Metro Vancouver events on December 23, 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

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

Jumping Jedi's - Parent & Tot Gym

Come play with our drop in gym equipment with a Jedi theme and activities. This event will include a photo booth, colouring station, and temporary tattoos

Vancouver | Kerrisdale Community Centre | 10:30 am to 12:00 am | Kids

North Shore Green Markets Christmas Market

Christmas @ the Shipyards

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

West End Winter Wonderland

Ice skate through holiday trees, take a selfie with a snowman and enjoy your favourite holiday tunes with friends and family at the West End's Winter Wonderland

Vancouver | West End Ice Skating Rink | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | Sports

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cookie Decorating

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

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

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

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

Carol City light tour nights-Suggested tour routes. False Creek

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 | False Creek | 7:10 pm to 10:10 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

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

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

The Original Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

The trendsetting Party is back. Come celebrate the 15th anniversary of this iconic event on Friday December 23rd.

Vancouver | Commodore Ballroom | 8:00 pm to 2:00 am | Show

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

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

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

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

Bodyroll N°6

BODYROLL N°6: A monthly party at the Biltmore Cabaret, featuring emerging electronic music - genre-wide

Vancouver | The Biltmore Cabaret | 10:30 pm to 2:00 am | Music | Free