Yan Zhang from the Beijing Dance Academy Ballet Department Program mends a pair of ballet shoes during rehearsals for the Goh Ballet's Nutcracker at The Centre in Vancouver on December 7, 2014.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
Editor's Note: Globe B.C. has joined forces with Scout Magazine to give you the best of what's happening in Vancouver this weekend. For a full week's worth of listings, head over to the complete Scout List, updated each week.
Gig: Help the Biltmore Cabaret celebrate their seventh birthday this week. Punk band Needles//Pins and alt-rockers Ladyhawk play a few sets Thursday night, and it's likely going to get loud. This subterranean rock-out could set the tone for a great weekend, so give it a go.
Dec. 18, 8 p.m., The Biltmore (2755 Prince Edward St.), $16, biltmorecabaret.com
Relax: The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs Vivaldi's The Four Seasons at the Chan Centre this Friday and Saturday night. In addition to Vivaldi, there will also be a bit of Mozart, some Vasks and a smattering of Handel.
Dec, 19-20, 8 p.m., Chan Centre (6265 Crescent Rd., UBC), chancentre.com
Art: Whether you're on the hunt for a unique gift or wanting to take in some culture, head down to the Gam Gallery on East Hastings to check out Paper Presents: Works on Paper and Printed Matter. As the name suggests, the focus at this group exhibition is on prints, cards, journals, posters, calendars and paintings on paper, but you'll also find jewellery, T-shirts and other trinkets ideal for stockings.
Dec, 18-20, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Gam Gallery (110 E. Hastings St.), gamgallery.com
Tradition: The Goh Ballet is performing Tchaikovsky's Christmas-themed ballet, The Nutcracker, at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts this week. Expect elaborate sets and gorgeous costumes, live music performed by Vancouver Opera Orchestra, and, most importantly, a Sugarplum Fairy.
Dec. 18-22, The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts (777 Homer St.), gohballet.com
Last chance: If you've been procrastinating on the whole holiday shopping thing because the idea of inserting yourself into the chaos of malls and big-box stores one week before Christmas sounds like your idea of hell, you're not alone. The good news is that Nochebuena has you covered. Scoot over to East Van Studios for the Nochebuena pop up and score all kinds of great products made by Vancouver's artists, designers and craftspeople. From honey (Mellifera Bees) and candles (Woodlot) to ceramics (Maggie Boyd) and textiles (Glasnost) – organizers have assembled top-notch makers in one place, a long way from any mall. Don't miss out.
Dec. 20, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., East Van Studios (870 E. Cordova St.)
Bonfire: This Saturday is a good night to head over to Dundarave Pier in West Vancouver. Take a stroll through the local shops and then bundle up tight and make your way down to the beach where there will be a giant bonfire roaring (lit at sunset) with live music, hot chocolate and a forest of decorated Christmas trees for you to wander through. Plus there's a beach, the sound of waves and the delightful smell of the ocean in the air.
Dec. 20, 3-9:30 p.m., Dundarave Beach, West Van, free, dundaravefestival.com