Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for December

From a country Christmas to holiday festivities and more, here are our top picks for December

Because of public health orders surrounding COVID-19, all event statuses are subject to change. Please check directly with event websites for updates.

1. Little Mountain Holiday Pop-up Shop – Until Sunday, December 26

Back for 2021, the annual Little Mountain Shop holiday pop-up showcases more than 30 local and global artisans from mainly women and BIPOC-led businesses, selling handcrafted and one-of-a-kind products for those looking for unique, memorable and thoughtful gifts this season. Every Thursday evening, The Polygon and Little Mountain Shop host a ‘Meet the Maker’ night with the opportunity to meet artisans. Pop by to see the gallery become a vibrant place with music and drinks, alongside an ongoing exhibition showcasing acclaimed Vancouver artist Steven Shearer.
The Polygon Gallery, 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays; Details online

2. Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol – Until January 2, 2022

What could be more fun and festive than a combination of Dolly Parton’s magical songwriting skills and a retelling of Dicken’s classic tale A Christmas Carol? Set during the 1930s in the Smoky Mountains of east Tennessee, this heartwarming musical reimagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town, where his callous greed blinds him to the joys of the season. As a Christmas Eve snowstorm approaches, Scrooge is visited by his deceased business partner and three ghosts who compel him to see life and love anew. 
Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville Street, Vancouver; Tickets from $43; Details online

3. Canyon Lights – Until January 23, 2022

Take a walk through a winter wonderland at Capilano Suspension Bridge’s Canyon Lights! New for 2021 is the bridge’s multi-colour changing light display, swinging high above the illuminated Capilano River. Walk amongst the eight tallest Christmas trees in the world on the Treetops Adventure and get a shot for the ‘gram in the mesmerizing ‘Arc de Lumina’ light tunnel on the cliff walk. Enjoy live festive tunes and explore the park in search of lit snowy owls to win a Canadian Rockies trip. Partial proceeds from admissions will be donated to the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund for fire and burn education in schools throughout the province.
3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver; Daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; $54.95 adults, with kids from $18.95; Details online

4. Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition – Until January 23, 2022

Look up! Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition brings the 34 frescoes adorning the Vatican ceiling to life in breathtaking, life-sized close-up. Reproduced with state-of-the-art technology from exclusively licensed high definition photos, the exhibition is an intimate look at reproductions such as ‘The Creation of Adam’ and the ‘Last Judgement’, offering a fresh look at every detail, colour and brushstroke of Michelangelo’s iconic and timeless masterpiece. 
Vancouver Convention Centre East, Exhibition Hall A, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver; 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with last entry at 7 p.m.; Friday, December 24th, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last entry at 5 p.m.; Closed Saturday, December 25th; Tickets from $12.60, plus service charges; Details online

5. Lumagica – Friday, December 3 to Thursday, December 30

Surrey gets lit with the Canadian debut of the interactive light experience, Lumagica. The event, in association with MK Illumination, is a one-kilometre indoor/outdoor walk that includes a light tunnel, Gingerbread Lane and a magical North Pole Village. Feel the festive spirit with interactive displays, animations and photo opportunities for all ages, as well as mulled wine and cocoa to warm up with afterwards. 
Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 17607 – 17905 62 Avenue, Surrey; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; From $15.75; Details online

6. Weirdos Holiday Market – Saturday, December 4 to Sunday, December 5 & Saturday, December 11 to Sunday, December 12

Looking for a truly unique gift? The Weirdos Holiday Market returns with more than 25 vendors, curated by founder and organizer Rachel Zottenberg. Featuring a weird and wonderful mix of eclectic items from witchy wares, anatomical curiosities, unique collectibles, quirky clothing and eccentric art to magical pottery, one-of-a-kind prints, candles, books, stickers and much more. A portion of the door proceeds will be donated to the Urban Native Youth Association. 
Venables Hall, 1739 Venables Street, Vancouver; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $4 for ages 13 and up, with children 12 and under by donation; Details online

7. Babel 7.16 – December 8 to 19

Still unsure about heading out to live performances? Stream a show at home instead! Digidance and DanceHouse present the Olivier award-winning work Babel 7.16, choreographed by two of the world’s leading names in contemporary dance, Belgium choreographers Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Damien Jalet. Based on a biblical story of divided nations, this epic performance gathers 22 dancers from 15 nations resulting in a driving, kinetic exploration of the complexity, chaos and possibilities that arise from diverse cultures striving to coexist. 
Tickets $15 online

8. Music for the Winter Solstice – Wednesday, December 15 & Thursday, December 16

Settle into your seat at Heritage Hall and bask in candlelight glow and great music from Music on Main’s Veda Hille, Patsy Klein, Lucien Durey, and Nicholas Krgovich (vocals), Chloe Kim (violin) and Julia Chien (vibraphone). Celebrate the sound of music and warm reflection in a gathering together to mark the solstice, bringing the hope of new beginnings.  (Music for the Winter Solstice: On Demand will also be available online from December 18th until January 6th, 2022.)
$24 online and $49 in-person with limited in-person tickets available; Details online

9. A Broadway Holiday – Thursday, December 16 to Thursday, December 23

Gateway Theatre welcomes back its first in-person, indoor audiences since February 2020 with a fun and festive concert, A Broadway Holiday. Barbara Tomasic and Christopher King have selected festive hits from Broadway shows such as “Let It Snow”, “Sleigh Ride” and “White Christmas” that will have audiences happily singing along. Musically directed by Jenny Andersen and performed by seven talented singer-musicians playing a variety of instruments including the accordion, piano and the kazoo. Want to sing along loudly in the comfort of your own home? A digital video on-demand version will be available too. 
Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond; Tickets from $29 for in-person and video on-demand performances; Details online

10. Graham Clark’s 24 Hours of Stand-Up – Friday, December 17 & Saturday, December 18

Three-time Canadian Comedy Award winner, beard painter and beloved Vancouver comedian Graham Clark is set to perform 24 consecutive hours of stand-up from Friday, December 17th at 8 p.m. to Saturday, December 18th at 8 p.m. at Little Mountain Gallery. With the impending closure and demolition of the space—which has been home to Vancouver’s many DIY comedy shows and a safe space for budding young comedians—Graham’s 24-hour stand-up feat aims to raise money for a new location for the venue. The veteran comedian is ready to launch into this marathon set (with only a few bathroom breaks!) with inspiration from his talented team of comedians as they feverishly write jokes for him to read, riff and rate. 
Little Mountain Gallery, 195 East 26th Avenue, Vancouver; Tickets $20; Details online