1. VanDusen Festival of Lights
The 33rd annual VanDusen Festival of Lights kicks off Dec. 1, featuring 15 acres of the Garden studded with millions of lights. New this year is an indoor entertainment area featuring live performances every night and an outdoor licensed area with fire pits. Then there are the regular attractions: the Dancing Lights show on Livingstone Lake, stories and selfies with Santa and the Air France carousel. Skip the lineup by buying your tickets online.
Dec. 1-14 (4:30-9 p.m.), Dec. 15-24 (4:30-10 p.m.), Dec. 26-Jan. 7 (4:30-9 p.m.); VanDusen Botanical Garden; $18.50/$14.25/$11 (50c more at the gate).Ìý
2. Holiday pop-ups and craft fairs
There’s just no excuse not to get your shopping started early this Christmas. Take your pick from the markets going down this week featuring goods from local artists, artisans and craftspeople:
TOQUE is the annual fundraiser and craft fair for the Western Front art and music centre. There will be 30 Vancouver-based artists and designers selling their creations, which range from textiles, ceramics and jewellery to books, bags and home and body products. All proceeds support Western Front’s year-round programs.
Dec. 1 (6-10 p.m.), Dec. 2-3 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.); Western Front, 303 E. 8th Ave. By donation.
The Modern Localist will be holding a free holiday pop-up marketplace featuring Vancouver-based makers and designers, with items including jewellery, clothing, skincare, baby and home products.
Dec. 2-3, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 163 W. Pender St. Free entry. RSVP at
Out on the West Side, the annual Wesbrook Holiday Craft Fair boasts 40 vendors selling jewellery, bath and body products, textiles and special baby gifts, as well as some local favourite stores. There will also be horse and carriage rides, facepainting and crafts for kids.
Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wesbrook Community Centre, 3335 Webber Ln. Free entry.
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3. VPL Christmas Used Book Sale
If all those markets still aren’t enough, there are thousands of gently used books for all ages, as well as DVDs and CDs, up for grabs at bargain prices this weekend, with everything half price on Saturday. Bring your own bags or boxes!
Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Central Library. Free. vpl.ca/events.
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4. Caravans: The International Indigenous Arts Fair
In the first show of its kind, the Downtown Eastside Centre for the Arts is presenting a range of works by local artists that represents Vancouver's cultural diversity. Much of the work is a result of DECA’s art programs, which aim to mentor talent, assist artists in recovery and generate income in the Downtown Eastside.
Nov. 30 (6-9 p.m.), Dec. 1 (noon-9 p.m.), Dec. 2 (noon-9 p.m.), Dec. 3 (noon-6 p.m.). Chinese Cultural Centre, 50 E. Pender St. $2.
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5. Handel’s Messiah
There are still a few tickets left for the Playhouse showing of Early Music Vancouver’s take on Handel’s masterpiece, which will see music director and harpsichordist Alexander Weimann lead the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Cantata Singers, and four acclaimed vocalists. EMV’s presentation of Messiah will demonstrate how the experience can change dramatically for the audience when period instruments are used and the number of musicians is reduced: in this case, to 20 instrumentalists and 30 singers.
Dec. 1-2, 7:30 p.m., pre-concert talk at 6:45 p.m.; Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Playhouse, 600 Hamilton St., $26-$68;
