Whether it’s the warmth of a small art studio or exploring a bustling local holiday artisan market, December is a magical time of year to gather with friends and family and celebrate creativity and community. Let the twinkling lights guide you to galleries and exhibitions across Metro Vancouver and Whistler. Here are a few local happenings to put on your advent calendar!
Burnaby
Burnaby Village Museum
November 23 – December 15
Come experience Heritage Christmas with presenting partner Concord Pacific at Burnaby Village Museum. Enjoy the special atmosphere of festive lights and the traditional decorations. Wander the museum’s 10 acre open air site and take in all the seasonal entertainment, demonstrations and activities.
6501 Deer Lake Ave
Vancouver
Downtown Vancouver
December 6 – 15
From December 6 – 15, join us for the 6th annual Fleurs de Villes NOËL floral trail – our self-guided tour throughout Downtown Vancouver in celebration of the holiday season. New this year, our festive floral installations will be inspired by beloved holiday songs – the iconic tunes we hear during this magical time of year that celebrate the spirit of the season and evoke cherished memories. Vancouver’s talented floral artists will bring these songs to life through stunning floral art, including our famous floral mannequins.
Vancouver
Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker Presented by RBC
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
December 19 – 22
A holiday classic and a favourite Vancouver tradition, Goh Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker provides aspiring dancers with an exceptional performance opportunity, bringing together the best local talent and Principal Dancers from world renowned professional companies on the stage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre,Vancouver.
600 Block Hamilton St., Vancouver
Langley
Theatre In The Country – 5708 Glover Road
November 27 – December 14
The timeless story of the magical nanny who seems to put everything just right comes to the renowned Langley stage. Sing along to the catchy songs made popular by the classic Disney film. A wonderful family-friendly night at the theatre!
Holiday Lights in Williams Park
Williams Park
December 9 – 29
A free family-friendly outdoor event featuring over 150,000 lights and festive displays.
Holiday Lights is a drive-through event. Family and friends can enjoy this holiday experience from the comfort and warmth of their vehicle.Advance Registration Required
Ave & 238 Street, Langley
New Westminster
Massey Theatre
December 6, 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
The Richmond Academy of Dance presents our not-to-be-missed annual Christmas performance at the Massey Theatre. A charming, chestnut-warming live holiday event, the Academy’s professional division ballet dancers will perform magical excerpts from seasonal favourite The Nutcracker––alongside top-notch, professional guest artists from Montreal-based Les Grands Ballets Canadiens who will perform the famous Nutcracker Pas de Deux. The show also features celebrated soprano Sheila Christie, Mikey Jose and his band, and specially choreographed works from dancers and vocalists to share a full serving of additional festive delights. A great night out for all the family, book ahead for this perfect evening of holiday season fun!
735 8th Avenue, New Westminster
The New West Craft Holiday Night Market
The River Market
December 7
This holiday season it is more important than ever to shop local. Support your neighbours and give your loved ones a one of a kind gift this year. Shop over 45 local artisans and makers, enjoy live music, and indulge in delicious food and drinks from River Market eateries.
Vancouver’s North Shore
Holiday Shop: Introduction Beading with Serena Steel
Polygon Gallery
December 8
In this beginner-friendly workshop participants will create their own flat-stitch project with step-by-step instruction and support from Secwépemc artist and Polygon Assistant Curator Serena Steel.
You will get to choose your own bead colours and decide whether you want to create a pendant, pin, keychain, or earrings. You will learn three fundamental stitches to utilize as you complete your project, and learn more about your preferred beading style. Serena will discuss what she has learned about beadwork from her experience, as well as share the cultural teachings that she has surrounding the medium.
Capilano University
December 19 – 29
Kind and beautiful Cinderella is forced to do all the terrible chores at Hardup Hall by her two awful, ugly stepsisters. She dreams of the day her Prince Charming will take her away to a happily ever after but her wicked stepmother will stop at nothing to make poor Cinderella’s life a misery. With some magical intervention from her Fairy Godmother, her father the Baron and with her lovable best friend Buttons by her side, will Cinderella make it to the royal ball?
4360 Gallant Avenue
Whistler
The Audain Art Museum
December 7- 8
The SEEK Bespoke Market showcases creative entrepreneurs including designers, small shop owners and makers. Shoppers will find a selection of items such as handcrafted jewellery, one-of-a-kind art, natural skincare, artisanal foods and beverages, slow fashion, wellness essentials and home goods from 35+ vendors.
December 4 – 8
The 24th annual Whistler Film Festival + Content Summit (WFF) is where creativity meets community. You’ll find ski bums and storytellers, dealmakers and dealbreakers, burgeoning filmmakers and award-winning directors/producers all rubbing elbows at industry galas and on the chairlift.Whistlerites and mountain lovers alike will revel in our Mountain Culture programme which boasts films about the environment, extreme achievement and anything that puts the body – and human psyche – to the test.
Prepare for an action-packed lineup of events, including exclusive film premieres, insightful industry sessions, engaging talent programs, intimate meet and greets, glitzy parties, and much-anticipated appearances by critically acclaimed actors and directors. Where else in the world could you ski straight off the mountain and onto a red carpet-event?
Surrey
Surrey Art Gallery
December 1
In connection with our fall exhibition Jagdeep Raina: Ghosts In The Fields, create a phulkari-inspired drawing, design a seed packet, take home seeds to plant from the Clayton Seed Library, and sculpt a clay farm with Gallery artist-educators. Reflect on ecology, labour, and the farmers who grow the food that nourishes us.
All are welcome at this free drop-in event—children must be accompanied by an adult.
Surrey Jazz Nights – Pallas Côté-Wallin
Finest Cup Coffee
December 14
Enjoy an evening of live jazz featuring Pallas Côté-Wallin on the stand-up bass.
About Surrey Jazz Nights
Surrey Jazz Nights is a grassroots initiative dedicated to building a vibrant community of young and emerging artists in Surrey and the Lower Mainland. Through mentorship and performance opportunities, the program celebrates and supports local talent, enriching Surrey’s cultural landscape.
Free Admission
With free admission, everyone is invited to attend, support local artists, and enjoy live jazz in a welcoming atmosphere.
This performance is a chance to connect with Surrey’s thriving music scene and celebrate the next generation of talent.
109 – 8645 160 Street