With just one week until Christmas and there’s still plenty of festive activities to entertain in the picks of the week!
Orphan: For it’s annual holiday extravaganza, Gateway Theatre presents Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, the award-winning musical adaptation of the classic Dickens novel, is on the Gateway Mainstage until January 4th
Sugar Plum: Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker annual production returns to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, December 19-22, where Clara’s dream comes 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.
Tent: The new and unique production, Cirque du Soleil ECHO continues until January 5, 2025 under the Big Top at Concord Pacific Place
Panto: Laugh, sing, shout along to Metro Theatre’s Cinderella: A Traditional British Pantomime the annual family favourite panto comes to the stage for the 39th edition until January 5, 2025
Panto: Beautiful Trout Lake in East Van is the tranquil home to Robin Hood and the Merry-Thems but the dastardly Prince Ken has other plans—privatization! That’s the setting for Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto: Robin Hood running to January 5, 2025 at The Cultch – York Theatre
Cabaret: With just a few more shows, you can’t miss The Gingerbread Men: A(nother) Holiday Cabaret – the jolly, holiday music-makers to mix up a sweet blend of their favourite hits with some exciting new toe-tapping tunes at The Arts Club Newmount Stage at BMO Theatre Centre only until December 22
Miracle: ‘Christmas isn’t just a day. It’s a frame of mind’ believe for yourself in the holiday favourite Miracle on 34th Street at The Arts Club – Granville Island Stage, brings the classic film to life until December 29
Dolly: Continuing until December 24, Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol shifts the setting of Dicken’ Victoria classic to Dolly’s beloved Smoky Mountains at The Arts Club Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage
Laughs: The Improv Centre’s holiday hijinx Merry/Happy/Jolly is under the control of the audience who will suggest the setting, antagonist, love interest, until December 28 at The Improv Centre Granville Island
Reflections: Until December 22, Firehall Arts Centre offers the quirky, fantasy Ann Mortifee’s Reflection on Crooked Walking the Juno Award-nominated family musical tells the tale of four people who find themselves the only ones left awake, surrounded by sleeping townspeople.
Jazz: Back by popular demand at Shadbolt Centre Studio Theatre, the B3 Kings featuring Cory Weeds on tenor saxophone, Chris Gestrin on b3 organ, Bill Coon – guitar and Denzal Sinclaire – voice / drums take the stage December 20-21 for a show filled with jazzy renditions of holiday favourites
Baggins: Pacific Theatre presents the world premiere production of Kim Selody’s The Hobbit, bringing JRR Tolkien’s storytelling masterpiece to life with two actors, and a dragon’s hoard of theatre magic, until December 21.
Sing: Gather your family, friends, and loved ones for a festive singalong of holiday favourites for an evening that’s merry and bright in Presentation House Theatre’s Holiday Singalong until December 21
Fair: PNE Winter Fair has become one of Vancouver’s must do event for the Festive season, this weekend the fairgrounds will be filled with activities, illuminations and entertainment from 4pm to 10pm until December 23
Choir: Erick Lichte conducts Christmas with Chor Leoni, a choral blend of traditional music and soaring acoustics of the beautiful Saint Andrew’s-Wesley United in a mix of sacred songs, festive carols and winter soundscapes on December 19, 20 & 21.
Skate: Saturday December 21st, Vancouver Canucks take to the ice at Rogers Arena to play host to Ottawa Senators
Bridge: Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park illuminates the park until January 19, 2025 with hundreds of thousands of lights turn the coastal rainforest into a glittering fantasy forest, that you can walk high above on the transformed Treetops Adventure, and across the twinkling Cliffwalk.
Shipyard: North Vancouver’s new, free, festive Shipyards Christmas Market; under the City’s Christmas tree, enjoy festive music, skating on the ice rink, visit the Champagne tent or Santa’s chalet, while taking in the community entertainment, and indulging in seasonal treats like bratwursts, mulled wine and hot cocoa until December 24th.
Market: For a 14th season, the beloved German-style, Vancouver Christmas Market opens with more than 90 artisan huts, a lively line-up of holiday entertainment – performing on the Flying Stage from Vancouver’s only Christmas Pyramid, for can’t miss Festival Fun at Jack Poole Plaza until Christmas Eve.
Trees: Until January 1, stroll the Canadian Trail West Promenade and North Point of Canada Place beneath the Sails of Light, take in the heritage Woodward’s Windows and the Avenue of Trees at Christmas at Canada Place
Hustle: At Amazing Brentwood, Heart & Hustle Brentwood Bliss Holiday Market is a new free holiday market showcasing local vendors with unique gifts in a festive surroundings and entertainment on every Sunday until 11am-7pm until December 22nd
Hollywood: Capture your own Christmas scenes at a unique Hollywood-style film backlot as Martini Town Merry & Bright opens for the season tonight, bringing a winter wonderland straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie until January 5, 2025
Country: Thunderbird Show Park, BC’s premier equestrian show park, welcomes a new family-friendly holiday event, Christmas in the Country. From December 5 to 29 the main indoor riding arena and a festive winter dome will be decked out in holiday lights, décor and displays.
Heritage: Burnaby Village Museum brings history to life with Heritage Christmas welcoming guests to wander the museum’s 10 acre venue taking in all the seasonal entertainment, demonstrations and activities, and traditional lights and decorations. Grab a bite at the new Mai’s Café, take a ride the classic Carousel until January 3, 2025
St Paul’s: Take a stroll to view the annual Lights Of Hope campaign bringing in much needed funds for the hospital. Stroll past, enjoy the lights, donate to Lights of Hope, Sponsor a Star, or purchase a Hope at Home Star.