Metro Vancouver events on December 16, 2016

Robson Square Ice Rink

This winter, renew a classic Vancouver tradition and enjoy some old-fashioned fun. Robson Square’s outdoor skating rink is open, so celebrate winter in style with skating in the heart of downtown Vancouver

Vancouver | Robson Square Ice Rink | 9:00 am to 11:00 pm | Family | Free

Peak of Christmas. Visit Vancouver's North Pole

Celebrate the magic of the season with Grouse Mountain’s annual Peak of Christmas celebration.

North Vancouver | Grouse Mountain | 9:00 am to 10:00 pm | Family

Country Christmas Magic Delights at Timberline Ranch

The Timberline Ranch Country Christmas is a unique–yet traditional–family-oriented Christmas experience complete with lit trees, interactive scenes, and music.

Maple Ridge | Timberline Ranch | 9:00 am to 6:00 pm | Family

Canada Responds to the Holocaust, 1944-45

Canada Responds to the Holocaust, 1944-45 explores interactions between Canadians in Europe and survivors of the Holocaust at the close of the Second World War and in the immediate postwar era

Vancouver | Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | History

Bright Nights Train and Plaza in Stanley Park

The Vancouver Park Board in conjunction with the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund presents the 19th Annual Bright Nights in Stanley Park. Give generously at the front gate.

Vancouver | Stanley Park | 10:00 am to 11:00 pm | Family

Christmas at the Cannery - Festival of Trees

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society and Steveston Merchants Association present this year’s Festival of Trees inside the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site.

Richmond | Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Family

Celebrate Christmas at FlyOver Canada

FlyOver Canada will transform into a magical winter wonderland this Christmas season. Guests will have fun helping Santa Claus search for his missing elves during an exhilarating flight across Canada and on to the North Pole.

Vancouver | Canada Place | 10:00 am to 9:00 pm | Family

H.E. Bergman & Season's Greetings

Join us for the new exhibition of H.E. Bergman & Season's Greetings at the Burnaby Art Gallery.

Burnaby | Burnaby Art Gallery | 10:00 am to 4:30 pm | Exhibition

Christmas Train at Bear Creek Park

Visit with Santa & receive a candy cane, children do activities on our platform and take a train ride through the Christmas forest

Surrey | Bear Creek Park | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | Family

North Shore Green Markets Christmas Market

Christmas @ the Shipyards

North Vancouver | The Shipyards | 11:00 am to 6:00 pm | Market | Free

Christmas with The Jammers. Guildford Recreation Centre

Socialize with friends while enjoying Christmas festivities, a delicious meal & great entertainment

Surrey | Guildford Recreation Centre | 11:00 am to 1:30 pm | Family

The 7th Annual Vancouver Christmas Market

The Vancouver Christmas Market has grown & is in a new location for 2016: the Jack Poole Plaza at Canada Place.

Vancouver | Jack Poole Plaza | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | Market

Corbin Union: Inversus Mundi

Miruna Dragan, Jason De Haan, Kris Lindskoog, Warren McLachlan, Karly Mortimer, Jeremy Pavka, Kylie B. Ward: Inversus Mundi

Vancouver | Unit/Pitt Projects | 12:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

Christmas at Canada Place

Join us this holiday season for the 29th annual Christmas at Canada Place, presented by Port of Vancouver. It’s all taking place outdoors along The Canadian Trail.

Vancouver | Canada Place | 12:00 am to 6:00 pm | Family | Free

Impossible Worlds

Award winning Vancouver Island based photographer Lisa Graham established Seadance Photography in 2009 and specializes in underwater portraits with an artistic flair.

New Westminster | The Plaskett Gallery | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Exhibition | Free

Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel: Heritage Christmas

The holiday experience began the moment you arrived! Festive lighting and decorations greeted you at the entrance of the Village to gave you a small glimpse of the spectacular display of history and lights awaiting inside.

Burnaby | Burnaby Village Museum | 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Family | Free

Cirque du Soleil: Toruk – The First Flight

Inspired by James Cameron’s Avatar, Cirque du Soleil transports you to the world of Pandora in a visually stunning live setting. Experience a storytelling odyssey through a new world of imagination, discovery and possibility.

