From nostalgic carols to toe-tapping holiday songs and from velvet-voiced choirs to soaring Messiah renditions, live music is the essence of Christmas for many of us. And this year, stages around the region are ringing with a huge array of inviting, spirit-soaring performances.

 

Check out some of our 2025 favourites below and book your tickets as soon as possible: many of these concerts are limited runs or one-night-only performances. For more options, peruse the ever-changing Shows section of our site––where you’ll also find multiple chances to win free tickets for upcoming concerts!

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Yuletide classics

 

Early Music Vancouver and the Vancouver Chamber Choir are joining forces to present a spine-tingling Handel's Messiah at downtown's grand Orpheum Theatre. While Winter Harp’s costumed performers will be playing their traditional songs and carols on stages around the region––it’s a must-see tradition for many locals.

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This year, the Vancouver Chamber Choir is actually doing double festive-season duty. They're also performing what promises to be a joyful Christmas by Candlelight concert at Pacific Spirit United Church––complete with sumptuous vocals and the kind of calm and tranquil vibe that offers the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the season.

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That special vibe is also a huge feature of Music on Main's annual Music for the Winter Solstice holiday concert in Main Street's historic Heritage Hall. It's the 20th anniversary of this gem-like show, and this year's playbill features four richly talented performers, including five-time Grammy Award winner Caroline Shaw.

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Velvet vocals

 

Speaking of delicious choral music, there's a full menu of additional options on stages in and around the city this holiday season. The male voice Christmas with Chor Leoni concerts will be serving up their delightful renditions and unique arrangements of classic songs and carols once again. And the world-renowned Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir is back with a soaring holiday concert fusing sumptuous harmonies and a menu of traditional carols and Yuletide favourites. 

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But that's not all. Over at Vancouver’s Pacific Spirit United Church, the city’s celebrated Elektra adult treble voice choir will deliver a concert that combines tradition and bold new sounds in a show entitled Chez Nous: Christmas with Elektra.There are only two performances, so be sure to book ahead. That's also the case for the one-show-only concert presented by Vancouver's Vivaldi Chamber Choir. Their Echoes of December performance offers an afternoon of delightful music, apple cider and treats and even a carol singalong!

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There's also only one chance to catch Bach's Christmas Oratorio, performed by the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs at downtown's historic St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church. Rarely staged in its entirety, this rich and enveloping show is suffused with jubilant trumpets and spine-tingling solos––don't miss it!

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Need more?

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Visit our ever-evolving Shows page for additional 2025 Christmas concert options. But before you do that, we have four more hot recommendations for you.

 

Vancouver's Pacific Theatre is presenting its final show in its current South Granville venue, a magical evening of festive song and inspiring performances entitled Christmas Presence. Over in North Vancouver, Presentation House Theatre will be offering a Holiday Singalong, where you’ll be provided with song sheets so you can belt out all your fave festive tunes.

 

And if you’d prefer to leave the singing to the experts, The Dimes—Vancouver’s favourite vocal trio––will be offering a festive playbill of everything from 1950s songs to latter-day chart toppers at venues and events around the region––you can even book them for your own holiday party! Alternatively, attend a great Christmas party that someone else is organizing, namely the Firehall Arts Centre. Starring Krystle Dos Santos and friends, their Very Merry Motown show serves up a feast of great songs that will have you singing all the way home!  ​

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For more information on festive events, attractions and shows in the city and beyond, visit the Vancouver Christmas Guide. Written by Lonely Planet travel writer John Lee, it’s the best online guide to the area’s 2025 holiday happenings. The site was co-created with Christmas Cat Max, who pens its gift reviews and often appears on its Instagram and Bluesky feeds.