For many, the hallmark of any holiday season is joyful, nostalgic, and moving music. This season you can savour magnificent sounds and move your spirit with Early Music Vancouver’s Festive Cantatas: J.S. Bach Magnificat & Cantata BWV 110 (‘Let Our Mouth Be Full of Laughter’) December 17th and 18th.

Early Music Vancouver’s Festive Cantatas

• When/Where: 7:30pm December 17 at Kay Meek Centre (1700 Mathers Ave, West Vancouver)
• When/Where: 3:00pm December 18 at The Chan Centre (6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver)
• Tickets: Single tickets available online now from $36. Select your show date above and purchase from the appropriate box office. For information on special single ticket offerings for youth, students and Indigenous peoples, please visit this page and scroll down to the bottom.

Bach’s Magnificat explores a wide spectrum of human responses to the Christmas story, from humility to ecstasy, sober consideration to laughing astonishment, and extroverted declamation to introspective affirmation. In them, we hear Bach amplifying the voices of different people and exploring their personal perspectives, especially that of an ordinary young woman, Mary, as she responds to the astounding news that she would give birth to the Son of God. The musical result is polyphonic in every possible sense.

“Bach clearly intended to create something splendid, sparkling, and full of joy with his Magnificat and Cantata BWV 110,” says EMV’s Artistic & Executive Director Suzie LeBlanc, C.M. “The bringer of joy in Bach’s music is often the trumpet, and these works feature three trumpets as well as three oboes to multiply the effect. ‘Wake up’ sings the bass and the trumpet at the end of Bach’s Cantata 110 – a wake-up call akin to Handel’s ‘Sound the Trumpet’ in Messiah! I hope this sumptuous and festive concert reconnects us to our fundamental and inherent feelings of joy.” 

Early Music Vancouver’s Festive Cantatas: J.S. Bach Magnificat & Cantata BWV 110 features JUNO Award-winning artist Hélène Brunet (soprano); Portland’s Arwen Myers (soprano); Hungarian-Canadian Krisztina Szabó (alto); winner of the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra’s Competition, Jacques-Olivier Chartier (tenor); and one of today’s most sought-after voices, Sumner Thompson (bass); along with The Pacific Baroque Orchestra, directed by Alexander Weimann. 

There is a Pre-Concert Talk for the December 18th concert at The Chan only at 2:30pm with broadcaster/author Bill Richardson in conversation with Alexander Weimann.

Follow Early Music Vancouver on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.

When you create a collection of events that includes workshops, ice skating, live music, dances, markets, gallery shows, good eats, and a parade you get more than a festival – you get the Vernon Winter Carnival! Tickets for over 130 events, that will span ten days in February, go on sale this Friday, December 2nd and to celebrate the 62nd annual event, you can enter to win your own Vernon Winter Carnival Getaway:

Vernon Winter Carnival

2023 brings not only a variety of new events, but the return of many beloved and popular events that haven’t been able to happen since the 2020 festival. Over 35 of those events are hosted by Vernon Winter Carnival Society directly and the remainder are third-party events, hosted by a variety of local businesses and organizations. 

“The theme for 2023 is CarnivalTV,” Says Executive Director Vicki Proulx. “It’s been awesome to see so many events get on board with the theme, there’s so much that can be done with TV!” 

New this year:

And some returning favourites:

View even more events in this preview that FestivalSeekers put together »

Other returning events include the 62nd Annual Vernon Winter Carnival Parade, BC Snow Sculpture Competition at Silver Star and the Balloon Glow in Polson Park.

Vernon Winter Carnival is a continuing tradition that brings the community together and keeps everyone connected through shared and memorable experiences.

Get Tickets Before They Sell Out

Those wishing to purchase tickets are encouraged to do so right away as many popular events sell out the morning tickets go on sale. Event tickets go on sale Friday, December 2, 2023 at 9:00am. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 250-545-2236 or in person from the Vernon Winter Carnival Office at 3401 35 Ave in Vernon.

