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by Jen MurtaghDisclosure: Review — Jen received media tickets to this event. Views and opinions are her own. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
Mark this holiday season with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and their magical evenings of music and your favourite Christmas movies.
Christmas Movies and Music with the VSO
On November 19th, the VSO launched the world premiere of the Polar Express in Concertwhich took guests through an unforgettable journey of composer Alan Silvestri’s Polar Express musical score, performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Lucky attendees had the opportunity to watch this acclaimed Christmas movie on the big screen, while the entire musical score was played live.
The VSO orchestrate a fun-filled evening for all with visits from Santa, photo opportunities and a very special appearance from two-time Academy Award® and Golden Globe® Award nominee, Alan Silvestri who attended and spoke at the show. You may know Silvestri’s name from a variety of musical scores he has composed for movies including The Avengers, the Back to the Future trilogy and my all-time favourite, Forrest Gump.
My two children who are seven and ten were blown away by the performance of the VSO, giddily remarking the entire way through the movie how they couldn’t believe that all the music was live. It was an exciting moment to see them begin to develop an appreciation for the orchestra and all the different instruments contributing to the beautiful musical score.
My kids at VSO’s The Polar Express and meeting Alan Silvestri!
The iconic Orpheum Theatre is a stunning backdrop for the immensely talented and world-class performance of the VSO. If you are yet to attend a VSO performance and are looking for the opportunity to expose your family to a night of culture and fun, then check out the VSO’s two performances of Home Alone, playing December 18th and 20th. Hurry, tickets are selling quickly!
Follow the VSO on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more information about their performances and special holiday events this season. To view the full Vancouver Symphony Orchestra calendar, click here »
It’s the beloved story filled with spirit, music, joy, and a pinch of fairy dust! This season Bad Hats Theatre presents Peter Pan on Granville Island. With live folk and jazz music, this exuberant adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale reimagines Peter Pan for the new millennium.
Peter Pan on Granville Island
Carousel Theatre for Young People has licensed Peter Pan as their 2019/2020 Holiday Production. Under the masterful direction of Deb Williams, a new cast will take on our scrappy adaptation at the Waterfront Theatre.
Kaitlyn Yott as Peter Pan. Photo by Tim Matheson.
When: November 23, 2019 to January 5, 2020 Where: The Waterfront Theatre (1412 Cartwright St, Granville Island) Tickets: Available by phone (604) 685-6217 or online now »
Pirates. Lost Boys. A ticking crocodile — this magical story soars to new heights – without the use of wires. The Toronto production swept the Dora TYA Awards in 2018.
Win Tickets
I have a pair of tickets to see this fantastical audience favourite on Friday, December 6, 2019 at 7:00pm. Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Click below to post an entry on Twitter
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to @BadHatsTheatre presents Peter Pan at @carouseltheatre http://ow.ly/wnEc30pVmId” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
Peter Pan is recommended for ages 4 and older, including adults who never wanted to grow up. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, November 28, 2019. UPDATE: The winner is Kirsten!
TELUS presents the Vancouver Santa Claus Parade, the largest Christmas parade celebrated in Western Canada, on the first Sunday in December. Join in the free, family-friendly fun with live entertainment and activities, along with supporting the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and the CKNW Orphans’ Fund.
Vancouver Santa Claus Parade
When: Sunday, December 1, 2019 12:00pm Free! Watch from your favourite corner in Downtown Vancouver Parade Route: The parade will start at West Georgia and Broughton (at 12:00 pm), travel east along West Georgia, turn south on Howe and finish at Howe and Davie.
This year’s Vancouver Santa Claus Parade will once again feature marching bands, dance troupes, festive floats and community groups, which entertain over 300,000 spectators.
