Vancouver has many theatres and performing arts groups. In December there are typically lots of great Christmas concerts and other performances to choose from!
Vancouver Theatre in December
Plays and other performances showing at Vancouver theatres in December this year include Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The Arts Club Theatre also hosts Elf: The Musical at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage. Multiple shows take place at The Improv Centre on Granville Island as well.
Additional details about the shows mentioned above are further below.
For a list of festive choir and other music performances, click Vancouver Christmas Concerts.
The Nutcracker Suite
December 14, 2023 – December 17, 2023
The Nutcracker is a classic Christmas ballet about a couple of children, toys, mice and a nutcracker. It includes music by the great Russian composer Tchaikovsky and is one of the most famous and watched ballet productions in modern times.
Shows with Goh Ballet take place on December 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th in 2023 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
The Improv Centre
November 23, 2023 – December 23, 2023
The Improv Centre hosts a few different special shows in November and December this year.
First is Back to the Holidays, which follows a scientist through time trying to help another character find the meaning of the holidays and save the city. Performances run from Thursdays to Saturdays between November 23rd and December 23rd. There are also afternoon shows on a couple of Sundays.
The two other special shows at The Improv Centre are 2023 and Me, and NYE at TIC. Both of these are a fun way to celebrate the past year between December 27th and 31st. There are other on-going shows too, including Theatresports and Blind Date.
Blind Date at Tightrope Impro Theatre
December 5-23, 2023
Blind Date is a one-actress, impro-style improvisational show where the actress goes on a blind date with a different member of the audience each night. The show takes place at Tightrope Theatre at 2343 Main Street in Vancouver.
For details, see our article about Tightrope Theatre.
Elf: The Musical
November 2, 2023 – December 31, 2023
The Arts Club puts on Elf: The Musical shows this year. Based on the film written by David Berenbaum, the musical follows Buddy the Elf trying to win over his new family with his Christmas spirit in New York City. The shows are held at Vancouver’s Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage at 2750 Granville Street.
Performances run on most days between November 2nd and December 31st this year. There are no shows on Mondays.
Other Information
For a list of shows at other times of the year, see Vancouver’s Shows & Entertainment Calendar.
To learn more about other events this time of year, see the December Events Calendar.
For a list of festive choir performances in the Lower Mainland, click Vancouver Christmas Concerts.
For the Lower Mainland’s best winter holiday attractions, click Top Things to do in Vancouver at Christmas.
