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Vancouver Christmas Concerts in 2023

Vancouver Christmas Concerts

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 include ones with the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir (on Dec. 15th & 16th) and Chor Leoni (on Dec. 15th, 16th & 18th). Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker is at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (on Dec. 14th to 17th), and live music happens at the Vancouver Christmas Market every day up until Christmas Eve.

There is also live music and entertainment at various holiday attractions this time of year, including at Glow Christmas in Langley and the PNE Winter Fair (the later of which also has a Nutcracker on Ice show). On December 16th, there is also the Dundarave World Christmas event in West Vancouver with the Burstin’ with Broadway choir and other groups.

They aren’t “Christmas” concerts. On New Year’s Eve this year, however, there are also NYE Parties with Tribute Bands. There is one at the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam with ‘Take it to the Limit’ which is an Eagles tribute band. There is also The Atari Radio Starz 80’s Dance Party at the River Rock Casino in Richmond.

Continue reading to learn about the various concerts taking place in December this year.

 

Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir Christmas Concerts

 


The following choirs and other musical groups perform during the 2023 festive season:

Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir | Chor Leoni | Goh Ballet Nutcracker | Vancouver Christmas Market | VAM Symphony Orchestra | Vancouver Symphony | Vancouver Bach Choir | Singing Christmas Tree | Vancouver Oratorio Choir


 

NYE Take It To The Limit Eagles Tribute Concert

 

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 2023 in Vancouver

Choirs in the section below perform over the holiday season in 2023.

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.

 

Cool Blues Show at the Fort Langley Jazz Festival

 


TIP: If you like Blues, you’ll want to attend the Cool Blues Show at the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival in July 2024. One of the headliner bands is Tom Lavin & the Powder Blues! If you buy your tickets at the super early bird price by December 31st, admission will cost you just $50 for one person or $90 for two. Tickets to this event make great Christmas presents!


 

Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir Concerts

Returning with in-person concerts for the first time since 2019, the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir perform in White Rock, New Westminster, Surrey, Vancouver and North Vancouver. The choir’s schedule in 2023 is 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, 2023Christmas Concert at Christ Church Cathedral at 2:30 pm. The church is located at 690 Burrard Street in Vancouver.
  • Friday, December 15th, 2023Christmas 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, 2023Christmas 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.)

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

 

Chor Leoni Christmas Concerts

 

Chor Leoni Concerts

The live in-person Chor Leoni men’s choir concerts didn’t take place in 2020 but the concerts did in 2021 and 2022, and they do so again in 2023.

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 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.

 

Chor Leoni Choir
Chor Leoni Men’s Choir

 

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 2023:

  • Thursday, December 14th, 2023 – at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 7:30 pm.
  • Friday, December 15th, 2023 – at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 7:30 pm.
  • Saturday, December 16th, 2023 – at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm.
  • Sunday, December 17th, 2023 – at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 2:00 pm.

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

 

Goh Ballet's Nutcracker in 2023

 

Vancouver Christmas Market Concerts

The Vancouver Christmas Market takes place between November 16th and Christmas Eve in 2023. 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 include 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 Market

Vancouver Christmas Concerts
Photos by Louis Li, David Copper, Paul Jack & Vancouver’s Best Places

 

VAM Symphony Orchestra

In 2023 the VAM Symphony Orchestra has its How the Grinch Stole Christmas concert on Sunday, December 10th. Taking place at the Orpheum Theatre starting at 2:00 pm, the concert features music from the classic film How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It also features 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.

 

Glow Christmas Carnival

 

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 have been playing ever since. This year’s schedule is listed below.

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

  • Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 – at 7:30 pm at the Michael J Fox Theatre.
  • Thursday, December 7th, 2023 – at 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm at South Delta Baptist Church.
  • Friday, December 8th, 2023 – at 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm at the Centennial Theatre.
  • Saturday, December 9th, 2023 – at 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm at the Bell Performing Arts Centre
  • Saturday, December 16th, 2023 – at 4:00 pm 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 13th, 2023, and Thursday, December 14th, 2023 – Home Alone in Concert at the Orpheum Theatre at 7:00 pm featuring music from the popular Christmas movie about burglars and a child on his own at Christmas.

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

 

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

 


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.)

 

Vancouver Bach Choir
The Vancouver Bach Choir

 

NYE ATARI 80s Party at the River Rock Casino

 

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.

2023 shows run on Friday December 1st and 2nd 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 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.

 

Singing Christmas Tree
The Singing Christmas Tree Concert

 

Vancouver Oratorio Choir Concerts

The Vancouver Oratorio Choir is a group of close to 90 Christian vocalists and musicians. In 2023 the group performs one Christmas concert. Performers sing in both English and Mandarin. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

Details about the 2023 Christmas concert are as follows:

  • Sunday, November 26th, 2023 – The Long-Expected Messiah 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.

 

Top Vancouver December Things to Do

 

Other Information

Other articles that might be of interest include the following: