With preparations for our 2025 Season now well underway, we’ll be heading into our annual office closure for some much-needed rest over the holidays.

Before we sign off for the year, we caught up with some of our administrative team to learn what they have planned for the holidays. Plus, be sure to read until the end for a special rendition of a holiday classic from our very own Christopher Gaze!

“This Christmas is extra special—it’s my first one as a married lady, and we’re celebrating in our new apartment! I’m hosting a pre-Christmas potluck for friends, packed with games, movies, baked treats, and every Christmas song you can think of. It’ll also be our first time balancing both families, but thankfully, the timing works out perfectly: my family eats at 5pm, and his at 8 pm. Win-win! Wishing you a wonderful and warm holiday season surrounded by the people (and food) you love.” —Taylar, Individual Giving Manager

“I’ll be visiting my partner’s family in 100 Mile House, BC. I’m not a big Christmas person, but I like to get out-of-town in late December, either to the Yukon or elsewhere up north. Time for mountains, family, and lots of sleep!” —Santana, Education Coordinator

“I am hoping for snow so my very elderly dog can do her favourite things: walk through fresh snow, then snooze.” —Emma, Director of Marketing and Communications

“Christmas in Australia makes no sense: the big man in a red winter suit, the reindeer, and the roast dinner in 32-degree heat. But we did it anyway. This year I’m revisiting old family traditions, including a trek to Bondi Beach. Time with my mum and dad and other family and friends for my first Aussie Christmas in 22 years, with Tim Minchin’s ‘White Wine in the Sun’ playing in the background. Perfect! See you next year in the park.” —Veronica, Sales and Analytics Specialist

“I’ll be spending the holiday break celebrating Hanukkah with friends and family. We’ll be eating latkes, lighting the candles, and enjoying all the holiday fun Vancouver has to offer!” —Tamara, Controller

“One of my goals is to write a romcom eventually, so I’m planning to stay in and cozy up with a few Netflix holiday movies over the break. Purely for research purposes, of course.” —Jiejun, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

“My holidays will consist of catching up on my to-read list while visiting my family in Spain! Looking forward to working the grill, going out for tapas, and participating in siesta time while trying my best to speak Andalusian Spanish. Also stoked to see more beautiful moody nights with the moon!” —Taylor, Marketing and Communications Manager

“I’m spending the holidays cozied up here in Vancouver! I’ll be lighting my menorah, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying rest and relaxation. I also go to Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto every year; I love it so much!” —Sam, Education Coordinator

“I will be spending the holidays in Kamloops (my hometown), Qualicum, and Nanaimo (where many family members live), and at home—hosting everyone for Christmas dinner! I look forward to many—hopefully lazy—days of cooking, baking, spending time with family and friends—and trying to stop our daughter from opening every window on the advent calendar at once!” —Claire Sakaki, Executive Director

“It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! I’ve been busy as usual, but I finish my annual series of VSO Traditional Christmas concerts on the 22nd with two final concerts at the Orpheum. Meanwhile we have all sorts of family events mixed in with my Bard world.

For the New Year Jennifer and I are off to Tofino for four marvellous days. Mason (our gorgeous dog) will come too, plus two of Jennifer’s sisters. We shall relish walks on Chesterman beach, plus reading books and storm watching—it’ll be bliss. January will come and we shall dive into the new year with gusto and delight—there is so much to look forward to as the Bard season has all the right ingredients for another fantastic season.

Meanwhile, to all our Bard family, Jennifer joins me in wishing you all a very happy and healthy time over Christmas—and as Tiny Tim observed… ‘God bless us, everyone!’” —Christopher Gaze, Founding Artistic Director

To send us off for the year, Christopher recently sat down with us to deliver a rendition of “The Night Before Christmas”—reimagined for our current times! Click the video below to hear his take on this beloved classic.

No matter how or where you’re celebrating, we’re wishing you a joyous and restful holiday season. We can’t wait to see you again in 2025. Until then, happy holidays from all of us at Bard on the Beach!

Please note that our Box Office and administrative offices will be closed December 20–January 1 inclusive and will reopen on January 2, 2025.