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One of the most festive weeks of the year is upon us, and we’re here to help you celebrate with our list of 20 great events around Vancouver from December 16 to 22.
Check out the CP Holiday Train, Elf in Concert, and more!
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
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CP Holiday Train
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
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 who is nearing the end of his life. 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
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
Burnaby Village Museum
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
What: Chor Leoni is getting festive with its annual Christmas show. The holiday tradition is filled with folk music favourites, ancient chants and modern classics. The program is set to 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: Canadian electronic duo The Funk Hunters are bringing their holiday extravaganza back to their home base of Vancouver.
Multi-dimensional artists Nick Middleton and Duncan Smith will be taking to the stage at the Commodore Ballroom for two of the biggest parties of the season with Funk The Halls.
When: December 20 and 21, 2024
Time: 8 pm
Where: Commodore Ballroom — 868 Granville Street
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
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: Vancouver Christmas Market is transforming Jack Poole Plaza into a huge German-style holiday event until December 24.
A popular holiday tradition for locals and visitors alike, the Vancouver Christmas Market features more than 90 huts of authentic German sweets, treats, and treasures. Plus, there are many festive activities and live entertainment to enjoy.
When: Now until December 24, 2024
Time: Various opening hours
Where: Jack Poole Plaza – 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices; passes are on sale now
What: Elf, one of the most beloved Christmas films of all time, is celebrating a milestone birthday this holiday season in Vancouver. The Will Ferrell comedy classic is getting the live concert treatment at the Orpheum Theatre.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will bring John Debney’s heartwarming score to life while the film is projected onto a massive 40-foot movie screen.
When: December 20 and 21, 2024
Time: 7 pm
Where: Orpheum Theatre – 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, 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
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: With winter in full swing, it’s a great time to head inside and watch a great movie or show.
Hollywood Theatre is here to help with a full week of great events this week, including RUTS World presents Movie Club Social – Paid In Full on December 17, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on December 19, and more.
When: Various dates
Time: Various times
Where: Hollywood Theatre – 3123 West Broadway, Vancouver
Cost: Various prices. Purchase online
What: Learn about Chinatown’s heritage and culture through hands-on activities during Family Saturdays at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre. The event happens on the third Saturday of each month from 11 am to 1 pm and includes guided tours, prizes, special offers from neighbouring restaurants, and free admission for youth 17 years and under.
When: The third Saturday of each month.
Time: 11 am to 1 pm (Centre is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Where: 168 East Pender Street, Vancouver
Cost: Free for youth 17 and under; guests under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is $10-$12. Purchase online
What: The Canucks continue the NHL season this week at Rogers Arena with home games, including the Colorado Avalanche on December 16 and Ottawa Senators on December 21.
When: December 16 and 21, 2024
Time: Various times
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online
Marco Ovies/Daily Hive
What: Destination Downtown has announced that the 13 Taylor Swift lyrics in life-sized letters around the city will be transformed for the 12 Days of Christmas with holiday words. So, if you’re thinking that “Christmas must be something more,” bundle up in your favourite cardigan and track down these illuminated photo ops.
There will also be festive lighting and free live entertainment from 5 to 9:30 pm every Thursday through Sunday until December 22 along the seawall from Canada Place to Cardero Park.
Highlights include fire performances at the Grand Staircase, live opera and classical singing at Cardero Park, music and shadow puppetry inside Harbour Green Park, and more.
When: Now until December 6, 2024
Time: Now until noon on December 6
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free
Scuba Claus at the Vancouver Aquarium. (Vancouver Aquarium)
What: Scuba Claus will be visiting the Vancouver Aquarium daily until December 24 to don his flippers and go for a dive, with festive decor and twinkling lights all around. You can also check out The Polar Express 4D Experience and enjoy the magical Jelly Snow Globe surrounded by over 65,000 incredible animals.
When: Now until January 5, 2025
Time: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (10 am to 4 pm on December 24, 25 and 31)
Where: Vancouver Aquarium – 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Admission: Various prices, purchase online
What: The Arts Club Theatre Company presents Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol. Based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the heartwarming musical starring David M. Adams as Scrooge sees the owner of a mining company town learning important lessons to see life and love anew.
When: Now until December 24, 2024
Time: Various times
Where: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage – 2750 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tickets: From $39, purchase online
Britannia Mine Museum
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: Experience the magic of Christmas this December with FlyOver Canada’s Soar With Santa. Fly across Canada and up to the North Pole in this festive flight happening until January 1, 2025.
When: Now until January 1, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: 999 Canada Place, Canada, Vancouver, BC
Tickets: Available on-site or online. Booking online beforehand is advised.
What: The Kitsilano Farmers’ Market takes place on Sundays in the parking lot of the Community Centre and offers a good selection of fresh local produce and gourmet treats to stock up on the week. There are also a number of artisan vendors and food trucks to check out at the market.
When: Every Sunday until April 27, 2025
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: West 10th Avenue and Trafalgar Street, Vancouver