Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for December 15 to 21

Celebrate the solstice, sing along to a classic, support local makers + more

1. Canyon Lights Festival – Until January 27, 2019

One of the Lower Mainland’s beloved illuminated festivals continues until January 27, 2019. Capilano Suspension Bridge transforms into a winter wonderland with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, the world’s tallest Christmas trees, carol singing and gingerbread cookie making.
Capilano Suspension Bridge, 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver; Daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with holiday activities from 4 p.m.; Closed December 25th; Details online

2. Make It! – Wednesday, December 12 to Sunday, December 16

Pick up presents for friends and family at Make It! Vancouver, where more than 225 artists and makers will be selling handmade gifts ranging from accessories, jewelry and clothing, to art, home decor and food products.
PNE Forum, 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver; Various times; Tickets $8 at door, with children 12 and under free; Details online

3. Bah Humbug! – Friday, December 14 to Saturday, December 22

Juno Award winner Jim Byrnes leads this inspiring musical ensemble in an eastside Christmas Carol that celebrates the spirit and humanity of Charles Dickens in a modern Vancouver setting. Commissioned and co-produced by SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs, Vancouver Moving Theatre and Full Circle: First Performance, the show is a community benefit for the annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival.
Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 West Hastings Street, Vancouver; 7:30 p.m. December 14th & 15th, 18th & 19th, 20th, 21st & 22nd, with 2 p.m. matinees December 15th, 16th & 22nd; Tickets from $24

4. Eastside Flea Holiday Market – Friday, December 14 to Sunday, December 16

The holidays are here! Celebrate (or panic-buy some last minute gifts) at the holiday edition of the Eastside Flea holiday market, complete with food trucks, warm drinks and more vendors than ever.
Eastside Studios, 550 Malkin Avenue, Vancouver; 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Details online

5. Good Tidings! A Good Noise Gospel Christmas – Friday, December 14, Saturday, December 15 and Monday, December 17

Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir’s Christmas concert celebrates the group’s 15th anniversary. The 90-voice gospel choir will join Vancouver Island’s most sought-after jazz and blues singer Maureen Washington in three joyful performances, featuring the debut of “Everybody Knows” by gospel great Israel Houghton and brand new arrangements of “O Holy Night” and “The First Noel,” as well as returning favourites like The Staples Singers classic “Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas” and the special arrangement of “Joy to the World” made famous by Whitney Houston in The Preacher’s Wife.
Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard Street, Vancouver; December 14 at 8pm / December 15 at 3pm & 8pm. Tickets $30, with students and seniors: $25 and children 12 and under $10

6. Big Elf Run – Saturday, December 15

Get into the festive spirit with a holiday-themed one kilometre Wee Elf Run or the five or 10 kilometre Big Elf timed run/walk around scenic Stanley Park. Support Canuck Place Children’s Hospice while you listen to  DJs, and enjoy dancing, prize giveaways and vendors with hundreds of other elves.
Lumberman’s Arch Concession, 3301 Stanley Park Drive, Vancouver; 1 pm Wee Elf Run and 2 p.m. Big Elf Run; Tickets $5 to 30

7. SantaCon/Santarchy – Saturday, December 15

Santas attending Vancouver’s SantaCon meet up can take part in an afternoon of “Santarchy” around the streets of Vancouver.
Location to be announced December 15th; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Details online

8. Story Party Vancouver: True Dating Stories – Sunday, December 16

Halloween maybe long gone but there’s still time for horror stories when Story Party comes to Vancouver. From ghosting and unsolicited pictures, to splitting the bill, cat-fishing and heartbreak, Story Party has toured the world telling hilarious stories of dating gone wrong.
Rickshaw Theatre, 254 East Hastings Street, Vancouver; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Tickets $25

9. Sing-a-long Sound of Music – Friday, December 21

The hills are alive! Get your lederhosen on and head to the Rio Theatre for a wholesome sing-a-long to the classic musical The Sound of Music. All ages are welcome and costumes are encouraged! (A second showing is scheduled for December 27th.)
Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver; Doors at 5:45 p.m. with movie at 6:30 p.m.; Tickets $18 advance or $22 at the door

10. Winter Solstice Lantern Festival – Friday, December 21

Taking place in two neighbourhoods, Granville Island and Yaletown, the 25th annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival lights up the darkest day of the year with lantern processions, fire performances, drumming, music and dancing.
Various locations; Details online