The Holiday Hit List: The Best Festive (and Non-Festive) Events to Check Out in Vancouver This Winter

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.