Win a Vernon Winter Carnival Getaway

To make sure you don’t miss out on this incredible winter-time tradition filled with fun and community spirit, I have partnered with SnowSeekers and the Vernon Winter Carnival to give away an amazing getaway to enjoy this festival that includes:

• Two Night Stay at the Prestige Vernon Lodge
• Tickets, rentals and lessons for two at Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre
• Carnival gear (including gloves, scarves and toques for two)
• Two tickets to the event of your choice from the list above
• $50 gift card to Italian Kitchen
• $50 gift card to 1516 Pub & Grill

Here’s how you can enter to win:

Follow the Vernon Winter Carnival on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for information and inspiration.

There’s always a kind gesture behind a gift but imagine if the gift you give this holiday season could spread even more kindness your community? We have curated a comprehensive list of Gifts that Give Back in Greater Vancouver:

Gifts That Give Back in Greater Vancouver

Gift: Holiday Confection Box ($38)
Purchase From: East Van Roasters (319 Carrall St, Vancouver)
Cause: East Van Roasters is a social enterprise of Atira Women’s Art Society so shoppers can feel good knowing their purchases are providing meaningful employment to women living in the Downtown Eastside who are facing challenges and barriers in their lives. Shop their collection of chocolates, treats, and roasted coffee.

Gift: 2023 Hope in Shadows Calendar (suggested $20 donation)
Purchase From: Your local Megaphone vendor (find them on the app)
Cause: Hope in Shadows is a photography project that shares the stories of homeless and low-income people through their own lens, and in its 17-year history, it has put more than one million dollars directly into the pockets of people experiencing poverty in BC. Hope in Shadows is a project of Megaphone magazine, a non-profit that offers meaningful work to people experiencing poverty and homelessness.

Related: Holiday Toy Drives Around Vancouver 2022

Gift: Sunbird Scarf by Melissa Groo, inspired by nature ($77)
Purchase From: InFocus Canada
Cause: 10% of the sale price of each of Melissa’s ‘Sunbird’ scarves is donated to the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital. Each scarf is produced from a custom milled fabric made from 100% recycled plastic and diverts 3 bottles from the waste stream. Only 200 scarves have been produced in this print as part of a First Edition. All scarves are sustainably produced and are developed and manufactured (locally in Squamish) employing the highest ethical production standards.

Gift: Blue Ruby x Cause We Care Bracelets ($35 to $125)
Purchase From: Blue Ruby stores, Hill’s of Kerrisdale, Hills Dry Goods Kitsilano, Hill’s Dry Goods South Granville, Hill’s Dry Goods Park Royal South, Hill’s Dry Goods – West 4th
Cause: 100% of the proceeds from these beautiful bracelets go towards Cause We Care Foundation’s programs and initiatives in support of single mothers and their children in need in the Greater Vancouver area. These funds also support the ongoing needs of the families living at YWCA Cause We Care House in Vancouver. Since the program’s inception 9 years ago in 2013, Blue Ruby has successfully donated nearly one million dollars to Cause We Care’s initiatives.

Gift: Scarves 4 Water ($49 to $89, bandana available for $39)
Purchase From: Obakki online or Gastown (#400-341 Water St, Vancouver)
Cause: The Obakki Foundation directly impacts the women of the Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in Uganda, with 100% of the proceeds going towards building a better future for the community. In addition to individual donations, they generate revenue through the sale of a thoughtfully curated collection of apparel and homewares. The Scarves 4 Water program assigns one scarf colour per community and, when Obakki sells 500 of them, they drill a well that brings clean water to thousands of people.

Gift:  Angel Wish Snow Globe ($39)
Purchase From: Shop for Wishes, dedicated Bowring e-store for a cause
Cause:  Make-A-Wish Foundation has a series of e-stores where all products purchased will help make wishes come true for a child with critical illness.

Gift: The Gift of Glow vegan holiday skincare set ($90)
Purchase From: HBC in Vancouver or Three Ships online
Cause: A portion of every sale of this sustainably sourced, cruelty-free skincare set is donated back to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which seeks to fulfill the dreams of terminally ill children between 2 and 18 years old.  Three Ships’ goal is to grant 100 wishes to 100 kids by donating a portion of every sale to Make-A-Wish.

Gift: “Be More Pacific” sweatshirts ($34.95 with $1 going to Take a Hike)
Purchase From: Outdoor Vancouver
Cause:Take a Hike Foundation engages youth in intensive and continuous clinical counselling, adventure, and community, Public School Districts engage youth in high quality education, and together they empower vulnerable youth to change the trajectory of their lives.

