Holiday shows in Metro Vancouver are in full swing, offering a variety of live performances that are perfect for children and families this season. From magical adventures to heartwarming classics, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here are the must-see holiday shows that you won’t want to miss!

Holiday Shows in Metro Vancouver for Families

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MIXED NUTS BY ARTS UMBRELLA

When: December 12-14, 2025, Vancouver Playhouse
Where: Vancouver Playhouse, Vancouver
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Arts Umbrella Dance Company (AUDC) presents Mixed Nuts, a classic holiday performance reinvented with a twist. Families and kids of all ages can enjoy this modern and engaging retelling of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Mixed Nuts is more than just a ballet with a variety of dance styles from hip-hop, to ballroom, to the classic grand pas-de-deux.

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Tis’ the Sitcom- Improv Centre

When: November 20 – December 30, 2025
Where: Improv Centre, 1502 Duranleau St, Vancouver, BC
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Looking for a fun night out this holiday season? ‘Tis the Sitcom is basically your favorite holiday TV special, except it’s completely improvised on the spot. The performers create an entire sitcom episode about friends dealing with festive chaos in the city – complete with fake commercial breaks and those cheesy seasonal moments we secretly love. Every show is totally different, so no two performances are the same. It runs about 90 minutes with an intermission, which is perfect if you’re squeezing in a date night before rushing home to the babysitter. Honestly, after weeks of making everyone else’s Christmas magical, sometimes you just need to sit back and laugh at someone else’s holiday stress.

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The Nutracker – Royal Winnipeg Ballet

When: December 12-14, 2025
Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 640 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
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The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker is back! Performed by one of North America’s most renowned dance companies, this magical winter classic features Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, all set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. Celebrate the magic of a Canadian holiday season with this timeless tradition for all ages!

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Disney Frozen

When: October 30 – January 4, 2026
Where: Stanley BFL CANADA Stage,
2750 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC
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If your kids are obsessed with Frozen (and let’s be honest, whose aren’t?), this live musical is going to blow their minds. They’ll get to see Anna and Elsa’s story unfold right on stage, complete with all those songs your little ones have been belting out for years – “Let It Go,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman,” you know the ones. The show follows Anna as she searches for her sister Elsa, who’s accidentally trapped their kingdom in eternal winter. There are even some new songs mixed in that aren’t in the movie. It’s basically the perfect excuse to dress up in princess gear, grab some popcorn, and watch your kids’ faces light up when the characters they love come to life. Fair warning though – you’ll probably be humming these songs for the next week straight.

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Annie at Gateway Theatre

When: December 11, 2025- January 3, 2026
Where: Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond, BC,
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If you’re looking for a show the whole family will actually enjoy, Annie is a safe bet. It’s got all those classic songs everyone knows – “Tomorrow,” “Hard Knock Life” – and it’s one of those rare musicals where your kids and their grandparents will both have a great time. The story follows this scrappy orphan in 1930s New York who’s determined to find her parents despite being stuck with the world’s worst orphanage director. She sneaks out, gets into adventures around the city, befriends a cute dog (which seals the deal for most kids), and eventually catches the attention of a billionaire who changes everything. It’s heartwarming without being too sappy, and honestly, you might find yourself getting a little teary when she finds her happy ending. Totally normal – blame it on the holiday spirit.

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The Nutcracker, Goh Ballet

When: December 18-21, 2025
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre,  630 Hamilton St, Vancouver,
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Get dolled up and head to the theatre to see The Nutcracker with all the bells and whistlers! The Goh Ballet puts sumptuous performance every year. Watch Clara’s dream come to life as she dances through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets and along the way you’ll meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, the evil Mouse King, and the Nutcracker Prince. There are more than 200 glittering costumes plus dramatic sets, and your kids will love seeing kids their age on stage.

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Christmas with Chor Leoni

When: December 18-20, 2025
Where: St. Andrew’s- Wesley United, 1022 Nelson St, Vancouver
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Celebrate the season with Christmas with Chor Leoni at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United. This cherished tradition blends classic carols like Silent Night and Joy to the World with festive folk songs and modern favorites. The stunning acoustics and glowing atmosphere create a magical winter wonderland perfect for the whole family!

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East Van Panto: West Van Story

When: November 19, 2025 – January 11, 2026
Where: York Theatre, 649 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC
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East Van Panto is back for its thirteenth year, and this time they’re doing Romeo and Juliet, Vancouver style. A West Van influencer and her curling team get stranded in East Van and she falls for a guy from their rival crew. Cue the family drama when her mega-developer parent finds out. It’s got dance battles, a love story that crosses the bridge between East and West Van, and somehow they’ve worked in jokes about housing and gentrification that’ll fly over your kids’ heads but land perfectly with you. The show features music by Veda Hille and is directed by Chelsea Haberlin. If you’ve never been to an East Van Panto, it’s basically Vancouver’s quirkiest holiday tradition – silly, smart, and genuinely fun for the whole family. Think local humor meets classic story with a very Vancouver twist.