25 fantastic things to do in Vancouver this week: December 18 to 25

And for more fun things happening around town be sure to check out our Listed section.

Back to the Holidays at The Improv Centre

The Improv Centre/Submitted

What: The Improv Centre presents Back to the Holidays, a festive family-friendly homage to Back to the Future and A Christmas Carol that is filled with holiday laughs.

Discover the holidays of the past, present, and future through the point of view of an eccentric scientist tasked with helping the hero learn the true meaning of the season and save the town from ruin.

When: Thursday to Saturday until December 23, plus a matinee on December 24, 2023
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: The Improv Centre — 1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

VanDusen Festival of Lights 2023

What: Get ready for a walk in a winter wonderland, because one of Vancouver’s largest holiday light displays has announced its seasonal return starting this month.

Discover over one million lights across 15 acres at the VanDusen Festival of Lights, with new displays and returning favourites for all ages to enjoy.

When: Now until January 7, 2024 (closed on Christmas Day)
Time: 4 pm to 10 pm (last entry time 8:30 to 9 pm)
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden – 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Admission: $11-$24, free for children four years and under (must reserve a ticket). Purchase online

Christmas & NYE at Diva at the Met

What: Vancouver’s acclaimed Diva at the Met restaurant is helping guests eat, drink, and be merry this holiday season!

Make plans for its special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day feasts serving up a mouth-watering four-course menu. Each delicious dish is reimagined with a global twist, so make sure to bring an appetite.

Then invite your friends to kickstart 2024 with a fabulous four-course NYE dinner at Diva at the Met! The delectable creations of the talented culinary team are the perfect way to celebrate the year that was and toast what’s to come in the new year.

When: December 24, 25 and 31, 2023
Time: 5 pm onwards
Where: Diva at the Met inside the Metropolitan Hotel – 645 Howe Street, Vancouver
Cost: $99 per person (Christmas feasts), $125 per person (NYE Dinner). Reserve online

Vancouver Christmas Market 2023

Vancouver Christmas Market/Facebook

What: The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, and the city’s largest and longest-running Christmas market will be back to delight all ages this holiday season.

Vancouver Christmas Market is transforming Jack Poole Plaza into a huge German-style holiday event until December 24. A popular holiday tradition for locals and visitors alike, the market offers over 90 huts of authentic German sweets, treats, and treasures. There are also plenty of festive activities and live entertainment to enjoy.

When: Now until December 24, 2023
Time: Various time slots available, stay as long as you like
Where: Jack Poole Plaza – 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, children ages 0-6 are free. Purchase online

Miracle in Gastown

What: Miracle in Gastown is a holiday pop-up bar featuring delicious holiday-themed cocktails and snacks. Drinks include Christmapolitan, the Snowball Old-Fashioned, and the Yippie Ki Yay Mother F****r (here’s your official proof that Die Hard is a Christmas movie). You can also enjoy food like The Pecan Cheese Ball, Christmas Dog, and Kevin’s Mac & Cheese.

When: Now until December 31, 2023
Time: 90-minute time slots on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 5 pm to 1 am and Friday to Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am
Where: Clough Club – 212 Abbott Street, Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks vs San Jose Sharks

What: The Canucks take the ice at Rogers Arena for a pre-Christmas showdown with the San Jose Sharks on December 23.

When: December 23, 2023
Time: 7 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Cost: Various, purchase online

Dinner And A Movie Holiday Movie Marathon with Home Alone, Elf & Die Hard

IMDb

What: An evening of cinema and Christmas classics awaits at The Hollywood Theatre in Kits. Enjoy a delicious vegetarian or meat sampler share plate for two lovingly prepared by Nuba and a screening of Home Alone (Tuesday), Elf (Wednesday), and Die Hard (Thursday). Tickets for just the movie are also available.

When: December 19, 20 and 21, 2023
Time: Doors at 6 pm, screening at 7 pm
Where: Hollywood Theatre – 3123 West Broadway, Vancouver
Cost: $75-95 plus fees for Dinner and A Movie, $10 for one ticket or $15 for two tickets for just the film. $6 standing room ticket also available. Purchase online.

Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum

What: Heritage Christmas and the Burnaby Village Museum are truly where history comes alive. Enjoy the magical atmosphere of festive lights and traditional decorations in this 1920s-era village.

There will also be seasonal entertainment, demonstrations and activities, and delicious food served up at Heritage Christmas. Keep an eye out for the historic street car on your way to the old-timey ice cream parlour.

