Yule Duel in Gastown: Carolling for a Cause

Vancouver’s largest outdoor carolling competition is returning to Gastown for its 2nd year! Yule Duel brings together Vancouver’s top choirs and some of the city’s most notable personalities to fundraise for May’s Place which provides much-needed compassionate end-of-life care to vulnerable people in the Downtown Eastside.

Yule Duel in Gastown

Under the canopy of fairy lights and on the cobblestoned streets, Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood will host over 20 fantastic carolling choirs who, through the gift of music, will surely touch your heart.

Where: Along Water Street in Vancouver’s vibrant Gastown
When: Thursday, December 1 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Water Street will be transformed into an open air wonderland, filled with holiday cheer, a live marching percussion band and over 20 entertaining musical performances by some of Vancouver’s most notable choirs. There will be a main stage, judges and plenty of live music, all led by our host, the inimitable, Fred Lee. Yule Duel is a fundraising event for May’s Place which provides compassionate end-of-life care to some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

Yule Duel is the only live outdoor carolling event of its kind in BC!

Everyone will have the opportunity to give, knowing that they will receive much more in return. It’s Carolling for a Cause.

This rare event is expected to draw thousands to Gastown to enjoy holiday and Christmas music from a diverse mix of choirs. Each group will be raising funds and competing for a chance to take home the Yule Duel trophy. Choirs will be setup along Water Street, performing a selection of holiday songs to entertain the crowd. Once the judges have made their rounds, the festive spirit will shift to the main stage as teams compete in a final sing-off.

Everyone is welcome to vote for their favourite choir by buying a button for $5 and casting a vote. Near 8:00pm, the panel of celebrity judges will select their favourite choirs from those with the most votes. The top two choirs will then ‘duel’ it out on stage.

I am proud to be a judge at this unique event alongside John Fluevog, Fluevog Shoes; Morna Edmondson, Elektra Women’s Choir; Mike Forrester, Coastal Jazz; and Vision Councilor, Heather Deal.

Participating Choirs

Saint James Music Academy Choir, the Lions Gate Chorus, and Vancouver Pops Choir are among the wide range of top level choirs you will see and hear.

“All donations received will be given to May’s Place, which provides compassionate end-of-life care to some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” said Michele Sutherland, Manager of Hospice Services at May’s Place. “We’re so grateful for the generous support this event received last year, raising more than $38,000 to support our charity. We can’t wait to see what this year brings!”

Connect on social media, via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook leading up to and during #YuleDuel.