Metro Vancouver events on December 18, 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 9:00 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

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

Christmas Carols & Story Time with Elsa and Anna

They are back! Elsa and Anna return to the Market for a Christmas inspired story time and singalong

North Vancouver | Lonsdale Quay Market | 10:30 am to 11:15 am | Kids | Free

Christmas Tea on the Train

Climb aboard the decorated train car, and enjoy Christmas tunes while our staff serve you tea or hot chocolate, sweets and warm smiles.

Port Moody | Port Moody Station Museum | 10:30 am to 11:30 am | Family

North Shore Green Markets Christmas Market

Christmas @ the Shipyards

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

Brock House Holiday Brunch Buffet

Join us at Brock House Restaurant for our annual Holiday Brunch Buffet!

Vancouver | Brock House Restaurant | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | Food / Wine

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

Medicine Wheel Ceremony

The Medicine Wheel is a symbol of holistic teachings based on the cycles of nature.

Vancouver | Canadian Heritage Garden | 12:00 am to 3:00 pm | Active Life / Health

Swim with Santa

Join the holiday fun at CG Brown!

Burnaby | CG Brown Memorial Pool | 12:00 am to 1:30 pm | Family

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

Royal City Youth Ballet: The Nutcracker

Experience the magic of The Nutcracker this holiday season with RCYB’s full length ballet, featuring a cast of 100+ dedicated and enthusiastic dancers, under the artistic direction of Dolores Kirkwood, OBC.

North Vancouver | Centennial Theatre | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Dance

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 | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Show

Christmas Tea on the Train

Climb aboard the decorated train car, and enjoy Christmas tunes while our staff serve you tea or hot chocolate, sweets and warm smiles.

Port Moody | Port Moody Station Museum | 1:00 pm to 2:00 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

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

Christmas Singalong with the Vancouver Chamber Choir

This is a wonderful opportunity to sing Christmas and seasonal favourites in the splendid acoustics of the Miles-Nowell music room alongside members of the Vancouver Chamber Choir. Treats and refreshments will be served

Vancouver | Vancouver Chamber Choir | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Music

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

Meredith Willson's: The Music Man

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

Richmond | Gateway Theatre | 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm | Musical

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

Music Series. A Celtic Christmas - North Shore Celtic Ensemble

Spirited and Heartwarming. The North Shore Celtic Ensemble invites you to join them for a spirited and heartwarming Celtic Christmas in their very own West Coast Celtic style!

Maple Ridge | The ACT Arts Centre | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Music

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

Xmas For Brandon by The Columbia

Help Brandon Beat Leukemia

New Westminster | The Columbia | 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Charity / Fundraising

Film: Tchaikovsky - the Nutcracker

The Royal Ballet’s glorious production of The Nutcracker, created by Peter Wright in 1984, is the production par excellence of an all-time ballet favourite.

West Vancouver | Kay Meek Centre for the Performing Arts | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Film

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

The Day Before Christmas

Surviving the perfect holiday disaster

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

Potted Potter

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

Vancouver | Vogue Theatre | 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm | Comedy

Christmas Tea on the Train

Climb aboard the decorated train car, and enjoy Christmas tunes while our staff serve you tea or hot chocolate, sweets and warm smiles.

Port Moody | Port Moody Station Museum | 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm | Family

Early Music Vancouver: Festive Cantatas - J.S. Bach Magnificat

A Northwest Baroque Masterworks Project in collaboration with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra

Vancouver | Chan Centre for the Performing Arts | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Music

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

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

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.

Burnaby | Michael J Fox Theatre | 4:00 pm to 5:45 pm | Music

Royal City Youth Ballet: The Nutcracker

Experience the magic of The Nutcracker this holiday season with RCYB’s full length ballet, featuring a cast of 100+ dedicated and enthusiastic dancers, under the artistic direction of Dolores Kirkwood, OBC.

North Vancouver | Centennial Theatre | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Dance

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

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.

West Vancouver | West Vancouver 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

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 | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Show

Indigenous Solstice Dinner by Stanley Park Ecology Society

Warm up with mulled wine, indigenous song, and a full-course dinner as we celebrate the longest night of the year with a Coast Salish flourish.

Vancouver | Stanley Park | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm | Charity / Fundraising

Gliding on Ice at Kerrisdale Arena

Free community ice skate at Kerrisdale Arena sponsored by the Kerrisdale Business Association.

Vancouver | Kerrisdale Arena | 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm | Family | Free

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

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

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

16th Annual Christmas Masquerade Ball

Are you going to see 16th Annual Christmas Masquerade Ball?

Abbotsford | Abbotsford Centre | 7:00 pm to 0:00 am | Music

Carol City light tour nights-Suggested tour routes. 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

Vancouver | Canada Place | 7:10 pm to 8:45 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

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.

Burnaby | Michael J Fox Theatre | 7:30 pm to 9:15 pm | Music

Music Series: A Cowboy Christmas

The British Columbia Cowboy in music, history and humour. Rob Dinwoodie and Open Range take you to a Christmas place that is simple and yet profound.

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

Streetfight Improv! by Instant Theatre

An Improv Comedy Battle Royal

Vancouver | Havana Theatre | 7:30 pm to 8:45 pm | Comedy

Winter SOUL-stice Burlesque

Kitty Nights Burlesque introduces a NEW holiday tradition! Get your groove on at our Winter SOUL-stice bash! Featuring eight titillating performances of funk, soul, disco and R&B burlesque to put you in the funky holiday spirit!

Vancouver | The Biltmore Cabaret | 9:00 pm to 3:00 am | Show

Double Down - Spontaneous Duos!

Instant Theatre Company proudly presents DOUBLE DOWN: A Night of Spontaneous Improv Duos!

Vancouver | Havana Theatre | 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Show