Yule Duel: BC's largest outdoor carolling competition returns to Vancouver this week

The fifth annual Yule Duel is returning to Vancouver this week, but in a brand-new location.

Held for the past four years in the heart of Gastown, this year’s event will take over the North Plaza at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Thursday, December 5.

The family-friendly holiday event attracts thousands of people and features some of Vancouver’s best voices.

These musical heroes of the holiday season will lend their vocal talents to raise funds for The Bloom Group’s May’s Place, the Downtown Eastside hospice that has provided compassionate end-of-life care to vulnerable and marginalized people since 1990.

In this particular carolling competition, audience participation is key, as onlookers get the chance to vote for their favourite choirs, helping carollers make it to the duelling sing-offs, where a panel of celebrity judges will decide the winner.

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The choirs will perform a variety of musical styles, including acapella, jazz, pop, rock, and songs in different languages, showcasing the holiday traditions of many cultures.

For each donation of $5, spectators can buy a voting button, which will give them the ability to vote for a choir to make it to the finals.

Yule Duel Vancouver

When: Thursday, December 5

Time: 5:30 to 9 pm

Where: Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza – 750 Hornby Street

Admission: Free, but a $5 donation to May’s Place is suggested