Update: I’ve compiled a list of Christmas events around Vancouver for December 2012. I have now pushed the past events to the bottom of the post. These do not include: the Lights of Hope by St Paul’s, the free Robson Square ice skating, charitable drives, or most craft fairs (see community list here).

Thank you to @SuperVancouver, @Miss604, and @VancityBuzz for some of the Christmas events! 🙂

• 24 November – 24 December (11AM-9PM): Vancouver Christmas Market– Queen Elizabeth Plaza — $2-5
  • 25 November (2-6:30PM): Bulgarian Day
  • 27 November (4-6PM): Vancouver Westside German School’s Flashmob Dance
  • 29 November
    • Ballet BC Day
    • 7PM: Swiss Choir
  • 1 December 2 December: (4:30-7PM): Polish Zgoda Polonez Dance Troupe
    • 2-6:30PM: Ukrainian Day
    • 7PM: Dal Richards Band
  • 5 December (7-9PM): A French Christmas with Rejean Bussieres
  • 7 December (4:30PM): Vancouver Bach Choir
  • 8 December (12-6:30PM): German Day
  • 9 December (12-6:30PM): Swiss Day
  • 11 December (7-9PM): Estonian Day
  • 14 December
    • Alliance Francaise de Vancouver Day
    • 4:30-6PM: Clarion Highland Dance Studio
  • 15 December16 December (12-2PM): Portuguese Folklore & Dance
    • 12-4PM: Dutch Day
    • 1-2PM: Biggest Christmas Carol Sing-Along
  • 19 December (7-9PM): A French Christmas with Rejean Bussieres

• 24 November – 24 December: The Peack of Christmas – Grouse Mountain — $13.95-39.95
  • (9am-10pm): SOS Children’s Gingerbread Village Stroll through and vote for your favourite sweet creation.
  • (9am-10pm): ‘Picture Yourself’ as a Reindeer See what you would look like as a reindeer before jumping on the Skyride.
  • (12-8pm): Santa’s Workshop Meet Santa in person to share those holiday wishes.
  • (11am-8pm): Antler Decorating & Reindeer Tattoos Decorate your own antlers and get a reindeer tattoo at the entrance to the Spirit Gallery Gift Store.
  • (9am-10pm): Visit Dancer and Vixen Meet two of Santa’s reindeer in the Wildlife Refuge.
  • (9am-10pm): Outdoor Ice Skating Enjoy the crisp mountain air as you glide atop our magical 8,000 square foot skating pond.
  • (Fridays, 3pm, 4:30pm, 6pm; Weekends and Dec. 17-24, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm, 7pm): Holly the Jolly Reindeer Show See if Holly has what it takes to be one of Santa’s reindeer.
  • (Monday-Thursday until Dec 13th 11:30am, 3pm): Reindeer Ranger Talks Learn about our two reindeer Dancer and Vixen.
  • (9am-9pm, weather permitting): Mountaintop Sleigh Rides Embark on a magical ride through our Winter Wonderland. On Standby
  • (9:30am-9pm): Reindeer Christmas FavouritesWatch fun family Christmas movies on the big screen in our mountaintop theatre.
  • 15 December (1PM & 4PM): Skate with Champions
    “Learn to skate with world champion Karen Magnussen & friends. Photos and autographs available.“
  • 15 December (5:30PM): Skating Gala with Karen and Friends
    Karen Magnussen and other top local and international skaters show off their skills.

• 24 November – 4 January (’til 14th: 12-4:30 /from 15th: 12-9PM)* CLOSED Christmas Eve & Day: Heritage Christmas – Burnaby Village — FREE

• 29 November – 1 January 2013: Bright Nights in Stanley Park – Stanley Park — $5.50-10
  Miniature train through Stanley Park with lots of Christmas lights all around!

• 1 December – 5 January (4-9PM)* CLOSED Christmas Day: Capilano Suspension Bridge Christmas Lights – Capilano Suspension Bridge — $12-31.95
  There’s a free shuttle from Canada Place to the Capilano Suspension Bridge every hour on the hour.

• 1 December (10AM-2PM): Christmas Bazaar – St Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (1573 East 18th Avenue)
• 1 December (4-7PM): Brighten Up! A Lantern Affair – Place des Arts’ Carré Heritage Square (1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam) — FREE
  Various multicultural activities for children and adults with live music.
• 1 December: Chez Nous: Christmas with Elektra— $15-28
  • 2PM – Queens Avenue United Church (529 Queens Ave)
  • 7:30PM – Ryerson United Church (2195 W45 Ave)

• 2 December (4:30PM): Community Carol Sing – First Baptist Church (969 Burrard St)

• 6 December (8PM): Tallis Scholars’ Christmas Concert – Chan Centre (6265 Crescent Road) — $32-63

• 7 December (5:30-7PM): O Christmas Tree Community Celebration – SW corner of Kingsway & BroadwayFREE hot chocolate, candy canes, children chorus, Santa, hand-made decorations by children.