When: Now until January 4, 2024
Time: Various times
Where: Burnaby Village Museum — 6501 Deer Lake Avenue
Admission: Free, Carousel rides $2.52 plus tax

Blind Date

What: Blind Date is a side-splitting combo of clowning, improv, theatre, and social experiment. Join Mimi, the lead character of the show, as she goes on a blind date with a different person every night. There’s a catch though – her date is picked right out of the audience. Starring Tess Degenstein and Ali Froggatt in rotation and created by Rebecca Northan.

When: December 5 to 23, 2023
Time: 6:45 pm (mingle), 7:30 pm (show time)
Where: Tightrope Theatre – 2343 Main Street Vancouver
Tickets: $40 plus fees, purchase online

Mountaintop Skating Pond at Grouse Mountain

Ice skating/Grouse Mountain

What: Visitors can take a spin on Grouse Mountain’s 8,000 sq ft outdoor ice skating pond and enjoy the amazing views from the Peak of Vancouver. Don’t forget to grab a cup of hot chocolate at the Peak Chalet afterward.

When: Daily until the end of the season
Time: Various hours
Where: Grouse Mountain – 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Ice skating on the outdoor rink is complimentary with a Mountain Admission Ticket or Annual Pass

Elf in Concert

What: Elf, one of the most beloved Christmas films of all time, is celebrating a milestone birthday this holiday season in Vancouver. The Will Ferrell comedy classic is getting the live concert treatment at the Orpheum Theatre on Thursday, December 21 and Friday, December 22.

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will bring John Debney’s heartwarming score to life while the film is projected onto a massive 40-foot movie screen.

When: December 20 and 21, 2023
Time: 7 pm
Where: Orpheum Theatre – 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, purchase online

Lebanese Feast Nights

What: Visit Jamjar Canteen in North Vancouver for an all-you-can-eat Lebanese feast. What’s even cooler is you can watch your food cooked right in front of you at one of the many cooking stations placed throughout the restaurant. But be sure to arrive hungry because each ticket to this event includes unlimited access to all the food.

When: December 23, 2023
Where: Jamjar Canteen North Vancouver — 125 Victory Ship Way, Vancouver
Tickets: $42.87 per person

PoMoArts Winter Treasures

What: The 10th annual Winter Treasures Artisan Market is filled with handcrafted gifts for everyone on your list. Visit PoMoArts to discover pottery, jewellery, art, and more created by BC artists.

When: Now until December 20, 2023
Time: 10:30 am to 9 pm (weekdays), 10 am to 4:30 pm (weekends)
Where: PoMoArts — 2425 St. Johns Street, Port Moody
Admission: Free

Holiday Haus Afternoon Tea

Chai Mocha Martini made with Finlandia vodka, fresh espresso, Kahlua, brown sugar cinnamon syrup, and chocolate shavings. (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

What: Holiday Haus Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Notch8 will treat guests to a tea salon decked out in a seasonal theme. This time: a total winter wonderland.

Aiming to transport you into an alpine chalet-inspired oasis, this festive happening launched this week and will be available for bookings until near the end of December.

When: Now until December 30 (excluding December 23, 24, and 25); Wednesday to Sunday, seatings at 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm
Where: Notch8 Restaurant & Bar – 900 W Georgia Street, Vancouver (Fairmont Hotel Vancouver)
Price: $74 per adult, $40 per child (ages 12 and under); make a reservation

Gingerbread Lane at Hyatt Regency Vancouver

What: Previously recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records for housing the tallest gingerbread man, Gingerbread Lane features delightful gingerbread creations designed by secondary school students, amateur culinary artists, and professional bakers.

As well as providing a welcome dose of holiday feels, the event also helps to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of BC and the Yukon, which is celebrating its 40th year of granting wishes to children living with critical illnesses.

When: December 1 to 29, 2023
Time: Regular hotel hours
Where: Hyatt Regency Vancouver — 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Liven UP- Coal Harbour

What: Liven UP – Coal Harbour is a new and free family-friendly activation that brings magic and meaning to the seawall in December. The monthlong event will see lighting installations, artists, musicians, and storytellers showcased along a stunning walk from Canada Place to Cardero Park. Make sure to visit the Harbour Green Stage & Bar for great live entertainment and delicious refreshments.

According to organizers, Liven UP will not only entertain and create a sense of wonder, it will bring people together to share experiences and connect with cultural groups that have helped shape Vancouver.

When: Now until December 30, 2023. Live activations every Friday and Saturday night
Times: Lighting available all day, performances on Friday and Saturday nights from 5 to 10 pm
Where: Coal Harbour seawall from Canada Place – 999 Canada Pl, Vancouver to Cardero
Park – 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver
Cost: Free

Dockside Happy Hour with Harbour Cruises

What: What’s better than Happy Hour? How about Happy Hour floating by the water with stunning park and water views, a delightful festive atmosphere, and the perfect blend of tasty drinks?

