15 fun things to do in Vancouver this weekend: December 27 to 29
Enjoy the suite life this winter with Delta Hotels by Marriott Vancouver Downtown Suites! Make the most of your Vancouver stay with spacious suites, central downtown location, and unique restaurant & bar, Stock & Supply.
The last weekend of 2024 is here, so let’s make the most of it!
Here are 15 exciting events happening around Vancouver from December 27 to 29, including a Hot Chocolate Tour, Gingerbread Lane, and more.
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
To stay up to date on everything happening in Metro Vancouver, BC, and beyond, sign up for our newsletters!
The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show
The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special/Facebook
What: Drag Queens BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon from RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars bring their newest holiday show to Vancouver. Fans can expect a fabulous spectacle in the show co-written and co-created by the duo and directed by BenDeLaCreme, with whip-smart comedy, brand-new songs, and annual favourites.
When: December 28, 2024
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre — 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase here
Contact Winter Music Festival
What: Contact Winter Music Festival is returning to Vancouver and some massive stars are coming for the party.
Canada’s largest indoor winter music festival is taking over the Vancouver Convention Centre on December 27 and 28. This year’s headliners include multi-platinum and Grammy Award-nominated artist and producer deadmau5 and America’s Best DJ nominee Seven Lions.
When: December 27 and 28, 2024
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre — 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Blast off at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
What: There are few things more infinitely interesting than space, and the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre does an amazing job of capturing its wonder. Featuring two theatres, a gallery and an observatory, there is plenty to be awed by at the space centre.
When: Open Monday to Sunday
Time: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, plus 6:30 to 11:30 pm on Wednesdays and Friday
Where: 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
Cost: $20.75-$22.75, children ages 5 and under are free
The Count of Monte Cristo and Best of 2024 at Vancity Theatre
What: Head to VIFF Centre – Vancity Theatre for The Count of Monte Cristo and the Best of 2024 series.
Alexandre Dumas’ tale of adventure, intrigue and romance comes to life in The Count of Monte Cristo. This stunning French blockbuster from the writers of the recent Three Musketeers movies stars Pierre Niney as Edmond Dantès, whose life is upended by the schemes of three villains, including his best friend. After years of imprisonment, Dantès returns to exact revenge as the mysterious Count.
The Best of 2024 is VIFF’s annual roundup of 10 of the best films of the year. Dive into the curated list of diverse, sexy, thrilling, challenging, and masterful movies on the big screen before they’re gone. Highlights includes Thelma, Challengers and Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World.
When: Various dates until January 2, 2025
Time: Various times. See the full schedule online.
Where: VIFF Centre – 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, including $11 for students and accessible pricing, $14 for seniors, and $16 for adults. Purchase online
Forbidden Vancouver’s Holiday History and Hot Chocolate Tour
Forbidden Vancouver/Submitted
What: Get festive and forbidden this season with the Holiday History and Hot Chocolate Tour. Acclaimed guided walking tours company Forbidden Vancouver invites you to step inside downtown’s iconic buildings and discover stories of intrigue, jealousy and murder.
Guests will also enjoy beautiful holiday displays in some of Vancouver’s finest hotel lobbies, get a private viewing inside the Marine Building, and stay warm with a delicious hot chocolate at the award-winning Mink Chocolates.
When: Daily until January 10, 2025 (no tour on Christmas and New Year’s Day)
Time: Various start times
Where: Starts at the corner of Robson Street and Granville Street
Cost: $45 to $49. Purchase online
VanDusen Festival of Lights
What: Get ready for a walk in a winter wonderland, because one of Vancouver’s largest holiday light displays is officially returning for the season.
VanDusen Festival of Lights will be delighting visitors at the botanical garden until Sunday, January 5, 2025. Discover over one million lights across 15 acres, with new displays and returning favourites for all ages.
When: Now until January 5, 2025 (closed on Christmas Day)
Time: 4 to 10 pm (last entry time 8:30 to 9 pm)
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden — 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Admission: $11-$28, free for children four years and under (must reserve a ticket). Purchase online
Heartbeat of a Vessel by Jo Scott-b
What: The Vancouver Maritime Museum hosts the feature exhibit, Heartbeat of a Vessel by Jo Scott-b. Artworks on display will spotlight how each valve and gauge in an engine has a story to tell.
When: Now until May 2025
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Vancouver Maritime Museum – 1905 Ogden Avenue, Vancouver
Cost: $14-$18.50, free for children 5 and under with a paying adult (max 2 free children per 1 adult)
Vancouver Canucks
What: The Canucks continue a busy Christmas week with a home game against the Seattle Kraken on December 28 at Rogers Arena.
