The holiday season and music go hand in hand, and this year has plenty of seasonal concerts to lift the spirits as we make the yuletide bright! This year, Canadian legend Tom Jackson kicks off the season at Massey Theatre and it wraps up at home with Early Music Vancouver’s Digital Concert Hall presentation of Festive Cantatas on-demand to enjoy throughout the season with your family.
Here’s a look at those and many, many more Christmas concerts to help you enjoy the sounds of the holiday season
Tom Jackson: Stories, Songs and Santa Causes
November 25, 2022 7:30pm Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Avenue, New Westminster
Start the season bright with an entertaining evening of original music, sing-along tunes, engaging tales and signature Christmas music from Tom Jackson. The award-winning master storyteller, will be joined by BC Country Music Association Hall of Fame producer and musician, Tom McKillip and award-winning producer and multi-instrumentalist, John MacArthur Ellis. Jackson says, “I am so thrilled – so excited – to be coming to New Westminster and Massey Theatre for the first time. We’re going to have lots of fun and at the same time, your “Santa Cause” will aid Don’t Go Hungry: A Food Support Program. What could be better? It will be a joyful night intended to make you happy and healthy.” Tom Jackson and team are contributing, and audience members can help with donation of food or money to support Don’t Go Hungry, a program for anyone in New Westminster and Burnaby with food needs. For more info on Don’t Go Hungry, visit dontgohungry.ca
Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir: Holly Jolly Christmas
November 26, 2022 2:30pm White Rock Baptists Church, 1657 140 Street, Surrey
December 4, 2022 2:30pm with Winter Harp Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Avenue, New Westminster
December 6, 2022 7:30pm Surrey Arts Centre, 13750 88 Ave, Surrey
December 10, 2022 7:30pm Shaughnessy Heights United Church, 1550 W 33rd Ave, Vancouver
December 16, 2022 7:30pm Centennial Theatre, 2300 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver
Directed by Jonathan Quick, with pianist Karen Lee-Morlang, Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir present a concert of Christmas favourites — sacred and secular, traditional and popular, with their distinctive 4-part harmony.
United Voices Choir: A German Requiem
November 26, 2022 2pm Kerrisdale Presbyterian Church, 2733 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver
November 27, 2022 7pm St Paul’s Anglican Church, 1130 Jervis Street, Vancouver
Join United Voices Choir & soloists lead by director Greg Caisely for a lush and complex Brahm’s German Requiem along with Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42
Winter Harp Christmas
December 4, 2022 2:30pm with Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir, Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Avenue, New Westminster December 15, 2022 7pm Holy Trinity Cathedral, 514 Carnarvon Street, New Westminster
December 18, 2022 3pm & 7pm The ACT 11944 Haney Place, Maple Ridge
December 19 & 20, 2022 7pm BlueShore Performing Centre, Capilano University 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver
December 21, 2022 7:30pm St Andrew’s-Wesley United, 1022 Nelson Street Vancouver
Vancouver Bach Choir: Christmas with Bach Choir
December 4, 2022 2pm Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
Enjoy an early Christmaspresentationwith more than 400 singers of the Vancouver Bach Adult and Childrens Choirs, directed by Leslie Dala and Marisa Gaetanne, accompanied by The Touch of Brass Quintet and Michael Dirk on organ as the
Jazz at The Anvil: A Jazz Christmas
December 6, 2022 7pm Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia Street, New Westminster
Acclaimed Canadian Juno Award nominated jazz vocalist, composer, and recording artist, Karin Plato along with her band take the stage with a new and cool take on Christmas classics.
Vancouver Bach Choir: Handel’s Messiah
December 10, 2022 7:30pm Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
Since its debut 280 years ago, Handel’s Messiah has become an annual holiday tradition. The VBC celebrates the season along with members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and a cast of Canadian soloists.
Vancouver Men’s Chorus: Making Spirits Bright
December 9 & 10, 2022 8pm / December 10 & 11, 2022 3pm Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Always a sell out audience-favourite, Making Spirits Bright is a Vancouver tradition filled with timeless holiday classics from your childhood, moving original compositions, and new interpretations of your favourite tunes by the VMC
VSO “A Traditional Christmas” Concerts
December 9, 2022 4pm & 7:30pm Centennial Theatre, 2300 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver
December 10, 2022 4pm & 7:30pm Bell Performing Arts Centre, 6250 144 Street, Surrey
December 16 & 17, 2022 4pm & 7:30pm Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
Celebrate this holiday tradition as host Christopher Gaze delights audiences with festive stories as David Bui conducts the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in a concert filled with favourite carols and Christmas classics, including music from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, Disney’s Frozen, and a collection of holiday hits.
Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra: The Four Seasons and The Nutcracker Suite
December 11, 2022 2pm Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
The Nutcracker Suite will fill the Orpheum with visions of sugarplum fairies, delights and indulgences. VAMSO’s Concertmaster, Caitlin Wong, then takes the spotlight as the solo violinist in Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, bringing a year of musical images to the ears. An additional piece, John Adam’s Short Ride in a Fast Machine is rich in fast-paced rhythms and textures, mimicking the feeling of getting into a fast car.
Music On Main: Music for the Winter Solstice 2022
December 14 & 15, 2022 7:30pm Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
A winter season event to sparks joy and warmth, Music for the Winter Solstice immerses audiences in the intimate performances of artists; Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa (piano), Robyn Jacob (vocals, keyboard), Asitha Tennekoon (tenor) & Jonathan Lo (cello), as they perform Solstice favourites like Caroline Shaw‘s Winter Carol and the Wyrd Sisters‘ Solstice Carole. You’ll also hear music by Robyn Jacob from Only a Visitor and the beautiful sounds of J.S. Bach.
VSO Home Alone In Concert
December 14 & 15, 2022 7pm Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
The hilarious and heart-warming holiday favourite comes to life for the whole family, as the beloved comedy classic’s score by renowned composer John Williams is performed live by the VSO.
PNE Holiday Night Concerts: PNE Winter Fair
December 14-23, 2022 7:30pm Pacific Coliseum, 100 North Renfrew Street, Vancouver
Part of the PNE’s new 10-night Winter Fair, a holiday experience for the whole family, includes free music in The Agrodome Skating Pond and tops off each evening with a Holiday Concert from a festive line-up of audience-favourites. From the must-see annual Holiday concert by The Tenors, fan-favourite Jann Arden, smooth standards with icon Dionne Warwick, a bit of country Christmas with Johnny Reid or sing-along with A Boy Band Christmas, there’s something for everyone in the line-up:
The Kat & Dave Show: David Foster & Katherine McPhee – December 14, 2022
The Tenors – December 15, 2022
Tom Cochrane & Band – December 16, 2022
Dallas Smith – December 17, 2022
Jann Arden – December 18, 2022
Holly Cole – December 19, 2022
Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern Jukebox: A Very Postmodern Christmas – December 20, 2022
Dionne Warwick – December 21, 2022
Johnny Reid – December 22, 2022
A Boy Band Christmas: An Evening of Holiday & Hits – December 23, 2022
Christmas with Chor Leoni
December 16, 2022 8pm / December 17, 2022 2pm, 5pm & 8pm / December 18, 2022 5pm & 8pm St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, 1022 Nelson Street, Vancouver
The holiday tradition of Christmas with Chor Leoni continues to bring joy to the Yuletide with an exciting program featuring old favourites, tender carols, and five world premieres, as Chor Leoni welcomes the holiday season accompanied by guest fiddler Cameron Wilson and Vivian Chen on harp.
Vancouver Chamber Choir: Christmas by Candlelight
December 16, 2022 6:30pm & 8:30pm Pacific Spirit United Church 2205 West 45th Avenue, Vancouver
Unplug from the whirlwind of the holidays, surrounded by the glow of candlelight, as the Vancouver Chamber Choir presents works by composers John Tavener, Giovanni Gabrieli and Matthew Whittall, its 2022/23 season composer-in-residence.
Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir: Good Tidings! A Good Noise Gospel Christmas
December 17, 2022 3pm & 8pm Kerrisdale Presbyterian Church, 2733 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver
Celebrate Christmas as Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir and artist-in-residence Soul/Gospel singer, Dawn Pemberton present the best of gospel Christmas music in a program of inspired gospel, soul and jazz arrangements of Christmas classics
Early Music Vancouver – Festive Cantatas: J.S. Bach Magnificat & Cantata BWV 110 (Let Our Mouth Be Full of Laughter)
December 17, 2022 7:30pm The Kay Meek Arts Centre,1700 Mathers Avenue, West Vancouver
December 18, 2022 3pm The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC, 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver
December 22, 2022 from 7:30pm on-demand via EMV Digital Concert Hall
EMV’s annual Festive Cantatas features J.S. Bach’s Magnificat and Cantata BWV 110 – jubilant works written specifically for the Christmas season performed by an expanded Pacific Baroque Orchestra, joined by: JUNO award-winning soprano Hélène Brunet; Arwen Myers, soprano; Kristina Szabó, alto; Jacques-Olivier Chartier, tenor; and baritone Sumner Thompson under the direction of Alexander Weimann. Two live in-person concerts welcome audiences to enjoy the music first hand, then subscribe to the EMV Digital Concert Hall to enjoy Festive Cantatas and many other concerts in the comfort of your home with friends and family.
