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Finally, the best two days of the week have arrived so don’t let them go to waste. From a gingerbread-making workshop to celebrating the winter solstice in Stanley Park, this weekend is filled with events that will bring you holiday cheer.
Here are 20 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18.
For more things happening around town, check out our events section.
Saturday, December 17
Hyatt Regency Vancouver’s Gingerbread Workshop
- What: Celebrate the festive season and come build your very own Gingerbread House! Executive Chef, Jeff Szombaty, will be on hand ready to guide all participants through the building process and offer tips. Enjoy festive music while sipping hot chocolate and feasting on freshly baked cookies.
- Where: Hyatt Regency Vancouver–655 Burrard Street, Vancouver. Floor 3, Prince of Wales & Oxford Rooms.
- When: Saturday, December 17, from 2 to 3 pm
- Admission: Free. A minimum $20 donation per house is required to participate, which will be paid upon arrival. 100% of the donations will go to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation BC & Yukon.
Vancouver Christmas Market 2016
- What: The Vancouver Christmas Market returns for 2016 with a bigger edition of old country tradition at its brand new home at Jack Poole Plaza. Making things merry and bright at the expansive seaside site, visitors are invited to indulge in the authentic German market’s array of mouth-watering delicacies and so much more.
- Where: Jack Poole Plaza – 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
- When: From November 26 to December 30; open daily 11 am to 9 pm, closed 6 pm on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day
- Tickets: $8 online
Stanley Park Mushroom Ecology Tour & Mindfulness Workshop
- What: This tour through Stanley Park will teach attendees about the diversity of mushroom species that grow in the park. Participants will also learn about a meditation practice called Immersive Mindfulness. The session will start with a grounding meditation in a tranquil bamboo garden near Lost Lagoon.
- Where: English Bay Inukshuk – 1700 Beach Avenue, Vancouver
- When: Saturday, December 17, from 10 am to 1 pm
- Tickets: On Eventbrite, $20
Free Christmas Lights Photowalk
- What: Not sure how to take great photos of Christmas lights? Vancouver Photowalks will guide you through the process of using your camera and how to take festive pictures of Christmas lights. Be sure to bring along your tripods.
- Where: Meet in front of the Sylvia Hotel (1154 Gilford Street, Vancouver). The walk will take you through English Bay.
- When: Saturday, December 17, from 5 to 7 pm.
- Tickets: Photowalk is by donation.
Crafty Affaire Holiday Market
- What: Your one stop craft shop for last minute holiday shopping.
- Where: Croation Cultural Centre – 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
- When: Saturday, December 17, 10 am to 5 pm
- Admission: $2 at the door. Kids are free.
The CP Holiday Train
- What: The CP Holiday Train is back for its 18th year in an effort to raise money, food and awareness for local food banks and food shelves.
- Where: West Coast Express Station – 2125 Kingsway Avenue, Port Coquitlam
- When: Saturday, December 17, from 6 to 6:45 pm
- Tickets: Free. Donations are being accepted for the SHARE food and toy drive
Home for Christmas
- What: Coastal Church invites you on an exciting journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas! Featuring powerful music, humour and an inspiring message this special Christmas service is something that the whole family will enjoy.
- Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
- When: Saturday, December 17 at 7 pm
- Admission: Free. Reserve a ticket on Eventbrite.
West Point Cycles Drop In Spin Sessions
- What: Don’t put away your bike! West Point Cycles offer these unique indoor spin classes that enable clients to ride their own bikes throughout the year on brand new CycleOps SuperMagneto Pro Trainers. This means that participants enjoy the comfort of their personal set up while developing physiological gains in the exact position they will use outdoors.
- Where: West Point Cycles – 215 East 2nd Avenue, Vancouver
- When: Saturday, December 17, at 7:30 pm
- Tickets: $20 on Eventbrite
Sell Out Featuring iHeart
- What: Sell Out features a fun and twisted collection of new and old works by the mysterious Vancouver street artist, iHeart. As a work sells, a new piece will replace it, leaving you wondering what will be next.
- Where: Hot Art Wet City – 2206 Main Street, Vancouver
- When: Saturday, December 17, 2017, from 12 to 5 pm
- Tickets: Free to attend
The Ultimate Sneaker Show
- What: Are you a sneaker lover or enthusiast? Do you collect sneakers or would potentially want to trade and/or sell your sneakers? Do you simply want to display your entire sneaker collection? Do you love fashion and are into the latest apparel trends? Are you looking for a platform to showcase and expose your work, art, or product? Well, The Ultimate Sneaker Show is coming to Vancouver!
