look even more picturesque with a fresh blanket of snow, quaint boutiques, and a small downtown area. The real intrigue of Hope is the access to nature, so if you're idea of a winter wonderland is getting outdoors and breathing in some fresh air, go here. Bellevue, WashingtonSee on InstagramDrive from Vancouver: About three hours. Why You Need To Go: Another US Christmas town, this place is also worth the border crossing. They have a nightly holiday parade running from November 29 until December 24, every day at 7 p.m. You can see dancers, holiday floats, drummers, and lots of festive decor lighting up the streets. This is more of a city vibe but gives you all the dreamy Christmas feels you could want. They also have a stunning botanical garden here, with half a million lights glowing at night. Happy travels!