Holiday glow at Stanley Park. | Photo courtesy of JW Photowerks, Flickr
The holiday season has begun and a festive spirit is in the air. Join in on the celebrations by visiting the annual Festival of Lights, or riding the Bright Lights holiday train through Stanley Park. If you want to be entertained, catch a performance of Hotel Bethlehem at the Firehall Arts Centre.
Heritage Christmas at
Burnaby Village Museum
Now until Jan. 3, 2014
Burnaby Village Museum
6501 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby
604-297-4565
http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
Enjoy the lights, boughs, red bows and all the other old-fashioned ornaments and decorations throughout the village and farmhouse. The season features traditional entertainment, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and exhibits from the early 1900s. Highlights include baking in the farmhouse, a Christmas scavenger hunt, heritage crafts, and a visit from Father Christmas himself!
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Place des Arts Christmas
Boutique 2013 – Coquitlam
Now until Dec. 20
1120 Brunette Ave.,
Coquitlam
604-664-1636
http://www.placedesarts.ca
For the holiday season, Place des Arts’ Artisan Shop expands into a fine craft market: The Christmas Boutique. Offering holiday shoppers a veritable Aladdin’s cave of glittering baubles and delightful seasonal gifts. The Christmas Boutique is the perfect place to find beautifully handcrafted and locally made artisan wares.
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Rumplestiltskin
Now until Dec. 28
Coast Capital Playhouse
1532 Johnston Rd., White Rock
http://www.whiterockplayers.ca
604-536-7535
The traditional pantomime is sure to please the entire family with its unexpected twists and turns. The evil goblin is up to his old tricks in a surprising setting. Chuckles and smiles guaranteed. Script by Dave Baron.
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Bright Nights in Stanley Park
Now until Jan. 5, 2014
Stanley Park, Vancouver
http://www.brightnights.ca
The Stanley Park holiday train has been a Christmas tradition in Vancouver for more than 20 years. The train winds through the forest past three million sparkling lights while the aromas of hot chocolate, fresh popcorn and roasted chestnuts bring back festive childhood memories. Train tickets are $11 for adults and $7 for children and seniors.
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Model Pole, c. 1885 (detail) | Photo by Trevor Mils, Vancouver Art Gallery
Vancouver Art Gallery Presents:
Charles Edenshaw Exhibition
Now until Feb. 2, 2014
750 Hornby St., Vancouver
604-662-4700
Recognized in his time as an exceptional Haida artist, Charles Edenshaw remains an iconic figure in Northwest Coast art. He has created a body of work that serves as a testament to a tremendous individual spirit and a singular talent. With over 200 pieces assembled from public and private collections from around the world, this first major survey of Edenshaw’s work is organized around five central themes: Haida Traditions, the Narrative, the Style, the New Forms and the Legacy.
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VanDusen Garden’s
Festival of Lights
Dec. 11, 2013–Jan. 4, 2014
5251 Oak St., Vancouver
http://www.vandusengarden.org
VanDusen Botanical Garden is transformed into a holiday wonderland every Christmas during this festival that delights young and old alike with seasonal displays and more than one million twinkling lights wrapped around trees and trellises. Guests can take photos with Santa, watch the Shadow Puppet Theatre and be entertained by the Scandinavian Gnomes. Admission is $14.25 for adults, $10.50 for seniors and youth and $7.75 for children. Closed on Christmas Day.
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Hotel Bethlehem
Dec. 10–22
Firehall Arts Centre
280 East Cordova St.,
Vancouver
This homegrown farce is back by popular demand. Chuckles, sheep, betting shepherds, and taxation-savvy Wise Men are sure to put mature audiences in the Christmas spirit. Award-winning playwright Drew McCreadie’s outrageous and insightful comedy for adults takes an inside look at what ACTUALLY happened at the Inn that infamous silent night.
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A Christmas favourite – The Nutcracker. | Photo courtesy of Goh Ballet
Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Dec. 14–22
777 Homer St., Vancouver
http://www.gohnutcracker.com
Goh Ballet’s critically acclaimed The Nutcracker will make a triumphant return to Vancouver this holiday season. Celebrating its fifth year, and featuring principal dancers from the Royal Danish Ballet, this sparkling rendition of a magical holiday tradition is a must-see family favourite.
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The Circus Stoopendous!
Dec. 14
Vancouver Circus School
212-810 Quayside Dr.
New Westminster
http://www.vancouvercircusschool.ca
Dr. Seuss’s imagination and silliness come to life and movement in acrobatic acts on the ground and off. Aerialists, skaters, trapezes, trampolines and popcorn will provide an exciting evening for the whole family. Performed by the 2013 Circa 51 ensemble.
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Tea Day at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Garden
Dec. 15
Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Garden
578 Carrall St., Vancouver
http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com/calendar/tea-day-garden
Learn about the traditions, history, and philosophy of tea amid aficionados and share with other tea-lovers your own tea stories and experiences. Hand-paint a set of mugs. Better to be deprived of food for three days than tea for one (ancient Chinese proverb).
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Uncle Vanya
Dec. 24, 2013–Jan. 18, 2014
The Cultch
Blackbird Theatre
1895 Venables St., Vancouver
http://www.thecultch.com
Anton Chekhov’s classic tale of improbable love and folly. The 19th century masterpiece, directed by John Wright depicts the Russian soul’s anguish and slavic sense of fatality through unrequited love, greed and indifference. A must-see.
