The last week of fall is upon us. Get ready for the new season with a new week of Vancouver fun, including CP Holiday Train, Bah Humbug 2018, and more, Here are 28 things to do from Monday, December 17 to Thursday, December 20.
For even more things happening around town check out our events section.
Monday, December 17, 2018
CP Holiday Train BC 2018
CP Holiday Train/ Facebook
What: The 20th edition of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train brings holiday cheer to 164 communities and collect donations for local food banks. Each stop features live entertainment, music, and festive activities.
When: Monday, December 17 and Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Time: Various times, check schedule for details
Where: Maple Ridge — Across from Billy Miner Pub
Pitt Meadows — Corner of Harris Road and Advent Road, at the railway crossing
Port Moody — Behind the Recreation Complex – 300 Ioco Road
Port Coquitlam — Port Coquitlam West Coast Express Station
Admission: Free. Bring non-perishable donations to support your local food bank
Guo Pei: Couture Beyond Exhibition
What: Renowned for combining China’s rich aesthetic tradition with modern sensibilities, the exhibition will showcase more than 40 of Guo Pei’s breathtaking designs, including opulent avant-garde silhouettes. Couture Beyond looks at the the evolution of Guo Pei’s designs over 10 years, beginning with examples from her early collections, Samsara (2006), An Amazing Journey in a Childhood Dream (2008) and 1002 Nights (2010), with a lively installation in the Gallery’s rotunda of the collection from her 2015 MAC Cosmetics collaboration.
When: Now to Sunday, January 20, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery – 750 Hornby Street
Price: $6.50 – $24 – Tickets available via Vancouver Art Gallery
Aurora Winter Festival
What: Escape into a hidden village by the North Pole filled with captivating light displays and magical characters, and enjoy the market huts, food gardens, amusement rides, live entertainment, and plenty of other joyful activities. From visiting Santa’s Workshop to lacing up your skates on the Frozen River, there is something for every age at the Aurora Winter Festival.
When: Now to Sunday, December 30, 2018. Closed on select days
Time: 4 to 10 pm
Where: Concord Pacific Place – 811 Carrall Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $14.99-$19.99. Infants 3 and under are free
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
Photo: Arts Club Theater Company
What: Written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, Christmas at Pemberley brings the Bennet sisters together for Christmas at the home of Lizzy and Mr. Darcy. An unexpected visitor could be a really awkward attempt at a set up, or a Mary’s chance at romance.
When: Now to Sunday, December 30, 2018
Time: Various times
Where: The Arts Club Granville Island Stage, 1585 Johnston Street
Tickets: Online from $24 to $54.99
Good Tidings: A Good Noise Gospel Christmas
What: The Good Noise Gospel Choir is the Gospel Choir in residence at Christ Church Cathedral. This holiday season the group is putting on a series of concerts around Vancouver with guest jazz vocalist Maureen Washington. The Good Noise choir is known for concerts that get people up, dancing and feeling all kinds of good feels. If you need a bit of a Christmas season pick-me-up, this is the event to check out.
When: Monday, December 17, 2018
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: St. John’s Shaughnessy Church, Granville & Nanton
Tickets: Available online, $30
Christmas with Chor Leoni
What: Christmas with Chor Leoni men’s choir promises to bring you all the “sparkle and shine” of the season with a mix of music favourites ranging from classical to pop, and everything in between.
When: Monday, December 17, 2018
Time: 5 pm and 8 pm
Where: St. Andrew’s Wesley Church, 1022 Nelson Street, Vancouver
Tickets: 1.877.840.0457 or online $20 – $45
The Man Who Invented Christmas
What: Starring Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) as Charles Dickens, The Man Who Invented Christmas tells of the magical journey that led to the creation of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters from A Christmas Carol. Free screening at Evergreen Cultural Centre.
When: Monday, December 17, 2018
Time: 7 pm
Where: Evergreen Cultural Centre Studio Theatre – 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Tickets: Online, free
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Letterkenny Live! – The Encore
Letterkenny/IMDb
What: Starring Jared Keeso (Wayne), Nathan Dales (Daryl), K Trevor Wilson (Dan), and Mark Forward (Coach), the stars of the award-winning CraveTV original series Letterkenny. The Encore tour features original sketches performed by Letterkenny favourites, additional sketches and video not seen on the original tour, as well as original stand-up sets from Wilson and Mark Forward.
When: Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Orpheum – 601 Smithe St, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $39.50-$79.50
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition 2018
What: The Titanic: Artifact Exhibition has been designed to focus on the real, authentic human stories of those who boarded the Titanic and bringing those tales back to life. To help recreate the memories of the passengers, more than 120 authentic pieces from the vessel will be present, as well as extensive re-creations of rooms on the ship.
