Feature photo care of Vancouver Christmas Market

By Loose Lips Mag
@looselipsmag

Now that there’s only one month left in this decade, there’s no better time to party it out with the bevy of events happening in the city. Here’s what’s going on this month in Vancouver.

Out of Concealment: The Vancouver premiere of the solo exhibition by Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson is an innovative re-imagining of supernatural beings from the oral traditions of Haida Gwaii. Curated by Beth Carter, in consultation with Nika Collison, Out of Concealment foregrounds an Indigenous ethos of environmentalism by honouring the power and sexuality of Indigenous women — inherent values that were disrupted and suppressed by colonization.
Dates: October 23, 2019–April 5, 2020
Times: Wednesdays to Sundays, 11 AM – 5 PM
Location: Bill Reid Gallery (639 Hornby Street)

Transits and Returns: Featuring work by twenty-one artists in photography, installation, weaving, sculpture, video and more, this exhibition was developed around the concept of  the ‘Great Ocean,’ refusing the idea that the Pacific is a vacant waterscape peripheral to flows of capital. Transits and Returns aims to create a sharing of ideas in parallel to the flow of the Great Ocean, softening the waters that join its surrounding Indigenous Nations together.
Dates: Sept. 28, 2019 – Feb. 23, 2020
Times: 10 AM – 5 PM daily
Location: Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St)

Vancouver Christmas Market: The authentic German market amplifies its festive offerings with more than 80 huts stuffed with sweets, treats, and treasures, coupled with large-scale activities and live entertainment. This season celebrates the market’s milestone 10-year anniversary and savours the abundance of authentic German-inspired sights, sounds, and flavours.
Dates: November 20 – December 24
Times: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM daily
Location: Jack Poole Plaza (1055 Canada Place)

Sound of Music presented by The Arts Club: “The hills are alive! One of the most powerful and romantic musicals of all time, The Sound of Music brims with beloved tunes such as “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” and “Edelweiss.” Journey along with the spirited Maria, who takes a governess position with the von Trapp family, falling first for the children and then the widower Captain von Trapp himself, all against the stirring backdrop of pre-WWII Austria.” Tickets here. 
Dates: November 7-January 5, 2020
Times: Varying
Location: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage

Chantal Kreviazuk: JUNO Award winning singer songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk (Surrounded, Leaving On A Jet Plane, Before You) brings her Christmas is a Way of Life Tour to Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver.
When: December 5
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Centennial Theatre (2300 Lonsdale Ave)

Music for the Winter Solstice: Bask in the candlelit glow of Heritage Hall as we come together with gorgeous music for the solstice. Highlights include performances by Caroline Shaw (Roomful of Teeth, Kanye West), Gabriel Kahane (Book of Travelers, The Ambassador), and Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa (Queer Arts Festival). 
Dates: December 11 & 12, 2019
Time: 8 PM
Location: Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street)

East Van Panto: Pinocchio: When a lonely old ice cream vendor named ‘Gelatto’ is given a puppet by the mysterious ‘Beckwoman’ of Commercial Drive, his dreams of having a child suddenly come true. Join a locally famous cricket, an angry orca, and a dastardly fox as poor Pinocchio does his best to tell everyone the truth and become a real boy.
Dates: November 20 – January 5
Time: Varying times
Location: The York Theatre

Merry Kissmas – A Royal Romance: This fairy-tale romance is made even more unbelievable by building the plot around an impending Royal Wedding in a heretofore unknown small country – ‘Improvanzia’. Will the dashing Prince Rudolf fall for the beauteous, but non-royal, Meaghan Sparkle? How will the Royal Parents react? How will the suburban in-laws-to-be fit in with the posh Royal Relatives?
Dates: November 20 – December 24 
Time: Varying
Location: The Improv Centre

Shiny Fuzzy Muddy: Celebrating 17 years of Shiny Fuzzy Muddy Collective holiday events, the annual artist curated collection of fine art, craft and design will host their final two-day farewell. Throughout the years of this long running show, over 75 Canadian visual artists, makers, designers, jewelers and potters and their products have been featured at events providing a unique platform for consumers to meet the people who create art in the city.     
Dates: December 14 & 15
Times: 11 – 6 daily
Where: Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street)

Bad Santa P49 Warehouse Party: Celebrate the holidays with Parallel 49 Brewing Company! Join us for delicious eats from Mom’s Grilled Cheese Truck, $6 beers + cider, Live Music from The Millennials, a live DJ and more! RSVP here.
Date: December 14
Times: 6 PM- 12 AM
Where: 1950 Triumph St.,

Love Actually x Pop This! Podcast Taping at the Rio Theatre: LOVE ACTUALLY: The best or worst Christmas movie of all time? “Every year, Pop This! co-hosts Lisa Christiansen and Andrea Warner fight about the THE HOLIDAY vs. LOVE ACTUALLY. For the fifth annual argument, we’re keeping the focus on LOVE ACTUALLY and taking our fight to the Rio Theatre. With special guests comedian and author Alicia Tobin and writer and the Rio’s Sr. Programmer, Rachel Fox.” Tickets and more information here.
Date: December 15
Times: 6:30-10:30
Where: The Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway

