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Vancouver Christmas Concerts

November 29, 2023

Lots of festive holiday Christmas concerts by area choirs and orchestras take place in December each year in Metro Vancouver.

Concerts and shows happening in mid-December usually include ones with the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir and Chor Leoni. Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker takes place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre most years. In 2024, the Elektra Women’s Choir hosts their The Light of Hope Returning concerts at Pacific Spirit United Church on November 30th and December 1st.

There is also normally live music and entertainment at various holiday attractions, including at Glow Christmas in Langley and the PNE Winter Fair.

For an idea of what else to expect in 2024, continue reading to learn about the various concerts Metro Vancouver has to offer.

The following choirs and other musical groups perform during the 2024 festive season (or performed last :

Holiday Concerts in Vancouver in November and December

Some of the region’s favourite holiday performances include concerts by the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Chor Leoni, Vancouver Bach Choir, and Pacific Baroque Orchestra with Early Music Vancouver. There is also the Goh Ballet Nutcracker which is a ballet, but with an orchestra accompaniment. The VAM Symphony Orchestra also has a concert at the Orpheum.

Christmas Concerts in 2024 in Vancouver

Choirs in the section below perform (or will likely perform) over the holiday season in 2024.

Note: Schedules are subject to change so check concert websites for the most up-to-date information. Also, there are numerous Christmas concerts at schools and churches throughout Metro Vancouver. Keep a lookout for events close to your neighbourhood too!

Songs, Strings & Steps Christmas Concerts

Calvin Dyck is the director of the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra. He is also the person behind Songs, Strings & Steps and the Symphony in the Park event which features a free classical music concert at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford in the summer. Songs, Strings & Steps’ annual Christmas concerts are on December 6th and 7th in 2024. As of August, the location is still to be confirmed. Details, however, will be posted on the calvindyck.com. website.

Vancouver Oratorio Choir Concerts

The Vancouver Oratorio Choir is a group of close to 90 Christian vocalists and musicians. In 2024 the group performs one Christmas concert. Performers sing in both English and Mandarin. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

Details about the 2024 Christmas concert are as follows:

Sunday, December 1st, 2024 – Gloria starts at 7:30 pm at the Evangelical Chinese Bible Church, located at 5110 Marine Drive in Burnaby.

See the Vancouver Oratorio Choir website for more information.

Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir Concerts

Last year, the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir held its first in-person concerts since the pandemic. They typically perform in White Rock, New Westminster, Surrey, Vancouver and North Vancouver. The choir’s schedule in 2023 was the following:

Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 – guest school choir (to be confirmed) at White Rock Baptist Church at 2:30 pm. The venue’s address is 1657 140th Street in South Surrey.
Sunday, December 3rd, 2023 – Christmas Concert (with Winter Harp) at New Westminster’s Massey Theatre at 2:30 pm. The venue’s address is 735 Eighth Avenue.
Tuesday, December 5th, 2023 – at the Surrey Arts Centre at 7:30 pm. The centre’s address is 13750 88th Avenue which is right beside Bear Creek Park in Surrey.
Saturday, December 9th, 2023 – Christmas Concert at Christ Church Cathedral at 2:30 pm. The church is located at 690 Burrard Street in Vancouver.
Friday, December 15th, 2023 – Christmas Concert with Argyle Secondary School Choir at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver at 7:30 pm. Centennial Theatre is located at 2300 Lonsdale Avenue (so just below the Trans-Canada Highway.
Saturday, December 16th, 2023 – Christmas Concert with Magee Secondary School Choir at Shaughnessy Heights United Church at 7:30 pm. This church is at 1550 West 33rd Avenue in Vancouver.

(Note: Concert dates and other details are subject to change.)

2024 concert dates are TBD as of July. Click Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir for more information about the group or visit the official vancouverchoir.ca website.

Chor Leoni Concerts

The Chor Leoni Christmas choir concerts take place at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church at 1022 Nelson Street in Vancouver. The dates for their 2024/25 season release on August 15th. Below is their Christmas schedule from last year.

(Note: Concert dates and other details are subject to change.)

Friday, December 15th, 2023 – Christmas with Chor Leoni at 7:30 pm.
Saturday, December 16th, 2023 – Christmas with Chor Leoni at 11:00 am and then 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
Monday, December 18th, 2023 – Christmas with Chor Leoni at 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

Click Chor Leoni Choir for more information or visit chorleoni.org.

