'Tis the season...for family fun, winter lights, visiting Santa, and so much more. This Vancouver events calendar highlights the best city-wide and local, neighbourhood events for December.
Ongoing through December 27
White Christmas, The Musical
What: The Arts Club Theatre Company’s holiday offering is a stage version of Irving Berlin's famous film, perfect for kids and adults alike.
Where: Stanley Theatre, 2750 Granville St., Vancouver
Cost: $25 - $74
Ongoing through January 2
Bright Nights at Stanley Park
What: Stanley Park's Bright Nights is an annual Vancouver holiday tradition where over a million twinkly lights transform the forest into a winter wonderland.
Where: Miniature Train and Children's Farmyard, Stanley Park, Vancouver
Cost: $8; $5 for seniors & kids 2-18
Saturdays through December 31
Christmas in Kerrisdale
What: Kerrisdale’s shopping district gets in the Christmas spirit on Saturdays, with Christmas decorations galore, free horse & carriage rides, roving quartets, and visits from Santa and his elf.
Where: West 41st Ave, between Larch St. & Maple St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Tuesday, December 1 – Wednesday, December 30
Christmas at Canada Place: On the Sails
What: Canada Place celebrates the season with nightly light shows, from 6pm – 10pm.
Where: Canada Place, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Cost: Free; donations welcome online to fight child hunger
Friday, December 4
Vancouver Chamber Choir - A Baroque Christmas
What: This year's seasonal offering from the Vancouver Chamber Choir is a combination of Baroque masters, including Bach and Vivaldi.
Where: Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe St., Vancouver
Cost: $21 - $44.75; discounts for students and seniors
Friday, December 4 - Saturday, January 2
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
What: Every year, the Capilano Suspension Bridge transforms into a celebration of light, with live music, kids activities, and more.
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge, 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
Cost: $15 for adults; $5 for kids
Sunday, December 6
Rogers Santa Claus Parade
What: The Rogers Santa Claus Parade features over 60 marching bands, dance troupes, festive floats and community groups, attracting over 300,000 spectators. Volunteers will also be collecting non-perishable goods for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. In the past four years, over $22,000 and 26,500 pounds of food have been collected!
Where: Downtown Vancouver; see the route map for details
Cost: Free
Thursday, December 10 – Saturday, December 19
The VSO’s Traditional Christmas
What: One of the city's most beloved holiday musical traditions, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents this concert full of carols, Christmas music, and plenty of audience sing-alongs!
Where: Various locations; see site for details
Cost: $30 - $35
Thursday, December 10 – Monday, December 14
Vancouver Men’s Chorus Making Spirits Bright
What: The VMC’s popular holiday concert series returns to the the historic St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Vancouver’s West End; it’s a fun, festive launch to the holiday season.
Where: St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 1130 Jervis St., Vancouver
Cost: See site for details
Friday, December 11 - Sunday, January 3
VanDusen Botanical Gardens' Festival of Lights
What: The gorgeous VanDusen gardens turn festive with elaborate light decorations, a Candy Cane Tree, Gingerbread Walk and much more.
Where: VanDusen Botanical Gardens, 5251 Oak St., Vancouver
Cost: $11; $8 for seniors & youth; $6 for kids 6 - 12; $25 for families
Friday, December 25
Christmas
Saturday, December 26
Boxing Day
Late December - Dates TBA
Ballet BC's The Nutcracker
What: Can it be December without The Nutcracker? The beloved holiday tradition is the ballet to see.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 884 Granville Street, Vancouver
Cost: $30 - $79.25
Thursday, December 31
NEW YEAR’s EVE
