Holiday shows 2024: Stir’s ultimate guide to festive fare, from musical theatre to classical ballet
Seasonal standouts include a massive choral Messiah, and different takes on A Christmas Carol—including one with 10-foot-high puppets
Clockwise from top left: Arts Umbrella’s Mixed Nuts, photo by David Cooper; Scott Bellis in Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol, photo by Moonrider Productions; VanDusen Festival of Lights.
CULTURE VULTURES HAVE a busy calendar with so many holiday shows happening in Vancouver this festive season.
From a wacky panto to a folk oratorio, there are selections to suit every possible taste. Here’s what’s on the books for 2024.
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol
November 14 to December 24 at Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage
Based on Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, this heart-warming musical with an original score by Dolly Parton is set in 1930s East Tennessee, and recasts Ebenezer Scrooge as the nasty and greedy owner of a mining company town. He’s visited by his deceased business partner and three ghosts, who urge him to see things in a new light in this Arts Club Theatre Company remount.
East Van Panto: Robin Hood. Photo by Emily Cooper
East Van Panto: Robin Hood
November 20 to January 5 at the York Theatre
It’s the 12th anniversary of Theatre Replacement’s beloved holiday tradition, presented by The Cultch. This time out, Robin Hood leads a group of East Van denizens along with so many animals and birds in their fight to regain their rightful place in local parks, which the City of Vancouver has privatized. Penning the play are Jivesh Parasram and Christine Quintana, while Anita Rochon directs. Veda Hille is back as musical director and composer.
Miracle on 34th Street
November 21 to December 29 at the Arts Club Theatre’s Granville Island Stage
Kris Kringle gets a job as Santa Claus at Macy’s department store, only for skeptical adults and a little girl doubt he’s the real thing. He has to prove himself when store executives take him to court. The Arts Club Theatre Company brings the beloved story to the Granville Island stage.
The Improv Centre’s Merry Happy Jolly. Photo by Chelsey Stuyt
Merry/Happy/Jolly
November 21 to December 29 at The Improv Centre
The comedians at The Improv Centre pull from the ho-ho-holidays for this seasonal show in which audiences pick their way through a cheery choose-your-own-adventure that’s fun for the whole family. That means everything from the yuletide settings to the antagonists to the love interests are in viewers’ hands.
Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker. Photo by David Cooper
Nutcracker
November 23 and 24 at Bell Performing Arts Centre in Surrey, and December 13 to 15 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet performs B.C.’s only professional rendition of the holiday classic. Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and other beloved characters come to life in the timeless production presented by Ballet BC.
VanDusen Festival of Lights
November 29 to January 5
More than one million twinkling lights across 15 acres are the star of the show at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Dancing Lights are set to music, with a show every 20 minutes from the top of the hour. New this year is an interactive mycelium installation as well as a display inspired by the Great Bear Rainforest of BC. A variety of food vendors will be right on-site.
The Light of Hope Returning
November 30 and December 1 at Pacific Spirit United Church
Elektra kicks off its 38th season with this folk oratorio, which features original video art projections by internationally renowned Syrian American artist Kevork Mourad. Among the highlights are fiddle tunes like Brightest and Best; bluegrass banjo-like rhythms on Angels We Have Heard on High; gospel grooves and saxophone solos in Lo, How a Rose and Children, Go Where I Send Thee, and more.
Reflections on Crooked Walking
November 30 to December 22 at the Firehall Arts Centre
In Ann Mortifee’s JUNO-nominated family musical, four unlikely friends go in search of a magic word that will allow them to escape the games of a mysterious manipulator, and follow the lead of a strange presence who encourages them to open multiple doors to new dimensions along their journey.
Christmas with the Bach Choir.
Christmas with the Bach Choir
December 1 at the Orpheum
This beloved annual event features the voices of more than 500 singers, including those from the Vancouver Bach Choir and the Vancouver Bach Children’s Choirs. Rounding out the magnificent sounds are Touch of Brass quintet and organist Michael Dirk.
Laila Biali.
