Before you know it, Christmas will be here.
Celebrations are gearing up even more and shoppers are scrambling to get through their holiday list.
RELATED: Take The Freezing Plunge At The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim
From outdoor Christmas lights to intense dance battles, here are 26 awesome events taking place in metro Vancouver this week.
Events In Metro Vancouver This Week
Monday, December 11
Outdoor lights | Heritage Christmas
A season of old-fashioned fun and spectacular light displays is what Heritage Christmas is all about. This winter wonderland is open this week until Friday, January 5th, 2018. Stroll through the streets of the Village to see wreaths, cedar swags and vintage-themed displays.
Concert | Jay-Z
Jay-Z hits the stage at Rogers Arena in Vancouver tonight. Fans can still find tickets online and get them for a fair price.
Christmas lights | Glow Christmas Light Garden and Market
4 holiday themed light gardens and a stunning 210 ft. light tunnel. Christmas market with food, beverages, and local pop-up shops. Endless food trucks that includes a bar. Over 500,000 lights and activities for children to enjoy. Glow Christmas is Metro Vancouver’s newest seasonal market. It’s open this week and stays open until Saturday, December 30th, 2017.
The venue of choice is Milner Village Garden Centre. They specialize in growing poinsettias at Christmas, and garden-inspired decor and gifts all year around. As you make your way through the market, you’ll “feel the warmth and wonder of the Christmas season, under the glow of over 500,000 lights”.
Skating | Robson Square Ice Rink
The Robson Square Ice Rink is open this week and will host free skates daily until Wednesday, February 28th, 2018. Skating is free for all ages. Those who own their own skates are welcome to use them. Skate rentals are $4, and rentals end 30 minutes before closing time. Furthermore, helmets are mandatory for children 12 and under. Robson Square Ice Rink will offer rentals and accept cash only.
Christmas lights | VanDusen Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights will take over the VanDusen Botanical Garden this week until Sunday, January 7th, 2018. You can stroll through the garden and enjoy dancing light shows, photos with Santa and so much more. Dancing Lights occur every 20 minutes at Livingstone Lake. Back by popular demand, the Air France Carousel will take you on a Parisian musical experience around the world. All tickets include a free ride on the carousel.
Outdoor lights | Canyon Lights
Canyon Lights is taking place from Thursday, November 23rd – Sunday, January 28th, 2018. The suspension bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, the rainforest and canyon are being transformed into a world of festive lights and visual enchantment. Guests will also get to see the tallest Christmas tree in the world!
Holiday display | Christmas at Canada Place
The 30th annual Christmas at Canada Place event is back until Sunday, December 31st, 2017. Presented by the Port of Vancouver, the public is invited to experience the nostalgic tradition of the Woodward’s Windows, a magical holiday lighting display, the Sails of Light, and the festive Avenue of Christmas Trees. Admission is free.
Circus | Cirque du Soleil
Written and directed by Michel Laprise, KURIOS is a tale in which time comes to a complete stop. Moreover, the realm is in the 19th century, leading audiences to completely change their perception of reality. In an alternate yet familiar past, in a place where wonders abound for those who trust their imagination, a Seeker discovers that in order to glimpse the marvels that lie just below the surface, we must first learn to close our eyes. The show stays in Vancouver until Sunday, December 31st, 2017.
Exhibition | The Fabric of Our Land
The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at UBC with the Musqueam Indian Band present the remarkable new exhibition The Fabric of Our Land: Salish Weaving. It’s on display from Sunday, November 19th – Sunday, April 15th, 2018. Curated by Susan Rowley in collaboration with Salish weavers, this exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the past 200 years of Salish wool weaving.
Art | Fight for Beauty
In ‘Fight For Beauty’, Westbank attempts to encapsulate the architecture, artistry, design, fashion and city-building initiatives that have come to define their practice. It will be on display from Saturday, October 7th – Sunday, December 17th, 2017. Fight For Beauty presents public art projects undertaken with world-class creatives.
Exhibition | City on Edge
The Museum of Vancouver (MOV) explores the history of our city’s street protests with City on Edge: A Century of Vancouver Activism. It’s a major, new photo-based exhibition on display until Sunday, February 18th, 2018.
Art | Intangible
Featuring previously crafted, and never-before-seen creations, Intangible spotlights six trailblazing Coast Salish artists influenced by tradition as well as contemporary inspiration.
Sale | Winter Treasures Artisan Sale
The Port Moody Arts Centre is hosting their Winter Treasures Artisan Sale this holiday season until Thursday, December 21st, 2017. Sort through a collection of handcrafted gifts, art, jewellery, and fine crafts. Admission is free.
Market | Vancouver Christmas Market
The Vancouver Christmas Market returns to Jack Poole Plaza – home of the Olympic Cauldron from Wednesday, November 22nd – Sunday, December 24th, 2017. If you circle this event every year, you’ll notice it’s even better now in the festival’s 8th year. The city’s signature yuletide celebration offers its largest festivities to date. It will feature more than 75 huts stuffed with sweets, treats, and treasures.
