12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS EVENTS
Places to go to get the holiday spirit
If the idea of yet another trip to the mall leaves you feeling slightly sick, you’re in luck. Metro Vancouver happens to be home to more than a few merry holiday events this month that will get you far away from the shopping madness.
We suggest skipping the whole fight-for-a-parking-spot scenario and heading out to one of these 12 festive events. From sparkling lights to dance spectaculars, there’s a delightful activity for everyone.
Think of it as a list of events capable of renewing your holiday spirit. No spiked egg nog required.
CANYON LIGHTS
Enjoy the changing light display that illuminates Capilano River from the suspension bridge and Cliffwalk, as well as the magical illumination of the West Coast rainforest. Getting into the spirit of the season is made easy at Canyon Lights with holiday craft stations, cookie decorating, a scavenger hunt and singalong tunes with the band. Partial proceeds go to the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund for Burn Camp, as well as fire and burn education in schools throughout B.C. • Capilano Suspension Bridge, 3735 Capilano Rd., North Vancouver • Until Jan. 28, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with holiday activities from 4-9 p.m. • 604-985-7474, capbridge.com
GLOW CHRISTMAS
Explore four Christmas-themed light gardens and take a stroll through the musical light tunnel, where you’ll feel the warmth and wonder of the Christmas season, under the glow of more than 500,000 lights. Includes four light gardens, a 210-foot musical light tunnel, food trucks and bar, and a 40-plus vendor Christmas Market. • Langley’s Milner Village Garden Centre, 6690 216 St. • Until Dec. 30 • $14.95-$25, glowchristmas.ca
HERITAGE CHRISTMAS AT BURNABY VILLAGE MUSEUM
A season of old-fashioned fun and spectacular light displays. Stroll through the streets of the village to see wreaths, cedar swags and vintage-themed displays. At the bandstand, visitors can create their own magical holiday show with lights that change colours to sound. Special entertainment is scheduled throughout the season including theatre performances, community choirs, street characters and musicians. • Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby • Until Jan. 5 • Free gate admission, carousel rides $2.65, 604-297-4557, www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
LIGHTS AT LAFARGE WINTER LIGHTS DISPLAY
The largest free winter lights display in the Lower Mainland, with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights illuminating the lake and forest. Expect stunning light displays, live entertainment and activities for the whole family. • Lafarge Lake, Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam • Until Jan. 21, 5:30-11 p.m. • Free, www.coquitlam.ca/lights
BRIGHT NIGHTS CHRISTMAS TRAIN
Celebrate 20 years of Bright Nights in Stanley Park! During the holiday season, the miniature train and the train plaza will sparkle with three million twinkling lights. Experience the lights, breathtaking displays, and live performers along the train route, or view the displays at the train plaza by donation ($5 suggested). Proceeds benefit the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. • Until Jan. 6 • $6-$12 at ticketleader.ca
VANDUSEN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
A magical winter wonderland with more than one million lights decorating VanDusen Botanical Garden. Highlights include the dancing lights show, roving performers, Santa, music, a festival stage, the Air France Carousel and more. • VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak St. • Until Jan. 7 • vandusengarden.org
VSO: A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Lower Mainland’s most beloved Christmas music tradition. Kick off your holiday season on the perfect note, with the VSO Traditional Christmas concerts. William Rowson, conductor; Christopher Gaze, host; EnChor, Gerald van Wyck, director; and the UBC Opera Ensemble, Nancy Hermiston, director. • St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church: Kay Meek Centre, West Van: Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. | Centennial Theatre, North Van: Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. | Bell Performing Arts Centre, Surrey: Dec. 16, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. | Michael J. Fox Theatre, Burnaby: Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. • 604-876-3434, vancouversymphony.ca
RED ROBINSON’S CHRISTMAS ON THE AIR: A MUSICAL REVUE
Living legend Red Robison hits the Chilliwack Cultural Centre’s stage with former host of CBC Radio’s Early Edition, Rick Cluff. Join these legendary radio broadcasters for classic Christmas tunes reminiscent of the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, set in a “radio studio” with you as the audience. • Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 9201 Corbould St. • Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. • $40, 604-391-7469, chilliwackculturalcentre.ca
DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Based on the hit Disney movie, this Arts Club Theatre production features show-stopping musical numbers, astonishing sets, and lavish costumes.• Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville St. • Until Jan. 13, from $29, 604-6871644, www.artsclub.com
EAST VAN PANTO: SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARVES
Celebrating its fifth year, Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto is back with an outrageous take on Snow White. In this East Van tale, our hero flees the Queen of North Vancouver across the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge and lands straight into the madness of the PNE, where she dances with SuperDogs, hops a ride on the Wooden Roller Coaster, and befriends the washed-up ’80s rock stars, The Seven Dwarves. • York Theatre, 639 Commercial Dr. • Until Jan. 6 • From $22, family packs from $135, 604-251-1363, thecultch.com
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
The magic of Narnia sweeps onto the stage this holiday season as four siblings step through a wardrobe into an enchanted land filled with mythical creatures, talking animals, quests and dangerous secrets. Presented by Carousel Theatre for Young People. • Waterfront Theatre, 1412 Cartwright St., Granville Island • Held over until Jan. 6 • $35, $29, $18, 604685-6217 carouseltheatre.ca
BALLET B.C.: THE NUTCRACKER
Ballet B.C. presents the return of Alberta Ballet in their production of this holiday classic. Choreographed by Edmund Stripe, with sets and costumes designed by Emmy Award-winning designer Zack Brown, The Nutcracker is set in turn of the 20th century Imperial Russia, an era of opulent grandeur. With scores of children, mice in the battle scene dressed as Cossack soldiers, and snowflakes dressed as Russian princesses, this production offers a perfect complement to Tchaikovsky’s musical score played live by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. • Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton St. • Dec. 28-30 • $35$95, balletbc.com jpiper@postmedia.com