- Where: Vancouver Convention Centre – 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
- When: Saturday, December 17, from noon to 6 pm
- Tickets: On Eventbrite, $21-$125
Eastside Flea
- What: The Eastside Flea is a modern-day flea market that occurs every second weekend in Vancouver, BC. Each event hosts over 50 local vendors selling diverse goods from handmade craftsmen items to vintage clothing, antiques collectables, plants, artisan eats, and more.
- Where: Ellis Building –1024 Main Street, Vancouver
- When: Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, from 11 am to 5 pm
- Admission: $3 admission or $5 for weekend pass
Sunday, December 18
A Charlie Brown Christmas
- What: This classic Christmas television special comes to life in a lively musical adaption that features a live jazz trio.
- Where: Waterfront Theatre – 1412 Cartwright Street on Granville Island, Vancouver
- When: Sunday, December 18, shows at 11 am and 2 pm
- Tickets: Available online, $15-$35
Celebrating Solstice in Stanley Park
- What: The chestnuts are roasting and holly has been hung. But where do these traditions originate? Explore the history and customs of mid-winter festivals on this two-hour walk.
- Where: Lost Lagoon Nature House – Chilco Street and Alberni Street, Vancouver
- When: Sunday, December 18, from 1:30 t0 3:30 pm
- Tickets: Available online
Indigenous Solstice Dinner
- What: Warm up with mulled wine, indigenous song, and a full-course dinner as we celebrate the longest night of the year with a Coast Salish flourish. This fundraiser evening’s narratives tell the story of solstice through a First Nations perspective. This event has a set menu with locally-sourced indigenous dishes.
- Where: Lost Lagoon Nature House – Chilco Street and Alberni Street, Vancouver
- When: Sunday, December 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm
- Tickets: On Eventbrite, $75. Ages 19 + only.
From the Roads to the Trails with Kits Run Club
- What: Join Kits Run Club with a 7 km trail run through Pacific Spirit Park. To truly experience the Air Out There, they will pause midway to take in our surroundings through a short guided meditation.
- Where: Pacific Spirit Park – At the parking lot entrance of Pacific Spirit Park on West 16th Avenue and Blanca.
- When: Sunday, December 18, from 10:30 am to 12 pm.
- Register: On Eventbrite. Event is free.
Colourstrings Winter Chorus
- What: Enjoy the Christmas tunes of the Colourstrings Chorus, Teachers Strings Quartet, and Colourstrings String Ensemble.
- Where: Ukranian Cultural Centre – 805 East Pender Street, Vancouver. Room 805.
- When: Sunday, December 18, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm
- Tickets: Eventbrite,On $2.50-$6
VHS & VAL Present Holiday Market
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- What: The Vintage Handmade Society in collaboration with Vancouver Art and Leisure present a holiday market for everyone! There will be a wide range of vendors with products such as skin care, art, jewellery, pottery, candles, clothing, blankets, Christmas cards, vinyl, a tarot booth, live painting, and more!
- Where: 1965 Main Street, Vancouver
- When: Sunday, December 18, from 12 to 6 pm
- Admission: $2 at the door.
Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker
- What: One of BC’s most iconic holiday traditions will grace the stage again this season as Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns to The Centre in Vancouver for a limited run.
- Where: The Centre in Vancouver – 777 Homer Street, Vancouver
- When: Sunday, December 18, at 7:30 pm
- Tickets: On Ticketmaster, $28 -$91.50
Christmas Carols and Story Time with Elsa & Anna
- What: Elsa and Anna return to the market for a Christmas-inspired story time and singalong.
- Where: Lonsdale Quay Market – 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
- When: Sunday, December 18, from 10:30 to 11:30 am
- Price: Free with online registration
Alice in Wonderland
- What: Alice in Wonderland is your passport to a topsy-turvy world on the other side of the mirror, where you have to run fast just to stay in place. Where your memory works backwards and it is possible to believe as many as six impossible things before breakfast.
- Where: Studio 1398 – 1398 Cartwright Street, Granville Island, Vancouver
- When: Sunday, December 18, at 2 pm
- Tickets: Online, $25
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