When: December 28, 2024
Time: 1 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online
Christmas at Canada Place
Christmas at Canada Place
What: Vancouver may not have any reindeer, but visitors can enjoy the sight of a giant illuminated moose this holiday season at Christmas at Canada Place.
Free Christmas attractions, presented by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, will be taking over the Canadian Trail along the west promenade of Canada Place.
Visitors will get a historic peek into the past with Woodward’s Windows displays, the festive Avenue of Trees, and the iconic white sails of Canada Place illuminated with bright colours and designs throughout the holidays.
When: Now until January 1, 2025
Time: 8 am to 10 pm daily
Where: The Canadian Trail, West Promenade – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Gingerbread Lane at Hyatt Regency Vancouver
What: Gingerbread Lane, the sweetest street in Vancouver, is back for its 32nd year as the Hyatt Regency once again plays host to the popular festive tradition.
As per tradition over the past three decades, the free event features delightful gingerbread creations designed by secondary school students, amateur culinary artists, and professional bakers.
In addition to providing a welcome dose of holiday spirit, the event raises money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of BC and the Yukon, which is celebrating its 41st year of granting wishes to children living with critical illnesses.
When: Now until December 27, 2024
Time: Regular hotel hours
Where: Hyatt Regency Vancouver — 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free
Petunia and the Vipers: Calling Me Back Album Release
What: Vancouver’s own Petunia and The Vipers are throwing a huge album release party at The Rio Theatre, and you’re invited. Get ready to party at the “hillbilly-flavoured-swing inflected-ragtime-goodtime-thunderously rolling-one-of-a-kind-you-don’t-want-to-miss-this-sort-of-a-show” while listening to their latest album, Calling Me Back.
When: December 27, 2024
Time: Doors 6:30 pm, show 7 pm
Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
Tickets: $20 early bird plus fees, $26 general admission plus fees. Purchase online
Lights by the Lake at Harrison Hot Springs
Tourism Harrison
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 12, 2025
Time: Dusk to 11 pm
Where: Harrison Hot Springs
Admission: Free
Vancouver Giants vs Kelowna Rockets
What: The Vancouver Giants face off with the Kelowna Rockets in WHL action on Sunday, December 29.
When: December 29, 2024
Time: 4 pm
Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200th Street, Langley
Cost: Various; purchase online
Foffy’s Wonderland
What: Foffy’s Wonderland, a globally touring pop-up, has taken over Lavenderland for an experience full of adventure and fantasy, running now until January 12. Visitors can expect dazzling light displays, family-friendly activities, and live performances, along with Richmond’s first-ever holiday market.
For every ticket sold, 50 cents will be donated to the Social Diversity for Children Foundation. Entry to Floffy’s Wonderland is also free for children aged twelve and under.
When: Now until January 12, 2025
Where: Lavenderland — 8460 Steveston Highway, Richmond
Cost: General admission costs $24.99 and comes with a complimentary lavender hydrosol valued at $28. Free entrance for children — Available here
Merry/Happy/Jolly at The Improv Centre
What: The holiday season can be a stressful time for a variety of reasons. That’s why the funny folks at The Improv Centre (TIC) on Granville Island are helping chase away the winter blues with its new seasonal show, Merry/Happy/Jolly.
Audiences will help the improvisers create a brand-new show each night during the “choose-your-own-adventure” performance.
When: Fridays and Saturdays until December 29, 2024
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: The Improv Centre — 1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Winter Ice Palace
What: The 25th annual Winter Ice Palace transforms the Cloverdale Arena into a wintry wonderland. Invite your friends and family to join you for a festive skate, complete with holiday lights, colourful decorations, and seasonal music.
When: Now until January 5, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Cloverdale Ice Arena – 6090 176th Street, Surrey
Cost: $45 per person, $3.50 for skate rentals, $1.75 for helmet rentals. Free admission for annual Recreation Pass and Family Fun Pass holders.
VPL’s Movie of the Month: The Joy Luck Club
What: Vancouver Public Library hosts a variety of movie screenings for the public at its branches throughout the month, and the best part is they are free to check out.
On Saturday, December 28, check out The Joy Luck Club based on the acclaimed Amy Tan novel at the Kensington branch.
When: December 28, 2024
Time: 10:30 am
Where: Kensington Branch — 1428 Cedar Cottage Mews, Vancouver
Cost: Free