5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (December 6-12)

Your weekly roundup of the top events in the city, including art exhibitions, local theatre, restaurant openings, concerts, film, markets and other to-dos I think you’ll love. If you have a Vancouver event you’d like to submit for consideration, send an email to ahirose@canadawide.com.

Read on for this week’s lineup.

Credit: Ghazal Azarbad with Angus Yam and Mark Chavez, photo by Emily Cooper

1. The East Van Panto: Alice in Wonderland

Though January 2

All-ages shows rarely really mean all-ages, but the East Van Panto always delivers—and this year, their first in-person Panto since the pandemic began, is no exception. It somehow perfectly walks the line between poignant takes on capitalism, high-level marijuana references and a fair share of bathroom humour. Ten-year-old Alice (played by not-ten-year-old Dawn Petten—there’s a hefty helping of this-adult-woman-doesn’t-pass-for-ten jokes) travels to the magical world of Grandview Wonderland, where antagonist Jess Cheetos (yes, that sounds like Jeff Bezos, and no, that’s not a coincidence) is destroying small businesses.

When: On now through Sunday, January 2
Where: The Cultch’s York Theatre
Cost: From $29 in person, from $35 online
More Info: thecultch.com

READ MORE: Panto Tickets and More Holiday Gifts You Can Get on Commercial Drive

Credit: Fairy Creek: The Last Stand, image courtesy of Mike Graeme

2. The B.C. Environmental Film Festival

December 10 to 15

Over 50 short films, features and documentaries take to the screen in this year’s B.C. Environmental Film Festival. The online fest includes a documentary about the Fairy Creek old growth logging (pictured above), the language of whales and modern foraging.

When: Friday December 10 to Wednesday December 15
Where: Online
Cost: $39 for a festival pass
More Info: bceff.org

Credit: Photo by Shimon Photo

3. SNOWFLAKE at the Red Gate Revue Stage

December 10 to 23

This show by Olivier Award-winning playwright Mike Bartlett covers a very timely topic: visiting parents for Christmas. A generational divide between father and daughter drives the play (think pints at the pub with the boys vs. overthrowing the government).

When: Friday December 10 to Thursday December 23
Where: Red Gate Revue Stage on Granville Island
Cost: From $16
More Info: mitchandmurrayproductions.com

Credit: Alyssa Hirose

4. Ocin’s "The Break Room" Pop-Up

December 10 to 12

The stunning new Arcade Showroom is the setting for local swimwear brand Ocin‘s holiday pop-up this year. 16 local brands are spotlighted at the event, and there’s also a flower arranging workshop, tea meditation and sound bath—so nothing like that frantic mall hustle.

When: Friday December 10 to Sunday December 12
Where: Arcade Showroom
More Info: ocin.norby.live

READ MORE: Inside Arcade, a New Gastown Furniture Showroom with Impeccable Vibes

Credit: Playing Blind

5. Playing Blind at Little Mountain Gallery

December 11

Catch one of the last shows (if I could insert a crying emoji here, I would) at LMG this Saturday—it’s no secret that the editorial team here is a big fan of the venue and our own Stacey McLachlan is in the cast for what promises to be a chaotic comedy show. Also on the lineup is Nathan Hare, who you might remember from our hard-hitting story on Ziploc bags full of Sprite that became right-leaning propaganda last year.

When: Saturday December 11 at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Little Mountain Gallery
Cost: $12
More Info: eventbrite.com

READ MORE: Goodbye to Little Mountain Gallery, Vancouver’s Last Great Independent Comedy Club