• 14, 15 December (5:30-9:30PM): Opera Angels Heard on High – Pan Pacific Hotel — $70 + tax
  Opera with dinner buffet.

• 7-30 December (6:30PM) *EXCEPT Christmas Day: Vancouver Trolley’s Karaoke Christmas Lights – Vancouver Christmas Market (Hamilton St) — $25-40+
  Runs daily. 3hrs long, incl. entrance to 1st stop: Stanley Park’s Bright Nights & 2nd stop: VanDusen Festival of Lights. Prices vary, based on package chosen (7 to choose from).

• 7 December – 1 January (4:30-9PM)* CLOSED Christmas Day: The Festival of Lights – VanDusen Botanical Garden — $7.75-14.25

• 8 December (10AM-4PM): Marché de Noël – Alliance Française

• 9 December (1PM): Rogers Santa Claus Parade – W Georgia St & Broughton

• 13 December (6-9AM): Christmas Wish Breakfast – Pan Pacific Hotel
  Donate a toy (something teens will enjoy too!) and enjoy a breakfast buffet!

• 13 December (1-4PM): Barclay Heritage Square Christmas Celebrations – Roedde House
  Music, snacks, free admission to Roedde House.

• 13-15 December (4 or 7:30PM): VSO presents A Traditional Christmas – St Andrew’s Wesley Church — $33-38

• 15 December: Community Christmas Craft Fair – Woodward’s (126 W Hastings St)
  Supports low-income women from the DTES.

• 14 (8PM), 15-16 (3PM) December: Vancouver Chamber Choir’s A Dylan Thomas Christmas – Ryerson United Church

• 14-16 December: Royal Winnipeg Ballet presents The Nutcracker – Queen Elizabeth Theatre— $30-90

• 16 December (11AM-2PM): Christmas Market – Patio of Market [by Jean Georges] at Shangri-La Vancouver (1128 W Georgia St)
  Christmas Market, Children’s Afternoon Tea, Brunch with Benefits, Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with performance by 6 y.o. piano prodigy.

• 19-23 December: Goh Ballet presents The Nutcracker with principal dancers from New York City Ballet– Centre in Vancouver for Pacific Arts — $30-95
  • 24 November (11AM): Preview of Nutcracker & Storytime – Chapters on Granville
  • 24 November (2:30PM): Preview of Nutcracker & Story time – Chapters on Robson

• 22 December (2PM): Vancouver Cantata Singers’ A Christmas Reprise – Holy Rosary Cathedral (646 Richards St) – $18

• 22 December (6:30PM): Vancouver Christmas Charity Ball – Four Seasons Hotel (downtown) — $150
  A ball that fundraises for lesser-known children’s charities put on by the Christmas Family Ball Society.

• 23 December (3PM): Festive Bach Cantatas for Christmas – Chan Centre — $32-63

• 23 December (7:30PM): Winter Harp – St Andrew’s-Wesley United Church

PAST EVENTS

• 15-18 November (10AM-6PM): Christmas at Hycroft – Hycroft Manor (1489 McRae Ave.)
  

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• 23-24 November: CandyTown, A Yaletown Holiday Festival – between Davie & Nelson St. FREE.
  • (Fri 3-9PM / Sat 12-9PM): Free Outdoor Ice Skating– Scotiabank Yaletown Ice Rink (1152 Mainland St)
  • (3-9PM): Horse-drawn carriage rides
  • (3-9PM): All I want for Christmsa Street Market
  • (6-9PM): CandyTown Cocktail tour
  • 24 November (12-3PM): Trevor Lindon will sign autographs and join in skating activities
  • (Sat 1-5PM): Reindeer barn
• 24 November (12-4PM): German-Canadian Benevolent Society presents the Annual Christmas Bazaar – German-Canadian Care Home (2010 Harrison Drive)

• 24-25 November: Portobello West Holiday Market – Creekside Community Centre — $2

• 29 November (5:30PM): Christmas Tree Lighting – Jack Poole Plaza

Related articles

• European Christmas Events: Nov-Dec 2012 (europeanvancouver.wordpress.com)
• 3rd Annual Community Christmas Craft Fair on Sat Dec 15th in Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES) (ahamedia.ca)
• Vancouver Christmas Market to return for third year (vancitybuzz.com)