Laila Biali: Wintersongs & Holiday Classics
December 5 at BlueShore at CapU
Vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Laila Biali is touring Canada with her most ambitious show to date, an evening of winter-inspired original music alongside new arrangements of secular and sacred classics. The show features JUNO-winning saxophonist and flutist Jane Bunnett, bassist Dan Fortin, violinist Rebekah Wolkstein, Eskasoni Mi’kmaq First Nations dancer Sarah Prosper, and Capilano University’s esteemed choir, NiteCap.
The Gingerbread Men: A(nother) Holiday Cabaret
December 5 to 22, 2024 at the Arts Club Theatre’s Newmont Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre
Back by popular demand, The Gingerbread Men: A(nother) Holiday Cabaret offers buttery smooth vocals in a range of genres, including doo wop, jazz, standards, and barbershop. Holiday classics are part of the show, too.
CSO
Advent Messiah
December 7 at Holy Rosary Cathedral
Cantare Super Orchestram, the CSO’s newly rebranded early music ensemble, joins forces with Belle Voci Vocal Ensemble to perform selections from Handel’s glorious oratorio. One of the challenges in performing Messiah year after year is to keep the work sounding fresh, and, according to the CSO, audiences can expect to hear a more detailed, articulate style and quicker tempos than what they may be accustomed to, based on Baroque dance rhythms and speech patterns.
The Snowman
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: The Snowman in Concert
December 8 at the Orpheum
RBC assistant conductor David Bui leads the VSO in this live accompaniment to the festive film The Snowman. Gillian Hunter-Gibbs—a violinist, violist, and educator who’s also the executive director of the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs—hosts.
A Canadian Brass Christmas
December 10 at the Orpheum
Joe Burgstaller and Ashley Hall-Tighe on trumpet, Jeff Nelsen on horn, Achilles Liarmakopoulos on trombone, and Chuck Daellenbach on tuba are the musical forces behind Canadian Brass. The band will perform everything from Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” to holiday favourites by the likes of Bach and Glenn Miller in this Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presentation.
Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa. Photo by S.D. Holman
Music for the Winter Solstice
December 11 and 12 at the Heritage Hall
Music on Main is known for its informal, intimate experiences filled with music that brings people together, and its Music for the Winter Solstice is always a big draw. Among the artists taking part this season is keyboard virtuoso Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa.
A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol. Photo by Daryl Turner
A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol
December 11 and 12 at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver and December 13 and 14 at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster
Giant masks, whimsical 10-foot-tall puppets, and glowing ghosts are just some of the highlights of this madly popular holiday show. A reimagining of Charles Dickens’s classic story A Christmas Carol, it’s performed entirely through visual storytelling without any dialogue.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: Traditional Christmas
December 11 to 22 at various venues
Classic Christmas carols are on the program at this beloved holiday tradition with special guest singers. It’s hosted by Christopher Gaze, founding artistic director of Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival.
Rickie Wang in Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, Photo by David Cooper
Oliver!
December 12 to January 4 at Gateway Theatre
Lionel Bart’s Tony and Olivier award-winning musical based on Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist revolves around an orphan who escapes a bleak workhouse to find community among a group of young pickpockets in 1830s London. The 1968 film version of the holiday classic won best picture at the Academy Awards.
Vancouver Chamber Choir’s Christmas by Candlelight
Christmas by Candlelight
December 12 at 2 pm at West Vancouver United Church and December 13 at 6:30 and 8:30 pm at Pacific Spirit United Church
The golden glow of candles make this Vancouver Chamber Choir concert a peaceful respite from the chaos of holiday shopping and busy schedules. Expect a program of more reflective, transcendent seasonal repertoire, all aimed at soothing the soul. Music director Kari Turunen will be on the podium.
Metro Theatre’s Cinderella! A Traditional British Pantomime. Photo by Emily Cooper
Cinderella! A Traditional British Pantomime
December 13 to January 5
Metro Theatre is bringing back its holiday mainstay for a 39th year. The fairy tale is a family favourite and will make it obvious why British pantomime is a holiday tradition all throughout the U.K. Written by Shel Piercy and Jo Sears, the production is directed by Piercy and features choreography by Shelley Stewart Hunt and music direction by Arielle Ballance.
Handel’s Messiah
December 14 at the Orpheum
Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs mounts this ever-popular show featuring the Vancouver Bach Choir and members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. Also appearing are soloists soprano Caitlin Wood, alto Nicholas Burns, tenor Spencer Britten, and bass Jonathon Adams.
