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Holiday Theatre in Vancouver – Plays, Ballet, Dance, Choirs, and More!

by Rebecca Bollwitt

Celebrate the holiday season with an exciting lineup of shows and performances on stage that make for a dazzling date night or a special family outing. From choirs and ballet, to panto and musicals, there’s a wonderful assortment of live entertainment options. Book your tickets soon as many of these festive shows often sell out, and thank you for supporting the arts in Vancouver!

Holiday Theatre in Vancouver 2025

Guide to Holiday Theatre in Vancouver 2025

Arts Umbrella

Mixed Nuts

  • Date: December 12-14, 2025
  • Location: Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
  • Details: Arts Umbrella presents their annual Mixed Nuts holiday show, a modern and engaging twist on Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. This unique production blends a dynamic mix of dance styles – including classical ballet, contemporary, hip hop, and more – offering a festive, high-energy take on a beloved holiday tradition. 

The Arts Club

Disney’s Frozen

  • Date: On now until January 6, 2025
  • Location: Stanley BFL CANADA Stage ( 2750 Granville St, Vancouver)
  • Details: Experience the magic of the beloved animated movie live before your eyes! Revel in showstopping favourites such as “Let It Go,” “For the First Time in Forever,” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and delight in enchanting new ones. Arendelle has been plunged into an eternal winter by the hidden powers of their new Queen Elsa. As the storm rages on, Princess Anna sets off to find her sister and reverse the cold. Joined by friends along the way, Anna and Elsa must learn to harness the power of true love in order to save the kingdom.

A Wonderheads Christmas Carol

  • Date: November 26 to December 14, 2025
  • Location: Olympic Village Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre
  • Details: Acclaimed theatrical imagineers, the Wonderheads, light up the stage with their extraordinary reimagining of Dickens’ holiday classic. This unforgettable experience brings Ebenezer Scrooge’s wondrous Christmas Eve journey to life with dazzling masks, 10-foot-tall puppets, a mesmerizing original score, and astonishing stagecraft — all told without a word of dialogue.

The Gingerbread Men – Yet Another Holiday Cabaret

  • Date: December 17-21, 2025
  • Location: Olympic Village Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre
  • Details: Nostalgic, sentimental, and served with a side of ham and cheese, the charming Gingerbread Men are sure to gingersnap you into the Christmas spirit. Get ready to be swept up in the merriest, most toe-tappingly dough-lightful show in town. With a repertoire that spans doo-wop, jazz, Broadway, holiday standards, and acapella, The Gingerbread Men expertly deliver the songs that you know and love.

Ballet BC

The Nutcracker

  • Date: December 12-14, 2025
  • Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (660 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
  • Details: Under the new Artistic Directorship of Christopher Stowell, Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet returns to the stage in Vancouver with their iconic production of Nutcracker.
Elektra Choir Christmas Show

Elektra Choir

Chez Nous: Christmas with Elektra

  • Date: November 29-30, 2025
  • Location: Pacific Spirit United Church (2195 W 45th Ave, Vancouver)
  • Details: Get into the holiday spirit with a choir of voices blending yuletide melodies with bold new creations, joined by Mira Youth Mentorship singers and guest instrumentalists creating a kaleidoscope of radiant sounds.

Evergreen Cultural Centre

The Gift of the Nutcracker

  • Date: December 16-18, 2025
  • Location: Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam)
  • Details: A 21st century updated family tradition with everything you expect from a ballet production. An original Christmas tale danced to the timeless score of the Nutcracker with humorous pantomime, beautiful costumes, magic and as always, surprises for the whole family.

Firehall Arts Centre

A Very Merry Motown

  • Date: December 17-28, 2025
  • Location: Firehall Arts Centre (280 E Cordova St, Vancouver)
  • Details: Songs and Stories for All Ages with Krystle Dos Santos and Friends. She’s back for the holidays! Join Krystle Dos Santos and friends in a very special holiday season sharing of stories and songs from Motown artists. A perfect way to share joy and hope during the festive season.

The Cultch

East Van Panto: West Van Story

  • Date: November 19, 2025 to January 2, 2026
  • Location: York Theatre (639 Commercial Dr, Vancouver)
  • Details: Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto is a winter tradition, and for its 13th year they are delivering a panto “where love gets weird and the rent’s still too darn high!” When a freak atmospheric tsunami strands West Van influencer Holly, and her curling crew deep in the wilds of East Van, she’s ready for disaster — but not the romantic kind. Enter Joes: charming, striking, and a proud member of The East Van Pets… their sworn enemies. Watch as they try to Second-Narrows-bridge their differences and sweep each other off their feet. East Van Panto: West Van Story brings together a mix of new and familiar faces: Playwright Marcus Youssef (Wizard of OzPinocchio) teams up with newcomer Pedro Chamale, Director Chelsea Haberlin makes her panto debut, and music is by beloved composer extraordinaire Veda Hille.

Winter Harp

  • Date: December 22 2025 at 7:00pm
  • Location: Historic Theatre (1895 Venables St, Vancouver)
  • Details: Winter Harp takes you on a magical journey with a world-class ensemble of harps, flutes, rare medieval instruments, percussion and singing for a heartwarming concert in celebration of winter and Christmas. The musicians, in rich medieval attire, perform a hauntingly-beautiful selection of music on a stage set a gorgeous wintry backdrop. 

Gateway Theatre

Annie

  • Date: December 11, 2025 to January 3, 2026
  • Location: Gateway’s Main Stage (6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond)
  • Details: Join Annie this holiday season as she finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. This classic musical will tug at your heartstrings and have you hugging your family and friends close this Christmas.