Harbour Cruises is serving up a magical holiday experience every Friday and Saturday until December 23, with 50% off select bottles of wine, $8 1oz highballs, and chilled beers from just $6 to $8. Light bites will also be available to complement the festive vibes.

When: Every Friday and Saturday until December 23. 2023
Time: 5 to 8 pm
Where: Harbour Cruises – 501 Denman Street, Vancouver
Reservations: Book online

Lights at Lafarge Lake

Lights at Lafarge (Ania Jedrzejewska/Instagram)

What: Lights at Lafarge, Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor winter lights display, is back again for another holiday season.

The annual tradition will illuminate Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam throughout the season, with over 100,000 twinkling lights to discover.

Guests of all ages can explore the outdoor display that wraps its way entirely around the lake, leading them on a 1.2-km loop through themed zones.

When: Now until the end of February 2024
Time: 4 to 10 pm
Where: Town Centre Park – 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Admission: Free

Elf: The Musical

What: Arts Club Theatre presents the classic film Elf in a magical musical for the holiday season. All ages will love following along with Buddy the Elf from the North Pole to New York City as he tries to win over his new family with Christmas cheer and syrupy spaghetti. But what can he do when his dad’s on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Jolly Old St. Nick himself?

When: Now until December 31, 2023
Time: Various times
Where: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage – 2750 Granville Street, Vancouver
Cost: Starting from $39, purchase online

A Christmas Cocktail Story

What: Each visit to A Christmas Cocktail Story includes a welcome holiday drink, shareable fondue, and holiday treats by chef Karl Gregg. You’ll have your choice of classic craft cocktails with a seasonal twist by Vancouver bartending legend Scotty Marshall. Additional food and drinks are available to purchase at the event as well.

When: Now until December 23, 2023
Where: Dalina Main Street — 687 Main Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $40 per person

Ugly Christmas Sweater Toonie Skate

What: Bring family, friends, and your finest Ugly Christmas Sweater for a holiday toonie skate at Bill Copeland Sports Centre. There will be crafts, face painting, and reindeer games for the little ones. Children of all ages can also enjoy a visit from Santa and friends.

When: December 23, 2023
Time: 10:30 am to 2 pm
Where: Bill Copeland Sports Centre – 3676 Kensington Avenue, Burnaby
Cost: $2, free for children three years and under

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival (Secret Lantern Society/Facebook

What: The 30th Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival will happen on Thursday, December 21, the longest night of the year.

Yaletown and Granville Island will have a mesmerizing labyrinth of light experiences. You can take a meditative walk through a maze of lanterns in a massive space filled with the honeyed scent of hundreds of glowing beeswax candles.

Guests can enjoy a thrilling Musical Solstice Lantern Procession in Strathcona led by Mister FireMan & the Legion of Flying Monkeys. There will also be an outdoor Community Labyrinth to discover during the evening.

When: December 21, 2023
Time: 6 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Yaletown, Granville Island, and Strathcona
Cost: Free for the festival. Labyrinth of Light tickets online for $11, children under 13 are free.

Bright Futures at Bill Reid Gallery

What: Bill Reid Gallery is hosting a celebration of the innovative art of Bill Reid along with new works by contemporary emerging and established Indigenous artists of the Northwest Coast.

Bright Futures asked the contributing artists to ponder and critique the question, “How is Bill Reid continuously inspiring contemporary Northwest Coast artists?” Find out their answers in the exhibition running until January.

When: Now until January 14, 2024 (open Wednesday to Sunday)
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Bill Reid Gallery — 639 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Admission: $6 to $13, free for Indigenous Peoples, members, and children 12 years and under. Purchase Online

Lights by the Lake at Harrison Hot Springs

What: Harrison Hot Springs will be overflowing with Christmas spirit this season, thanks to the return of its annual holiday lights festival.

The village’s annual Lights by the Lake will happen until Sunday, January 7, 2024. Visitors will enjoy magical holiday displays that transform the Harrison lakefront into an enchanting world of lights celebrating the local wildlife as well as the elusive Sasquatch.

When: Now until January 7, 2024
Time: Dusk to 11 pm
Where: Harrison Hot Springs
Admission: Free

Abbotsford Canucks vs Ontario Reign

What: Abbotsford Canucks welcome the Ontario Reign for two AHL home games at the Abbotsford Centre.

When: December 20 and 21, 2023
Time: 7 pm
Where: Abbotsford Centre – 33800 King Road, Abbotsford
Cost: Various, purchase online