Visit a historic Vancouver neighbourhood for shopping, dining, entertainment, and holiday fun during Gastown Thursday Nights starting November 30th. Running for four consecutive Thursday nights until December 21, there will be pop-up performances, roaming bands, and delightful displays to add to the festive atmosphere.

Gastown Thursday Nights

On November 30th from 6pm to 7:30pm, the public is invited to Inform Interiors (50 Water Street) to experience an interactive store window display, inspired by the iconic New York City holiday storefronts at Saks Fifth Avenue. Visitors can enjoy by a free ballet performance from Arts Umbrella Dance Company’s Mixed Nuts production.

Then pop by every Thursday night from 4:00pm to 7:00pm to catch performances from the Los Dorados Mariachi Band (December 7th), the East Van Horns (December 14th), and the Nerdy Elves (December 21st).

“Kiss Me In Gastown” returns this year as well. This romantic gesture features mistletoe crafted by local florist, Floba, adorning multiple locations throughout the neighbourhood until January 6th. Visitors can explore the mistletoe installations at the Gateway of Gastown, the corner of Water/Cordova outside of Monaco Coffee, Maple Tree Square, the lamp in Le Magasin Alley, along with surprises at Arcade and other special spots waiting to be discovered.

Stay tuned for the list of retailers who will be open for late night shopping as well. Follow My Gastown on Facebook for more info.

Browse free/low-cost events around Vancouver »

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Embark on a magical journey with the 13th annual production of Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker presented by RBC at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre from December 14 to 17, 2023 alongside the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.

Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker

• Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (630 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
• Dates:
  Thursday, December 14 at 7:30pm
  Friday, December 15 at 7:30 pm
  Saturday, December 16 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm
  Sunday, December 17 at 2:00pm
• Admission: Tickets available for purchase online

Featuring 312 dancers in roles from ballerinas to gymnasts, magicians, and more, The Nutcracker has a few new tricks up its sleeve. The city’s only professional Nutcracker production casts performers of all ages, from mice aged 6 to ballroom dancers aged 73.

Visiting principal dancers from renowned companies worldwide – including Stephanie Chen Gundorph and Sebastian Pico Haynes of the Royal Danish Ballet, dancers from the National Ballet of China, and Cecilia Iliesiu and Dammiel Cruz-Garrido of the Pacific Northwest Ballet – will be joined by dancers from 11 countries (including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Japan and Georgia). It’s a milestone for Vancouver’s iconic Nutcracker production, and for the international ballet community as a whole.

Taking the Queen Elizabeth stage alongside the world’s prima ballerinas are seasoned dancers from overseas and local ballet-hopefuls. Many, like this year’s 18-year-old Nutcracker Prince Vitor Moreira from Brazil. Goh Ballet’s Nutcracker breaks down those barriers – allowing young dancers to share the stage and enable mentorship opportunities with international stars.

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Just for Laughs Vancouver, in association with SiriusXM Canada, brings their 8th edition of the festival to various venues around the city February 15 to 24, 2024.

Just for Laughs Vancouver 2024

• Dates: February 15 to 24, 2024
• Tickets: Pre-sale November 28, 2023; on sale to the public December 1st.

As Western Canada’s biggest comedy festival, this year’s lineup will feature many favourite comedians including comedy icons, emerging stars you may already know from TikTok and YouTube, and hilarious hosts of today’s most downloaded comedy podcasts.

Prominent international stand-up comedians from Egypt, Mexico, Australia, the U.K. and Brazil, will also perform in various languages. 

Just for Laughs Vancouver Lineup

 
Rogers Arena

• Bill Burr: Friday, February 23, 2024 @ 8:00pm

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

• Ronny Chieng: The Love to Hate It Tour Saturday, February 24, 2024 @ 9:30pm
•  Wanda Sykes: Please and Thank You Saturday, February 24, 2024 @ 7:00pm
• JUST ADDED! Brett Goldstein: Friday, February 16, 2024 @ 7:00pm (tickets on sale December 15th at 10:00am)