Goh Ballet

The Nutcracker Ballet

  • Date: December 18-21, 2025
  • Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (660 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
  • Details: Experience Clara’s dream come to life as she embarks on a magical journey through the Land of Snow, across the Lemonade Sea, to the Kingdom of Sweets where she is greeted by the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy. An unforgettable adventure awaits as her gallant Nutcracker battles the evil Mouse King and his army of mischievous mice.

Massey Theatre

O Christmas Tea

  • Date: December 28, 2025
  • Location: Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Avenue, New Westminster)
  • Details: Combining British propriety with an unabashed love for the unexpected, London’s 3-time Impresario Award-winning duo steep an outrageously funny and brilliantly inventive show reminiscent of classic British pantos.

The Nutcracker

  • Date: December 20, 2025
  • Location: Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Avenue, New Westminster)
  • Details: 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 direction of Keitha Campeau. Performing to Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music, this traditional ballet has beautiful sets designed by Jean Claude Olivier and extravagant, colourful costumes by Chris Sinosich.

Metro Theatre

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley

  • Date: On now until November 29, 2025
  • Location: Metro Theatre (1370 Marine Dr SW, Vancouver)
  • Details: In this witty and wise sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudiceplaywrights Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon put a spotlight on the forgotten Bennet sister, Mary. As they gather for a family Christmas reunion Mary meets potential suitor Arthur de Bourgh, and sparks fly over a shared love of science. One problem: he’s promised to another. Will she take a leap and admit her love, or stay hidden away with her books and piano practice? With touches of comedy and heartache, this literate Christmas romance is the perfect start to the season of goodwill. 

Jack and the Beanstalk: A Traditional British Pantomime

  • Date: December 12 to January 4, 2025
  • Location: Metro Theatre (1370 Marine Dr SW, Vancouver)
  • Details: From the team behind last year’s Ovation Award–winning Cinderella! comes Jack and the Beanstalk, Metro’s 40th Holiday Pantomime! A night at the panto might just be the most fun you’ll have at the theatre all year. If you’ve bean-stalking Metro for a while, you know our panto is our silliest-and most beloved-tradition. Boo the villain, cheer the heroes, and laugh ’til the cows come home!

Pacific Theatre

Christmas Presence

  • Date: December 12 to 23, 2025
  • Location: Pacific Theatre (1440 W 12th Ave, Vancouver)
  • Details: Someday soon, we all will be together, if the fates allow. The basement living room glows with a familiar warmth and musicians tuning up for our final Christmas Presence in the alley theatre. With Pacific Theatre founder Ron Reed as your host, celebrate the season with a thoughtful mix of stories, poetry and the music that brings light in the darkness.

Performance Works

Yet Another Elfin’ Musical

  • Date: December 10-13, 2025
  • Location: Performance Works on Granville Island (1218 Cartwright St, Vancouver)
  • Details: Featuring show-stopping numbers from Shucked, Galavant, Frozen 2, and more, this musical mash-up delivers laughter, heart, and just a touch of mischief. Will the spirit of the season survive? Or will a surprising figure dare to rewrite the rules of Christmas… forever.

More Holiday Shows on Stage

Touring

An ABBA Christmas

  • Date: December 2-14, 2025
  • Location: Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, and North Vancouver
  • Details: From “Mamma Mia” to “Dancing Queen,” “Take A Chance” to “Waterloo,” and many more beloved hits like “SOS,” “Fernando,” and “Money Money Money,” this show is a non-stop celebration of ABBA’s timeless tunes that will have audiences dancing in the aisles.

Choir Leoni

Christmas with Chor Leoni

  • Date: December 18-20, 2025
  • Location: St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church (1022 Nelson St, Vancouver)
  • Details: Shimmering harmonies, immersive lighting, cherished carols, and more are wrapped together in one of Vancouver’s most popular holiday experiences: Christmas with Chor Leoni. Traditional songs in bright new arrangements, world premieres, and familiar musical guests come together this December to evoke all the mystery, wonder, and sparkling joy of the season. Join us as we celebrate the holidays and revel in the spirit of the season through song.

The Improv Centre

‘Tis the Sitcom

  • Date: On now until December 30, 2025
  • Location: The Improv Centre on Granville Island (1502 Duranleau St, Vancouver)
  • Details: Cue the holiday laughs! A close-knit bunch of pals take on big city life, festive mishaps, and seasonal surprises – all improvised in classic sitcom style. With commercial breaks, TV-worthy moments, and plenty of laughs, each show builds a brand-new holiday special live on stage – never the same twice!

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Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

The Holiday in Concert

  • Date: December 4-5, 2025
  • Location: The Orpheum (601 Smithe St, Vancouver)
  • Details: Following a series of sold-out performances in London, The Holiday in Concert is all set to captivate audiences in Vancouver. This spectacular show features the timeless story paired with the compelling musical score composed by the legendary Hans Zimmer.

Home Alone in Concert

  • Date: December 17-18, 2025
  • Location: The Orpheum (601 Smithe St, Vancouver)
  • Details: Back by popular demand! This beloved holiday classic features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live to picture by the VSO. Get your tickets early! Home Alone™ in Concert has become a seasonal favourite with Vancouver audiences and sells out every season.

Elf in Concert

  • Date: December 19-20, 2025
  • Location: The Orpheum (601 Smithe St, Vancouver)
  • Details: Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler, and raised among Santa’s elves. This holiday season Buddy travels to New York — with a live symphony orchestra! Experience John Debney’s wonderful score, played live by the VSO, as the full film plays on the big screen.

Traditional Christmas with the VSO

  • Date: December 10-21, 2025
  • Location: The Orpheum (601 Smithe St, Vancouver)
  • Details: The annual tradition returns! Celebrate the holiday season with family and friends as you gather to hear your favourite carols and Christmas music sung by special guest soloists and performed live by the VSO. Beloved host Christopher Gaze will delight you with his characteristic antics and storytelling.

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