1. DOWN TO CLOWN: Cirque du Soleil’s Echo
When: Until December 15
Where: Concord Pacific Place
Cost: From $68
A jaw-dropping blend of acrobatics, storytelling and “how the hell did they even…?” moments—all under one Big Top.
2. MERRY MAKERS: East Van Panto’s Robin Hood
When: Until January 5
Where: York Theatre
Cost: From $29
The legendary outlaw gets an East Van remix in this all-ages panto—think Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest… but make it Trout Lake!
3. REID ON REID: Formline Calligraphy: The Creative Synergy of Bill Reid and Bob Reid
When: Until February 2
Where: Bill Reid Gallery
Cost Adult admission from $13
An exhibition that explores the creative relationship between Haida artist Bill Reid and famed printmaker, calligrapher and close friend Robert (Bob) Reid—two Reids for the price of one.
4. ICED OUT: Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars
When: November 27 to December 1
Where: Pacific Coliseum
Cost: From $30
Join Mickey, Minnie and the crew as they glide, spin and triple jump their way through Disney classics like Aladdin, Frozen 2 and Encanto—while you try not to laugh if any one of them bails.
5. TEXTUAL HEALING: Shane Koyczan
When: December 5
Where: Vogue Theatre
Cost: From $30
The spoken word savant, famed for his 2010 Winter Olympics performance, brings his powerful poetry back to Vancouver just in time for the holidays.
6. BLOCK PARTY: Blockhead
When: December 7
Where: Biltmore Cabaret
Cost: $25
With 12 solo albums plus collabs with legends like Aesop Rock, this uber cool NYC DJ and producer is ready to turn your holiday jingle into an unforgettable instrumental hip-hop jangle.
7. ART PAW-TY: Paint-Your-Pet
When: December 8
Where: CowDog Brewing
Cost: $65
Sip craft beers, snack on some treats and channel your inner Van Gogh by painting a portrait of your Santa’s little helper.
8. THE WRITE OFF: Vancouver Story Slam Championship Finals
When: December 12
Where: Vogue Theatre
Cost: $20
Word nerds! Cheer on ten of Vancouver’s top storytellers as they slam their original tales, vying for the championship and over $2,000 in prizes at one of Canada’s longest-running storytelling events.
9. MERRY CRAFTMAS: Make It! Show
When: December 12 to 15
Where: PNE Forum
Cost: $12
Wrap up your last-minute holiday shopping and support local artisans at this whimsy-forward craft market—featuring handmade goods and a licenced bar to make your shopping even more festive. That’s a holiday win-win!
10. ON POINTE: Ballet BC Presents The Nutcracker (Royal Winnipeg Ballet)
When: December 13 to 15
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Cost: From $29
It’s not legally Christmas without this iconic holiday classic—featuring the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, toe-tapping Tchaikovsky bangers and one nimble rat king (not that kind!).
11. WAITING FOR THE SHOE TO DROP: Cinderella
When: December 13 to January 5
Where: Metro Theatre
Cost: From $52
A family that pantos together, stays together—and this classic fairy tale is a panto gold mime (get it?!). Expect comedy, live music and your kids to be entertained for an hour without their iPads.
12. DANCE MOB: The Glitch Mob
When: December 14
Where: The Red Room
Cost: From $35
Trade in that holiday Bublé for some bass and electro beats at this high-energy EDM party—get ready for a night that’s anything but silent.
13. SLEIGH BELLES: A Drag Queen Christmas
When: December 23
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Cost: From $71
Hosted by Brooke Lynn Hytes (Canada’s Drag Race), this 10th-anniversary tour brings your favourite queens—past RuPaul’s Drag Race winners, fan favourites and legends—for a fierce and festive holiday slay ride.
14. BALLROOM BLITZ: “Salute to Vienna” New Year’s Concert
When: January 1
Where: The Orpheum
Cost: From $74
Ring in the New Year Vienna-style with a concert featuring a European cast of singers, ballroom dancers and ballet that brings to life the music of Johann Strauss and hopefully scares away any post-NYE hangovers in the process.
15. OLD SOULS: Thee Sacred Souls
When: January 14
Where: Commodore Ballroom
Cost: $54
The “Can I Call You Rose” trio are coming to bring their soulful, drippy vintage-sounding melodies to serenade you into the new year (and a different era).
16. TOP COMIC: Iliza Shlesinger
When: January 17
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Cost: $46
Shlesinger has six Netflix specials, including Hot Forever and Elder Millennial, and her loyal fans are often seen sporting custom Iliza-inspired swag to her live shows.
17. MUSIC MAN: Tim Heidecker
When: January 25
Where: The Hollywood Theatre
Cost: $25
The absurdist comedian (the Tim of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!) is coming, but not for comedy reasons. Instead, he’s showing off another skill: being a very talented indie musician.
