The festive tress have been lit and Santa Claus has arrived, by way of parade, to local shopping centres and attractions, so now is the time to check out some great holiday events attractions around Metro Vancouver. Check out a full list of free activities, along with the Vancouver weekend event list below.
Miss604 is proud to sponsor the following featured attractions: Lights at Lafarge, Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas, and the VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Festival of Lights.
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green.
Friday, December 8, 2017
Party in the Plaza, Jim Deva Plaza
The Dark 80s with Odonis Odonis (TO), Chasms + Wire Spine
Arts Umbrella: Mock Auditions
A Very Merry Fringemas
Seniors Christmas Dining Out Series
A Victorian Christmas
The Pack A.D. with Gang Signs, Dopey’s Robe
Oh Man! at Havana Theatre
Cindy Wilson (The B-52s) at the Railway Stage & Beer Cafe
Sponsored by Miss604: Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas
Sponsored by Miss604: Lights at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam
Sponsored by Miss604: VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Festival of Lights
Make It! Vancouver
Ongoing Attractions
Vancouver Christmas Market
GLOW Christmas at Milner Village Garden Centre
Christmas at Canada Place
Christmas at FlyOver Canada
Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain
Park & Tilford Hi-Light Festival
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Theatre This Season
The Nutcracker at Surrey Arts Centre
How Star Wars Saved My Life
Bah Humbug!
Vancouver TheatreSports: Christmas Queen 4 Secret Santa
The Arts Club Presents: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
The Arts Club Presents: The Day Before Christmas
The Arts Club Presents: Onegin
East Van Panto: Snow White & the Seven Dwarves
Gateway Theatre: A Christmas Carol
Pacific Theatre: Almost, Maine
Little Dickens: The Daisy Theatre Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Heading to Coquitlam’s Lights at Lafarge winter light display? Whether you’re planning a family outing, date night or get-together with friends, here are eight ways to add to your night out.
8 Ways to Enjoy a Night Out in Coquitlam
All of these options are within a short walking distance from the display or a short zip by SkyTrain.
Get a hot drink
Warm up those hands and add some rocket fuel to your legs. Just a short walk from Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station, you’ll find Caffé Divano at 3003 Burlington Dr., Papparoti at 1196 Pinetree Way, and Him and I Café at 1153 The High St. Also, a concession stand is available on the north end of Lafarge Lake from 4:30pm to 9:00pm, Wednesdays to Sundays.
Treat yourself
Got kids? See their eyes light up when you walk through the door of Snowy Village on Pinetree, which specializes in shaved ice desserts. Other delicious options close by include Miracle Belgian Waffle at 2950 Glen Dr. and Clever Cupcakes at 2985 Northern Ave. near Coquitlam Centre.
Shop ’til you drop
Get a jump on your Christmas shopping at Coquitlam Centre, which is a 10-minute walk from the lights display, or one stop on SkyTrain (at Lincoln Station). Ho, ho, ho – Santa is on location until Christmas Eve! Also nearby is Henderson Mall (at Pinetree and Lincoln), which specializes in Asian stores and restaurants, as well as Little Planet Kids Café. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Broadway Across Canada presents Motown the Musical at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, it is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and so many more.
Motown the Musical in Vancouver
When: February 6 – 11, 2018
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (650 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Featuring more than 40 classic hits such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” Motown the Musical tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack of change in America.
Kai Calhoun as Michael Jackson with the Jackson 5 in Motown the Musical © Joan Marcus, 2017
Motown is a registered trademark of UMG recordings, Inc.
General Tickets
Work Light Productions and Broadway Across Canada, are proud to announce that single tickets will go on sale Monday, December 11, 2017 at 10:00am. Ticket prices begin at $30.50. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster online or call 1-855-985-5000. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 1-800-889-8457.
Pre-Sale Code & Link
This pre-sale link will be ONLY available Friday, December 8, 2017 from 10:00am until Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 10:00pm. The code to use is SONGS.
Follow Broadway Across Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their shows coming to Vancouver for 2017-2018.
BC’s largest outdoor carolling competition, Yule Duel, takes to the streets of Gastown on Thursday, December 7, 2017 to fill the neighbourhood with holiday cheer, for a great cause! Wander from show to show, and for a $5 donation to May’s Place Hospice, you can purchase a button and vote for the choir you enjoy the most.
Where: Water Street in Gastown
When: Thursday, December 7, 2017 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Yule Duel Participating Choirs
Choir
Higher Ground Women’s Ensemble
Vancouver Pops
Real Treble Makers
Collage
Langara Student Choir
Collingwood Warblers
Vancouver Gaelic Choir
Songcology
50% In French, SVP
Los Parranderos de Vancouver
Notre Dame Platinum Girls
Lakehouse Community Choir
Notre Dame Iron Men
Zing! Children’s Choir
UBC Med Choir
Choralations
Quayside
Mulgrave Chamber Choir
LCC Ambassadors
Sweet Scarlet
KPMG Caroling Crew |
Location
150 Water St (East of EasyPark)
141 Water St – Kit & Ace
139 Water St – Imperial Furs
Vancouver Film School (In front of windows)
131 Water St – The Courtyard
Vancouver Film School (left of Choir 4)
131 Water St – Smart Mouth Cafe
110 Water St – Volunteer HQ
111 Water St – Aveda Institute
Abbott & Water St intersection
97 Water St – Inform Interiors
66 Water St – Rain Ultra Club
65 Water St – Fluevog Shoes
50 Water St – Inform Interiors
38 Water St – M0851
47 Water St – Filson
18 Water St – COS
21 Water St – The Packing House
12 Water St – Coee Bar
2 Water St – Peckinpah
203 Carrall St – 6 Acres (next to Gassy Jack)
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Form 6:00pm to 7:15pm the street carolling battle takes place. The Carnival Band will lead everyone to the main stage afterward for the finale and duel. The most creative, best vocal performance, people’s choice, and top fundraisers will be awarded.
