Metro Vancouver events on December 14, 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

Enjoy Super Saturdays at The Aquarium

Come and start the day with us. On the second Saturday of each month, the Vancouver Aquarium holds Super Saturdays for our members

Vancouver | Vancouver Aquarium | 8:30 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

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

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

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

Winterfest

Bring your family for some fun activities to celebrate the winter season.

Surrey | Guildford Recreation Centre | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | Family

Semiahmoo Arts Society Holiday Market

Come to the 5th annual Holiday Market at the South Surrey Recreation and Arts Centre

Surrey | South Surrey Recreation Centre | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | Market

Coquitlam Farmer's Market Christmas

Merry Christmas! Come see us for some great tastes of the season, party foods to get you through the holidays and thoughtful gift packs, made with love

Coquitlam | Coquitlam Arena | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | Market

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

VBGA’s Christmas Bird Count for Kids!

Join us for a morning of exploration in the Garden in search of birds! We will end the guided exploration with some hot chocolate as we report our findings to eBirds!

Vancouver | VanDusen Botanical Garden | 10:00 am to 12:00 am | Nature / Animals

Bird Walks

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 12:00 am | Nature / Animals

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

Winter Carnival by City Centre Community Centre

Join this winter family event that includes fun activities, interactive games, arts and crafts, music performances, a photo with Santa and yummy treats

Richmond | City Centre Community Centre | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | Family

Breakfast with Santa by Thompson Community Centre

This family event includes breakfast, crafts and a gift from Santa. Children and adults attending must pre-register. Breakfast will be served while quantities last

Richmond | Thompson Community Centre | 10:00 am to 12:00 am | Family

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

Miracle on Church Street – Fort Langley's 1st Outdoor Christmas Market!

Miracle on Church Street is premiering this year as a non-profit traditional outdoor Christmas market celebrated over two weekends

Langley | Miracle on Church Street | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | Market

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

Myoshoji Temple Monthly Open House - December

Attend a monthly open house to learn more about Buddhism principles. Themes change every month

Surrey | Myoshoji Temple | 11:00 am to 12:30 am | Active Life / Health | Free

Big Elf Run

This holiday themed run offers a 5km and 10km Big Elf Run/Walk (2pm) as well as a 1km Wee Elf Run/Walk (1pm) around scenic Stanley Park. Run with hundreds of elves then enjoy DJs, dancing, prize giveaways, vendors and more

Vancouver | Lumberman's Arch | 11:30 am to 4:30 pm | Active Life / Health

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

Exhibition: Echoes

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

Burnaby | Burnaby Art Gallery | 12:00 am to 5:00 pm | Exhibition

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

A Victorian Christmas at London Heritage Farm

Celebrate a Victorian Christmas exploring the heritage house and learning about the London Family story

Richmond | London Heritage Farm | 12:00 am to 5:00 pm | Family

Dundarave Festival of Lights. World Christmas

Connect with the spectacular diversity of the season with this absolutely free jamboree of music.

West Vancouver | Dundarave Park | 12:00 am to 11:00 pm | Family

Heritage Christmas Drop-ins

Experience a Victorian Christmas at one of our family friendly drop-ins

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

Christmas Cheer at the Irving House

Enjoy live Christmas music with a variety of performers in our parlour and make a small decoration for one of the Irving House Christmas trees

New Westminster | Irving House | 12:00 am to 4:00 pm | Visual Arts

Victorian Christmas Tea

Get in the holiday spirit by treating yourself to Victorian tea in Grandmother’s Room. Surrounded by the splendor of a Victorian Christmas, you will be served tea and traditional holiday treats

New Westminster | Irving House | 12:00 am to 4:00 pm | Family

A Victorian Christmas: Yule Log Centerpieces

Create a Victorian yule log centerpiece using fresh greenery, holly and ribbon. Please email londonfarm@richmond.ca to register. Spaces may be available at the door

Richmond | London Heritage Farm Society | 12:30 am to 4:00 pm | Workshop

Royal City Youth Ballet: The Nutcracker

Enjoy this holiday tradition suitable for all ages

Surrey | Surrey Arts Centre | 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Theatre

Christmas at the Museum

Catch the Christmas spirit at the museum! Get your photo with Santa, sing carols with the Hot Teas and catch a show by the Very Versatile Entertainers

Surrey | Surrey Museum | 1:00 pm to 4:00 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 9:00 pm | Family | Free

Westminster Savings Family Days - Stick, Roll, Print

Looking for a fun, free and engaging way to spend time with your family? Join us for family-friendly tour of our current exhibition and take part in a fun art-making activity!

Coquitlam | Evergreen Cultural Centre | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Performing Arts

Taste Vancouver North Van Shipyards Tour

While enjoying some great food and magnificent scenery learn all about Vancouver’s historic shipyard district that began with its discovery in 1792 by Captain George Vancouver

North Vancouver | Lonsdale Quay | 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm | Food / Wine

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

Skate with Santa. South Surrey Arena

Enjoy a festive skate with Santa in Surrey!

