Home Christmas Events Vancouver Christmas Concerts in 2022

Vancouver Christmas Concerts in 2022

November 20, 2022

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

The following choirs and other musical groups are performing in the 2022 holiday season:

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, and a Winter Solstice Concert hosted by Music on Main.

Christmas Concerts in 2022 in Vancouver

Choirs in the section below either performed last year or are scheduled to perform over the holiday season in 2022.

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 your eyes out for events close to your neighbourhood too.

Chor Leoni Concerts

The live in-person Chor Leoni men’s choir concerts didn’t take place in 2020 but they did in 2021 and they do so again in 2022.

The following concerts are happening at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church at 1022 Nelson Street in Vancouver:

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

Friday, December 16th, 2022 – Christmas with Chor Leoni at 8:00 pm.
Saturday, December 17th, 2022 – Christmas with Chor Leoni at 2:00, 5:00 and 8:00 pm.
Monday, December 19th, 2022 – Christmas with Chor Leoni at 5:00 and 8:00 pm.

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

Early Music Vancouver

Early Music Vancouver presents Festive Cantatas: J.S. Bach Magnificat & Cantata BWV 110 with their Pacific Baroque Orchestra on December 17th and 18th in 2022.

The first performance is at West Vancouver’s Kay Meek Centre on Saturday, December 17th, at 7:30 pm. The second concert takes place on Sunday, December 18th, at 3:00 pm at UBC’s Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.

To learn more see our article about the Festive Cantatas with Early Music Vancouver.

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 2022:

Thursday, December 15th, 2022 – at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 7:30 pm.
Friday, December 16th, 2022 – at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 7:30 pm.
Saturday, December 17th, 2022 – at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 2:00 and 7:30 pm.
Sunday, December 18th, 2022 – at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 2:00 pm.

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

Vancouver Symphony Concerts

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs its annual Traditional Christmas series of Christmas concerts at various venues throughout the Lower Mainland. This event didn’t take place in 2020. However, the Christmas-themed concerts returned in 2021 and are happening again in 2022! This year’s schedule is listed below.

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

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022 – at 7:30 pm at New Westminster’s Massey Theatre.
Friday, December 9th, 2022 – at 4:00 and 7:30 pm at Centennial Theatre at 2300 Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver.
Saturday, December 10th, 2022 – at 4:00 and 7:30 pm at the Bell Performing Arts Centre at 6250 144th Street in Surrey.
Friday, December 16th, 2022 – at 4:00 and 7:30 pm at the Orpheum at 601 Smithe Street in Vancouver.
Saturday, December 17th, 2022 – at 4:00 and 7:30 pm at the Orpheum at 601 Smithe Street in Vancouver.

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

Wednesday, December 14th, 2022 – Home Alone in Concert at the Orpheum Theatre featuring music from the popular Christmas movie about burglars and a child on his own at Christmas.
Thursday, December 15th, 2022 – Home Alone in Concert at the Orpheum Theatre featuring music from the popular Christmas movie about burglars and a child on his own at Christmas.
Sunday, December 18th, 2022 – The Snowman concert at the Orpheum Theatre.

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

Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir Concerts

Returning with in-person concerts for the first time since 2019, last year the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir performed in New Westminster, Surrey, South Delta and North Vancouver in December. In 2022 they perform in White Rock, New Westminster, Surrey, Vancouver and North Vancouver.

The choir’s schedule in 2022 is the following:

November 26th, 2022 – Holly Jolly Christmas at White Rock Baptist Church at 7:30 pm. The venue’s address is 1657 140th Street in South Surrey.
December 4th, 2022 – Christmas Concert (with Winter Harp) at New Westminster’s Massey Theatre at 2:30 pm. The venue’s address is 735 Eighth Avenue.
December 6th, 2022 – Holly Jolly Christmas 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.
December 10th, 2022 – Holly Jolly Christmas at Shaughnessy Heights United Church at 7:30 pm. The church is located at 1550 West 33rd Avenue in Vancouver.
December 16th, 2022 – Holly Jolly Christmas (possibly with Argyle Secondary School Choirs) 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).

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

Click Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir for more information about the group or visit the official vancouverchoir.ca website.

