Vancouver Christmas Market
Nov 22 - Dec 23, 11am-9pm
Dec 24, 11am-6pm
Vendors
Music & Entertainment
Press & Media
History of Christmas Markets
Music & Entertainment
Traditional music to set the festive mood
Our Pavilion Stage will be the central point of the market offering entertainment for all ages. Throughout the 31 market days, Vancouver Christmas Market will offer a kaleidoscope of performances, ranging from traditional European choirs and dance performances,Vancouver’s most exciting Christmas singing competition, worldly gospel choirs and festive carol singers to mention only a few.
- For a detailed schedule of music and entertainment, please visit our
Entertainment Schedule page.
Newly Introduced – VCM Nation Days 2012
The Vancouver Christmas Market 'Nation Days' are special days dedicated to European communities and cultures. This year, for the first time, Vancouver’s European community groups will bring a piece of home and their culture right to our market. Visitors will be given the opportunity to immerse themselves in different European cultures by watching traditional performances on stage and will have a chance to get to know more about these European community groups at our VCM info-booth. Performances will range from Alphorn players, Yodel and Ukrainian tsymbaly performances to traditional folklore, and choral performances.
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Bulgarian Nation Day – Sunday, November 25th |
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Ukrainian Nation Day – Saturday, December 1st |
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German Nation Day – Saturday, December 8th |
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Swiss Nation Day – Sunday, December 9th |
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Estonian Nation Night – Tuesday, December 11th From 7pm to 9pm |
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Dutch Nation Day – Saturday, December 15th |
Newly Introduced - The X-Mas Factor
Another great new addition for VCM’s entertainment will be the X-Mas Factor singing competition, sponsored in conjunction with Warren Dean Flandez’s Studio Cloud 30. Every Friday evening from 6:00pm to 7:00 pm, contestants will take to the stage to give their interpretation of Christmas classics. The finale will take place on Saturday, December 22. For more information, visit The X-Mas Factor
Sing City Show Choir SingCity.ca
Sing City Choir is a local, lively all ages show choir that performs popular music with many great holiday songs that will bring you into the Christmas mood in no time. Enthusiastic and well performed stage entertainment has had the choir perform sold out shows for years now and we are happy to now welcome them to the market for the first time this year.
Vancouver Swiss Choir www.swiss-society.org/swiss-choir
The Vancouver Swiss Choir was founded in 1966 and has been active providing a glimpse of Swiss Folks Culture ever since. In recent years they have grown in numbers and have presently 33 active members of different provenance and a number of supportive former members and associates. Under the expert “baton” of Conductor Dubravko Pajalic, they gather weekly for rehearsals which have helped form a strong community and great Swiss representation here in Vancouver.
Vancouver Bach Choir www.vancouverbachchoir.com
The Vancouver Bach Choir is an award-winning, 150-voice symphonic choir committed to offering vibrant and culturally diverse choral experiences to its audiences. As one of the largest choral organizations in Canada, VBC explores a wide range of repertoire from the past to the present with passion and commitment. On Dec. 15, 2012, VBC presents the Canadian premiere of John Adams' profoundly illuminating nativity oratorio "El Nino (The Infant)." A "Messiah" for the modern age, the wondrous musical achievement is a poetic retelling of Christ's birth from one of the world's most vital and prolific living composers. To tell its tale, the oratorio weaves text from pre-Christian prophets, canonical and Gnostic gospels, and mid-20th century Hispanic poetry into a powerful and staggeringly beautiful score.
Theatre Terrific Choir www.theatreterrific.ca
The Theatre Terrific Choir combines songs and sounds from across the globe, and mixes them together with live video. Favorite blockbusters with a forgotten love song, YouTube clips with a classic jazz number - Anything goes!
Santa’s Brass Band /www.members.shaw.ca/santasbrass/
The SIXUVUS was formed in 1972 by band leader Ron Smith. For the first 20 years the band performed exclusively as a 6 piece group the (SIXUVUS). Currently the group performs with trumpets, trombone, tuba, and drums. The band has performed in many locations and at a great variety of events including: marching in parades, performing at shopping malls, and leading in head tables at conventions. Their repertoire consists of over 400 tunes from: Dixieland, Beach Boys, Elvis, Swing, Mariachi, Ragtime, Show Tunes, Rock and Roll, German, Childrens, Nautical, Circus, Christmas, and Marches. SANTA’S BRASS was formed in 1994 when leader Ron Smith decided that for the Christmas season the SIXUVUS would be known as "SANTA’S BRASS".
