Metro Vancouver events on December 17, 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

Breakfast with Santa: Bridgeview Community Centre

Santa and Mrs Claus are coming to Surrey - and you're invited to enjoy a delicious breakfast with them!

Surrey | Bridgeview Community Centre | 9:30 am to 11:00 am | Family

Walk Richmond - Steveston Village/Christmas Celebration

Stroll through Steveston’s historic fishing village with its unique shops before heading towards the Britannia Heritage Shipyard National Historic Site and Park.

Richmond | Garry Point Park | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | Active Life / Health | Free

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

Bird Walk

Take a guided tour through VanDusen and learn about the native bird species that make their home in the garden.

Vancouver | VanDusen Botanical Garden | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | Nature / Animals

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

Christmas Kid’s Crafts

There is something for everyone at the Market. On December 10th and December 17th stop by the Market for craft time!

North Vancouver | Lonsdale Quay Market | 10:30 am to 1:30 pm | Kids | Free

North Shore Green Markets Christmas Market

Christmas @ the Shipyards

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

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

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson

Vancouver | The Waterfront Theatre | 11:00 am to 12:00 am | Kids

Winter Ice Palace at Cloverdale Arena

As is Christmas tradition the Cloverdale Arena will be transformed into the Winter Ice Palace over the winter school break.

Surrey | Cloverdale Arena | 11:00 am to 8:00 pm | Family

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

The Ultimate Sneaker Show 2016

At Sole Exchange Canada, our primary focus is to constantly provide the sneaker and fashion community throughout Canada with premier events.

Vancouver | Vancouver Convention Centre | 12:00 am to 6:00 pm | Exhibition

Heritage Christmas Weekends. Make your own reindeer antlers and explore the farmhouse on Santa’s Scavenger Hunt

Get your holiday magic at the Historic Stewart Farm's Heritage Christmas Weekends. Make your own reindeer antlers and explore the farmhouse on Santa’s Scavenger Hunt

Surrey | Historic Stewart Farm | 12:00 am to 3:00 pm | Family | Free

Christmas in Kerrisdale

Christmas in Kerrisdale is celebrated every Saturday through the month of December.

Vancouver | Kerrisdale | 12:00 am to 5:00 pm | Family | Free

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

Ugly Christmas Sweater Skate

Bring family, friends and those you hold dear to Bill Copeland's Ugly Christmas Sweater Skate

Burnaby | Bill Copeland Sports Centre | 12:30 am to 3:00 pm | Family

Westminster Savings Free Skate

Enjoy a free skate at Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex, courtesy of Westminster Savings.

Coquitlam | Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex | 12:45 am to 3:15 pm | Sports | 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

Longest Night

Join this celebration that includes creating lanterns to light up the night sky, write your wishes on paper then toss them in the fire to set them free, decorate a wildlife tree and help our birds survive the cold winter.

Richmond | Richmond Nature Park | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Nature / Animals

Holly Jolly Holiday Celebration

Come celebrate the holiday season with other families and community members in the Creekside Gymnasium. There will be crafts, cookie decorating and story telling from Santa Claus!

Vancouver | Creekside Community Recreation Centre | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Family

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

Casual Saturdays Drop-in Workshop

Join our amazing faculty and cast members for the CASUAL SATURDAYS Drop-in workshop!

Vancouver | Instant Studios | 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm | Workshop

Discovery Saturday: Very Vintage Christmas

Holiday celebrations are going old-style at the Surrey Museum’s Very Vintage Christmas.

Surrey | Surrey Museum | 1:45 pm to 4:45 pm | Kids

Mary Poppins

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

Vancouver | Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Musical

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 | 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm | Dance

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 | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Family

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 | 2:00 pm to 3:10 pm | Family

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 | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Theatre

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 | 2:00 pm to 4:15 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 | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Show

Holy Mo: a Christmas Show

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

Vancouver | Pacific Theatre | 2:00 pm to 3:20 pm | Performing Arts

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 | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Theatre

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 | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Theatre

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson

Vancouver | The Waterfront Theatre | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Kids

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 | 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm | Theatre

The Day Before Christmas

Surviving the perfect holiday disaster

Vancouver | BMO Theatre Centre | 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm | Comedy

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 | 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm | Theatre

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.

West Vancouver | Kay Meek Centre for the Performing Arts | 4:00 pm to 5:45 pm | Music

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 | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Show

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

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.

Port Moody | behind Arena & Rec Centre | 4:20 pm to 5:15 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

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

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.

Port Coquitlam | PoCo WCE Station | 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm | Family

Clay with Mrs. Clause

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Leigh Square offers a number of festive and artistic opportunities for the community this holiday season.

Port Coquitlam | Leigh Square Community Arts Village | 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm | Workshop

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

Typeabc Annual Networking Gala 跨時代復古風晚宴(The Era: Retro Gala)

he Taiwanese Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs Association of BC (TYPEABC) is happy to welcome everyone to join our 2016 TYPEABC Annual Networking Gala!

Vancouver | Holiday Inn | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Fair

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

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

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

GVYMA Jazz Band - Not so Silent Night

The Greater Vancouver Youth Music Academy Jazz Band presents Not-so-Silent Night

New Westminster | The Columbia | 7:00 pm to 9:40 pm | Music

Carol Ships Parade of Lights. Deep Cove and Panorama Park Parade Night. or Inner harbour (#2)

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

Vancouver | Deep Cove | 7:10 pm to 10:30 pm | Show

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

Lions Gate Sinfonia - A Family Sinfonia Christmas

Come celebrate the Christmas season with A Very Sinfonia Family Christmas. This festive family concert is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit!

North Vancouver | Centennial Theatre | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | Music

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.

West Vancouver | Kay Meek Centre for the Performing Arts | 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

Carol Ship Celebration

The Carol Ships, with their holiday themed decorations and festive lights. You are invited to come to beautiful Deep Cove where we will be gathering to watch the Carol Ships sail by the shores of Panorama Park on Saturday, December 17th.

North Vancouver | Panorama Park | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | Family | Free

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

Rock 'n Roll Christmas

The Original Legends of Rock n Roll presents Rock 'n Roll Christmas. Buddy Meets the Beatles brings two Rock n' Roll icons together for one show.

New Westminster | Massey Theatre | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Music

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

Coastline Pilot with Vaultry & Jake Touzel Band

Coastline Pilot w/ Vaultry & Jake Touzel Band at Saturday December 17th, 2016 Biltmore Cabaret

Vancouver | The Biltmore Cabaret | 7:30 pm to 2:00 am | Music

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

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

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 | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Show

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

Leonard Cohen Tribute Concert - I'm Your Man

Join us Dec 17th for a magical concert where some of the most talented local musicians and poets come together to pay tribute to a great man and his incredilbe body of work.

Vancouver | The Rio Theatre | 8:00 pm to 11:00 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

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

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

Deep Down Inside Saturdays

M.I.A. goes Deep Down Inside every Saturday in Gastown with world renown deejay & producer talent supported by a rotating roster of local Vancouver resident DDI selectors.

Vancouver | M.I.A. | 10:00 pm to 3:00 am | Music

Guy Gerber DeepDownInside

Isreali techno legend Guy Gerber joins us Saturday, December 17th at #DeepDownInside.

Vancouver | M.I.A. | 10:00 pm to 3:00 am | Music

The Actor’s Nightmare: Half Scripted, Half Improv, All Comedy

Every actor has a nightmare where they find themselves on stage without knowing any of their lines, or even having read the script!

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

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