21 things to do over the holidays in Vancouver

Canyon Lights, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Nov. 14, 2016 to Jan. 8, 2017, closed Christmas Day.
Park open 11 a.m.PT to 9 p.m. PT, holiday activities start at 4 p.m. PT.
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The Capilano Suspension Bridge is decorated with thousands of sparkling lights and is a must-see holiday tradition for all ages. The Canyon Lights event also includes admission to the park, gingerbread cookie decorating, card writing, carols and claims to have the world's largest living Christmas tree.

Location: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, North Vancouver

Tickets and more information: $39.95 adult, $13.95 for child. Under six free.

Anonymous Art Show

Nov. 18 to Dec. 17, 2016
9 a.m.PT until 5 p.m. PT daily

Anonymous Art Show is a fundraiser and group exhibition showcasing artists from around the Lower Mainland as well as other parts of Canada. North Vancouver Community Arts Council uses the money raised to support emerging artists.

Location: CityScape Community Art Space, North Vancouver.
Tickets and more information: Free admission, all artwork for sale $100.

The Peak of Christmas, Grouse Mountain

Nov. 25, 2016 to Jan. 2, 2017
Park open 9 a.m. PT until 10 p.m. PT, some activities scheduled in advance.

Experience it all at Vancouver's North Pole where you can stroll through the light tunnel, skate at the top of the mountain, meet real reindeer and watch holiday movies on a big screen.

Location: Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver.

Tickets and more information: $44. 95 adult, $15.95 child. Family pass special $89.95.

Vancouver Christmas Market

Nov. 26 until Dec. 31, 2016, closed Christmas Day
11 a.m. until 9 p.m. PT, daily.

An authentic German-style Christmas market experience.

Location: Jack Poole Plaza, Vancouver.

Tickets and more information: $8 adults, $4 youth.Under four free.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Nov. 26 until Dec. 31, 2016
Show times vary.

A children's Christmas play based on the holiday classic.

Location: Waterfront Theatre, Granville Island.
Tickets and more information: $35 adult, $18 child.

Bright Nights Christmas Train

Nov. 28, 2016 to Jan. 1, 2017, closed Christmas Day.
Matinee train 10 a.m.PT until 2:30 p.m. PT, evening train 3 p.m. PT to 10 p.m. PT.

Vancouver's most affordable Christmas lights show and 14-minute train ride around Stanley Park.

Location: Stanley Park, Vancouver.
Tickets and more information: Free admission to park, train tickets $12 adult and $8 child. Matinee trains $6 all ages.

Steveston Festival of Trees

Dec. 1 until 31st, 2016. Closed Dec. 25 and 26.
10 a.m.PT - 5 p.m. PT, daily.

Local merchants and community groups show off their creative talents by decorating their own festive trees, displayed inside the historic cannery.

Location: Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Richmond.

Tickets and more information: $7.80 adults, $3.90 child.

Festival of Lights, VanDusen Botanical Garden

Dec. 1, 2016 until Jan. 2, 2017
4:30 p.m. PT to 9 p.m. PT.

Stroll with friends and family through a magical winter wonderland with more than one million lights and new carousel.

Location: VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver.

Tickets and more information: $18.50 adult, $11 child. Under 3 free.

Holy Mo! A Christmas Show!

Dec. 2 until 31st, 2016
2 p.m. PT matinee or 8 p.m. PT evening show.

A reverently irreverent re-imagining of the Nativity told with gusto and a questionable commitment to accuracy.

Location: Pacific Theatre, Vancouver.

Tickets and more information: $36. 70 adult, $15. 70 child.

Mary Poppins

Dec. 2, 2016 until Jan. 1, 2017
Show times vary.

Watch Mary Poppins fly over the rooftops of London and "feel like a kid again" with this family musical.

Location: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, Vancouver.
Tickets and more information: General admission from $29.

Nutcracker Ballet

Dec. 8 until 11th, 2016
2 p.m. PT or 7:30 p.m. PT

Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet captures the imagination with this retelling of the beloved holiday classic with traditional Canadian scenes such as a snowy pond hockey game and a battle on Parliament Hill.

Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver.

Tickets and more information: $56.25 - $91. 25.

The SantaLand Diaries

Dec. 8 until 18, 2016
8 p.m. PT, Thursday to Saturday.

A biting and slightly fictionalized account of humourist David Sedaris' time as one of Macy's store Christmas elves.

Location: Presentation House Theatre, North Vancouver.

Tickets and more information: $20-25.

The Music Man

Dec. 8 until 31, 2016
8 p.m. PT evening show, matinees performances vary.

The rousing classic about a charming con man and his 76 trombones.

Location: Gateway Theatre, Richmond,
Tickets and more information: $29 - $55.

Holiday Heights, Bloedel Conservatory

Dec. 9, 2016 until Jan. 2, 2017, closed Christmas Day.
4 p.m. PT - 9 p.m. PT, daily.

The city's only holiday Ferris wheel is rolling at Queen Elizabeth Park with festive lights, music and a holiday scavenger hunt.

Location: Bloedel Conservatory, Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver.

Tickets and more information: $6.75 adult, $3.25 child. Under four free.

Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village

Dec. 10, 2016 untl Jan. 2, 2017. Closed Dec. 24 and 25.
1 p.m. PT - 9 p.m. PT, daily.

Christmas lights, decorations and activities at the outdoor museum.

Location: Burnaby Village Museum, Burnaby.

Tickets and more information: Free admission, carousel rides $2.60 each.

Something To Treasure, A Good Noise Christmas concert

Dec. 11, 2016
Starts at 3 p.m. PT

The 90-voice choir of Good Noise and the Alumni Project perform traditional gospel-infused Christmas songs and carols on Sunday afternoon.

Location: Fraserview Church, Richmond.

Tickets and more information: $25 adult, $20 student and $10 child.

The Nutcracker, GOH Ballet

Dec. 15 - 20, 2016
7:30 p.m. PT daily, afternoon shows on the weekend.

A traditional rendition of a classical masterpiece. Presented by the GOH ballet with music performed live by members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.

Location: The Centre, 777 Homer Street, Vancouver.
Tickets and more information: $53.75 to $149.75

Christmas at Canada Place

Dec. 16 until 30, 2016
2 p.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT, daily.

The 29th annual Christmas presented by the Port of Vancouver that includes an avenue of decorated trees, historic Woodward's Christmas displays, colourful lights on the building's sails and seasonal movies in Rudolph's Theatre.

Location: Canada Place, Vancouver.

Tickets and more information: Free admission.

Christmas in the Village, Fort Langley

Dec. 16 until 18, 2016
10 a.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT, daily.

Three day Christmas farmers' market with a Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" theme.

Location: Fort Langley.
Tickets and more information: Free admission.

Christmas Reprise XIV concert

Dec. 17 and Dec. 21, 2016
2 p.m. PT and 7:30 p.m. PT

Vancouver Cantata Singers, an award-winning choral ensemble, are performing their annual Christmas concert at two different locations this season.

Location: Holy Rosary Cathedral, Vancouver (Dec. 17) and Anvil Theatre, New Westminster (Dec. 21).

Tickets and more information: $30 general admission, $20 student and $10 child.

O Christmas Tea - A British Comedy

Dec. 22 and 23, 2016
Starts at 7:30 p.m. PT

Action-packed, comedic quest to save the world from drowning in tea by the 17-time 'Best-of-Fest' winners James & Jamesy.

Location: ACT Arts Centre, Maple Ridge.
Tickets and more information: $28 adult, $15 student.