Vancouver | Pacific Coliseum | 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm | Show

Canyon Lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park’s popular holiday event, Canyon Lights is back.

North Vancouver | Capilano Suspension Bridge | 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Family

VSO: A Traditional Christmas

It is the Holiday music tradition: The VSO’s Traditional Christmas concerts, featuring host Christopher Gaze, EnChor, the UBC Opera Ensemble, and the VSO’s new Assistant Conductor, William Rowson.

North Vancouver | Centennial Theatre | 4:00 pm to 5:45 pm | Music

Enchant Christmas Light Maze & Market

The World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze is coming to Vancouver, BC, November 2016. Eat, drink, explore and shop - experience the wonder of Enchant.

Vancouver | between the Cambie Street Bridge and Olympic Village | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Family

Holiday Heights at Bloedel Conservatory

Experience a winter wonderland inside the Bloedel Conservatory with magical lights, festive music, a holiday scavenger hunt and much more

Vancouver | Bloedel Floral Conservatory | 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Family

VanDusen Festival of Lights

Make memories at VanDusen Festival of Lights, a magical winter wonderland with over one million lights decorating VanDusen Botanical Garden open from December 1 to January 2.

Vancouver | VanDusen Botanical Garden | 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Family

Chor Leoni Men's Choir presents Christmas/Chor Leoni

Gorgeous new choral works, fun twists on well-known favourites, and sing-along carols are wrapped in the irresistible warmth and beauty of Chor Leoni’s sound.

Vancouver | St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church | 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm | Music

Live Music Friday

Enjoy live music and beer every Friday from 5pm to 8pm at Green Leaf Brewing Co.

North Vancouver | Lonsdale Quay Market | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Music | Free

2016 Holiday Hi-Light Festival

8th Annual Hi-Light Festival. Month-long Christmas celebration will feature brilliant light display, live entertainment, and festive activities for the whole family

North Vancouver | Park & Tilford Gardens | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Family

Christmas in Williams Park

The annual Christmas in Williams Park in Langley is a FREE family and community event. View the spectacular show of lights as you drive or walk through the park.

Langley | Williams Park | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | Family | Free

Holiday Family Movie Night

Enjoy a Holiday Movie Night featuring Christmas themed snacks and family activities

Surrey | South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Family

Carol Ships Parade of Lights Dinner Cruise

The Carol Ships Parade of Lights began more than 50 years ago with a single boat decorated with Christmas lights in Coal Harbour.

Vancouver | Just East of Edgewater Casino | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Show

Karaoke Christmas Lights - The Ultimate Christmas Tour

3 Hrs of Christmas Family Fun featuring Stanley Park’s Bright Nights Display and Van Dusen Botanical Garden’s Festival of Lights

Vancouver | Canada Place | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Family

Performance by Sax a La Mode

Saxaphone trio Sax a La Mode will be performing on the Retail Level Bridge

North Vancouver | Lonsdale Quay Market | 6:45 pm to 7:45 pm | Music | Free

Christmas Movie and Skate Night

Lace up your skates and celebrate with a movie and skate at the Recreation Centre here in Port Coquitlam.

Port Coquitlam | Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex | 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm | Family

Arts Umbrella Dance: Mixed Nuts

A classic holiday performance reinvented with a twist. Families and kids of all ages can enjoy AUDC’s modern and engaging retelling of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”

Vancouver | Vancouver Playhouse | 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | Dance

Carol Ships Parade of Lights. Port Moody Parade Night. or Inner Harbour Tour

Providing a traditional carol ship.. Carol Ships Parade of Lights is a community event that has become one of the premier attractions during the December holiday season

Port Moody | Reed Point Marina | 7:00 pm to 9:40 pm | Show

Miss Russia Vancouver 2016

Psyboos Entertainment Corp. announces its signature event, Miss Russia Vancouver 2016 with the utmost excitement and passion, this year partnering with, the Westender, the Vancouver Courier, Vitamin Daily and Asian Pacific Post.

Vancouver | Westin Bayshore | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | Show

East Van Panto: Little Red Riding Hood

Recommended for a general audience. As an advisory to adults who might bring young people, The Cultch recommends East Van Panto: Little Red Riding Hood for ages 5 and up.

