FUN, LOCAL HOLIDAY EVENTS
The best holiday events are up and running, from VanDusen’s Festival of Lights, to the PNE Winter Fair, the Christmas Market and more! I’ve got all of the ongoing special, festival happenings linked in this blog post here.
CHINATOWN WINTER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL
Saturday 1 pm – 4 pm, Chinatown Plaza mall, 106 Keefer Street, Vancouver
Celebrate the Winter Solstice with a day of arts & culture, music, food, workshops, thrift, and shopping! Snacks and beverages will be provided, courtesy of Chinatown Together throughout the event.
CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY
Saturday 11 am – 9 pm & Sunday 11 am – 6 pm, Thunderbird Show Park, Langley
This is a new event featuring dazzling light displays, delicious food trucks, a beer garden and a variety of vendors. Plus kids can enjoy photos with Santa, do crafts in the elves’ workshop, meet some farm friends and enjoy free pony and tractor rides.
STEVESTON FESTIVAL OF TREES
Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 5 pm, Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Richmond
Get into the holiday spirit with a visit to Steveston’s annual Festival of Trees. Each year, local merchants and community groups creatively decorate their trees in a friendly competition to win the top vote for favourite tree.
VANCOUVER SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE
Saturday & Sunday 3 pm and 7 pm, Broadway Church, 2700 E Broadway
This is a free, 90-minute show for the whole family, featuring an incredible choir, orchestra, singers, actors, dancers, and acrobats!
TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS
Sunday 4 pm and 7:30 pm, Centennial Theatre, North Vancouver
Celebrate the holiday season with family and friends as you gather to hear your favourite carols and Christmas music sung by special guest soloists and performed live by the VSO. Beloved host Christopher Gaze will delight you with his characteristic antics and storytelling. A festive treat for all!
ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER
Saturday & Sunday, 4 showtimes, Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Danced to an exquisite Tchaikovsky score, the fantastical story follows the adventures of Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Add in dancing mice, a pudding-stealing bear, toy soldiers and surprises galore! A heart-warming classic for the entire family to enjoy.
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
2 shows Saturday and 3 on Sunday, The Waterfront Theatre, Vancouver
The White Witch has trapped Narnia in a perpetual state of winter with no hope of Christmas. But all that changes when four siblings venture through a mysterious wardrobe and enter this land of talking animals, charming fauns, giants, and dwarves. An inventive and highly theatrical adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s classic that’s sure to delight children and adults alike.
CINDERELLA (METRO THEATRE PANTOMIME)
Saturday 2 pm & 7 pm, Sunday 2 pm, Metro Theatre, Vancouver
This fairytale family favourite is sure to please young and old, prince and princess alike with exciting musical numbers, games, and laughs galore. Discover why the British Pantomime is a Christmas staple across the UK.
A WONDERHEADS CHRISTMAS CAROL
Saturday 2 pm, Massey Theatre, New Westminster
A feast for the eyes, ears, and heart – with a generous kick to the funny bone – this astonishing production brings Ebenezer Scrooge’s magical Christmas eve journey to life with giant masks, whimsical puppets, and wondrous theatrical invention.
THE ROBSON SQUARE SKATING: 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Saturday & Sunday, Robson Square Ice Rink, Vancouver
This winter, renew a classic Vancouver tradition and enjoy some old-fashioned fun. Robson Square’s outdoor skating rink is open, so celebrate winter in style with free skating in the heart of downtown Vancouver. On Saturday and Sunday you can catch live, musical entertainment from 2:30-4:15 pm and again from 6 pm – 9 pm.
SKATE WITH SANTA
Sunday 1 pm and 2:45 pm sessions, Port Moody Recreation Complex
A fun-filled skating session with Santa Claus! There are two sessions 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm and 2:45 pm – 4:15 pm.