Symbolic, Nature-Focused Gift

Gift: Adopt-a-heron’s nest, Adopt-an-Acre, Adopt-a-Class ($54 to $3,000)
Purchase From: Stanley Park Ecology Society
Cause: Adopters join a twenty-five year tradition of collaborative research, innovation and ecological advice with the Stanley Park Ecology Society.  Every adoption helps preserve Stanley Park as a location for recreational, aesthetic and educational activities, now and for future generations.

If you have any to add, feel free to leave a note in the comments or submit it here.

Follow Miss604Holidays this season for the latest arts and culture activities, attraction and event news »

This weekend Miss604 is proud to sponsor the Portobello West Holiday Market at the Roundhouse in Yaletown along with Heritage Christmas which is opening for the season at Burnaby Village Museum and the Giving Hearts Awards on Friday afternoon. Find these events and many more things to do in Vancouver this weekend listed below:

Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend

Friday, November 25, 2022
Sponsored by Miss604: AFP Vancouver Giving Hearts Awards
Angel’s Bone: Canadian Premiere
Eco-Wreath Workshop
Emily Carr Legendary Student Art Sale
Lumiere Festival: Dream Yaletown
Anonymous Art Show
Ken Vandermark, Not for Proper, Alvaro Rojas
Tom Jackson-Stories Songs & Santa Causes
Disney on Ice
DanceHouse: Louise Lecavalier/Fou glorieux
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Winter on 49th Market
Vancouver Christmas Market 
Beyond King Tut at Canada Place 
The Lumière Festival 
Cloverdale Christmas Trees
Space Centre Programming
St Paul’s Lights of Hope 
TheatreSports at the Improv Centre
VanDusen Festival of Lights 
Lumagica Surrey 

An exhibit of superhero proportions is coming to Burnaby in the new year! NEON and Paquin Entertainment Group are launching Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. (Scientific Training And Tactical Intelligence Operative Network) which is set to open March 3, 2023 at The Amazing Brentwood in Burnaby for a limited time engagement.

Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. is Coming to Burnaby

• When: March 3 – May 28, 2023 
  • Mon to Wed & Sunday 10:00am to 7:00pm 
  • Thurs to Sat 10:00am to 9:00pm final entry 1 hour before close 
• Where: The Amazing Brentwood (4567 Lougheed Hwy, Burnaby)
• Tickets: On sale November 24, 2022. Prices start at $29 for adults and $23 for children (plus ticketing fees), with discounts for students, seniors, and groups. VIP packages are also available.
  • Special Early Bird discount pricing is available until November 28 only. This is bound to be on someone’s holiday wish-list so make sure you buy early and save!

After sold out runs and millions of fans in London, New York, Seoul, Paris, Singapore, China, Las Vegas, Toronto and India, Avengers: S.T.A.T.I.O.N., an interactive experience, is on its way to thrill audiences across BC. Guests will step into the world of the Avengers, discovering intelligence and cutting-edge science inspired by the Marvel Studios’ films. After completing their training, participants only have one thing left to do: Assemble!

The Instagrammable, must-see exhibition features multiple rooms dedicated to your favourite Avengers characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Captain America, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Black Widow, the Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye and more. Along with getting up-close-and-personal with costumes and props from some of the latest releases from Marvel Studios, guests are invited to: 

• Revel in awe at Iron Man’s “Hall of Armour” 
• Explore Bruce Banner’s lab, providing insights into the mind of the mean, green, rage-machine called the Hulk 
• Gain access to Captain America’s “Top Secret” personnel file 
• Inspect Black Widow’s arsenal of high-tech weapons
• Learn about the “Super Soldier Serum” that transformed Steve Rogers in Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The First Avenger 
• Witness Captain America’s legendary shield up-close 
• Experience the spirit of Wakanda in the Black Panther exhibit 
• …and much more.

Complete your training to become an agent of Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. The world needs your help. The world needs the Avengers! 

Enter to Win

To celebrate this announcement, I have a family pack of tickets to give away (2 adult/2 child admissions). Here’s how you can enter to win:

Follow on Facebook and Instagram for more details about the immersive experience and visit the website to book your tickets.