Comox wraps around a sheltered harbour on Vancouver Island, with mountain views across the water and a heritage lodge glowing with lights all December. This list stays inside the town and its harbour, from a sand spit stroll to an aviation museum and a downtown tree lighting. Every idea below comes from details that Comox venues and the regional district have shared online.
Christmas at Filberg Park
Filberg Christmas Lights: Every evening from November 21 to December 31, Filberg Park stays open until 9 p.m. so visitors can enjoy its Christmas lights for free. Strings of light trim the heritage buildings and fences, so bring a flashlight and bundle up for a slow evening walk. Some paths are gravel or uneven, so wear sturdy shoes.
Kick-Off and Outdoor Winter Market: The season opens on Saturday, November 21, from 3 to 7 p.m., with local artisan vendors at an outdoor winter market, free live holiday music and the Filberg Gift Shop open for browsing. Proceeds help restore and maintain the lodge and park, so a small purchase does some good too. Warm food and drinks are sold on site, and the gift shop is a good place to look for something you both love.
Filberg Lodge Tours: The nine acre waterfront property was once the home of Robert and Florence Filberg and has been a municipal heritage site since 1979. On Thursdays from November 19 to December 17, between noon and 3 p.m., volunteers lead tours of the lodge, built from local wood and stone. Afterward, wander among the rare trees on the grounds, which stay open all year.
Aviation and Local History
Comox Air Force Museum: The Comox Air Force Museum and its Heritage Air Park tell the story of 19 Wing and West Coast military aviation. Founded in 1982, it opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and entrance is by donation. Wander the aircraft outdoors, then trade guesses about which one you would most like to fly. A library and gift shop round out the visit.
Comox Archives and Museum: Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Comox Archives and Museum is marking the town's 80th anniversary with 80 Years Ago: A Comox Time Capsule. Photos, newspaper clippings and local stories recall life in 1945 and 1946, including the island shaking earthquake of 1946. It is a thoughtful hour that sparks plenty of conversation.
Downtown Holiday Cheer
Mayor Tree Lighting and Gather Market: Downtown Comox lights its tree on Friday, November 27, from 3 to 7 p.m. at 215 Port Augusta, with live entertainment to set the mood. The Gather Marketplace, an indoor pop up of local makers above The Mill Coffee, runs that weekend, November 27 and 28, and again on December 4 and 5. Shoppers find a rotating, curated selection, and makers keep all of their profit. Pick out a handmade ornament for each other.
Harbour Walks
Visiting the Docks Walk: The Downtown Comox BIA's Visiting the Docks route covers about 1.5 km in 45 easy minutes. Start at Comox Centre Mall, head down to Marina Park, and follow the Marina Park Walkway. If the gate is open, stroll the marina slips, then continue along the Comox Harbour Promenade for views of Goose Spit and the Beaufort Range. Finish at Fisherman's Wharf, where the commercial fishing fleet ties up.
Goose Spit Park: At 10 Hawkins Road, just east of the town boundary, Goose Spit is a sand spit that helps form Comox Harbour, with wide views to the south, east and west. The spit is fed by sand from the Willemar Bluffs and sits within a provincially rare coastal sand ecosystem. A sheltered lagoon draws waterfowl, and in fall and winter you may watch kite boarders skim the waves. For a workout, the regional district posts a stair count route up to Mulholland Drive via Nob Hill. Beach fires are not allowed from September to April, so pack a warm drink instead.
A Quiet Evening Plan
Lights After Dinner: Because the lights at Filberg glow nightly until 9 p.m., they make a simple ending to almost any evening out. Share dinner in town, then take a short drive or walk to the park for an unhurried loop under the decorations.
Sample Date Itineraries
1. Opening Weekend (Sat Nov 21): Goose Spit walk → Filberg Kick-Off and Winter Market from 3 p.m.
2. Tree Lighting Friday (Nov 27): Comox Archives and Museum → Visiting the Docks walk → tree lighting on Port Augusta
3. Thursday Afternoon: Filberg Lodge tour at noon → Air Force Museum → Filberg lights after dark
Pro Tips for Memorable Dates
Bring a flashlight for Filberg, since the paths are dark between light displays.
Both museums close Mondays, and the Archives and Museum also closes Sundays.
Entry to the Air Force Museum is by donation, so carry a little cash.
Check the wind before visiting Goose Spit, as winter storms reach the spit.
The marina gate is not always open, so plan to stay on the public walkway if needed.
Harbour views, heritage lights and small town warmth make Comox an easy place to make winter memories together.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Photo credits: Comox from the air by Guinness323, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Comox harbour by Gerry Thomasen, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Comox marina by terri_bateman, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons.