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Keep the spirits bright by checking out a great event around Vancouver!
Here are 15 fun things to do in and around Vancouver from December 20 to 22. Goh Ballet’s Nutcracker, Jingle Bells Night at Lafarge Lake, and more.
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
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Goh Ballet
What: It simply wouldn’t be the holidays without The Nutcracker. That’s why we’re excited that Vancouver’s own Goh Ballet will soon be bringing the beloved show to life along with some international stars.
Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker is taking over the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for five performances from December 19 to 22. With its iconic musical score by Tchaikovsky played live by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and a diverse cast of over 250 dancers, watching this ballet in December is a tradition that spans generations.
When: December 19 to 22, 2024
Time: 7:30 pm (Thursday, Friday, Saturday), 2 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre — 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices starting at just $28, purchase at GohNutcracker.com
What: Noel Surrey will feature Santa’s castle, a Holly Jolly Hub with food trucks and beverages, bumper cars, and more.
There will also be plenty of interactive light displays and photo ops, including a 1 km accessible outdoor holiday light walk filled with illuminated see-saws, a frosty forest, a 150-foot light tunnel, and more.
When: Now until December 23, 2024
Time: 4 to 10:30 pm
Where: Cloverdale Fairgrounds, Surrey
Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 for youth and seniors, and free for children ages 6 and under. Pre-sale online
What: The CP Holiday Train rolls into BC this December, bringing lights, music, and holiday cheer to tons of communities across the province. It will be in Metro Vancouver on December 19 and 20.
The 26th edition of the beloved holiday tradition will travel across Canada and the US this season to raise money, food, and awareness for local food banks. Attendees at each CP Holiday Train stop will also enjoy a free and festive concert by Juno winners Magic! and fast-rising star Sofia Camara.
When: December 19 and 20, 2024
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free; donations for the local food bank to help those in need are encouraged
City of Coquitlam
What: Lights at Lafarge, the region’s largest free outdoor winter lights display, is illuminating Coquitlam with over 100,000 twinkling lights until the end of February. And on Saturday, December 21, you can help set a festive new world record at Town Centre Park.
Guests can enjoy a family-friendly evening of live entertainment, carolling groups, mascot photo ops, reindeer games, and visits with Santa. The event is hosted by the City’s Park Spark Light Brigade team and guest hosts Qualex-Landmark.
The highlight of the evening is the world record-setting attempt for the largest group singing Jingle Bells in unison.
When: December 21, 2024 (Lights on until February 2025)
Time: Nightly from 4 to 11 pm. Jingle Bells Night from 5:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Town Centre Park – 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Cost: Free
What: Abbotsford Canucks continue their AHL campaign with back-to-back games against the Tuscan Roadrunners this week at Abbotsford Centre
When: December 20 and 21, 2024
Time: Various times
Where: Abbotsford Centre – 33800 King Road, Abbotsford
Cost: Various; purchase online
What: Head on over to It’s Okay for this one-day-only pop-up featuring a special menu of BBQ favourites to keep you fed during the College Football Playoff games. Menu items include Southern favourites like brisket biscuits, frito pie, 3lb smoked beef “Dino Ribs,” smoked Fraser Valley chicken wings with Decatur sauce, and brisket poutine. Additionally, It’s Okay is offering $5 cans of Phillips Tilt Lager and TilT Light.
When: December 21
Time: Starting at 9 am
Where: It’s Okay — 2481 E Hastings Street, Vancouver
Dundarave Festival of Light
What: The Dundarave Festival of Lights is the largest outdoor display of Christmas trees in British Columbia. Discover 140 uniquely decorated trees and vote for your favourites in several categories, including Most Sustainable, Glitz & Glam, and Most Creative.
The Forest of Miracles is open to the public 24 hours a day until January 7, 2025.
When: Now until January 7, 2025
Time: 24 hours a day
Where: West Vancouver Waterfront from the Grosvenor Ambleside Galleria to Dundarave Beach
Admission: Free
What: Chor Leoni is getting festive with its annual Christmas show. The holiday tradition includes folk music favourites, ancient chants and modern classics. The program will include songs like “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,” Ron Sexsmith’s “Maybe This Christmas,” and more.
When: December 19 to 21, 2024
Time: Various times
Where: St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church – 1022 Nelson Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
What: Heritage Christmas and the Burnaby Village Museum are truly where history comes alive. Enjoy the magical atmosphere of festive lights and traditional decorations in this 1920s-era village.
There will also be seasonal entertainment, demonstrations and activities, and delicious food served up at Heritage Christmas. Keep an eye out for the historic street car on your way to the old-timey ice cream parlour.
When: Now until January 3, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Burnaby Village Museum — 6501 Deer Lake Avenue
Admission: Free; Carousel rides $2.62 plus tax or a Baker’s Dozen (13 rides) for $31.45 plus tax
Wallace & Gromit
What: Head to VIFF Centre – Vancity Theatre for the latest Wallace & Gromit classic, Vengeance Most Fowl.
Aardman’s four-time Academy Award-winning director Nick Park and Emmy Award-nominated Merlin Crossingham return with a new adventure all ages will love. When Wallace unveils his latest invention, a robot that can do almost anything, Gromit can’t help feeling redundant. But when old nemesis Feathers McGraw reprogrammes the robot, it’s up to Gromit to save the day and rescue Wallace from the chaos.
When: Various dates from December 18, 2024 to January 2, 2025
Time: Various times. See the full schedule online
Where: VIFF Centre – 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, including $10 for youth under 18, $11 for students and accessible patrons, $14 for seniors, and $16 for adults. Purchase online
What: The annual Wesbrook Village Holiday Market by Live at UBC showcases a variety of local artisan vendors every Saturday and Sunday until December 22. Head to Norman Mackenzie Square from 12 to 7 pm to find unique, handcrafted items for everyone on your list and yourself. There are also several eateries and cafes nearby to treat yourself after exploring the market.
When: Every Saturday and Sunday until December 22, 2024
Time: 12 to 7 pm
Where: Norman MacKenzie Square in Wesbrook Village at UBC Point Grey
Cost: Free
What: Visit The Sandbar every Sunday in December for a special three-course dinner for two for just $129. Menu highlights include a choice between Sandbar’s classic clam chowder or Caesar salad, a surf and turf platter featuring a 10-ounce prime New York striploin, lobster tail, grilled garlic prawns, seasonal vegetables, roasted potatoes, and salsa verde, and Sandbar’s signature Belgian chocolate pudding for dessert.
When: Every Sunday in December
Where: The Sandbar — 1535 Johnston Street, Vancouver
Cost: $129 for two, or $105 for one
St. Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope (John Lau/Daily Hive)
What: The holidays in Vancouver just wouldn’t be as bright without the Lights of Hope.
St. Paul’s Foundation’s massive light display outside of St. Paul’s Hospital has been an annual Christmastime tradition and fundraising campaign since 1998.
More than 100,000 lights and hundreds of shining stars recognizing the support of generous donors will shine until the new year.
When: Lights will be on display until January 3, 2025
Time: Nightly throughout the holiday season
Where: St. Paul’s Hospital – 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver
What: Britannia Mine Museum hosts Ores & Orcas – Howe Sound/Átl’ḵa7tsem: A Recovering Ecosystem until February 2025. Guests will be able to explore how copper contamination impacted the marine food chain from plankton to predators and discover how remediation efforts protect the important ecosystem.
The temporary exhibit also showcases specimens from the Howe Sound ecosystem, including the skeleton of a real killer whale.
When: Now until February 2025
Time: Open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm
Where: 150 Copper Drive, Britannia Beach
Cost: Prices vary; see here
What: Head to VIFF Centre – Vancity Theatre for two of the most highly anticipated movies of the year: Oh Canada and The End.
Oh Canada by veteran filmmaker Paul Schrader stars Richard Gere as Leonard Fife, an American-born documentary filmmaker nearing his life’s end. Fife agrees to film an in-depth autobiographical interview to set the record straight about his self-imposed exile, but can his memory be trusted?
The End is an apocalyptic musical starring Michael Shannon and Tilda Swinton as parents living out the end of the world with their son in a lavish bunker deep in a salt mine. When a young Black woman, played by Moses Ingram, turns up, their carefully created facade begins to crack.
When: Various dates until December 21, 2024
Time: Various times. See the full schedule online.
Where: VIFF Centre – 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, including $11 for students and accessible pricing, $14 for seniors, and $16 for adults. Purchase online