‘Twas the Wednesday before Christmas and all through the city, many people were stirring, in a great festive flurry. Activities, Illuminations, Theatre and Exhibits all keep us entertained in this Holiday Picks of the Week.
Broadway: Gateway Theatre’s A Broadway Holiday wraps up its run of heartwarming holiday favourites tomorrow evening; the festive concert featuring a selection hits from Broadway shows like “Let it Snow”, “Sleigh Ride”, “White Christmas” and more. If you can’t make it in-person to the theatre, an online on-demand option is also available until December 23
Flake: Closing tomorrow, Mitch and Murray Productions, in association with Red Gate Revue Stage, are presenting the Canadian premiere of Mike Bartlett’s dramedy SNOWFLAKE until Thursday, December 23 on Granville Island at the Red Gate Revue Stage.
Dolly: The Arts Club Theatre Company 2021–2022 season opener Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol, is bringing audiences to to the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, where Dolly Parton’s music and lyrics put a heartwarming country twist on a Christmas classic.
Panto: The annual tradition, East Van Panto: Alice in Wonderland – back at The Cultch York Theatre until January 2, 2022 with in-person or online performances, as a terribly bored Alice follows a White Rabbit onto the Skytrain, she falls down a hole only to find herself in a Grandview-Woodlands Wonderland!
Chapel: Looking for a great gift idea? The gift of art is always enlightening – Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition displaying 34 of the frescoes adorning the Vatican ceiling in breathtaking, life-sized close-up at the Vancouver Convention Centre East Building until January 25, 2022
Modern: Likewise, Imagine Picasso is another awesome activity for everyone – bringing the works of the Master of modern art, to life in a brilliant immersive exhibition at Vancouver Convention Centre East (Canada Place) showing until January.
Main: If you weren’t able to catch Music On Main: Music for the Winter Solstice 2021 live in-person this annual concert is available online on-demand until January 6, 2022 for you to enjoy the great music from the comfort of home.
Choral: If you weren’t able to attend, Christmas with Chor Leoni or want to bring the experience home to share it with loved ones, Chor Leoni invites you to RSVP (by donation) Chor Leoni: At Christmas, a brand new digital concert premiering tomorrow, December 23rd (5pm PST) available until January 1st.
Bach: If you missed the Early Music Vancouver – Festive Cantatas: Bach’s Christmas Oratorio feat. Pacific Baroque Orchestra featuring some of the most popular Christmas music of Germany in the 18th century by Johann Kuhnau and J.S. Bach, a free/by-donation, online recording is available for one month on the EMV YouTube channel starting this evening.
Heritage: Take a step back in time as you wander Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum enjoy all of the seasonal entertainment and activities, enjoy a meal or treat at the Ice Cream Parlor or take a ride on the restored 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel.
Market: The 2021 Vancouver Christmas Market wraps up for the season, on Christmas Eve at Jack Poole Plaza (Olympic Cauldron) so it’s your last chance to be entertained, find arts, crafts and tasty goodies.
Drive: On select nights throughout December, load your family into the sleigh for a magical holiday drive-through journey around Hastings Park! PNE Winter Lights features nine enchanted lands filled with glowing lights, special characters and festive performers as you drive along.
Sails: Port Metro Vancouver presents the annual Christmas at Canada Place , the family-friendly, outdoor experience featuring the historic Woodward’s Windows and Avenue of Christmas Trees, special holiday-themed Sails of Light display, Canada’s North light display and more runs until January 2nd
Luminations: Making its Canadian debut at Cloverdale Fairgrounds, Surrey, BC. Lumagica Surrey is a 1km light walk through diverse lands to capture and believe in the spirit of the Holidays. Stroll through a light tunnel to Gingerbread Lane, leading to the magical North Pole Village.
Peak: The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain transforms the mountaintop into Vancouver’s North Pole, with Santa in his workshop, meet reindeer Dancer and Vixen, experience the enchanting Light Walk, glide across the 8,000 sq ft mountaintop Ice Skating Pond and snow, snow, snow.
Shine: December 16 – 30 Shine Bright New West – Anvil Centre
presents a series of 8 seasonal events live music, dance, and magic performances
Canyon: Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park are back new for this year, the world-famous bridge will be lit, end to end, with a multi-colour changing display. Explore the “Arc de Lumina” light tunnel the eight tallest Christmas trees in the world surrounded by the Treetops Adventure.
Lights: Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden turn the gardens into twinkling winter wonderland, reawakened and illuminated in spectacular winter brilliance making this one of the city’s most popular Christmas Light displays
Train: Bright Nights, Stanley Park Christmas Train back for a 24th year, Bright Nights train is once again chugging through the sparkling magically-lit forest of Stanley Park this year until January 2nd, 2022
Snow: Until January 3, 2022, Metro Theatre presents Snow White The Panto an annual tradition for more than 35 years brings the enchanted forest for a traditional pantomine