Santa-Approved Christmas Theatre for Kids in Vancouver

The holiday season in Vancouver makes the grinch in all of us find wonder and joy. The snow capped mountains transport us to a wintry wonderland, and the many festive events celebrate what’s important: spending time with loved ones.

If you’re looking for Christmas activities for kids, the Vancouver performing arts scene features holiday shows that the whole family will enjoy. Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker is a wondrous classic but there is plenty more to keep you entertained. You and the kids will be transported to classic fairytales, sing along to Broadway hits and above all, embrace the holiday magic on stage.

East Van Panto: West Van Story

The East Van Panto is on every Vancouverite’s holiday calendar, and you should definitely put it on yours. This plucky production, mounted by local troupe Theatre Replacement, takes place at The Cultch’s York Theatre, this year running November 19 to January 4.

As its name suggests, the show has all the elements kids love in a panto, booing the bad guys, singing and dancing, and tons of laughter, but with an East Vancouver twist. That means the panto is not only set in East Vancouver, but also champions the social-minded spirit of the community.

The diverse people who call East Vancouver home are known for lending a helping hand to those in need and supporting important social causes.

This year’s show West Van Story takes the beloved Broadway musical and revamps it into a star-crossed love story across two ‘hoods of Vancouver. It’s all set to pop songs (maybe something from Taylor’s new album?) with tongue-in-cheek lyrics by Veda Hille. Add in a pre-theatre meal at a nearby Commercial Drive eatery, such as Havana, and you have the ultimate East Van outing.

Jack and the Beanstalk: A Traditional British Pantomime

For a traditional British panto, Metro Theatre has you set with their production of Jack and the Beanstalk. This panto is one of the most popular Christmas activities for kids in town for a reason. It’s hilarious and full of good cheer.

Found in Marpole in the South of Vancouver, Metro Theatre has been around for over six decades. This community group is run primarily by enthusiastic volunteers, giving their shows a lot of heart. Your kiddies will adore their 40th panto because it maximizes the silly factor. Metro Theatre’s rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” will have the whole family counting down until the big day.

Disney’s FROZEN at Arts Club Theatre Company

Say the name Elsa, and your kids will run to their costume chests for their sparkly crowns and wands. Out of all the city’s Christmas activities for kids, Disney’s FROZEN has the kind of show-stopping enchantment that will make every child believe in winter magic.

This local interpretation of the Broadway musical is being mounted by the Arts Club Theatre Company in chic South Granville. There, you’ll find plenty of delicious family-friendly establishments, such as Saba Foods, the only place serving Yemeni food in town.

With your kids happily full, you can troop down the street to see the show. Expect a set that recreates the icy beauty of Elsa’s palace, and an appearance by a certain snowman sidekick. When the “Let It Go” number comes on, everyone can become “one with the wind and sky.” After all, with Vancouver’s temperate weather, the cold never bothers us anyway.

A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol at the BMO Theatre Centre

The Arts Club Theatre Company is leaning into the holidays with a packed roster of holiday shows, including Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, The Gingerbread Men: Yet Another Holiday Cabaret and a WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol, showing at the BMO Theatre Centre from November 26 to December 14.

The Centre calls Olympic Village its home, a stroll away from an abundance of restaurants, like Tap & Barrel, which has a tasty kid’s menu with dishes like mac ‘n’ cheese. Show your ticket, and get 15% off food.

You and the kids may think you know Ebenezer Scrooge and his Christmas transformation, but this production makes Dicken’s classic tale larger than life. Staged by WONDERHEADS, a Victoria-based theatre company, this Christmas Carol features giant 10-foot puppets and expressive masks for the characters. The kids will squeal with delight as each fantastical spirit visits Scrooge on stage.

Annie

You can bet your bottom dollar that you and the kids will fall for the Gateway Theatre’s production of Annie, running December 11 to January 3.

Just a short walk from Richmond’s Brighouse Station, this theatre company specializes in crowd-pleasing shows that will uplift. A production of Anne is one of the quintessential Christmas activities for the kids. In her jaunty red-and-white dress with her scruffy dog Sandy in tow, Annie is the perfect mix of sweet and sass.

Every kid in the audience will root for Annie, the scrappy orphan who goes from a “hard knock life” to plenty of love and riches from Daddy Warbucks.

So, go full swing into the holiday spirit with a theatre show for the kids. Just make sure to book tickets for these productions asap since they go faster than Christmas shortbread.