Metro Vancouver events on December 12, 2019

32nd annual Christmas at Canada Place

This holiday season, join us for the 32nd annual Christmas at Canada Place, presented by the Port of Vancouver

Vancouver | Canada Place | 8:00 am to 11:00 pm | Family | Free

Christmas Boutique

Place des Arts annual Christmas Boutique features beautifully handcrafted items by local artisans. Take the time to find one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays

Coquitlam | Place des Arts | 9:00 am to 9:00 pm | Market | Free

Art After: Reconciling Art And Motherhood

This series acknowledges the tension that exists between the roles of artist and mother. Bridging the gap between creative aspirations and physical reality, artist Denise Gasser embraces the interruptions that typically hinder the creative process

Vancouver | Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition | Free

Emily Carr

This installation in the Gallery’s 1st Floor Rotunda reflects Emily Carr’s direct engagement with and great affection for British Columbia’s landscape—for her, a site of artistic and spiritual inquiry

Vancouver | Vancouver Art Gallery | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

Gingerbread Village 2019

Vote for your favourite gingerbread house, as designed by members of your community.

Surrey | Central City Mall | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

Gingerbread Village at Central City

The 3rd annual Gingerbread Village contest hosted by the Downtown Surrey BIA is back!

Surrey | Central City Shopping Centre | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Family | Free

Offsite: Erwin Wurm

Offsite: Erwin Wurm is the 19th installation in the Gallery’s ongoing Offsite series. Offsite is located at 1100 West Georgia Street between Thurlow and Bute Streets, west of the Shangri-La Hotel

Vancouver | Vancouver Art Gallery | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

Winter Treasures - Exhibitions

Shop local this holiday season! The Port Moody Arts Centre presents our 5th annual Winter Treasures Artisan Market, a boutique-style show featuring locally handcrafted gifts, art, décor, and fine crafts suitable for holiday gift-giving

Port Moody | Port Moody Arts Centre | 10:00 am to 7:00 pm | Market | Free

Exhibition: Transits and Returns

Transits and Returns presents the work of 21 Indigenous artists whose practices are both rooted in the specificities of their cultures and routed via their travels

Vancouver | Vancouver Art Gallery | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

Exhibition: Cindy Sherman

This important exhibition explores the development of Cindy Sherman’s work from the beginning of her career in the mid-1970s to the present day

Vancouver | Vancouver Art Gallery | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

Exhibition: Echoes

Join us for the Exhibition for Echoes at the Burnaby Art Gallery

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

Winter Gift Gallery

We have assembled a wonderful group of artists to help inspire your holiday shopping. Buy from local artists and help support the arts in your community

North Vancouver | Seymour Art Gallery | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Market | Free

Christmas at the Cannery - Festival of Trees

Steveston Festival of Trees, from December 1 to 31, 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

Rapture, Rhythm and the Tree of Life: Emily Carr and Her Female Contemporaries

Drawn primarily from the Vancouver Art Gallery’s collection, Rapture, Rhythm and the Tree of Life: Emily Carr and Her Female Contemporaries focuses on artwork from the first half of the twentieth century by women artists based in British Columbia

Vancouver | Vancouver Art Gallery | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

Take flight with Birdly®! at the Science World

Have you ever dreamed of flying? Soar to new heights with Birdly®, an immersive virtual reality experience at Science World

Vancouver | Science World at TELUS World of Science | 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | Show

Exhibition: ArtRich 2019

This is the third bi-annual juried exhibition presented in partnership with Richmond Arts Coalition and Richmond Art Gallery. ArtRich 2019 provides an opportunity for emerging and established regional artists to exhibit together

Richmond | Richmond Cultural Centre | 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | Exhibition | Free

Pet Pop in the Science World

Pet Pop is a series of pop art portraits of old dogs and fat cats by Pete Thorne, Toronto's premiere pet photographer

Vancouver | Science World at TELUS World of Science | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

There is Truth Here: Creativity and Resilience in Children’s Art at Museum of Vancouver

Vancouver | Museum of Vancouver | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

Vikky Alexander: Extreme Beauty

Vikky Alexander: Extreme Beauty is the first retrospective of this notable Canadian artist whose work interrogates the mechanisms of display that shape meaning, beauty and desire in our culture

Vancouver | Vancouver Art Gallery | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

88 Dogs and 1 Cat in the Science World

Do people look like their pets? Or... do pets look like their owners?

