Check out the best experience gifts for Christmas in Vancouver.
When people talk about giving the best experience gifts, nothing beats the kind of moments that become stories, especially in a place as vibrant and varied as Vancouver. This city offers everything from laid-back brunch tours to heart-thumping adventure days, perfect for giving someone a holiday present that actually feels like magic.
If you're shopping for experience gifts in Canada and you’ve got Vancouver in mind, here are ten carefully picked Vancouver experiences that make fantastic, memorable holiday gifts.
Why Vancouver Is Buzzing Right Now
Vancouver, Coast and Mountains is one of British Columbia’s most significant tourism regions, and for good reason. In 2022, the region generated over $9.7 billion in gross spending, making up more than half of BC’s overnight visitor spending.
Also, British Columbia generated $22.1 billion in revenue in 2024. It’s safe to say that tourism is a core part of the local economy. This is why giving an experience in Vancouver means supporting a vibrant local scene and gifting something truly meaningful.
Why Vancouver Experiences Make Incredible Holiday Gifts
Thinking of giving a gift that lasts? Experience gifts check that box in a big way. Here’s why Vancouver experiences are especially great for the holiday season:
- Memories over material things: A bundled brunch tour or a kayaking trip leaves a mark far longer than a sweater.
- Something for any mood: Whether your gift recipient is adventurous, chill, or curious, Vancouver offers activities that suit everyone.
- Support local businesses: Tours, guides, and small operators all benefit when someone buys a local experience.
- Seasonal magic: Winter in Vancouver doesn’t mean shutting down because it's cozy, glowy, and full of charm.
- Flexible planning: Many experiences around here can be scheduled later in the year or booked with gift certificates, making them perfect for holiday giving right now.
10 Must‑Try Vancouver Experiences to Gift This Holiday Season
Here are the ten best experience gifts in and around Vancouver that make for unforgettable gifts. Each one has something different to offer. Check the “Best for” section to match the experience to your recipient, and a link to help you take the next step.
#1 Vancouver Gastown Brunch Tour
This tour blends food, history, and local charm. Participants stroll through Gastown’s historic cobblestone streets while stopping at some of the best brunch spots for bites and stories. It’s a relaxed, tasty way to explore one of Vancouver’s most photogenic neighbourhoods.
Best for: Food lovers, history buffs, friends who enjoy relaxed paced tours
👉 Treat someone to a brunch adventure in Gastown.
#2 Introductory Flying Lesson over Squamish
In this experience, your recipient will learn to fly a small aircraft (under the supervision of a pro) and take in sweeping views of the Sea-to-Sky corridor, soaring past Squamish’s mountains and rugged coastline.
Best for: Adventurers, bucket-list seekers, those who dream big
👉 Send them soaring with their first flying lesson.
#3 Segway Tour of Vancouver’s False Creek – English Bay
Glide on a Segway along False Creek and English Bay, getting a mix of urban waterfront views, park stretches, and conversation-worthy scenery. It’s fun, easy, and lets you see more than walking alone does.
Best for: Families, couples, and anyone who wants a light adventure
👉 Gift a glide through Vancouver’s iconic waterfront.
#4 TAG Day Ticket – Whistler Full Day of Adventure
This is your go-big-or-go-home gift. The TAG (The Adventure Group) day ticket gets you a full day in Whistler packed with adrenaline. Think ziplining, bungee jumping, and more. It’s a full-throttle break from the city!
Best for: Thrill-seekers, outdoor lovers, adrenaline junkies
👉 Give a day of pure adrenaline in Whistler.
#5 Vallea Lumina Night Walk, Whistler
Walking through Vallea Lumina feels like stepping into a dream. This enchanting, illuminated night walk uses light, sound, and storytelling to transport guests through a forest transformed into a luminous fairy tale.
Best for: Romantics, families, anyone who loves visual magic
👉 Gift an evening of wonder under glowing lights.
#6 Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour
Celebrate the local beer scene with a guided tour to Vancouver’s independent microbreweries. The tour includes tastings, behind-the-scenes looks, and a chance to learn about brewing while meeting the people who make the beer.
Best for: Beer fans, curious gourmands, group outings
👉 Give the gift of craft beer and stories.
#7 Kayak & Coffee on the Beach Tour
Combine calm waters, a gentle paddle, and a warm cup of coffee by the shore. This tour takes guests kayaking along Vancouver’s coastline, followed by a relaxing beach coffee break. This experience gift is truly simple yet deeply soothing.
Best for: Nature lovers, peaceful souls, couples
👉 Treat them to a morning of paddling and coffee.
#8 Wine Tour – Fraser Valley
Take a trip out to Fraser Valley’s vineyards, just outside Vancouver, for wine tastings, vineyard walks, and pairing local charcuterie. The region is known for its small, farm-style wineries that feel warm, welcoming, and down-to-earth.
Best for: Wine enthusiasts, couples, foodie friends
👉 Send them sipping through Fraser Valley wineries.
#9 Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour – Vancouver
This is a real treat: a high-speed Zodiac boat ride out of Vancouver, a dinner on Bowen Island, and a return cruise past iconic sights like Stanley Park and a seal colony.
Best for: Couples, adventure romantics, nature lovers
👉 Gift a night of waves, wildlife, and fine dining.
#10 Dark Table Restaurant for 2, Vancouver
Dark Table offers a dining experience unlike any other: guests eat in total darkness, relying on taste, texture, smell, and sound to navigate their meal. It’s a powerful, sensory-rich experience that really makes you notice what we often take for granted.
Best for: Curious souls, couples looking for something different, food & sensory experience lovers
👉 Offer an eye-opening dining adventure.
Final Thoughts
These ten experience gifts go beyond the typical. They’re moments that keep unfolding well after the day is over. For people in Canada (or those visiting), gifting a Vancouver experience at Christmas is more meaningful than a material item. It supports local tourism, celebrates B.C.’s unique landscape, and gives someone something to look forward to in the new year.
Each of these experiences is bookable, often with flexible dates, and makes for a beautifully packaged gift. So if you’re looking for the kind of present that truly resonates, consider giving someone one of these Vancouver adventures. After all, the best gifts are the ones you remember.