Polish Zgoda Polonez Dance Troupe www.polonezvancouver.com
Beautiful traditional costumes and entertaining cultural dances – The Polish Zgoda Polonez dance troupe will be back for another great performance this year! Dancers from the Polish Friendship "ZGODA" Society Dancers have been sharing their love of Polish traditions and culture through dance for over 60 years! The centre started with a small number of enthusiastic members who arrived to Vancouver after the Second World War. The first dancers from Zgoda started performing in 1948. Since then, the Polish centre on Fraser Street has hosted many dance troupes, from Karpaty, to Zgoda and now Polonez. The dance group's current name Polonez or Polonaise, has its roots in a peasant walking dance and which through transformation is now recognized as one of Poland’s’ National dances. The current group Polonez, has been in existence for the past 21 years and has between 20-26 dedicated members. The dance instructors/choreographers are Marysia Filipowska and Carol Coulson. The dance troupe has a number of national and regional dances in its repertoire, from Polonez, Kujawiak, Mazur and Krakowiak to regional dances from Lublin, Nowy Sacz and the Kurpie region. The folk costumes have been either imported from Poland or made locally here in Vancouver.
BC Boys Choir www.bcboyschoir.org
The British Columbia Boys Choir is open to boys and young men ages 7 - 24 years that reside in Vancouver's Lower Mainland region and on Vancouver Island. Over its 40 year history the Choir has trained over 800 members who have represented Canada on 20 international tours. The British Columbia Boys Choir has won international acclaim throughout Canada, the Netherlands, the United States, Europe, the Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and China.
The Concordia Choir www.concordiachoir.ca
The Concordia Choir, Vancouver - The Concordia Choir, Vancouver is a mixed choir which performs under the direction of conductor Sergio Pires and with pianist Tanya Frank. The choir was founded in 1976 with the purpose of keeping German folksongs and traditions alive. To this day the choir still sings in German, as well as in many other languages. The membership consists of about 30 singers, primarily German-born and German-speaking, but also includes singers with other nationalities that enjoy choir singing. Throughout the year the choir holds concerts at the Vancouver Alpen Club and also performs at many community events such as the European Festival, the PNE, and at Christmas time at the Vancouver Christmas Market and the Festival of Lights at Vandusen Botanical Gardens. We always welcome new singers to our fun group!
The Maria Ho Trio MusicalBreeze.ca
Performing a musical breeze of jazz standards, Latin sambas and bossa novas, Maria Ho has a distinctive voice and an energetic stage presence. Inspired by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Shirley Horn and Stevie Wonder, she can swing a tune brightly or capture your heart with a powerful ballad.
Maria launched into 2010 with performances at Robson Square to celebrate the Olympic Winter Games and the Toronto Dominion Vancouver International Jazz Festival. During this year’s summer jazz festival, Maria and her trio performed on Canada Day, along with the release of her new CD Where or When. Maria has recorded with Richie Cole, Warren Vaché, George Robert, Krishna Booker and Phil Dwyer. Her new album is receiving hit rotation airplay on The Penthouse Radio in New York. Her music was featured on Coast to Coast AM, where she was one of seven Emerging Artists chosen for airplay. Maria's new album was also featured on Hot Air and Saskatchewan Weekend on CBC Radio.
James Productions- Christmas Pops www.jamesproductions.ca
James Productions, in its 14th year, presents Christmas Pops - a great musical showcase for the whole family. Christmas Pops is a two hour musical presentation featuring up-tempo Christmas music performed by the exciting 14 member JP chorus and the fabulous 16 piece JP orchestra! Our show includes: “Do You Hear What I Hear?”, “Every Light That Shines on Christmas”, “Home On Christmas Day”, “Zat You Santa Claus?”, and many more.
Christmas Carousel
Vancouver’s only Christmas Carousel is back for another year to bring even more joy to your Christmas season! The entire family can enjoy this most anticipated, one of a kind item. A Carousel is a treat for kids of all ages, and it is always SO much fun!
Other entertainment highlights at the Vancouver Christmas Market include:
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This year the market will have a marvelous tall Christmas Tree with fairy lights which creates a unique Christmas atmosphere surrounded by dozens traditional wooden booths, performance stages and festive decorations.
Colourful décor. Authentic gifts. Family entertainment. Tasty authentic food. The aroma of mulled wine. A truly enchanting atmosphere.
Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city with a rich history of hosting world-class events. The Vancouver Christmas Market will change the way Vancouverites celebrate the Christmas season.
Christmas markets are a delightful way to begin holiday festivities. The crisp, cold air fills with the fragrance of sizzling sausages, sweet pastries, spices and hot spiced gluhwein. Booths sell sweet treats, such as chocolates, cakes, pastries, cookies and candies. Music of Christmas fills the air, in preparation for Christmas.
