Music of the Season Brightens Holidays
Celebrate the winter holidays with a night out at one of the best Christmas concerts in Vancouver. These special performances have something for everyone to enjoy, ranging from family-friendly Christmas music with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to holiday classics like “The Nutcracker.” This guide highlights the best holiday-themed concerts and special performances for the Christmas season.
Yule Duel
Vancouver’s third annual caroling competition brings numerous choirs to historic Gastown to carol for charity. The funds raised support May’s Place, a hospice in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside neighborhood. While the event is free, donations are welcomed. In 2019, the Yule Duel takes place on Thursday, December 5th, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s “A Traditional Christmas”
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s annual holiday concerts, titled “A Traditional Christmas,” are essential holiday events in Vancouver. Held at various venues throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, each concert features family-friendly Christmas favorites and carols that delight audiences of all ages. Tickets sell out quickly, so it’s advisable to secure them early. In 2019, these concerts run from December 10 through December 22; please check the website for specific locations and times.
Vancouver Men’s Chorus: “Making Spirits Bright”
One of the most beloved Christmas concerts in Vancouver is “Making Spirits Bright” by the Vancouver Men’s Chorus. Renowned as one of the best choral groups in the city, the VMC begins the winter holiday season with this vibrant concert series at historic St. Paul’s Anglican Church in downtown Vancouver. In 2019, performances are on December 7, 11, 12, and 13 at 8:00 p.m.; matinees will be held on December 7, 8, and 14 at 3:00 p.m.
Vancouver Chamber Choir Christmas Concerts
Each year, the Vancouver Chamber Choir presents some of the most beautiful Christmas concerts in Vancouver. In 2019, the Chamber Choir begins its seasonal performances with “Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (I, II and VI)” on Friday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m., featuring Evangelist Owen McCausland and the Pacific Baroque Orchestra on period instruments. This concert will take place at The Orpheum Theatre.
Additionally, the Chamber Choir will hold another holiday concert titled “A Rose In The Middle Of Winter,” conducted by Kari Turunen, on Friday, December 20, at 7:30 p.m. at Pacific Spirit United Church; it will explore musical traditions from northern Europe.
Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir
In 2019, the Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir presents “Good Tidings! A Good Noise Gospel Christmas” on Friday, December 13 at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, December 14 at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. These concerts will take place at the Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver, featuring Canadian jazz, soul, and blues singer Katherine Penfold as a special guest.
The Nutcracker
While not strictly a Christmas concert, “The Nutcracker” is profoundly associated with the holiday season. This classic ballet, featuring Tchaikovsky’s enchanting music, remains a favorite for all ages. In 2019, it is performed by the Goh Ballet (Chan Han Goh, Director) at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. Performances are scheduled for December 20 at 7:30 p.m.; December 21 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and December 22 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Arts Club Theatre Company’s Christmas Plays and Musicals
The Arts Club Theatre Company, Vancouver’s largest year-round theater company, stages Christmas or holiday-themed plays and musicals every December. For many locals, attending a show at the Arts Club is a delightful way to celebrate the season.
Productions by the Arts Club during the 2019 holiday season include:
- “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly”: December 5, 2019, to January 4, 2020
- “It’s a Wonderful Christmas-ish Holiday Miracle”: November 21 to December 22, 2019
- “The Sound of Music”: November 7, 2019, to January 5, 2020
