We’re heading into the third week of December, and holiday festivities are reaching their peak. From holiday lights and pop-up bars to the resurgence of spooky season, here are 10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this week (December 19-23).
PNE Winter Fair
View this post on Instagram
It’s the last few days of the all-new PNE Winter Fair, and you won’t want to miss it. Christmas-themed concerts, an indoor skating rink, and winter light displays all await you. Oh, and plenty of tasty doughnuts and holiday treats to go around!
When: Wednesday, December 14th to Friday, December 23rd
Where: 2901 East Hastings Street
Cost: $15 for Fair admission, concerts additional (require fair admission)
A Very Creepy Christmas
In case you didn’t get enough of spooky season, Cougar Creek’s House of Horrors is back with “A Very Creepy Christmas” to give Vancouverites the chance to relive the haunted house experience before the year’s end. The event will feature two Christmas-themed “haunts”: The Kaverns of Krampus and Hotel Frozen Terror, both of which will take place on select dates between December 16th and December 23rd.
When: Select dates between Friday, December 16th to Friday, December 23rd
Where: 12530 72nd Avenue, Surrey
Cost: $29.99+
Enjoy a festive holiday shopping experience at CF Shopping Centres
With Christmas quickly approaching, Cadillac Fairview (CF) is continuing its holiday magic across its 18 shopping centres. Enjoy festive activities that extend until the New Year, including holiday musical performances, festive decor, indoor snowfall, outdoor events, extended holiday shopping hours and much more.
To see a full listing of events in your area, visit CF’s holiday hub.
When: Now until December 31, 2022
Where: Cadillac Fairview Shopping Centres across Canada
Pink Martini
Crossing over into several genres including classical, Latin, pop, and jazz – Pink Martini is a cocktail of sounds and influences. The vocals are co-led by China Forbes and Storm Large, and the band was founded in 1994 in Portland by pianist Thomas Lauderdale.
When: Tuesday, December 20th
Where: 601 Smithe Street
Cost: $60.50+
Bear Creek Park Train & Mini Golf
View this post on Instagram
Love holiday-themed train rides? Bear Creek Park in Surrey is hosting two festive train rides this holiday season: A Christmas Night Train and the Daytime Santa Express. Tickets are available in person for $12.60 each, and children under two ride for free. The Santa Express will run seven days a week from 10 am to 4:30 pm until December 31st, with the exception of Christmas Day.
When: Until December 31st
Where: Where: 13750 – 88th Avenue at King George Blvd. Surrey
Cost: $12.60 per person
A Christmas Cocktail Story
In terms of holiday pop-up bars, it doesn’t get more festive than “A Christmas Cocktail Story” at Dalina on Main. And luckily, this retro-themed pop-up features plenty of classic snacks & treats, cocktails, and holiday spirit to go around. Tickets can be reserved online for 1.5 hours ($36.50 per person). Each reservation includes a welcome drink, one Christmas Cocktail of your choice, and a platter of treats.
When: Thursday, December 1st to December 23rd
Where: 687 Main Street
Cost: $36.50 per person
Sponsored Pick: Canada’s Holiday Headquarters
We love family dinners and friendly get-togethers come holiday season. Hosting them, however, is a whole other story. No matter how experienced you are, planning, prepping and executing can be an overwhelming task. But as always, our holiday headquarters, aka M&M Food Market, is here to save you (and us) from admitting defeat.
With a lineup of new festive frozen meals with appetizers to main entrees to desserts, you can arrange an elaborate & gourmet holiday meal without breaking a sweat. Spend your time with loved ones & leave the meal planning up to the experts this holiday season!
Johnny Reid
View this post on Instagram
Another performer at PNE’s Holiday Night Concert series, Johnny Reid is a renowned Scottish-Canadian country performer with a penchant for topping the Canadian charts.
When: Thursday, December 22nd
Where: 100 North Renfrew, Pacific Coliseum
Cost: $49-$69+
Bright Nights – Stanley Park
While the event will look a little different without their iconic vintage trains, the organizers of Bright Nights at Stanley Park are making up for it with an antique fire truck, a giant red reindeer, and a sparkling tunnel of holiday lights in the plaza. And in terms of food & drink, there will be plenty of churros, pretzels, popcorn, and chimney cakes from the Praguery to munch on.
Bright Nights takes place from 4 to 10 pm every day until January 1st, with the exception of Sunday, December 25th.
When: Until January 1st
Where: Stanley Park
Cost: By donation
Dundarave Festival of Lights
View this post on Instagram
While details are still a little scarce for this year’s event, the Dundarave Festival of Lights is putting together their “Forest of Miracles” and preparing for their festival of lights, which is on until Sunday, January 8th.
When: Saturday, December 3rd to Sunday, January 8th
Where: Dundarave Beach, Millennium Park, Grosvenor Ambleside Galleria
Check out the Shipyards Skate Plaza
Head over to the Shipyards and rent some skates for $7 a pop ($5 for kids) and skate to your heart’s content at the largest outdoor skating rink in Metro Van. Enjoy some stunning waterfront views as you skate, and even pop into the nearby Polygon Gallery to take advantage of their pop-up holiday markets.
When: Opens Friday, December 2nd
Where: 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
And that’s a wrap on the week, Vancouver! Enjoy the snow while it’s here and have an amazing holiday season.
