Downtown
Canada Place rings in Christmas with the 25th anniversary of the aptly named Christmas at Canada Place.
This year the West Promenade at Canada Place has been transformed into Christmas Wonderland, complete with holiday decorations and festive activities.
Outside, visitors can get their glitter on in the Christmas Workshop, an outdoor tent filled with holiday crafts and activities, including seasonal storytelling, face painting and a SantaGram, a life-sized photo wall where you can get your picture taken with the jolly elder elf.
Christmas wouldnt be the same without the Woodwards windows holiday displays. These traditional holiday favourites are enough to make even Scrooge nostalgic for a simpler time, when window displays were the highlight of the season and iPads were nothing but a glimmer in Steve Jobs eye. Though, not surprisingly, there are mobile apps for that window display, which can be reached through www.canadaplace.ca/Christmas.
Samples of Woodwards windows are on display now through Dec. 30 at Canada Place, 999 Canada Place, the food floor of Woodwards, 333 Abbott St., and Bentall towers one through five. Admission to Canada Place is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted to help support the Strathcona Community Centres Food Security for Children Program.
- The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Bach Choir is performing a concert described by the group as a Messiah for the modern age and the poetic retelling of Christs birth from one of the worlds most vital and prolific living composers.
El Niño, thats The Infant, not the climate pattern, is John Adams illuminating nativity oratorio, which takes place at the Orpheum Theatre, 884 Granville St., Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. For more information visit www.vancouverbachchoir.com.
Kitsilano
There is only one performance of A Childs Christmas in Wales at the Canadian Memorial Church, located at West 15th Avenue and Burrard, which promises a twist on the childrens classic with an evening of words and music.
A Childs Christmas in Wales will be performed by Colleen Winton and Russell Roberts and accompanied by an original score by composer Brian Tate. Proceeds will help support the Street Meals Scholarship Fund, a program that supports at-risk youth who want to study social work. The concert takes place Sunday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $15 at the door cash only.
Coal Harbour
The Gifts-a-Go-Go Christmas Pop-Up Shop promises groovy one-of-a-kind artisan gifts, stocking stuffers and fine finds Sunday, Dec. 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Performing Arts Lodges, 581 Cordova St. Visit palvancouver.org.
Granville Island
Musicians Connor Roff, Alexandria Maillot and Ben Parker present a Covenant house fundraiser featuring a showcase of frivolous holiday activity with impressive Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»singer/songwriter talent. Covenant House offers shelter, support and programs for at-risk street youth. The concert takes place at the Backstage Lounge on Granville Island, Friday, Dec. 21 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
West End
I know this is kind of last minute, but Im putting out a request for anyone with a talent for baking, the ability to purchase baking, or simply a knack for eating baked goods to donate to the Friends For Life Society. The society raises money to enhance the wellness of members living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses by providing complementary and alternative health and support services.
The society is hosting its second annual bake sale, Thursday Dec. 13 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Diamond Care Centre for Living, 1459 Barclay St. The house is beautifully decorated for the holidays, so stop by, purchase some treats and say hello.
Twitter: @sthomas10
