Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for November 30 to December 6

Get your glow on, step into a winter wonderland, feel festive at the theatre + more

 

1. Glow — Now until January 5, 2020

Experience a family-friendly indoor wonderland as you celebrate the magic of Christmas and help the elves uncover Santa’s lost presents! Enjoy interactive light gardens, illuminated structures, delicious food, festive drinks and daily live entertainment all under the twinkle of a million lights.
Harbour Convention Centre, 760 Pacific Boulevard; From $29.99; Details online 

 

2. Bright Lights Stanley Park — Thursday, November 28 to January 1 2020

During the holiday season, the Bright Nights Christmas Train and Stanley Park Train Plaza sparkles with three million twinkling lights. Buy tickets to ride the Bright Nights Train and experience the lights, breathtaking displays and live performers along the train route. Or view the displays at the Train Plaza by donation ($5.00 suggested). Donations at the front gate and a portion of ticket sales go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. 
Details online

 

3. Handel’s Messiah — Saturday, November 30

Showcasing the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, the Vancouver Cantata Singers and four internationally acclaimed vocalists, Early Music Vancouver (EMV) returns with the holiday classic Handel’s Messiah which features guest conductor Ivars Taurins, labelled by the Toronto Star as the “Prince of Messiah”.
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts; 8 p.m. (pre-show talk 7:15 p.m.); From $23; Details online  

 

4. Lights at Lafarge Lake — Saturday, November 30

Get into the holiday spirit with family and friends at Lafarge Lake. The free kick-off event will include live entertainment and dazzling light displays that encircle the 1.2 km loop around Lafarge Lake. ??
Lafarge Lake, Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way); 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (food truck service: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.); Details online  

 

5. Candytown — Saturday, November 30

Yaletown transforms into a winter wonderland as the free outdoor CandyTown offers festive activities such as photos with Santa, roaming holiday characters, horse-drawn carriage rides and a holiday-inspired cocktail tour in the heart of downtown. New to the event this year will be an adult-focused “Winter is Coming” attraction, which boasts amazing ice sculptures and live swordplay demonstrations. 
Yaletown; 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Details online 

 

6. Santa Claus Parade — Sunday, December 1

Santa Claus is coming to town! And he’s bringing all his friends for the annual Santa Claus Parade in downtown Vancouver. The parade will start at West Georgia and Broughton at 12:00 p.m. and travel east along West Georgia, turn south on Howe and finish at Howe and Davie. Other highlights include the Fairmont Breakfast with Santa (8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) and TELUS Photos with Santa (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.). 
West Georgia and Broughton; 12 p.m.; Details online 

 

7. O Christmas Tea — Thursday, December 5 to Sunday, December 7

The all-ages festive spectacular by multi-award winning comedy duo James & Jamesy, returns with a rollicking Christmas romp that celebrates friendship and imagination through meticulous physical theatre, belly-laugh comedy and audience interaction. 
Vancouver Playhouse; All ages; Details here 

 

8. Yule Duel — Thursday, December 5

Get in the Christmas spirit and listen to dozens of choirs battle it out in the annual carolling competition that raises funds for May’s Place – a hospice that has offered care and compassion to vulnerable and marginalized people in the Downtown Eastside for more than 25 years.
North Plaza, Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby St; 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Details online  

 

9. Christmas at Canada Place — Friday, December 6 to January 1

Herald in the holidays at the 32nd Christmas at Canada Place, presented by the Port of Vancouver. Experience the nostalgic tradition of the Woodward’s Windows, Canada’s North light display including “Chrismoose,” a 15-foot tall moose light sculpture, the iconic Sails of Light, and the festive Avenue of Trees at this free, family-friendly event. 
Canadian Trail (west promenade) and North Point of Canada Place; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily (including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve & New Years Day); Details online

 

10. CBC Vancouver’s 2019 Open House & Food Bank Day — Friday, December 6

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the CBC Vancouver newsroom, television and radio studios. At the 33rd annual Open House & Food Bank Day.  Meet your favourite CBC journalists, including the CBC Vancouver News team, visit the radio studios where your favourite CBC Radio shows broadcast from and meet Stephen Quinn, Michelle Eliot, and Gloria Macarenko. Other meet and greets include Ian Hanomansing of The National and Erica Johnson of Go Public. Daniel Tiger and Chirp from CBC Kids will be in the atrium from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Details online