Vancouver | York Theatre | 7:00 pm to 8:10 pm | Family

Pink for Christmas

A Youth Christmas Variety Show featuring: North Shore Celtic Ensemble, PorArte Dance Centre, Collingwood Senior Choir

West Vancouver | Kay Meek Center | 7:00 pm to 8:20 pm | Charity / Fundraising

Westminster Savings Free Swim

Enjoy a free swim at City Centre Aquatic Complex, courtesy of Westminster Savings

Coquitlam | City Centre Aquatic Complex | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Sports

Alice in Wonderland

Affordable, family friendly fun in the midst of the holiday season! Outlandish creatures and quizzical conversations fill the stage as Alchemy Theatre brings you one of the most imaginative tales ever written

Vancouver | Studio 1398 on Granville Island | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Theatre

The Crowbots Live!

Friday night holiday bash at the Biltmore! Early show from 8-11, then a DJ dance party afterwards

Vancouver | The Biltmore Cabaret | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Music

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson

Vancouver | The Waterfront Theatre | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Kids

Christmas Queen 3 The Bachelorette Edition

She’s baaaaack! The Christmas Queen, in all her nasty, bitchy glory is returning this holiday season with the latest installment in the series, Christmas Queen 3 - The Bachelorette Edition.

Vancouver | The Improv Centre | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | Show

The Royal Canadian Theatre Company Series: Ellie King's Beauty and the Beast

Sparkling fairy-tale fun for the whole family

Surrey | Surrey Arts Centre | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Theatre

VSO: A Traditional Christmas

It is the Holiday music tradition: The VSO’s Traditional Christmas concerts, featuring host Christopher Gaze, EnChor, the UBC Opera Ensemble, and the VSO’s new Assistant Conductor, William Rowson.

North Vancouver | Centennial Theatre | 7:30 pm to 9:15 pm | Music

Jingle : A Christmas Musical Spectacular

Jingle is a one of a kind, interactive and jolly Christmas show celebrating all of your favourite festive traditions and introducing a host of new ones!

New Westminster | Anvil Centre Theatre | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Family

SFU Woodward's Presents: Bah! Humbug!

Bah! Humbug! returns for a seventh year featuring Juno-Award Winning musician Jim Byrnes* as Ebenezer Scrooge. Don't miss this festive, seasonal Woodward's tradition!

Vancouver | Goldcorp Centre for the Arts | 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Theatre

Sing Along with Frozen

Experience the Disney blockbuster of the decade and its chart-topping song sensation ‘Let it Go’ as you never have before, when Sing-along with Frozen turns The Centre into an enchanting winter wonderland!

Chilliwack | HUB International Theatre | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Show

Cirque du Soleil: Toruk – The First Flight

Inspired by James Cameron’s Avatar, Cirque du Soleil transports you to the world of Pandora in a visually stunning live setting. Experience a storytelling odyssey through a new world of imagination, discovery and possibility.

Vancouver | Pacific Coliseum | 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Show

Potted Potter

All seven Harry Potter books in seventy hilarious minutes! The Unauthorized Harry Experience. A Parody by Dan and Jeff

Vancouver | Vogue Theatre | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Comedy

Robin Hood and Marion a Christmas Pantomime

Food fights ! Medieval longsword fights! Wrestling ! Fart gun attacks (by the Minion). Our annual Christmas traditional Pantomime written by Cathy Morrison

Vancouver | Metro Theatre | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Theatre

Carol Ships Parade of Lights

Join our Carol Ships Parade of Lights shore side celebration! Come to Barnet Marine Park and watch the flotilla of carol ships sail past.

Burnaby | Barnet Marine Park | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | Family

CP Holiday Train

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train hits the rails again on November 25th and will be visiting over 150 communities across the Canadian and US rail network.

Maple Ridge | Across from Billy Miner Pub | 7:30 pm to 8:45 pm | Family

Mary Poppins

A musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film

Vancouver | Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Musical

Meredith Willson's: The Music Man

The rousing classic about a charming con man and his seventy-six trombones.