Goh Ballet

Goh Ballet hosts a special production of The Nutcracker during the Christmas season each year. The performances feature talented dancers and live music by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. The shows are held at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 630 Hamilton Street in Vancouver on the following dates in 2024:

Thursday, December 19th, 2024 – at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 7:30 pm.
Friday, December 20th, 2024 – at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 7:30 pm.
Saturday, December 21st, 2024 – at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm.
Sunday, December 22nd, 2024 – at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 2:00 pm.

For more information visit the GohNutcracker.com website or see our article about Goh Ballet.

United Voices Choir Concert

The United Voices Choir hosts a number of concerts throughout the year, including one with a Christmas theme. In 2024, their holiday concert is Handel’s Messiah Sing-Along. The show takes place on Sunday, December 15th. It starts at 8:00 pm and runs for two hours at the Kerrisdale Presbyterian Church. The venue is located at 2733 West 41st Avenue in Vancouver. Tickets cost $15 or $30 depending on your age.

For full details visit voiceschoir.ca or see our United Voices Choir article.

Vancouver Christmas Market Concerts

The Vancouver Christmas Market took place between November 16th and Christmas Eve last year. 2024 dates are TBD as of July.

Every day of the season there is live entertainment. There are usually either two or three bands or musicians playing for a couple of hours per set each day. Groups last year included the Gingerbread Men, Phat Santa Swing, Asi Somos, Antonio Larosa, Krystal Dos Santos, Rheinlander, Nette, Tom Arntzen, Amber Tsang, Clavinova Nights and others.

To see who is performing when, click Vancouver Christmas Market Entertainment Schedule.

Vancouver Christmas Concerts — Photos by Louis Li David Copper Paul Jack Vancouvers Best Places

VAM Symphony Orchestra

Last year the VAM Symphony Orchestra had its How the Grinch Stole Christmas concert on Sunday, December 10th. Taking place at the Orpheum Theatre starting at 2:00 pm, the concert featured music from the classic film. There was also a performance of The Four Seasons by Vivaldi. Tickets cost $15 for adults or $10 for seniors and students.

To learn more about the concert and the orchestra, see our article about the Vancouver Academy of Music.

Vancouver Symphony Concerts

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs its annual Traditional Christmas series of Christmas concerts at various venues throughout the Lower Mainland. This year’s schedule is listed below.

(Note: Concert dates and other details are subject to change.)

Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 – at 7:30 pm at the Kay Meek Centre in West Vancouver.
Thursday, December 12th, 2024 – at 7:30 pm at South Delta Baptist Church in Delta.
Friday, December 13th, 2024 – at 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver.
Sunday, December 15th, 2024 – at 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm at the Bell Performing Arts Centre in Surrey.
Sunday, December 22nd, 2024 – at 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver.

In addition to the above Traditional Christmas concerts, there are also the following concerts which have a Christmas theme:

Wednesday, December 18th, 2023, and Thursday, December 19th, 2024 – Home Alone in Concert at the Orpheum Theatre at 7:00 pm. Watch the movie Home Alone in the theatre with the VSO performing the score live!

For more details see our article about the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra or visit the vancouversymphony.ca website.

Don’t forget that there is also live music at set times at the Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza and Glow Christmas in Langley!

Vancouver Bach Choir Concerts

In 2023, the Vancouver Bach Choir performs at the following place and time:

(Note: Concert date and details are subject to change.)

Sunday, December 8th, 2024 – Christmas with the Bach Choir at 3:00 pm at the ACT Arts Centre in Maple Ridge. The concert typically features hundreds of singers.

The Singing Christmas Tree Concerts

The Singing Christmas Tree is an annual event that’s been taking place for over 50 years. It features around 10 concerts that include choir, vocal ensemble, orchestra, dancing and acrobatic performances at Broadway Church at 2700 East Broadway in Vancouver.

Last year’s shows ran on Friday December 1st at 7:30 pm, and on the Saturdays and Sundays of December 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th at both 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

Admission to the concerts is usually FREE (or by donation) and tickets are available online. The event sells out though, and tickets are usually oversold, so even if you have a ticket be sure to arrive at least an hour early. Also, seating is not reserved but on a first-come first-served basis.

For more details, see our article about the Singing Christmas Tree.