This weekend we warm up for the holidays but first, we pause to Remember. Find a list of Remembrance Day ceremonies on Saturday, then browse a selection of family activities, markets, theatre, and more fun things to do around Vancouver:
Join Buddy the Elf on his expedition from the North Pole to New York City in Elf: The Musical at the Arts Club Theatre Company‘s Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage from November 2 to December 31, 2023.
Elf: The Musical. Photo by Moonrider Productions for the Arts Club Theatre Company.
If you’ve seen the movie 100 times, you’ll love all of the new twists, laughs, and the incredible talent on stage. You’ll be absolutely delighted! With a cast packed with triple threats, The Arts Club takes the Elf story and makes it their own. They make it sing and dance. The sets are delightfully playful, taking the magic of the movie to a whole other level before our eyes with ingenious configurations. You won’t want to miss this musical in Vancouver this holiday season.
Elf: The Musical
Date: November 2 to December 31, 2023
Location: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (2750 Granville Street, Vancouver)
Elf: The Musical follows Buddy (Andrew McNee) is bigger than all the other elves and has poor toy-making abilities, sparking doubt on whether he is an elf. With Santa’s (Tom Pickett) permission, he embarks on an unforgettable journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Buddy is determined to win over his new family with Christmas cheer, syrupy spaghetti, and heartfelt songs. But what’s an elf to do when his dad, Walter (Andrew Wheeler), is on the naughty list and his half-brother, Michael (Rickie Wang), doesn’t even believe in the man in red? Audiences of all ages can enjoy this show that’s part family reunion, part rom-com, and full of heart and humour.
At its core, the story is about joy, being together as a family, and the power of belief. If you love Christmas, if you loved the movie, and if the idea of eight tap-dancing Santas gets you excited, Elf: The Musical is for you!
Follow Miss604Holidays this season for the latest arts and culture activities, attraction and event news »
Looking for Free Holiday Activities in Vancouver & The Valley? We have put together our 8th annual list right here and it’s growing every day! Take a stroll to enjoy a light display, visit a nostalgic attraction, and spend time with those you care about (while not breaking the bank).
This list will be updated often throughout the season so be sure to bookmark it and check back often.
Free* Holiday Activities in Vancouver
St Paul’s Lights of Hope illuminates for the season on Thursday, November 23, 2023 with a kick-off event with food trucks, music, Santa, and the official countdown and lighting ceremony for the 26th annual Lights of Hope which will be on all season.
Killarney Tree Lighting is Saturday November 25, 2023 at the Killarney Community Centre 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Gastown Thursday Nights over four consecutive Thursdays November 30 to December 21 with free pop-up performances, roaming bands, and delightful displays to add to the festive atmosphere.
Bright Nights in Stanley Park has free admission to the site (with a suggested donation to the BC Burn Fund) even if you do not have a ticket for the train. Open November 30, 2023 to January 1, 2024 with dazzling light displays and live entertainment in a festive forest setting.
CandyTown Street Festival in Yaletown is December 2, 2023. Downtown Vancouver’s only free outdoor winter festival, which will transform Yaletown public plazas into a winter wonderland.
Christmas at Canada PlaceDecember 1, 2023 to January 2, 2024 with free outdoor displays, lights, the legendary Woodward’s Windows, and more. Miss604 is a proud Media Sponsor.
Chinatown Holiday Market is a free community day for BC residents (ID required) at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden on December 2, 2023. They’re transforming the gardens into a winter wonderland for guests. RSVP online in advance.
Downtown Vancouver Night Market is December 1, 2023 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at 800 Robson St. It’s also the first night of free Robson Square ice skating.
Granville Island Festive Lights until January 3, 2024 with complimentary parking after 6:00pm. Walk the expansive grounds of Granville Island’s almost 40 acres. Highlights include a stunning oversized star in the centre of the Public Market courtyard, the Edison bulbs along Railspur Artisan District, giant musical notes among the trees that surround the theatres, a perfect star looking over Alder Bay in Ron Basford Park, a canopy of lights hidden in a secret location, glowing benches, and more.
