Christmas and December holiday events are a time to gather with family and friends for a break to socialize and reconnect. Metro Vancouver offers a host of exciting, entertaining choices: live shows, historic displays, flashy parades, carol ships, melodious choirs and new year’s musical bashes.

Take a peek at a few of the events that Vancouver, Richmond, Delta, Burnaby, New West, Surrey and North Vancouver have to offer this holiday season.

Vancouver                                                                                                                                                               Science on the Beach: Sunday, December 27 to Sunday, January 3. Take your winter vacation at Science World and experience the dome as a hot vacation site, with sand, seahorses and more.

A Very Vancouver Christmas Really Big Christmas Show
Sunday, December 20, 2009
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm. Price $10.00, Children Under 5 Free.  At: St. James Hall Vancouver BC, 3214 West 10th Avenue.  

Massive Gala 2010 New Year’s Eve Special
Thursday December 31, 2009: 7 pm to 3 am. at Pacific Coliseum.
Dance and celebrate to welcome in 2010 to the lively sounds of  hip hop, r & b, rap, and top 40 music.
 

Richmond Steveston
Dec 11-12 Santa Hay Ride
Dec 23 at 7-7:30 Steveston Santa Claus Parade. The whole family will appreciate this intimate and quaint community parade. Santa never goes out of style in Steveston.
 

Delta Ladner Village
Tree Lighting, Christmas Parade & Carol Ships, Friday December 4 at 7 pm. at 48th Avenue & Delta Street.   Children's Christmas Parade, Friday December 4: 7:30 pm. 48th Avenue - Elliott to Delta Street, Ladner. This adorable community parade sees the kids decorate their bikes, trikes, wagons and strollers with a Christmas theme. The village lights up with holiday joy and outdoor fun.
 

North Vancouver
Free family concert with Laudate Singers. Sunday December 13 at 3 pm. Enjoy favourite holiday songs aimed at young families.  St. Andrew's United church, 10th & St. Georges, North Vancouver.
 

Burnaby
Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum Nov 21 – Jan 3.  Experience traditional entertainment, colourful decorations, demonstrations, hands-on activities and exhibits from the early 1900s. Bring out the whole family.

Surrey                                                                                                                                                                      Winter Ice Palace: Dec 19 - Jan 3  at Cloverdale Arena. The ice arena will be transformed into a winter wonderland. A great event for the whole family.  

Ellie King's Robin Hood - Dec 17 - Jan 3 at Surrey Arts Centre.    A hilarious pantomine production by the Royal Canadian Theatre Company.

New Westminster                                                                                                                                                   Winter Spectacular at Massey Theatre.  Dec 16 - 19. This live musical production uses dance, captivating costumes, and intricate staging to tell the story of a young girl experiencing the magic of a westcoast winter.

Metro Vancouver                                                                                                                                                       The Nutcracker is being presented by the Royal City Youth Ballet from Nov 28 - Dec 21 at a number of lower mainland locations including North Vancouver, Surrey, New West, Maple Ridge and Abbotsford. This christmas favourite features 100 dancers in the captivating tale alive with sugar plum fairies, magical soldiers and a story of believing in dreams.  Check the ballet website for exact times and location.
 

For families, singles and seniors, Metro Vancouver has many dynamic, festive activities to offer during the upcoming holiday season.  For information about Vancouver area Eco-holiday events check out this article.