Timothy Chooi joins the VSO
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
December 14 and 15 at the Chan Centre’s Chan Shun Concert Hall
Victoria-born violin soloist Timothy Chooi leads the VSO in this holiday favourite, one of the most famous offerings of the classical canon. Also on this uplifting program: Peter Warlock’s Capriol Suite (for Strings) and Dale Sorensen’s Nordic Suite.
Hollywood Harmonies for the Holidays With Michael van den Bos.
Hollywood Harmonies for the Holidays With Michael van den Bos
December 15 at 3:30 pm at Vancity Theatre
VIFF presents this holiday special hosted by classic film scholar Michael van den Bos. The 150-minute event with 15-minute intermission features jolly musical moments from various classic and contemporary films. Expect beloved Christmas-movie melodies by the likes of Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Elvis Presley, Jane Russell, Dick Van Dyke, and more.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: Home Alone in Concert
December 18 and 19 at the Orpheum
A sell-out every season, this show features esteemed composer John Williams’s beloved score being played live to screen by the VSO. Vern Griffiths, who joined the orchestra in 1997 as principal percussionist, conducts.
Christmas with Chor Leoni. Photo by David Cooper
Christmas with Chor Leoni
December 19 to 21 at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church
The singing lions ring in the holidays with a program of festive favourites and joy-filled new works. Joining the choir for candle-lit carols are pianists Tina Chang and Karen Lee-Morlang, violinist Cameron Wilson, bassist Laurence Mollerup, and guitarist Keith Sinclair. The 65-member choir is led by artistic director and conductor Erick Lichte.
The Nutcracker
December 19 to 22 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
This heart-warming production by Goh Ballet features more than 200 dancers, actors, and gymnasts, all performing to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed live by members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.
B3 Kings
B3 Kings
December 20 and 21 at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts Studio Theatre
Featuring Cory Weeds on tenor saxophone, Chris Gestrin on B3 organ, Bill Coon on guitar, and vocalist Denzal Sinclaire on drums, the B3 Kings were formed in 2002 for a Christmas concert at Cory Weeds’ Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver. The show was such a hit that it became an annual event.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: Elf in Concert
December 20 and 21 at the Orpheum
Will Ferrell stars as Buddy the Elf in this holiday favourite, which sees the VSO performing John Debney’s delightful score live while the movie plays on the big screen. Andrew Crust conducts.
The 21st Christmas Reprise
December 21 at the Holy Rosary Cathedral
The Vancouver Cantata Singers put on this popular a cappella concert of traditional carols and contemporary Christmas compositions. The choir will sing works by Miles Ramsay, Shane Raman, Cecilia McDowall, Franz Biebl, and Ola Gjeilo, with special-guest cellist Trisha Doo.
Pacific Baroque Orchestra
Festive Cantatas: Bach & Zelenka
December 22 at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
Early Music Vancouver celebrates the holidays with Gloria in excelsis Deo, cantata BWV 191 from 1745 by J.S. Bach; and Missa Nativitatis Domini, ZWV 8 of 1726 by J.D. Zelenka. Sopranos Hélène Brunet and Suzie LeBlanc, alto Cecilia Duarte, tenor James Reese, and bass William Kraushaar join the Vancouver Chamber Choir and Pacific Baroque Orchestra, directed by Alexander Weimann.
Mixed Nuts
December 13 to 15 at Vancouver Playhouse
Arts Umbrella is back with its annual holiday production, which offers an energized spin on Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Expect an assortment of dance styles ranging from hip hop and ballroom to classical ballet and contemporary.
NYE at TIC
December 31 at The Improv Centre
New Year’s Eve is filled with laughs as the comedians from The Improv Centre count down to 2025 and recap some of the events that made 2024 so memorable. Tickets to the evening’s performances include full access to a dessert buffet, candy station, and photo booth.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert
January 1 at the Orpheum
A New Year’s tradition for more than 25 years, this joyful concert features dancers alongside Johann Strauss Jr.’s powerful arias, charming duets, and festive overtures. Budapest’s Imre Kollár conducts the Strauss Symphony of Canada with members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra while special guests include soprano Mónika Fischl and tenor Martin Piskorski. 
Related Articles
