Moving into the countdown to Christmas, let’s see the massive line up in this week’s festive picks.
Beanstalk: Fe Fi Fo Fum prepare for plenty of laughs and then some, with the over-the-top Metro Theatre’s Jack and the Beanstalk, A Traditional British Pantomime, on stage until January 4th.
Market: Until Christmas Eve, the 15th Anniversary Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza, is the perfect stop for those last minute items on your gift list, as well as festive cheer, European foods, artisan gifts and live entertainment.
Merry: Open until December 31, Merry & Bright at Martini Town – the Langley-based outdoor film set which appears in many popular films and TV shows has been meticulously transformed into a festive holiday hometown for your picture perfect visit.
Orphan: Bring the whole family and the sun will come out while watching Gateway Theatre’s annual holiday spectacular, the feel good Annie plays the Mainstage until January 3, 2026
Shipyards: Until Christmas Eve, Shipyards Christmas Market, brings over 140 unique vendors, European cuisine and great gifts to the seasonal surroundings of The Shipyards in Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver with Santa’s Chalet, skating rink, community tree, Hot Chocolate, Mulled Wine, Schnitzel & more festive treats.
Photo: Rebecca Roberts
Motown: December 17-28, Firehall Arts Centre welcomes the immensely talented Krystle Dos Santos and Friends performing A Very Merry Motown, a special holiday season sharing of stories and songs from Motown artists.
Ice: A highlight of this season’s theatre, don’t LET IT GO by without seeing the stellar production and brilliant cast of Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical, now playing at The Arts Club Stanley BFL Canada Stage, until January 4, 2026.
Women: At the Arts Club Granville Island Stage until January 4, 2026, the coming of age story of friendship, romance, loss, and personal discovery, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women is told in a creative new telling way from the author’s point of view.
Panto: Held over by popular demand until January 11, 2026, the sure sign of the Season plays The Cultch as Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto: West Van Story opens this week at The York Theatre – the story of Romeo and Juliet told East Van style.
Lake: One of Metro Vancouver’s largest festive light displays, Lights at Lafarge continues to illuminate the lake at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park until February 16, 2026
Democracy: The Horseradish Theatre, a Vancouver theatre company founded by Ukrainian & Russian newcomers brings its 2024 comedy Number 13 back to The Cultch Historic Theatre, December 18-19 in English and December 20-21 in Russian
Jazz: A Burnaby holiday tradition, The B3 Kings bring their the funky jazz arrangements of all-time favourite Christmas classics for 3 shows at The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, December 18, 19 & 20 .
Quartet: A Holiday tradition returns to The Arts Club Olympic Village Stage, The Gingerbread Men: Yet Another Holiday Cabaret brings the foursome of dapper dudes to the stage to brighten the season with their shmaltzy blend of nostalgia, good times with a slice of cheese for 7 shows December 17 to 21
Sitcom: Until December 30, the festive season’s new show at The Improv Centre, ‘Tis The Sitcom is an improvised version of a never before seen sitcom about a group of friends living in the big city navigating festive dilemmas – complete with commercial breaks, seasonal TV moments, and plenty of laughter.
Harp: The Winter Harp Annual Christmas tour takes the classical, Celtic troupe takes its festive sounds around the region, playing December 18-19 at BlueShore Performing Centre in North Vancouver, December 20-21 at The ACT in Maple Ridge, and December 22 at The Cultch.
Choir: December 18-20 Erick Lichte conducts Christmas with Chor Leoni, at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, the choir’s holiday tradition of classic choral works blending with the historic architecture and soaring acoustics of the beautiful St. Andrew’s-Wesley United in a mix of sacred songs, festive carols and winter soundscapes.
Village: Step back in time with a visit to the Festive Village presented by Concord Pacific at Burnaby Village Museum – until January 2, explore the living museum with free entry to the heritage village Christmas and add-on at ticket to ride the famed carousel
Santa: Hitch up your sleigh and take a ride with Flyover in Vancouver to take off for the North Pole on a magical ride as you Soar With Santa, across Canada and to his Polar workshop, featuring its original Canadian adventure until January 4, 2026
Stunts: December 18th Nitro Circus Off The Rails World Tour stops at Rogers Arena for a night of adrenaline fueled action like no other
Carols: The VSO “A Traditional Christmas” Concert series wraps up this week with two shows at 4pm and 7:30pm on December 21 at The Orpheum Theatre
Sing: December 19 & 21 limber up your voice and join in Bright: a Holiday Singalong Concert at Presentation House Theatre
Ballet: December 18 to 21, Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker return to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for a 15th spin of the cherished seasonal family favourite with breathtaking choreography, regal costumes, and enchanting music by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Leslie Dala.
Garden: Visit Van Dusen Festival of Lights until January 4, 2026, aglow with more than one million lights adorn the magical 15-acre winter wonderland. Pick up a warm beverage and a snack as you stroll along the lakeside and get in the holiday spirit with the Dancing Lights
Queen: Until December 28th, White Rock Players’ Club presents the classic Hans Cristian Anderson tale, The Snow Queen Panto – panto-style – a boy, a girl, a cursed queen, Mama Milla, a summer fairy, a hobgoblin, laughs, singing, dancing, and a lot of other shenanigans
Hollywood: Grant Lawrence and Friends: A Very Vancouver Christmas is a live, fast-paced and funny variety-style event by local bestselling author, broadcaster, historian and humourist Grant Lawrence presented live with a line up of musical guests for one night only, December 17 at the Hollywood Theatre
Lights: Lights by the Lake at Harrison Hot Springs, is an enchanting annual holiday display transforming the 2km lakefront stroll into a magical world of lights, wintery window dressings highlighting the local sights December 20 is a special Festive night, from 5pm-7pm take photos with Santa and Sasquatch, find free Hot Chocolate, Live Music, and Christmas Storytime.