As we roll into December, the Holidays are upon us in full force with a cacophony of Christmas treats are loaded into these picks of the week.
Film: Amplifying Black voices, the 5th Vancouver International Black Film Festival returns December 5 to 9 online and in-person at the VIFF Vancity Theatre and Studio Theatre
Lifted: Tonight, Rogers Arena welcomes John Legend: Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour featuring the EGOT-winning singer/songwriter performing the entirety of his debut album, Get Lifted
Studio: Until December 31 visit the winter wonderland at Merry & Bright at Martini Town – the Langley-based outdoor film set – appearing in many popular films and TV shows has been meticulously transformed into a festive holiday hometown.
LoLo: Join over 140 unique vendors at Shipyards Christmas Market, bringing 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.
Market: Celebrating its 15th Anniversary – The Vancouver Christmas Market, fills Jack Poole Plaza festive cheer, live entertainment, European eats, and artisan delights to shop, dine and listen with until December 24.
Santa: Visit 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
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 is now held over by popular demand until January 11, 2026
Village: Until January 2, visit the Festive Village presented by Concord Pacific at Burnaby Village Museum – free entry to the heritage village Christmas or add-on at ticket to ride the famed carousel
Spirits: December 5-7, the annual audience-favourite Vancouver Men’s Chorus: Making Spirits Bright returns to Vancouver Playhouse with more timeless holiday classics, original compositions, and new interpretations of favourite tunes
Playoffs: As Whitecaps FC heads south to play the MLS Cup final against Inter Miami CF, BC Place hosts a local playoff viewing party on its’ big screen at the centre field.
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.
Women: Follow the coming of age story of friendship, romance, loss, and personal discovery as The Arts Club brings Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women to the Granville Island Stage until January 4, 2026
Puppets: Running until December 14 at The Arts Club Olympic Village Stage, A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol brings the acclaimed full-mask, physical theatre troupe the WONDERHEADS to the stage to reimagine Dickens’ holiday classic. Without any dialogue, Ebenezer Scrooge’s wondrous Christmas Eve is brought to life with dazzling masks, 10-foot-tall puppets, a mesmerizing original score, and astonishing stagecraft.
Films: Festive films accompanied by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra come to the Orpheum – December 4-5 watch The Holiday in Concert then December 6 enjoy a classical holiday short The Snowman
Bluegrass: Known as “one of the world’s undisputed masters” of the mandolin, John Reischman and the Jaybirds visit the Anvil Theatre on Sunday, December 7, for an evening of Bluegrass, Traditional and Acoustic Roots Music
Silent: Monday, The Orpheum hosts Silent Movie Monday: The Black Pirate (1926) starring Douglas Fairbanks. Come early for a pre-show throwback with the Gatsby Strutters Jazz Band then watch the silent movie accompanied by the theatre’s rare Wurlitzer organ the last theatre organ in Canada still performing in its original home.
Mother: Opening December 4, The Museum of Anthropology at UBC presents the world premiere of Jaad Kuujus: Everyone Says I Look Like My Mother. On display until March 29, 2026, the exhibition features a varied collection of naaxiin (Chilkat) weavings and their digital translations.
Nuxalk: Nuxalk Strong: Dancing Down the Eyelashes of the Sun, ongoing at MOA is the world premiere of on display until January 5, 2026.
NGN: Continuing until January 25, 2026 the world premiere of NDN Giver at Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art a look at consider how the act of giving is tied to identity, responsibility, resistance, and renewal, curated by the gallery’s Assistant Curator Amelia Rea in her solo curatorial debut.
Haida: Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art presents the Vancouver premiere of the retrospective exhibition Kihl ‘Yahda Christian White: Master Haida Artist running until February 1, 2026.
Photographer: Take a glimpse through the lens of an iconic 20th century photographer as The Polygon Gallery presents Lee Miller: A Photographer at Work (1932–1945) on display until February 1, 2026
Gibson: The Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum – The Gibson – Simon Fraser University’s new culture hub – features an inaugural group exhibition, Edge Effects, showcasing 15 acclaimed Canadian artists until February 15, 2026
Enemy: The Vancouver Art Gallery presents Enemy Alien the first major solo exhibition and retrospective of works by documentary photographer Tamio Wakayama, on display until February 22, 2026,
Sustainability: MONOVA’s Feature Exhibit ‘Are We There Yet? The Sustainable Transportation Journey’ exploring the ever-evolving landscape of urban transportation in North Vancouver until March 1, 2026
Tibet: On display until March 29, 2026 at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC (MOA), discover the world premiere exhibition of Entangled Territories: Tibet Through Images, curated by Dr. Fuyubi Nakamura, MOA Curator, Asia, in collaboration with Tibetan-Canadian community members and artists, the bilingual exhibition reimagines Tibet and its future through the perspectives of the Tibetan-Canadian community