Follow Yule Duel on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Miss604 is a proud sponsor of Yuel Duel for the second year.
It’s tough to save money during the holidays while going to gatherings of friends and family, hosting dinners, and exchanging gifts. However, I know of several activities that will get you in the holiday spirit without sliding you into debt. Here is my third annual list of Free Christmas Activities in Metro Vancouver*:
Free Christmas Activities in Vancouver
- Thursday, December 7, 2017 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Yule Duel Choir Competition in Gastown, proceeds from donations support May’s Place Hospice.
- Vancouver Menorah Lighting on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at the Vancouver Art Gallery for Chanukah in the City.
- Festival of Trees at Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver & CF Pacific Centre until January 1, 2018. The 31st annual Festival of Trees are on display supporting BC Children’s Hospital.
- Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink. Free when you bring your own skates. Open December 1, 2017 to February 2018.Free live music nightly starting December 13th.
- 24th Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival on Thursday December 21, 2017 on Granville Island, in Chinatown, and Yaletown.
- Christmas at Canada Place until December 31, 2017 with free outdoor displays, lights, the legendary Woodward’s Windows, and more.
- Lights of Hope at St Paul’s at 1081 Burrard St until January 8, 2018.
- Free family movie nights at Wesbrook Village, December 13, 20, and 27.
- Free skating at all Vancouver Park Board rinks for National Skating Day on December 10, 2017.
Free Christmas Activities in Burnaby & New Westminster
Free Christmas Activities in Langley & Fort Langley
- Holiday Chaos. Free family fun at the Times Community Centre on Saturday, December 16, 2017 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm with bouncy Castles, slides, obstacle course, holiday-themed crafts, games and more.
- Caroling in McBurney Plaza December 9, December 15, and December 23 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at McBurney Plaza. Sing-along with carolers while enjoying hot chocolate in the plaza.
- A Fort Langley Christmas December 22-23, 27-30, 2017 with complimentary admission for Canada 150. Hear Kwantlen stories, taste a chestnut roasted over the fire, and make a beautiful cedar ornament. Take a guided tour or enjoy the daily feature at noon. Admire the giant outdoor Christmas tree and take family photos at various scenic spots on site.
Free Christmas Activities in Surrey & White Rock
- Pioneer Christmas at Historic Stewart Farm, December 9, 2017 from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Enter the world of an old-fashioned Christmas at the Historic Stewart Farm.
- Winter Fest at Guildford Recreation Centre on Saturday, December 16,
2017 from 10:00am to 1:00pm. The event is aimed at children ages 6 to 12, but everyone is welcome to enjoy cookie decorating, holiday crafts, games, treats, sports challenges, a photo station and more.
- Friends of the White Rock Library Christmas Open House on December 9, 2017 from 1:30pm to 4:00pm. Join the Friends of the Library for Christmas music with Gary Cyr and members of the South Surrey/White Rock Ukulele Circle. Come early for refreshments and to enter for door prizes.
Free Christmas Activities in the Tri-Cities
- Lights at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam until January 21, 2018. Hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, 10 themed zones, plus activities with the ParkSpark team (like Jingle Bells December 22nd) more.
- Rae Street Christmas Lights at 3313 Rae Street, Port Coquitlam until January 5, 2018. Sundays to Thursdays 5:00pm to 10:00pm, Fridays to Saturdays 5:00pm to 11:00pm.
- Dangville, the Christmas Village at 2638 Brewster Drive, Coquitlam open December 10 to 23 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Free admission, accepting donations for the CKNW Orphans Fund.
- Free Family Movie Night at Evergreen Cultural Centre on Monday, December 18, 2017 at 7:00pm.
- Port Moody Christmas Craft Fair on December 9, 2017 from 10:00am to 4:00pm at Port Moody Civic Centre. There is no fee for entry, but donations to the Share Family and Community Services Society are appreciated.
- PoCo Heritage Tree Festival until December 31, 2017. Vote for your favourite tree and support PoCo Heritage.
- CP Holiday Train. After crossing the country and visiting 170 communities, the CP Holiday Train will will roll up into the Fraser Valley on December 16th for a show stop in Agassiz, then head over to Haney-Maple Ridge for another, and will end the night in Pitt Meadows. The train will roll on December 17th with the two final stops and performances in Port Moody and Port Coquitlam. Light displays and shows (Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Band) are free. Donations for the local food bank are suggested.
Free Christmas Activities on the North Shore
Free Christmas Activities in Richmond
If you have any other events to add, send them in via my contact form and I’ll include them (free or not) on the December event list. Thank you!
* Please note that there may be costs associated with extra activities at these events and attractions, such as food/snacks, admission to other attractions or sites, etc. This post covers information available at the time of publishing and any posted signage or fees at these activities should be observed.
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