5 holiday events happening in Vancouver this weekend

The PNE Holiday Express Train presented by TransLink is seen in this photo from the PNE website. (pne.ca)

Christmas is less than two weeks away, and festivities abound in Vancouver this weekend. Here are a few to check out.

Ballet BC presents: The Nutcracker

Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas ballet The Nutcracker returns to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre this weekend for Vancouver's only professional presentation

Royal Winnipeg Ballet will perform five shows this weekend, with 6:30 p.m. performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday and 1 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

Ticket information is available on the Ballet BC website.

PNE Winter Fair

The PNE Winter Fair returns Thursday and runs daily through Dec. 23 after a brief opening last weekend.

Guests can expect food, lights, ice skating, ice bumper cars, live performances and "the ultimate journey to meet Santa Claus," according to organizers.

The PNE Winter Fair is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and admission prices vary by date. More information can be found on the PNE website.

Make It! The Handmade Revolution

Also happening at the PNE this weekend is "Make It! The Handmade Revolution," a holiday craft fair featuring more than 250 vendors at the PNE Forum.

Tickets are $12 at the door, and admission is free for children 12 and younger. The market opens Thursday evening, and hours vary through the weekend. More information can be found on the market website.

Weirdos Holiday Market

A different kind of holiday market is happening at the Russian Hall on Campbell Avenue in Vancouver this weekend.

Promising "one-of-a-kind collectibles and unique oddities," the Weirdos Holiday Market features more than 60 artists, with an adults-only market on Friday night from 5 to 10 p.m. and all-ages offerings Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fleurs de Villes Noël

This weekend is also the last opportunity to check out Fleurs de Villes Noël, the annual trail of floral displays spread around downtown Vancouver.

A self-guided tour beginning at CF Pacific Centre takes visitors past all 30 floral installations inspired by beloved holiday songs.

The event concludes Sunday, and a map of the installations can be found on its website.