When: Now to Friday, January 11, 2019
Time: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Lipont Place – 4211 No. 3 Road, Richmond
Tickets: Online, $17.95
Vancouver Canucks vs Tampa Bay Lightning
What: Vancouver Canucks take on the Tampa Bay Lightning at Rogers Arena.
When: Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Time: 7 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
Bah Humbug 2018
What: Jim Byrnes leads a stellar cast in this modern re-telling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, set in the Downtown Eastside. Scrooge is a pawnshop operator and hotel landlord who renovicts his tenants. Savannah Walling, the artistic director of Vancouver Moving Theatre which co-produces this production, says “we hope that our music filled adaptation shines the light of truth on this old tale and today’s Downtown Eastside.”
When: Not to Saturday, December 22, 2018
Times: Various times
Where: SFU Woodard’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 West Hastings Street
Tickets: Available online from $24 to $39
Christmas at Canada Place 2018
Christmas at Canada Place
What: Free Christmas attractions will be taking over the Canadian Trail, along the west promenade of Canada Place . This year’s festivities include giant light installations at the Canada North light display, the historic Woodward’s Windows, and the festive Avenue of Trees. Visitors will be able to enjoy the sounds of live Christmas performances along the west promenade of Canada Place from 12 to 2 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. For the whole of the Christmas celebrations, the iconic white sails of Canada Place will be illuminated with festive colours and designs.
When: Now to Thursday, January 3, 2019
Time: 8 am to 11 pm. On December 31, Christmas at Canada Place will close at 6:00 pm
Where: The Canadian Trail, West Promenade – 999 Canada Pl, Vancouver
Admission: Free
Emerging Voices
What: Readings by emerging writers, including Thi Tran, Vincent Ternida, Carlo Javier, April Joy Milne, and Charlene Sayo, with Natalie Lim, winner of the 2018 CBC Poetry Prize for “Arrhythmia.” Refreshments will be served
When: Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Time: 7 pm
Where: Historic Joy Kogawa House – 1450 West 64th Avenue, Vancouver
Admission: Free
Winter Celebrations at Anvil Centre
What: Anvil Centre transforms into a magical winter wonderland filled with a cornucopia of entertainment for everyone – from choirs, singalongs, art installations, musical performances, arts and crafts to a hip-hop dance party and a wintry labyrinth to enjoy. Many free events as well as ticketed performances.
When: Tuesday, December 18 to Saturday, December 29, 2018
Time: Various times
Where: Anvil Centre – 777 Columbia Street, New Westminster
Tickets: Online
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Brewery & The Feast
What: Enjoy a beer-based cocktail with charcuterie boards from Oyama as soon as you arrive, followed by your small group tour of how the beers from Granville Island Brewing are created. After this, attendees can dig into a communal beer-makers dinner and enjoy so small batch beer.
When: Wednesday, December 19, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Granville Island Brewing – 1441 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
Price: $45; buy online
Improv Against Humanity: HO HO HOrrible Holiday Special
What: The Fictionals and special guests Those Guys are celebrating the Christmas Season with a HO HO HOliday Special at the Rio Theatre. Enter for your chance at Christmas gifts, enjoy hilarious comedy inspired by a live CAH tournament, and help crown the new Most Horrible Person in Vancouver.
When: Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Time: 8 pm
Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $12
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge 2018
Canyon Lights/Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
What: Thousands of sparkling lights will illuminate the iconic suspension bridge and other areas of the park. The 30-ton Douglas Firs of the Treetops Adventure will also be dressed in lights. Standing at an impressive 110 feet above the forest floor, the Douglas Firs that connect the suspension bridges are the eight tallest Christmas trees in the world, according to event organizers. Also returning to this year’s festival is the Snowy Owl prowl, gingerbread cookie decorating, and sing-along carols with a holiday band.
When: Now to Sunday, January 27, 2019 (closed on December 25)
Time: 11 am to 9 pm
Where: 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
Tickets: $46.95 for adults, $42.95 for seniors, $34.95 for students, $27.95 for youth (ages 13 to 16) $14.95 for children (ages 6 to 12) and free for children under six
Little Dickens: The Daisy Theatre
What: Ronnie Burkett’s marionette vaudeville troupe puts a whole new spin on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Ebeneezer Scrooge becomes Esme Scrooge, a diva somewhat past her prime, who goes on a Christmas journey to redemption. This adult-only show got great reviews last year and promises to make your spirits bright.
When: Now to Saturday, December 22, 2018
Time: Various times
Where: The Cultch, 1895 Venables St., Vancouver
Tickets: At the box office, online, or by phone 604-251-1363, $24 – $69
IIHF World Junior Championship: Finland vs Denmark
What: The IIHF World Junior Championship is returning to British Columbia for the first time in 13 years, and Langley will host a pair of pre-tournament games as part of the Lordco Road to the World Juniors. Finland has won four gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship, last standing atop the podium at the 2016 World Juniors on home ice in Helsinki. Denmark is in the Top Division for the fifth year in a row; its highest finish ever was fifth at the 2017 tournament in Toronto and Montreal.