Winter Solstice Concerts with Music on Main

Music on Main hosts Music for the Winter Solstice on December 14th and 15th at Heritage Hall on Main Street in Vancouver. The intimate candlelight concerts feature four talented musicians. There is pianist Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa, singer and keyboardist Robyn Jacob, tenor Asitha Tennekoon and cellist Jonathan Lo.

The music includes Caroline Shaw‘s Winter Carol, the Wyrd Sisters‘ Solstice Carole, music from Only a Visitor and classic pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach and other composers.

To learn more see our article about Music on Main or click Music for the Winter Solstice.

PNE Winter Fair

The PNE Winter Fair is the Christmas attraction at the Pacific National Exhibition in 2022. It runs for 10 days from December 14th until the 23rd. Included with general admission is access to the Christmas illuminations, light displays, ice skating venue, food trucks, artisan vendors and most of the live entertainment. For an additional charge there are also Holiday Night Concerts featuring different well-known artists each evening.

Below is the lineup for the Holiday Night Concerts in 2022:

Wednesday, Dec. 14th – David Foster & Katharine McPhee
Thursday, Dec. 15th – The Tenors
Friday, Dec.16th – Tom Cochrane
Saturday, Dec. 17th – Dallas Smith
Sunday, Dec.18th – Jann Arden
Monday, Dec. 19th – Holly Cole
Tuesday, Dec. 20th – Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox: A Very Postmodern Christmas
Wednesday, Dec. 21st – Dionne Warwick
Thursday, Dec.22nd – Johnny Reid
Friday, Dec. 23rd – A Boy Band Christmas

To learn more about both the attraction and the concerts, see our article about the PNE Winter Fair or visit the official pne.ca website.

Vancouver Bach Choir Concerts

In 2022, the Vancouver Bach Choir performs at the following place and time:

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

Sunday, December 4th, 2022 – Christmas with the Bach Choir at 2:00 pm at the Orpheum at 601 Smithe Street in Vancouver. The concert features over 400 singers this year.

Tom Jackson at Massey Theatre

Canadian actor and singer Tom Jackson visits the Massey Theatre in New Westminster on his Stories, Songs & Santa Causes tour on November 25th in 2022. Joining him is award-winning multi-instrumentalist and producer, John MacArthur Ellis., and BC Country Music Association Hall of Famer, Tom McKillip.

For tickets and more information see the Massey Theatre website.

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

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.

2022 shows run on Friday December 2nd and 9th at 7:30 pm, and on the Saturdays and Sundays of December 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th at both 3:00 and 7:00 pm. This event didn’t take place in 2020 or 2021, but does this year.

Admission to the concerts is usually FREE (or by donation) and tickets are available online. The event sells out though, and tickets are 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.

Vancouver Oratorio Choir Concerts

The Vancouver Oratorio Choir is a group of close to 90 Christian vocalists and musicians. In 2022 they have one Christmas concert. Performers sing in both English and Mandarin. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

Details about the 2022 Christmas concert are as follows:

Sunday, December 4th, 2022 – Sing Joy to All the World 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.

Other Christmas Concerts

Choirs listed below performed in normal years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of them may return over the 2022 holiday season, but as of mid-November, nothing appears to be scheduled just yet. Be sure to check concert websites for the latest information.

Yuel Duel Crowds in Gastown — Yule Duel in Gastown

Yule Duel and Robson Square Concerts

Prior to listing the concert dates and details for some of Vancouver’s top choirs and musical groups, it’s important to point out that on a Thursday evening in early December Vancouver’s Yule Duel: Caroling for a Cause event takes place. During this impressive fundraising event dozens of the Lower Mainland’s top choirs perform.

In 2019 Yule Duel: Caroling for a Cause was on Thursday, December 5th. (Note: Unlike in previous years, in 2019 Yule Duel took place in the plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, so not in Gastown.) Yule Duel didn’t take place in 2020 due to the spread of the coronavirus. It doesn’t look like it happened in 2021 either. Hopefully the event returns in 2022.

Also, most years, for a dozen or so days in mid-December, plus on New Year’s Eve, free concerts take place at Robson Square. The performances are usually in the evenings from around 6:00 until 9:00 pm, as well as on the weekends in the afternoons.

Robson Square concert performers in recent years have included local favourites like Warren Dean Flandez, The Showstoppers, Rumba Calzada and others. Click Robson Square Ice Skating for more information.