Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for December 8 to 14

Build a lantern, head to the mountaintop, snap a selfie in the illuminated gardens + more

1. Ballet B.C. presents Royal Winnipeg Ballet: Nutcracker – Friday, December 7 to Sunday, December 9

Catch the classic Christmas ballet at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet captures the imagination with this uniquely Canadian retelling of the beloved holiday classic, Nutcracker. Danced to Tchaikovsky’s score, the story follows the adventures of Clara, her Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver; December 7th at 7:30 p.m., December 8th & 9th at 1:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.; Tickets from $34

2. Weirdos Holiday Market – Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9

Curated by Rachel Zottenberg, owner of popular local oddities shop This Monkey’s Gone to Heaven, the second Weirdos Holiday Market features delightfully strange gifts from 30 artists. Look out for curious live entertainment, such as sword swallowing and bizarre weightlifting, take a turn in the bouncy castle, have a tarot card reading and eat food from Handtaste Ferments. 
The Hall, 1739 Venables Street, Vancouver; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Admission $2 at the door; Details online

3. The Princess Bride – Saturday, December 8

Based on Goldman’s 1973 novel, Rob Reiner’s beloved fairytale The Princess Bride has enchanted all ages since its release in 1987. The cult movie follows the story of a kindly grandfather (Peter Falk) who reads his oft-protesting grandson (Fred Savage) a fairytale about giants, wizards, swordplay, Rodents of Unusual Size, true love… and perfect breasts. All ages welcome in balcony seating.
Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver; Doors 12:30 p.m., with movie at 1:00 p.m.;  Tickets $10.50 advance or $12.50 at the door

4. Storytime with Santa – Saturday, December 8

Get a selfie with Santa and listen to him read holiday themed stories. Mrs. Claus will also be making an appearance to decorate sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles. Storytime with Santa runs from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., while cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus is scheduled for 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and selfies with Santa from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. 
Lonsdale Quay, 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Details online

5. Shiny Fuzzy Muddy – Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9

Get the rest of your holiday shopping done at Shiny Fuzzy Muddy… a showcase of Vancouver-based artists’ work from ceramics and jewelry to hats and handicrafts.
Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Admission $4; Details online

6. Got Craft? Holiday Edition – Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9

Celebrating DIY and handmade gifts, Got Craft? Holiday Edition showcases more than 75 designers, as well as craft workshops, tasty treats and live music. Vendors will be selling a range of handmade items, from whimsical animal paintings to wooden jewelry, zero waste neckties and hand-painted chocolate. 
Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph Street, Vancouver; 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Admission $5 at door, or $3 in advance online

7. Bach Collegium Japan – Sunday, December 9

Bach Collegium Japan—one of the world’s leading ensembles specializing in the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries—will join acclaimed British soprano Joanne Lunn to present an afternoon of inspired and spellbinding music. Led by music director Masaaki Suzuki, the ensemble will perform works by Bach, Vivaldi and Handel, as well as shorter works by Conti, Marcello and Telemann.
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver; 3 p.m.; Tickets from $18

8. Globe Lantern Workshop – Monday, December 10

Get ready for the winter solstice on December 21st with a globe lantern-making workshop in Yaletown. There will also be star and pin prick-style lantern making workshops throughout December, run by the Secret Lantern Society in the run-up to the yuletide festival. 
Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Tickets $15

9. The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain – Until January 6, 2019

A mountaintop wonderland is now open for the season, complete with outdoor skating rink, illuminated snowshoe trail (from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.), mountaintop sleigh rides and plenty of opportunities to visit Santa’s workshop and meet the reindeer.
Various dates, times and prices; Details online

10. VanDusen Botanical Gardens Festival of Lights – Until January 6, 2019

VanDusen Botanical Gardens Festival of Lights signals the start of the holidays and, this year, there will be selfie spots throughout the illuminated gardens, as well as old favourites such as the dancing lights on Livingstone Lake and the holiday carousel.
VanDusen Botanical Gardens, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver; Various times and prices; Details online