When: Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Time: 7 pm
Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200 Street, Langley
Tickets: Online
Santa at Capilano Mall
Puppy ready for Christmas
What: Santa Claus has arrived at Capilano Mall ahead of his busiest day of the year. Kick off the holidays with a traditional visit to Santa who will be available for photos from now through December 23. There’s going to be special giveaways for those who purchase photo packages with Santa.
Feel bad about leaving your pet at home? Capilano Mall is hosting evenings dedicated for pet photos and visits with Santa. Simply bring your pet along to the mall on December 19, from 6 to 8 pm. Remember that all pets must be leashed or in crates and kept calm while they’re at Capilano Mall.
When: Now to Sunday, December 23, 2018
Times: Times vary by date
Where: 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver
Price: $19.99 – $34.99 – Purchase Santa photo package on the day of visit
Music for the Winter Solstice
What: A Music on Main tradition that celebrates the solstice in style with holiday merriment and luminous music. Featuring music by Composer in Residence Nicole Lizée, Corey Payette, Julie McIsaac, Alfredo Santa Ana, past Composers in Residence Caroline Shaw and Jocelyn Morlock, and others.
When: Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Time: 8 pm
Where: Heritage Hall – 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden
citysisterscanada / Instagram
What: The botanical garden is covered in more than a million lights. Reindeer and Scandinavian gnomes also roam the trails, and visitors can walk through the gingerbread wood, lantern alley, and Make-a-Wish candle grotto.
When: Now to Monday, January 7, 2019
Time: 4:30 pm to 9 pm. Hours extended to 10 pm between December 15 and 24.
Where: VanDusen Gardens – 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Online: Pricing: Adults $18.50 online and $20 at the gate. Prices vary for youth, children and seniors. Tickets available online
I See Stars
What: American electronicore band I See Stars from Warren, Michigan performs at The Biltmore with guests Chase Your Words and Tulsy Place.
When: Thursday, December 20, 2018
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: Biltmore Cabaret – 2755 Prince Edward St, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $9.99 to $14.99 plus fees
Ballet Victoria presents The Nutcracker
What: A uniquely wonderful Christmas ballet to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker score. Join a flurry of dancing characters and a mischievous young girl who sparks an adventurous world of unexpected wonders when she opens a present early, despite her uncle’s warning.
When: Tuesday, December 18 to Thursday, December 20, 2018
Time: 7 pm
Where: Evergreen Cultural Centre – 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Tickets: Online
Merry Market & HoHoHoDown
What: With the support of some West End Elves, Gordon Neighbourhood House is hosting their first annual Merry Market & Holiday HoHoHoDown. Take an Insta worthy selfie with a sassy snowman, make friends over mulled wine, and channel your inner Mariah Carey with carolers. There will be a cozy corner for kids to create crafts, a Kringle Mingle for grownups to sip hot drinks, and gifts galore from local artists.
When: Now to Sunday, December 16, 2018
Time: 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: Gordon Neighbourhood House – 1019 Broughton Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free
Grouse Mountain’s Peak of Christmas 2018
Taking a snow selfie/Grouse Mountain
What: Visitors can take a spin on Grouse Mountain’s 8,000-sq-ft outdoor ice skating pond or zip down the multi-lane snow sliding zone. You can also take a Sleigh Ride through the mountain’s Winter Wonderland, meet magic Reindeer, watch family Christmas movies, and write a letter to Santa. At Santa’s Workshop, believers young and old can share their special Christmas wishes and take a photo. Photos are pay by donation to BC Children’s Hospital. And if you really want to get to know St. Nick, join him breakfast from Saturday, December 1 to Sunday, December 23, and be sure to get on his good list.
Access to the Peak of Christmas is included with your Annual Local’s Pass, Y2Play or Winter Season Pass as well as regular Alpine Experience tickets.
When: Now to Sunday, January 6, 2019
Time: For more information and a detailed daily schedule for all Peak of Christmas activities, please check here
Where: Grouse Mountain – 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Admission: All festive Peak of Christmas activities are complimentary with an Annual Local’s Pass, Y2Play or Winter Season Pass, as well as regular Alpine Experience tickets.
John Grant
What: Singer-songwriter John Grant performs at Imperial with guest Two Medicine.
When: Thursday, December 20, 2018
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: Imperial – 319 Main Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online, $24.99
King Arthur’s Court
What: King Arthur’s Court is a traditional British Pantomime. Join Arthur in a whimsical tale as he grows from a boy to a king. His interactions with Merlin and Guinevere, as well as his Knights of the Round Table, keep this energetic musical moving faster than you can say “Lancelot”. Get ready to boo the baddies, cheer on our heroes and dance in the aisles as the audience joins in the fun, laughter, and merriment.
When: Now to Saturday, January 5, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Metro Theatre Vancouver – 1370 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
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