Richmond | Gateway Theatre | 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm | Musical

Music for the Winter Solstice

With a holiday feel that skips the schmultz, highlights include the return of Caroline Shaw, along with a new solstice-inspired carol by Nicole Lizée.

Vancouver | Heritage Hall | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Music

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: Vivaldi's Four Seasons with Mark Fewer

The VSO’s 10th annual presentation of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Former VSO Concertmaster Mark Fewer returns to perform Vivaldi’s classic, in one of Vancouver’s most enduring and beloved music traditions.

Vancouver | Chan Centre for the Performing Arts | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Music

The SantaLand Diaries

The SantaLand Diaries is a backstage pass to the secret lives of elves. “The funniest Christmas play ever written” is a biting and slightly fictionalized account of humourist David Sedaris’ time as one of Macy’s store Christmas elves.

North Vancouver | Presentation House Theatre | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Theatre

Holy Mo: a Christmas Show

Folly, Guff, and Buffoona are back! And this time, it’s Christmas.

Vancouver | Pacific Theatre | 8:00 pm to 9:20 pm | Performing Arts

Vancouver Chamber Choir: The Christmas Story. Carols & Readings of the Season

Christmas time is carol time, too. The Christmas spirit can be expressed in so many ways: gently, robustly, ceremonially, intimately, poetically, grandly, angelically, rustically, liturgically or by the simplest song or phrase.

Vancouver | Ryerson United Church | 8:00 pm to 9:40 pm | Music

Chor Leoni Men's Choir presents Christmas/Chor Leoni

Gorgeous new choral works, fun twists on well-known favourites, and sing-along carols are wrapped in the irresistible warmth and beauty of Chor Leoni’s sound.

Vancouver | St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church | 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm | Music

Half Moon Run With guests Plants and Animals

Half Moon Run is a Canadian indie rock band based in Montreal, Quebec.

Vancouver | The Orpheum | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | Music

Rogue Cop: Explosive Holiday Improv by Instant Theatre

Instant’s holiday tradition continues with a high-ocatane, action packed Christmas show

Vancouver | Havana Theatre | 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm | Show

Avenue Q

Irreverently witty and outright uproarious, Avenue Q is the musical story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate who arrives in New York City looking for love, a job, and his purpose in life.

Vancouver | Granville Island Stage | 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm | Theatre

The Day Before Christmas

Surviving the perfect holiday disaster

Vancouver | BMO Theatre Centre | 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm | Comedy

After the Fall: EDAM Studio Theatre

Presenting new work by guest choreographers Julianne Chapple and Shay Kuebler. Also featuring a new work by EDAM's Artistic Director Peter Bingham.

Vancouver | EDAM Studio Theatre | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Dance

Sattar and Nooshafarin

Sattar & Nooshafarin live in Vancouver, Friday, 16. December 2016, New Westminster

New Westminster | Massey Theater | 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm | Music

CP Holiday Train

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train hits the rails again on November 25th and will be visiting over 150 communities across the Canadian and US rail network.

Pitt Meadows | Train station | Family

Til Your Face Hurts

Razor-sharp wit and lightning-fast reflexes, two teams of players are pitted against each other in competitive improv matches

Vancouver | The Improv Centre | 9:30 pm to 11:00 pm | Show

Sander Van Doorn

Highly decorated Dutch superstar Sander van Doorn hits Celebrities Nightclub on Friday, December 16th at StereotypeFridays

Vancouver | Celebrities Nightclub | 10:00 pm to 3:00 am | Music

Cagematch: Ultimate Comedy Showdown by Instant Theatre

Cagematch pits the fiercest and most hilarious improvisers against each other to determine who has the best improv in the city

Vancouver | Havana Theatre | 10:30 pm to 11:30 pm | Comedy

Foolish - 1 Year Celebration Party

Every third Friday at The Biltmore Cabaret Platinum era hip hop and r&b (96-09’)

Vancouver | The Biltmore Cabaret | 10:30 pm to 1:30 am | Music | Free

Improv After Dark

Things heat up with this edgy 60 minutes of non-stop, fast-paced no-holds-barred comedy for grown-ups

Vancouver | The Improv Centre | 11:15 pm to 0:15 am | Comedy