‘Tis the season for our local theatre community to bring back the comfort and joy of holiday time productions to the stage.
Check out what’s on the list this season to find a show that’s sure to tug at the heartstrings and bring humour to you and your family.
Elf: The Musical
Until December 31, 2023 at The Arts Club Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville Street, Vancouver
Join Buddy the Elf on his expedition from the North Pole to New York City, where he’s determined to win over his new family with Christmas cheer, syrupy spaghetti, and heartfelt songs.
Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
November 14 – 18, 2023 at The Centre in Vancouver, 777 Homer Street, Vancouver
Audiences, of all ages, will discover or re-discover the magic of the Dr. Seuss holiday classic as it comes to life live on stage, with all the meanness, greenness, heart and warmth one expects from the classic tale.
The Spinsters
November 16-18, 2023 at Shadbolt Centre Studio Theatre, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
The Shadbolt presents the World Premiere of The Spinsters! Cinderella’s Ugly Stepsisters are headed to the ball in this frolicking feast featuring mesmerizing movement, magical dresses, and stunning shadow puppetry.
Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto
November 22-26, 2023 at Pacific Coliseum, 100 N. Renfrew Street, Vancouver
Visit Arendelle and the Mountains of Columbia, see Anna, Elsa, Mirabel, and the Madrigal family live, as well as fan favourites Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy, and many more take to the ice.
Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto: Beauty and The Beast
November 22, 2023 – January 7, 2024 at The Cultch – York Theatre, 639 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Bright, business-minded Belle has always been different from other kids growing up on the Drive. Her nose is always stuck in a book—a general ledger book that is!
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
November 23-December 23, 2023 at Pacific Theatre, 1440 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver
This magical adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s beloved classic finds Peter and Lucy Pevensie are all grown-up… but upon returning to a most peculiar wardrobe, they are caught up once more in the wintry world of Narnia.
Back to the Holidays
November 23-December 23, 2023 at The Improv Centre, 1502 Duranleau Street, Granville Island, Vancouver
Put the jolly, and hilarious, into your Christmas Spirit as the Improv Centre pays homage to Back to the Future and A Christmas Carol, and explores holidays of the past, present, and future through the lens of an eccentric scientist who is tasked with helping our hero discover the true meaning of the holidays and save the town from ruin.
James & Jamesy’s O Christmas Tea – On Tour
November 28-29, 2023 at Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave, New Westminster
December 28, 2023 at Michael J Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Avenue, Burnaby
December 29, 2023 at Bell Performing Arts Centre 6250 144 St, Surrey
Rich in wordplay, comic physicality, and cleverly crafted interactive elements, O Christmas Tea is uproarious fun, yet it is the duo’s boundless imagination and endearing chemistry that provide the real magic and heart of this play.
Carousel Theatre for Young People’s Snow White
November 29 – December 31, 2023 at Waterfront Theatre, 1412 Cartwright St, Vancouver
A “Once Upon a Time” tale re-imagined for twice as much fun! Not your traditional Snow White, this clever twist on the beloved fairy tale is a two-actor take that’s irresistibly playful and oh-so smart.
The Marvelous Wonderettes
November 30 – December 17, 2023 at The Bernie Legge Theatre, Queen’s Park, New Westminster
Meet Springfield High School Song leaders Cindy Lou, Missy, Betty Jean and Suzy – The Marvelous Wonderettes, first when they’ve been called upon to entertain as last-minute replacements at their 1958 Super Senior Prom, then again at their 1968 ten-year reunion to see what life has thrown at the quartet.
The Gingerbread Men: A Holiday Cabaret
December 1-17, 2023 at The Arts Club Newmount Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre, 162 W. 1st Avenue #203, Vancouver
Come cozy up with The Gingerbread Men as they have a holly jolly good time with their signature golly-gee charm, toe-tapping tunes, and buttery-smooth harmonies.
Do I Hear A Waltz?
December 1-3, 2023 at PAL Theatre, 581 Cardero Street, Vancouver
For its 50th presentation Applause! Musicals in Concert brings this forgotten musical adaptation of The Time of the Cuckoo, a bittersweet romance set in Venice, by three giants of the musical theatre: Richard Rodgers, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim.
Ann Mortifee’s Reflection on Crooked Walking
December 2 – 24, 2022 at Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova Street, Vancouver
This Juno Award-nominated family musical tells the tale of four people who find themselves the only ones left awake, surrounded by sleeping townspeople. Their journey in search of a cure for the mysterious sleeping sickness leads them down a surprising path of deeper self-awareness.
Mom’s The Word: Talking Turkey
December 5-31, 2023 at The Arts Club – Granville Island Stage, 1585 Johnston Street, Granville Island, Vancouver
Filled with laughs and heartwarming anecdotes the Mom’s The Word Collective welcomes the Holidays in their latest play from the decades long Mom’s The Word series.
Ballet BC presents Royal Winnipeg Ballet: The Nutcracker
December 7 – 10, 2023 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
For five performances, Ballet BC once again welcomes the Royal Winnipeg Ballet stage for its iconic, distinctly Canadian retelling of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.
Sinbad!
December 7 to 30, 2023 at Metro Theatre, 1370 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver
Written by the queen of Pantomime’s, Ellie King, brings a new take on this swashbuckling classic with the tradition of an English pantomime.
Christmas Presence
Dec 10-12 and 17-19, 2023 at Pacific Theatre, 1440 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver
Pacific Theatre lights up the season with poems and prose that range from the heartfelt to the hilarious mixed in with songs both old and new, Christmas Presence is an intimate and warm way to usher in the holiday spirit.
Mixed Nuts
December 15-17, 2023 at Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Arts Umbrella Dance Company’s annual presentation of a modern and engaging twist on Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, bringing together a eclectic assortment of dance styles for an extra-special holiday treat.
Baking Time
December 1-17, 2023 at Presentation House Theatre, 333 Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver
It’s a recipe for pure joy as the Presentation House welcomes audiences 3-7 years old and their grown-ups, in this lively presentation featuring baking antics, lively music, and lots of opportunities for the audience to safely join in on the fun.
The Goh Ballet – The Nutcracker
December 14 – 17, 2023 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Goh Ballet returns to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre stage as Clara’s dream come to life as she embarks on a magical journey through the Land of Snow, across the Lemonade Sea, to the Kingdom of Sweets where she is greeted by the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella
December 14 – 31, 2023 at Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond
The whole family will love this Tony Award-Winning timeless tale of Cinderella like never before in this captivating musical adaptation.
2023 & Me
December 27-30, 2023 at The Improv Centre, 1502 Duranleau Street, Granville Island, Vancouver
Whether it was the best of time, the worst of times or meh, celebrate the end of 2023 by sharing your year with The Improv Centre ensemble to laugh, cry and with the year a hearty “thank you!” or “**** you!”.
Cinderella
December 29 – December 31, 2023 at Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave, New Westminster
The Royal Canadian Theatre Company brings this classic tale of rags to riches with the fun and silly twists a of a traditional British panto and all its terrible puns and fantastic original music and parodies to sing along with.
NYE at TIC
December 31, 2023 at The Improv Centre, 1502 Duranleau Street, Granville Island, Vancouver
Say so long to 2023 with laughter and libations when you join The Improv Centre, 3 shows at 7pm, 9pm, and 11:15pm, to count down to 2024 with silly fun, guffaws, and a dessert bar!
Bluey’s Big Play
January 2-3, 2024 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Before kids head back to school, start off the new year with a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the award-winning children’s television series, its first live theatre show, featuring brilliantly created puppets, bringing Bluey and friends to life as you’ve never seen before.