Lights | Wish Upon a Star Christmas Light Display
One of metro Vancouver’s most magical residential Christmas light displays is ready for another big year. Reveal night for the 2017 Wish Upon a Star Christmas light display took place on Saturday, November 25th. The display will continue to be open from 5:00 – midnight nightly until Sunday, December 31st, 2017.
Outdoor lights | Lights at Lafarge
Lights at Lafarge, a display of over 100,000 Christmas lights returned to Coquitlam on Saturday, November 25th, 2017. The route will take visitors through a dazzling 1.2 kilometres of festive lights with ten themed zones. This family-friendly event is free to attend throughout the weekend and is located near the Lafarge Lake SkyTrain station.
Train | The Polar Express Train Ride
The Polar Express Train Ride returns for another exciting year on select dates from Saturday, November 25th – Sunday, December 17th, 2017. Departing from West Coast Railway Heritage Park, hop on this magical train ride to the North Pole, while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies.
Meet the Hobo, Hero Boy, Know-It-All, and the conductor as they act out parts of the movie. Once you arrive at the North Pole take in various activities such as meeting Mr. and Mrs. Clause, visiting Santa’s workshop, the Mini-Rail and much more. Tickets start at $35.
Play | East Van Panto
The East Van Panto is back with another amazing show planned for Snow White & the Seven Dwarves. It plays from Wednesday, November 29th – Saturday, January 6th, 2018 at York Theatre. In this story, you’ll see your hero flee the Queen of North Vancouver across the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge and straight into the madness of the PNE. When she arrives here, she dances with Superdogs, takes a ride on the Coaster, and befriends washed up 80s rock stars “The Seven Dwarves”. Tickets range from $22-$135.
Outdoor lights | Bright Nights at Stanley Park
The Bright Nights Christmas Train and Stanley Park Train Plaza will sparkle with over three million twinkling lights this holiday season from Thursday, November 30th – Saturday, January 6th, 2018. This family-friendly holiday attraction features lights, breathtaking displays, and live performers along the 14-minute train ride.
Want to come during the day? There is a matinee tree operating during the daytime that’s the perfect option for families, school groups, and groups with children. However, there is no live performers during this ride. Tickets start at $6.
Christmas trees | Dundarave Festival of Lights
The Dundarave Festival of Lights is back for another holiday season, offering four days of nonstop activities. Beginning Saturday, December 2nd, 2017, visitors can enjoy free concerts, a Christmas fair, and the Forest of Miracles.
December 2nd will see the official lighting of the Festival’s Forest of Miracles take place. Not to mention, it’ll be the largest outdoor display of Christmas trees in coastal British Columbia.
Santa | Photos With Santa
Photos with Santa are offered this week until Sunday, December 24th, 2017 at Santa Land in Central City Shopping Centre. All kids that visit Santa will receive a free activity book, hat, and candy cane (while quantities last).
Tuesday, December 12
Trivia | The Eastwood Trivia Night
The Eastwood Trivia Night is the most interactive trivia night in town and takes place this week on Tuesday, December 12th. Admission is free.
Performance | The Night Before Christmas
The Night Before Christmas is a hilarious performance that you can see at GO Studios this week. Tickets are $15.
Wednesday, December 13
Politics | Hillary Clinton
American politician and former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is coming to Vancouver this week on Wednesday, December 13th, 2017. Hillary Clinton: Live is her new book tour that will travel across Canada and the United States. The event takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre (West) and starts at 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, December 14
Performance | The Nutcracker
Goh Ballet’s highly anticipated production of The Nutcracker is back at The Centre in Vancouver this holiday season. It plays from Thursday, December 14th – Tuesday, December 19th, 2017. Not to mention, this year’s show features Principal Dancers Jerome Tisserand and Elizabeth Murphy from the Pacific Northwest Ballet. The cast will dance to choreography by Emmy award winning dance visionary, Anna-Marie Holmes, as well as musical accompaniment by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.
Comedy | Cedric Newman
Standup comedian Cedric Newman is at Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club this week from Thursday, December 14th – Saturday, December 16th, 2017.
Friday, December 15
Dance | Judgement Day Breakdance Battle
Judgement Day, hosted by raw&solo lifestyle, is a traditional 1 vs 1 single-elimination tournament taking place on Friday, December 15th, 2017 at Studio Nightclub. From 7:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m., a 32 bracket tournament will begin and will have Vancouver’s hip hop scene on full display.
In addition to the competition, DJ Static and Wundrkut will be spinning tracks all night and entertaining the crowd. Joining them will be RAWNsolo and Art Attack as MC’s to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Christmas | Westminster House Winter Wonderland
Westminster House is hosting Winter Wonderland on Friday, December 15th, 2017. From 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., partake in exciting activities, while mingling with members of the local community. Admission is free.
Festival | Vancouver Chinese Lantern Festival
The Vancouver Chinese Lantern Festival will light up the skies of Vancouver with dozens of spectacular gossamer lanterns. It takes place at the PNE Grounds just in time for the Christmas season from Friday, December 15th – Sunday, January 21st, 2018.
Being the largest festival of its kind in Canada, guests can expect to see 35 illuminated displays transforming over 14 acres of Hastings Park into an explosion of light and colours. Tickets start at $13.50.