Breakfast with Santa at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Where: Pacific Ballroom, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (900 West Georgia St) When: Sunday, December 1st, 2019 8:30am to 10:30am Pacific Ballroom $59 per adult, $29.50 per child. Reserve online or by calling (604) 647-0517
Bring the family, continue the tradition, and celebrate Christmas at the castle! Join the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for a delicious breakfast buffet and exclusive meet and greet with Santa before the parade. Children will have an opportunity to sit with Santa and confide their Christmas wish list, as well as receiving a keepsake photo of their visit, before jolly St. Nick presides over the festive parade at noon. The buffet will include a chef-attended pancake and waffle station, a hot chocolate station, and a decorate-your-own gingerbread cookie station.
Christmas Square
Join in on the family fun pre-parade festivities at the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza from 10:00am to 12:00pm. The Christmas Square includes a Food Bank drop off, face painting, Letters to Santa station, food trucks and more.
TELUS Photos with Santa
Free photos with Santa after the parade at TELUS Garden (510 W Georgia St, Vancouver) from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
Vancouver Santa Claus Parade presented by TELUS on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram along with the tag #TELUSSantaClausParade.
Want to see more of Santa? Later that day he’ll fly over to Surrey for Big Rigs for Kids and the Surrey Santa Parade supporting the Surrey Food Bank and the Surrey Christmas Bureau.
The Robson Square ice rink opens for the season on November 30th, providing affordable family fun in Downtown Vancouver throughout the holidays and beyond.
Robson Square Ice Rink Hours
November 30, 2019 until February 29, 2020 Sunday to Thursday: 9:00am to 9:00pm Friday and Saturday: 9:00am to 11:00pm
Holiday Hours
Christmas Eve (December 24): 9:00am to 9:00pm Christmas Day (December 25): 12:00pm to 5:00pm Boxing Day (December 26): 9:00am to 9:00pm New Year’s Eve (December 31): 9:00am to 11:00pm New Year’s Day (January 1): 9:00am to 9:00pm
Skating is free with your own skates, otherwise rentals are available for $5/pair. The rink also features a concession stand with snacks and warm drinks. Skate rental ends 30 minutes prior to close. Helmet included with skate rental. Cash only. Please be advised that warm weather leads to warm ice! Robson Square Ice Rink may need to close unexpectedly.
Ice Rink Closures, Schedule Changes & Events Watch here for updates or call the Robson Square Hotline (604) 646-3554.
Giving Tuesday – Presented by Nordstrom
Get your skates on-and join us on Giving Tuesday for a skating party hosted by Nordstrom. On December 3, 2019, the cost of all skate rentals will be donated to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. It’s an easy way for you to help us help kids in our community, and open up new possibilities in children’s health care for kids and families from across the province. Plus, there will be awesome holiday entertainment, delicious treats and photos with Santa.
Entertainment Lineup for the 12 Days of Christmas
Friday, December 13, 2019
6:00pm to 9:00pm
The Agency
Saturday, December 14, 2019
2:30pm to 4:15pm
Karla Sax
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Karla Sax
Sunday, December 15, 2019
12:00pm to 1:00pm
Vancouver Tuba Christmas
2:30pm to 4:15pm
Barron S
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Tom Arntzen/Hot Mamas
Monday, December 16, 2019
6:00pm to 9:00pm
PK3 Jazz Trio
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Malcolm Aiken Quartet
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Rumba Calzada
Thursday, December 19, 2019
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Caviar & Lace
Friday, December 20, 2019
6:00pm to 9:00pm
LeftCoast
Saturday, December 21, 2019
2:30pm to 4:15pm
Showstoppers
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Warren Dean Flandez Band
Sunday, December 22, 2019
2:30pm to 4:15pm
DJ El Nino
6:00pm to 9:00pm
DJ El Nino
Monday, December 23, 2019
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Phat Santa Swings
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Santa’s Brass
Tuesday, Deceember 31, 2019
6:00pm to 9:00pm
The Phonix Band
The The Robson Square ice rink will remain open until February 2020. Tag your photos with #robsonsquare on social media to share the fun. Robson Square is located at 800 Robson Street between Robson and Georgia, Howe and Hornby.