Vancouver | Science World at TELUS World of Science | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

Wild Things: The Power of Nature in our Lives at Museum of Vancouver

The Museum of Vancouver and Nature Vancouver proudly present the illuminating exhibition, Wild Things: The Power of Nature in Our Lives

Vancouver | Museum of Vancouver | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

Exhibition: Robert Rauschenberg 1965-1980

Drawn primarily from the Gallery’s collection, Robert Rauschenberg 1965–1980 explores the artist’s experimental, radical approach to artmaking

Vancouver | Vancouver Art Gallery | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

Make it

Over 250 of your favourite Makies (and some brand new ones, too!) are bringing their beautiful handmade goodies back to the PNE Forum for our fabulous holiday show!

Vancouver | PNE/Playland | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | Fair

Vancouver Christmas Market 2019

A beloved holiday tradition for locals and visitors alike, the Vancouver Christmas Market features more than 80 huts of authentic German sweets, treats, and treasures

Vancouver | Vancouver Convention Centre - Jack Poole Plaza | 11:30 am to 9:30 pm | Market

Exhibition: Olivia Whetung - Sugarbush Shrapnel

The Contemporary Art Gallery will present the first solo exhibition in a major public institution of Chemong Lake based Anishinaabe artist Olivia Whetung

Vancouver | Contemporary Art Gallery | 12:00 am to 6:00 pm | Exhibition | Free

Steveston History Hunters Scavenger Hunt

Children are invited to explore some of Steveston's historic sites on a scavenger hunt across the village. Enter for your chance to win a prize at one of the participating locations once you have completed the hunt

Richmond | Steveston Tram | 12:00 am to 5:00 pm | Kids | Free

Exhibition: Sreshta Rit Premnath

For his first solo exhibition in Canada, Sreshta Rit Premnath will develop new work

Vancouver | Contemporary Art Gallery | 12:00 am to 6:00 pm | Exhibition | Free

Christmas Tree Festival at the Museum of Surrey

Walk the museum to see trees custom decorated by Cloverdale businesses and vote for your favourite!

Surrey | Surrey Museum | 12:00 am to 5:00 pm | Family | Free

Heritage Christmas by Burnaby Village Museum

Join in the festive fun at the Burnaby Village Museum! Bring Christmas memories to life!

Burnaby | Burnaby Village Museum | 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm | Family | Free

Aurora Winter Festival

This November, the Aurora Winter Festival will expand to fifteen acres for its 2019 event, which has been relocated to Hastings Park in order to accommodate the expansion and take the festival to a whole new level

Vancouver | Hastings Park | 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Family

Cloverdale Christmas Toy Drive

Help secondary school students support the Cloverdale Community Kitchen by dropping off a toy.

Surrey | École Salish Secondary | 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm | Charity / Fundraising

Dundarave Festival of Lights

The annual Dundarave Festival of Lights kicks off with a Christmas tree decorating beach party on November 30. On the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas, stop by for an afternoon of free concerts to spark your Christmas spirit

West Vancouver | Dundarave Park | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Family

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents A Traditional Christmas

The VSO Holiday tradition returns with singing, storytelling, and plenty of holiday cheer. Join host Christopher Gaze and a multitude of special guests for this festive favourite

West Vancouver | Kay Meek Centre for the Performing Arts | 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Music

Canyon Lights: A Winter Lights Festival

Celebrate Canyon Lights, A Winter Festival November 22, 2019 to January 26, 2020. Re-capture the feeling of wonder and excitement of the holiday season and be amazed by the hundreds of thousands of lights throughout the park

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

VanDusen Festival of Lights

Experience VanDusen Festival of Lights, a magical winter wonderland with over one million lights decorating 15 acres of VanDusen Botanical Garden

Vancouver | VanDusen Botanical Garden | 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm | Family

Heritage Building Light Display

Heritage Building Light Display, Evenings take a stroll through Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site and be dazzled by the heritage building light displays

Richmond | The Britannia Shipyard | 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm | Visual Arts | Free

Harrison Lights by the Lake

Get into the holiday spirit with the second annual Lights by the Lake! This free attraction will give you that warm Christmas feeling as you stroll along a Christmas light display down the waterfront of Harrison Hot Springs.

Harrison Hot Springs | Harrison Lake | 5:30 pm to 11:00 pm | Family | Free

Winter Fun at Willingdon

Join us for some Winter Fun fun this holiday season! Bring your family and friends for a night of entertainment, arts and crafts, games and festive movies

Burnaby | Willingdon Community Centre | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Family

Karaoke Christmas Lights Trolley Tour

'This the season to be jolly! Bring your family and friends this holiday on the Karaoke Christmas Lights Trolley tour to sing your favorite holiday carols, while visiting two of Vancouver’s most spectacular Light displays

Vancouver | Gray Line Westcoast Sightseeing | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Family

Carolina Hurricanes @ Vancouver Canucks

The regular season game

Vancouver | Rogers Arena | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Sports

ArtBAR: Holiday Flower Arranging with Sandra Taylor

All artBAR evenings are led by professional artists and include supplies, instruction and one complimentary glass of wine! Our bar is open for the duration of these evening events

Maple Ridge | The ACT Arts Centre | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Visual Arts

East Van Panto: Pinocchio

East Van Panto returns for a seventh year, welcoming back the creative team behind last year’s hit Wizard of Oz: playwright Marcus Youssef, composer Veda Hille, and director Stephen Drover

Vancouver | York Theatre | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Theatre

Warm & Toasty: A Choir Cozy

Join the Kingsgate Chorus and ESCHOIR for a winter's evening of rock 'n' roll covers! Proceeds benefit local DTES charities and services

Vancouver | Rickshaw Theatre | 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | Music

International Folk Dancing Drop-in Sessions

Let's Dance! Join us in learning folk dances set to ethnic music from around the world, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere

Surrey | Walnut Road Elementary School | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Dance

FADO - The Saddest Music in the World

FADO is a tale of love and ghosts told through the saddest music in the world, Portuguese FADO.

Vancouver | Firehall Arts Centre | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Theatre

Universe of the Brain: Build a Better Brain

Join the HR MacMillan Space Centre and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health for another lecture in their Universe of the Brain series

Vancouver | H.R. MacMillan Space Centre | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Lecture

Zee Zee Theatre: Holiday at the Elbow Room Café

They’re back! After their bulldozing debut at the York two seasons ago, the eclectic world of Vancouver’s beloved Elbow Room Café returns for a holiday tribute you won’t soon forget

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

Winter Harp

One of the Lower Mainland’s most beloved holiday concerts, Winter Harp takes you on a magical journey you will never forget

North Vancouver | BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Music

Merry Kissmas – A Royal Wedding

Join us for seasonal mirth and merriment as the VTS Channel presents an improvised holiday romantic comedy. Merry Kissmas – A Royal Romance

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

Music on Main: Music for the Winter Solstice 2019

We light up the night for the sixth year in a row to celebrate the solstice in style with luminous music

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

Rusticate Theatre: The Double Axe Murders

Based on true events, this psychological thriller, steeped in Newfoundland folklore, will have you sleeping with the candles lit tonight!

Coquitlam | Evergreen Cultural Centre | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Theatre

Fighting Chance Productions presents Girlfriend

Fighting Chance Productions is pleased to announce its return to the Vancouver stage with the Canadian Premiere of a new musical, Girlfriend

Vancouver | The Nest | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Musical

Joseph & Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Family Musical. Any dream will do...

Richmond | Gateway Theatre | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Music

Charlie Brown Christmas

Tales of a Charlie Brown Christmas featuring The Jerry Granelli Trio

Burnaby | Shadbolt Centre for the Arts | 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Music