A Vancouver neighbourhood will transform into a festive musical town for the holiday season.
Starting in December, Gastown will be adorned with mistletoe, roaming carollers will fill the streets with song, and ballet dancers will twirl in store window displays as part of the holiday wonderland called Giftown.
Giftown will pop up each Thursday night of the month from 5 to 7 p.m. and will include whimsical performances, interactive window displays featuring dances, Indigenous-led storytelling, roaming carollers and Mariachi band, and late-night shopping events.
The festive event kicks off on Dec. 1 with a free ballet interpretation of the Nutcracker in four 20-minute performances throughout the evening at Inform Interiors' New York City-inspired storefront.
Another window display performance will take place on Dec. 8 at the Centre of International Contemporary Art located on Abbott Street, decorating the storefront with contemporary dancers and musicians.
Down the street, locals can enjoy Indigenous-led storytelling and singing by Haida, Squamish, and Musqueam First Nations storyteller Kung Jaadee at Hershel Supply Co.
A local brass band will also be roaming through Giftown on opening night and spreading around New Orleans-style cheer. On Dec. 15, a Mariachi band will be marching through the neighbourhood and playing tunes by the Gastown Steamclock.
Romance will be in the air over the holidays too.
Lovebirds can kiss their way through Gastown on a romantic scavenger hunt for 10 hidden mistletoe, plus 150 small mistletoe hung in each storefront. The mistletoe will be up until Jan. 6, 2023.
Giftown
When: Thursday nights, Dec. 1-22, 2022; 5-7 p.m.
Where: Gastown
Cost: Free
