Vancouver 
Events Description
The winter solstice marks the longest, darkest night of the year. This dance of sun and earth has inspired celebrations of the human spirit throughout the ages, and our own Winter Solstice Lantern Festival illuminates the night with lanterns, fire, singing, dancing, music, storytelling, and the famous Labyrinth of Light. The labyrinth has long been used for meditation, prayer and sites of ritual in various cultures around the world. Created with over 600 pure beeswax candles, the winter solstice labyrinth invites you to warm yourself in a self-guided ceremony intended to help release old attachments and envision new possibilities as the darkest night of the year births a new season.
With the light of our lanterns set against the longest, darkest night of the year we celebrate the winter solstice and the return of the sun! Honouring many cultural traditions, we’ll gather with our communities to share music and art, celebrate nature, and shine our special light on each other. Please join us!
Who is it for?
All ages – Family
HOW MUCH
Tickets: Free
Labyrinth: $10.00 – Children under 13 FREE.
Lanterns:
Nature Lantern $25
Globe Lantern $15
$11 at the door
WHEN & WHERE
Date: Thursday, December 21, 2023
Labyrinth runs 6:00 – 10:30 PM. @ Performance Works on Granville Island
Labyrinth runs 6:00 – 10:30 PM. @ Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown
Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews
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9:00 AM : Lantern sales at the Front Desk
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6:00 – 10:30 PM: Labyrinth of Light
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6:00 – 9:00 PM: Workshops, music and food in the Exhibition Hall – details below
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8:00 – 9:00 PM: Secret Lantern Walk
Labyrinth runs 6:00 – 10:30 PM. Timed tickets run each half hour starting at 6:00 PM. Last half-hour timed slot is 10:00 PM. This is an all-ages event.
To assist with the Closing Ritual from 10:30 – 11:30 PM please speak with the Labyrinth Host.
Performance Works,1218 Cartwright St.
Labyrinth runs 6:00 – 10:30 PM. Timed tickets run each half hour starting at 6:00 PM. Last half-hour timed slot is 10:00 PM. This is an all-ages event.
False Creek Community Centre, 1318 Cartwright St.
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Our tradition of wonderfully diverse performances, music and workshops continues with activities throughout the community centre.
MINI-GYM
5:00 – 6:30 -Last-minute Lanterns: $10/lantern *Note: when you finish your lantern you can head outdoors to meet up with any of the 3 processions.
6:00 – Headdress-making with ivy and cedar: Drop in. By donation while supplies last
7:00 – 9:30 – Nature Lanterns with flower petals and leaves: $20/lantern
PERFORMANCESLIND HALL
7:00 – 7:15 – Opening Welcome from Squamish Elder Bob Baker
7:15 – 8:00 – Spakwus Slolem Dancers from the Squamish Nation
8:00 – 8:30 – Vancouver Morris Men traditional English folk dances
8:30 – 9:30 – Community Dance with The Carnival Band
TYEE HALL
6:00 – 9:30 – join Mind Of A Snail and create your own shadow dreams
LOUNGE
7:30 – 8:00 – Dark Tales of Solstice Past – Shaughna Born
8:00 – 8:45 – Baltic singing – Salalaul
8:45 – 9:15 – Darker Tales of Solstice Past – Shaughna Born
Strathcona Community Centre, 601 Keefer St. — Secret Lantern Walk
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Meet at the Strathcona Community Centre where we will welcome you at 6:00 PM with music and light! Our Secret Lantern Walk leaves at 6:30 PM, and we’ll follow a secret path to the outdoor Community Labyrinth to sing songs, admire each others’ lanterns, and drink hot apple cider (so please bring your own cup if possible)!
Venue:
neighbourhoods of Yaletown, Granville Island, and Strathcona.
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