Sunday Night Movie Series: Christmas takes over the big screen for the latest round of Bells and Whistles’ Sunday Night Movie Series, which begins this Sunday, December 1 with the timeless 1988 Christmas classic Die Hard, as Bruce Willis’ Santa tries to thwart Hans Gruber’s Grinch. The ho-ho-holiday movie festivities continue throughout the month, with screenings of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Home Alone, and Elf.
Dates: Every Sunday throughout December
Time: 9 PM
Location: Bells & Whistles (3296 Fraser Street)

Weirdos Holiday Market: Featuring a wonderfully peculiar mix of artisan products geared to shoppers looking for gifts that are decidedly left-of-centre, the Weirdos Holiday Market is full of 35 individual vendors including Dirt Spindle, as well as a large cooperative table featuring products from 10 additional artisans. 
Dates: December 14 & 15
Time: 10am – 6pm
Location: Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral (154 E. 10th Avenue)

26th Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival: Vancouver’s Winter Solstice Lantern Festival involves evening music and fire performances and a procession of lantern holders to ring in the darkest day of the year.
Date: December 21
Time: 6 PM
Locations: Yaletown Roundhouse, Granville Island

Krampusmarkt: OH Studio and Strange Fellows Brewing are teaming up to present Krampusmarkt, an old-world-inspired festival. Attendees will find a unique take on holiday shopping with odd, exquisite, and eclectic work from local artists, with ceramics, textiles, decor, artwork, and skin products available. Seasonal artist-led workshops and tastings of vintage barrel-aged beers will also take place. Tickets include a beer, nibbles and a gift.
Dates: December 5 – 8
Times: Various times
Location: Strange Fellows Brewing (1345 Clark Drive)

Improv Against Humanity: Christmas Special: The Fictionals and special guest Chase Padgett celebrate the Christmas Season with a Horrible Holiday Special at the Rio Theatre. Enter to play in the CAH tournament for your chance at Christmas gifts, enjoy hilarious comedy, and help crown the new Most Horrible Person in Vancouver. Plus wear your best Ugly Christmas Sweater for more chances to win prizes.
Date: December 18
Time: 8 PM
Location: The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway)

Bright Nights at Stanley Park 2019: Bright Nights at Stanley Park features over three million dazzling lights decorating acres of the dark forest, reaching as high as the forest canopy for all to see and enjoy. The attraction in the heart of the park is also accompanied by a train ride, music, snacks, entertainment, and even visits with Santa and his elves.
Dates: Now until January 1 (closed on Christmas Day)
Time: Various times
Where: Stanley Park Miniature Railway (Pipeline Road, Stanley Park)

Aurora Winter Festival 2019: The Aurora Winter Festival, now one of the largest events of its kind in Western Canada, is returning for the 2019 holiday season. The six-week, North Pole-inspired festival will be expanding its event to fifteen acres in size and relocating to Hastings Park.
When: Now until January 5
Time: Various times
Where: Hastings Park (2901 East Hastings Street)

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge: The Canyon Lights features thousands of sparkling lights illuminating the iconic suspension bridge and other areas of the park. The 30-ton Douglas Firs of the Treetops Adventure will also be dressed in lights. Standing at an impressive 110 feet above the forest floor, the Douglas Firs that connect the suspension bridges are the eight tallest Christmas trees in the world, according to event organizers.
When: Now until January 26
Time: 11 am – 9 pm daily
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (3735 Capilano Road)

JUKE ‘CHRISTMAS EVE EVE’ DINNER:  The not-your-average holiday event features a special dine-in-only feast for two to four guests for $25 per person that includes a half or whole fried chicken in addition to ‘not yo’ mama’s cheese dip’, Juke’s signature ’slaw, skillet cornbread, fried Brussels sprouts, triple-cooked potatoes, Juke ginger cookies and a warm dessert cocktail.
Dates: December 23
Time: Seatings from 5-6:30 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.
Location: Juke Fried Chicken (182 Keefer Street)

‘The Ball Drop’ New Year’s Eve Bash: Old school hip-hop and craft-beer fans alike can get their fix and pop-and-lock their way into 2020 when Bells and Whistles brings back ‘The Ball Drop’ New Year’s Eve bash,  including party favours, live DJs and glasses of bubbly for the midnight toast.
Dates: December 31
Time: 9 PM
Location: Bells & Whistles (3296 Fraser Street)

Kristi and Brittany are the co-founders and co-editors of Loose Lips Mag. Together, they’re building their feminist media empire—leaving the patriarchy, charcuterie boards and empty bottles of wine in their wake. Loose Lips Media is grateful to operate on the unceded Coast Salish territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.