Surrey | South Surrey Arena | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Active Life / Health

Subculture Market / Antichristmass XVIII

Punk And Metal Bands In Vancouver

Vancouver | Pat's Pub & Brewhouse | 2:00 pm to 1:00 am | Music

Teatro Intimo Nutcracker Suite

This winter season enjoy the Karen Flamenco Dance Company performance of Tchaikovsky's classical Nutcracker Suite

Vancouver | The Improv Centre | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Dance

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

Surrey | Bell Performing Arts Centre | 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

Songs in the Snow

Presented by the Steveston Historical Society in cooperation with the City of Richmond and the Richmond Arts Coalition, enjoy some of Richmond's most inspiring musicians performing holiday favourites

Richmond | The Steveston Museum - Town Square Park | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Music | Free

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

Tree Lighting & Holiday Shows

Holidays at Highstreet is here! Come celebrate with us at one of our five Holiday Shows

Abbotsford | Highstreet Shopping Centre | 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm | Show | Free

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

Evening Carol Sing

Gather for carols and treats in Stewart Hall after-hours

Surrey | Historic Stewart Farm | 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm | Family

Moose's Down Under Annual Aussie Christmas Party!

Join Corina for her 9th Annual Aussie Christmas Party!

Vancouver | Moose's Down Under | 6:00 pm to 1:00 am | Party

Christmas by Candlelight at Fort Langley National Historic Site

Join in a magical evening of carols and musical performances within Fort Langley’s historic walls

Langley | Fort Langley National Historic Site | 6:00 pm to 9:00 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

Ezra Collective

Jazz quintet from London, on tour to support their debut release "You Can't Steal My Joy"

Vancouver | Fox Cabaret | 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm | Music

Keithmas X – A Food Bank Fundrager

The Rickshaw welcomes back the world’s longest running Keith Richards Birthday and Food Bank Fundrager celebration: Keithmas! Yes, it’s the 10th Anniversary of Keithmas, so you know it’s going to be the biggest baddest one yet

Vancouver | Rickshaw Theatre | 7:00 pm to 11:59 pm | Music

Exhibition Opening: A Line of Purpose

Join us to celebrate the opening of A Line of Purpose, an exhibition in partnership with Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week exploring intersections of contemporary art and Indigenous fashion

Vancouver | Contemporary Art Gallery | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Exhibition | Free

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

Alex Cameron with Holiday Sidewinder

“Driven by overwhelming demand: the band, the business partner, and of course the man himself – Mr Alex Cameron. Back in Vancouver. Buy tickets immediately.”

Vancouver | Venue Nightclub | 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm | Music

Vancouver Warriors vs New York Riptide

The Vancouver Warriors are a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League

Vancouver | Rogers Arena | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Sports

Arts Umbrella Dance: Mixed Nuts

Something sweet is coming soon to the Vancouver Playhouse! Based on the beloved holiday favourite The Nutcracker, Mixed Nuts is tradition with a twist—updated with a local stories, choreography, and a fantastic musical score

Vancouver | Vancouver Playhouse | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Performing Arts

A Thrill of Hope by Coastal Church. Christmas Grand Services

What’s Christmas really all about? Why did Jesus come to earth for us? This holiday season, Coastal Church invites you on an exciting journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas!

Vancouver | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | Active Life / Health | Free

Langley Rivermen vs. Surrey Eagles

Come cheer on the Langley Rivermen as they take on the Surrey Eagles!

Langley | George Preston Recreation Centre | 7:15 pm to 10:15 pm | Sports

Vancouver Bach Choir: Handel's Messiah with Members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Since Handel’s Messiah premiered in 1742, it has become an annual tradition and celebration of the pinnacle of choral music

Vancouver | The Orpheum | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Music

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

O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy

Off-Broadway Comedians and 3-time IMPRESARIO Award-Winners (London) James & Jamesy return with their outrageously funny and brilliantly inventive Christmas comedy classic O Christmas Tea

New Westminster | Massey Theatre | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | Comedy

Vancouver Youth Choir: All is Bright

Join the Vancouver Youth Choir choir family in joy, wonder, laughter, and song at our annual celebration of the holiday season

Vancouver | Chan 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

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 | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Theatre

Christmas with Sinatra

A sentimental and nostalgic musical journey. Join us for an evening of classic Frank Sinatra Christmas hits and storytelling

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

Salsa & Latin Dance Night with Alberto Gonzalez & Teresa Szefler

Salsa, Bachata & Merengue lesson & Latin Music

Coquitlam | Evergreen Cultural Centre | 8:00 pm to 0:00 am | Dance

BANG!

A fun to listen to, high energy dance band, BANG! is perfectly designed to make your night great! Since forming in 2007 to play in Europe, BANG ! has played Vancouver’s top rooms, and loads of private functions

Coquitlam | Hard Rock Casino Vancouver | 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm | Music

TheatreSports™

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 10:30 pm | Comedy

Ben Nicky

Ben Nicky returns to #Vancouver at Harbour Event Centre. UK trance DJ & producer from Weston-Super-Mare, Bristol, UK

Vancouver | Harbour Event Centre | 10:00 pm to 3:00 am | Music

The Late Show – Adult Only Improv Comedy

We're taking the furry hand-cuffs off our improvisers to present edgy, uncensored improv comedy for adults 19+

Vancouver | The Improv Centre | 11:15 pm to 11:59 pm | Comedy