Top Vancouver events Dec 15-18: Winter festivals galore

Ajay Puri and Lisa Craveiro

Posted: Dec 14th, 2011

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Winter Solstice Lantern Festival. Photo Credit: Travelfox

The holidays are almost upon us - and the bees are ready to go celebrate. And we've spawned -- please welcome our newBEEs: Kelly (the Elfin Bee), Steph (the Buzz Bee), and Kim (the Free Bee). We're really happy they've joined our Hive.

Top Picks

White Christmas Movie Singalong (Kelly)
Dec 16 | 8-11PM | Denman Cinema| $15 incl. film, popcorn/soda.

Enjoy Karaoke? How about Christmas Karaoke? Come sing in the season with the holiday classic White Christmas starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera Ellen... and this time the audience is the star with the songs subtitled for everyone to join in.  They will be serving wine by donation from 8-9pm before the film, so come early and mingle. Advance tickets are available and are recommended as tickets are going fast.

Urban Aboriginal Winter Festival (Ajay's Pick)
Dec 15 | W2 Media Cafe | By Donation

This festival is an evening of Powwow drummers, community meal, dialogue and report back on the City's Urban Aboriginal People's Study/Vancouver 2011, with Ginger Gosnell-Myers and City of Vancouver representatives to share within the circle with members of the community. Check out the traditional games, Blues Review, the Artisan tables and more.

Superhero Boy Band: Origins (Miraj’s pick)
Dec 16 & 17 | 7PM /8 PM show | Ukrainian Hall | $10-$20

Superhero Boy Band is a joint initiative between East Vancouver’s Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret, PlayLaughBe and Bellingham's Dream Science Circus. It's a mash-up of interactive theatre, comedy, music, dance, clown, acrobatics, puppetry, and spandex, and after the show is a free superhero dance party. Come dressed as a superhero, laugh heartily, commune in inspired community, and dance the night away. This is an opportunity to step out of your "normal", step over a fear to find new self-expression and delight, and meet great new friends.

Honourable Mentions

Art with Energy - a one-night exhibition
Thu Dec 15 | 7-11pm | The Hanger | Free

‘Art with Energy’ brings together artwork that epitomizes energy as defined above - each piece in the exhibition tells its unique story through the energy it expresses.

The Mistletoe Affair: School of Remix & School of Mix
Dec 16 | 7-10PM Art Show/10PM-Late Party | Studio 1666 | Free

With a medley of amazing DJ's, this event is going to be one wild night. Spread some holiday cheer over a crazy cocktail concocted by School of Mix & Juicey Juice while moving to acclaimed DJs from around the world who will be spinning all night. Edwin van Cleef has been deemed “An electro-pop killer which fans of indie-disco a la Kitsuné will die for.” Sleeper, the love child of a composer and radio head, was raised by instruments and gypsies. Very limited capacity for this event so RSVP to Kissme@Schoolofmix.com

16th Annual Vancouver Farmers Holiday Market
Dec 17 | Croatian Centre | $3 / $2
Over 90 vendors bring you their best and finest selection of food, art, craft and home accessories for your gift-giving pleasure.

Vancouver International Film Festival 4 Peace
Dec 17-18 | 10AM - 9PM | Britannia Community Center | Free

This annual festival brings the reality of war and occupation to the big screen, and brings to light the struggle for self determination and social justice being fought by hundreds of millions of people around the world. This year the festival is hosting Saul Landau for the workshop “Making a Documentary Film: A Master Class with Saul Landau” which will provide an extraordinary perspective from the esteemed filmmaker and showcase his memorable works. Saul Landau is an internationally renowned documentary filmmaker, scholar, author, and commentator; and has produced more than 40 films on social, political, historical, and global human rights issues.

18th Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
Dec 21 | 6-11PM | East-Side, Yaletown, Granville Island, SE False Creek, Chinatown | By donation
One festival, five neighborhoods. Honoring many cultural traditions, the annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival illuminates the longest night of the year with lanterns, fire, singing, drumming, music and dancing. Come celebrate in the neighborhood closest to you and connect with your community in the universal spirit of celebration. Click here to learn more about the science of solstice. And follow @SecretLantern for updates.