Lighting of the Silber Family Agam Menorah at 5:30pm Thursday, December 7 at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Fleurs de Ville NOEL on Robson and Alberni Streets is December 8-17, 2023. It’s a 10-day festive celebration, featuring 40 enchanting floral displays created by Vancouver’s talented florists.
NEW this year! A free Festival in Coal Harbour called Liven Up will be on December 1-30 with light installations and plenty of photo ops. Friday and Saturday nights enjoy live music at various spots along the Coal Harbour Seawall.
The JCC Chanukah Carnival on Sunday, December 3, 2023 with live performance, food, music, crafts, and dance. By donation to the Jewish Food Bank at the JCC.
Explore the Eastside Arts District’s abundance of artists, studios, and workshops at the 27th annual Eastside Culture Crawl! This visual arts, design, and craft festival runs from November 16-19, 2023and you can enter to win a prize pack from Miss604!
Times: Thursday & Friday 5:00pm to 10:00pm; Saturday & Sunday 11:00am to 6:00pm
Locations: In-person at various Eastside Locations Between Columbia St, 2nd Ave, Victoria Drive, and the Waterfront. View a map here.
One of the biggest cultural events of the fall season, the Eastside Culture Crawl open studios attracts and inspires tens of thousands of visitors. Encompassing the region bounded by Columbia Street, 1st Avenue, Victoria Drive, and the Waterfront, the Eastside Arts District is the most concentrated area of artists, designers, performers, craftspeople and culture producers in Vancouver and is known nationally as an area rich with creativity and inspiration.
The festival offers visitors a window into the artistic practices of artists living and/or working in Vancouver’s Eastside Arts District, representing creators specializing in painting, jewelry, sculpture, furniture, leather goods, photography, glass works, textiles, and more.
With a lineup of nearly 450 registered artists – in which more than 60 artists are participating for the very first time – visitors can uncover a treasure trove of artistic offerings on display throughout the festival’s full slate of events and activities, including a multi-gallery, juried preview exhibition, artist talks, demos and workshops.
Enter to Win a Prize Pack
I have a prize pack filled with Culture Crawl themed items to give away, valued at over $300! Here’s how you can enter to win:
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to reflect on the spirit of giving. This year, consider making a meaningful impact on those in our Metro Vancouver community by donating to families, individuals, and seniors in need. Some helpful options include sponsoring a family and donating holiday hampers, ensuring everyone gets to experience the joy the holidays bring with gifts and food.
Holiday Hampers and Adopt-A-Family Programs in Metro Vancouver
Surrey Christmas Bureau
Adopt-a-Family Program What you provide: Christmas breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as age-appropriate gifts for the family you are matched with. Grocery gift cards can be purchased with sufficient funds to purchase groceries for the three meals as opposed to the hamper itself. Details: The Surrey Christmas Bureau matches individuals and businesses with a family in need with a child under 18 during the holiday season. Sponsors should deliver gifts and hampers no later than December 18th, unless otherwise arranged with the family. View guidelines and complete the sponsor application form.
Covenant House
Backpack Campaign What you provide: Help fill a backpack with kindness for youth ages 16 to 24. Details: These backpacks will be gifted during the Covenant House holiday party. Learn more about what items are needed and how to contribute.
Caring Calendar What you provide: Sponsor a day or activity to make the holidays a little brighter. Fulfil the Caring Calendar items for youth ages 16 to 24. Details: Much like the tradition of an advent calendar, the Caring Calendar program provides youth in Covenant House care with an activity or item each day from December 1st to 25th. Learn more about needed items.
Burnaby Community Services
Senior Hamper Program Burnaby Christmas Bureau What you provide: Donation of a food hamper or alternatively, a gift card with sufficient funds for purchasing food for a senior with low income. Details: The Burnaby Christmas Bureaumatches sponsors with a senior in need. Be sure to set up a delivery date with your matched senior before December 18th. Applications for the Senior’s Gift Hamper sponsors are open.
