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The last Saturday of 2019 is here! Check out these 10 events in and around Vancouver on Saturday, December 28, including The Nutcracker, Vancouver Canucks, and more.
For more things happening around town, check out our events section.
Ballet BC presents Alberta Ballet – The Nutcracker
What: Ballet BC presents Alberta Ballet in the holiday tradition, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Featuring choreography by Edmund Stripe and sets and costumes designed by Emmy Award-winning designer Zack Brown, The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, the evil Mouse King, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Musical score performed live by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
When: December 28 to December 30, 2019
Time: 1 pm (December 28, 29, 30), 6:30 pm (December 28, 29)
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre — 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
Vancouver Canucks vs Los Angeles Kings
Vancouver Canucks / Twitter
What: Vancouver Canucks hit the ice against LA Kings at Rogers Arena on December 28.
When: December 28, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
Robson Square Ice Rink
What: The provincial government’s Robson Square Ice Rink is open for the 2019/2020 season, and as per tradition, skating is free for all ages. Wedged under the covered outdoor plaza at Robson Square, the rink is operated seasonally by the government when temperatures begin to dip.
Skating is free for all ages for those who bring their own skates. Those without skates can rent a pair on-site, for a fee. An on-site concession stand will also serve warm drinks and snacks.
When: Daily until February 29, 2020
Time: Sunday to Thursday, 9 to 9 pm; Friday and Saturday, 9 to 11 pm. Holiday hours vary.
Where: 800 Robson Street, Vancouver (Robson Street and Howe Street)
Price: Free for all ages if you bring your own skates. (Skate rentals are $5, and rentals end 30 minutes before closing time.) Robson Square Ice Rink accepts cash only. Helmets are mandatory for children 12 years and under.
Christmas Glow Vancouver
What: Christmas Glow will take place inside the Harbour Convention Centre, and visitors will be able to enjoy nearly 50,000 sq. ft. of enchanting twinkling lights and holiday activities.
This year’s theme for Vancouver is “Santa’s Lost Presents.” Guests will be able to help the elves find Santa’s lost presents. Themed light-up structures, including Santa’s sleigh and his trusty reindeer, will be set up around the venue. Adults will be able to enjoy the licensed bars, seasonal beverages, and live music while interactive activities and festive playgrounds will keep the kids busy.
When: Now until January 5, 2020
Time: Hours of operation vary depending on date of visit. Check the calendar here.
Where: Harbour Convention Centre — 760 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
Tickets: Online
Vancouver Giants vs Kelowna Rockets
What: Vancouver Giants hit the ice against Kelowna Rockets on December 28 at Langley Events Centre.
When: December 28, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200 Street, Langley
Tickets: Online
VanDusen Festival of Lights 2019
What: The dazzling botanical garden will be covered in more than a million lights to help ring in the Christmas season. Visitors can stroll through interactive themed areas, watch the famous dancing lights show on Livingstone Lake, take a photo with Santa, light a candle at the Make-A-Wish candle grotto, or simply warm up with a specialty beverage at the licensed fireside lounge. All tickets, which can be purchased online or at the gate, include a free ride on the carousel.
When: Now until January 5, 2020 (closed Christmas Day)
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden – 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Time: 4 to 9:30 pm (closed Christmas Day)
Admission: Adults: $19 online and $21 at the gate. Youth and seniors: $14.50 online and $16 at the gate.
Grouse Mountain’s Peak of Christmas 2019
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.
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 until January 5, 2020
Time: 9 am to 10 pm
Where: Grouse Mountain – 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Admission: Peak of Christmas activities are complimentary with Mountain Admission Ticket, Annual Membership, Winter Season Pass, or Lift Ticket. Tickets online. Discounted rates are also available for BC residents
Lights of Hope 2019
St. Paul’s Lights of Hope (Spencer Finlay / Flickr)
What: St. Paul’s Foundation’s Lights of Hope sees the building glow with over 100,000 bright lights, and more than 200 shining stars. New to the display this year is the Living Light, an interactive art piece that gives everyone the opportunity to light a star themselves.
Installed front and center of the display, the Living Light star is built with a dimmer that slowly waxes and wanes, as though the light is breathing. A kiosk installed below the star is fitted with a plaque that asks visitors to choose a donation amount, tap a contactless credit card to donate, and “Help Keep Hope Alive.” The star glows brightly every time a donation is made before gradually dimming again if it goes too long without a tap.
When: Now until January 6, 2020
Time: Every Day and Night
Where: St. Paul’s Hospital Burrard entrance – 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free
Holidays at Vancouver Aquarium
What: Vancouver Aquarium has a variety of holiday favourite activities this season, including the electric-eel-powered Christmas tree (with feedings daily at 11:30 am), the tot-friendly kelp maze, and the picture-perfect jelly snow globe. Check out the “mistle-toad” near the Frogs Forever Gallery, and after wandering the galleries with cocoa in hand, it’s time for a journey to the North Pole in the Vancouver Aquarium’s 4-D theatre, where The Polar Express 4D Experience plays daily.
When: Now until January 5, 2020
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park – 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Admission: Adults: $38| Senior/Student: $30 | Child (4-12): $21 | Child (0-4): $0 – Tickets available online
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
What: Written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley is the festive followup to Pride and Prejudice. The Bennet sisters get together for Christmas at the home of Lizzy and Mr. Darcy. An unexpected visitor could be an awkward attempt at a set-up, or Mary’s chance at romance.
When: Now until January 4, 2020
Time: Various times
Where: The Arts Club Granville Island Stage — 1585 Johnston Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online