It’s not as if anyone needs a reason to stay in Vancouver. The mild winter makes it a perfect place to visit to get in the holiday spirit. It turns out though that in the next few months, there are plenty of reasons to head to Canada’s west coast.
When it comes to holiday traditions, seeing The Nutcracker ballet is high on many people’s lists. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet will perform the classic at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre (650 Hamilton St., 604-873-7000), Dec. 12-14. For more tickets and more information go to www.balletbc.com.
Of course, any city with a gay chorus can expect a wonderfully orchestrated evening of music when The Vancouver Men’s Choir performs its holiday concert, “Making Spirits Bright” at St. Paul’s Anglican Church (1130 Jervis St.), Dec. 4-7 and 11-13. For tickets go to www.vancouvermenschorus.ca.
It’s been 10 years since marriage equality became the law of the land in Canada. There are plenty of romantically unforgettable spots in which to hold a magical wedding ceremony in Vancouver. Teahouse in Stanley Park, (Ferguson Point, Vancouver 604-669-3281) located in one of Vancouver’s great landmarks, offers a variety of ceremony and reception spaces with sublime views of the park’s greenery and nearby English Bay.
If you prefer something more urban (and urbane), Windows on the Bay, in the penthouse of the Coast Plaza Hotel (1763 Comox St., 604-682-7982), towers 35 stories above English Bay and with sweeping views. The hotel has a long history of hosting LGBT events, and is located in Vancouver’s gay West End. If you’ve always wanted to walk in a winter wonderland, head over to VanDusen Garden (5251 Oak St., 604-257-8335, www.vandusengarden.org) where the greenery is dusted with snow and holiday light displays provide a romantic backdrop for an evening out or a magical wedding.
Waiting until after the holidays makes travel cheaper, but there are still plenty of reasons to head northwest. Dine Out Vancouver runs Jan. 16-Feb. 1, and offers sumptuous three-course meals at more than 200 of the city’s restaurants for $18, $28, or $38. Many also provide set-price wine pairings. This would be a good time to check out the fantastic vegetarian spot, The Parker (237 Union St. 604-779-3804).
Smack dab in the middle of the festival is an annual event that sells out quickly, so get your tickets to Dinner at the Birdcage on Jan 23, ahead of time. The cabaret show is presented by the Vancouver Friends for Life Society at Vancouver FanClub (1050 Granville St., 604-689-7720). Choose between just watching the show, or the show and dinner. Get tickets at www.ticketstonight.ticketforce.com.
The dates for the days when food trucks converge at the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza (750 Hornby St., 604-662-4719) for Street Food City haven’t been set yet but check the Dine Out Vancouver website, www.dineoutvancouver.com, for updates.
Finally, one of the big draws to the Pacific Northwest is the annual Whistler Pride + Ski Festival. Many visitors spend a bit of time in Vancouver when coming or going to the slopes. Jan. 24–31. For more information on the ski week and surrounding parties, check out www.gaywhistler.com.
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