The Orpheum

• Ben Schwartz and Friends: Sunday, February 18, 2024 @ 8:00pm

The Vogue Theatre

• Marlon Wayans: Saturday, February 17, 2024 @ 7:00pm 
• Bassem Youssef: Tuesday, February 20, 2024 (Arabic show) & Wednesday, February 21, 2024 (English show) @ 7:00pm 
• Kathy Griffin: My Life on the PTSD-List Saturday, February 24, 2024 @ 6:30pm
• Nicole Byer: Friday, February 16, 2024 @ 9:30pm 
• Bob The Drag Queen: Thursday, February 15, 2024 @ 7:00pm 
• Christina P.: Friday, February 16, 2024 @ 7:00pm
• Tom Papa: Good Stuff Tour Friday, February 23, 2024 @ 7:00pm
• Jessica Kirson: Sunday, February 18, 2024 @ 7:00pm
• Patti Harrison: My Huge Tits Huge Because They Are Infected NOT Fake! Saturday, February 17, 2024 @ 9:30pm
• Che Durena: Saturday, February 24, 2024 @ 9:30pm
• Justin Willman: Magic for Humans in Person Tour Monday, February 19, 2024 @ 7:00pm
• Sooshi Mango: Off The Boat Sunday, February 18, 2024 @ 4:30pm     
• Carlos Ballarta: TLATOANI (All Spanish Show) Thursday, February 22, 2024 @ 7:00pm
• This is That Live: Saturday, February 24, 2024 @ 4:00pm

Follow JFL Vancouver on Facebook for more information leading up to the ‘fest.

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The Robson Square ice rink will be opening for its 2023-2024 season on Friday, December 1st. With free skating and live entertainment leading up to the holidays, it’s a highlight of the annual activities calendar in the heart of Downtown Vancouver.

Robson Square Ice Rink Open Dec to Feb

• Date: December 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024
• Hours: Sunday to Saturday from 9:00am to 9:00pm daily
• Address: 800 Robson Street, Vancouver

Skate rentals are $5, ice cleats $2, and sharpening $5 when available. VISA, Master Card, AMEX and Debit. Includes tax. Helmets free with skate rental. Helmets are mandatory for everyone 12 years and under.

This year they are introducing a RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AGREEMENT when you choose to skate at the Robson Square Ice Rink. As a condition of skating at Robson Square, you will be required to agree to this Release Agreement at the time of purchase.

Twelve Days of Christmas – Entertainment Schedule

Enjoy free, live entertainment leading up to New Year’s Eve:

Enjoy a hot chocolate, the Downtown Vancouver atmosphere, and this low cost activity for the whole family. Follow the rink online here for updates throughout the season.

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The Dan’s Legacy Foundation has launched a new social enterprise called Dan’s Diner in New Westminster, offering at-risk youth an opportunity to gain valuable skills to help them succeed while providing local community members with affordable, nutritious meals.

Dan’s Diner Job-Skills Training for At-Risk Youth

• Address: 150 – 131 11th Street, New Westminster
• Hours: Weekdays (except statutory holidays) from 11:30am to 5:30pm

Dan’s Diner offers packaged soups, stews, curries, chilis and more, all made by students under the direction of our professional chefs. Service training is conducted out of the diner where the meals are available for sale to the public, and catering services are also now available. New menu items are updated on a daily basis

This new social enterprise was allocated federal funding from the Building Safer Communities Fund, which is designed to decrease gun and gang violence among youth by providing supportive diversion programs. Gangs attract vulnerable youth by offering them a sense of security and belonging that is otherwise missing in their life; young people don’t recognize the violence and instability inherent in gang association until it’s too late.

The diner offers at-risk youth a safe alternative to gangs; a clinically-supported, stable environment in which to build their self-esteem and receive food service industry training and paid work experience alongside their peers. The job and life skills that program participants gain will empower them to build meaningful careers.

About Dan’s Legacy

The Dan’s Legacy Foundation is a Canadian registered charity operating in Metro Vancouver. They provide therapeutic counselling and life-skills intervention programs for youth affected by mental health and addictions issues resulting from childhood trauma and abuse. They deliver our programs to clients in partnership with other community organizations providing wrap-around services to at-risk youth. For individual clients, private counselling sessions can be obtained through a Dan’s Legacy bursary should there be a financial need.

No other organization in Metro Vancouver does what Dan’s Legacy does and they have an over 50% success rate in helping youth to stabilize, and begin working towards their education, employment and recovery goals. In 2022, they helped over 450 youth overcome their mental health and addiction challenges and lead productive and fulfilling lives.

Related: Why We Do This Thing Called Dan’s Legacy

Follow Dan’s Legacy on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about their work in our community.