what to do, what to do?

Filed Under Events | December 17, 2009

dec17_weekendguide

This is our last weekend guide before the winter solstice and Christmas, so enjoy! Your last “what to do” of 2009 will run on to the 31st with ideas for getting 2010 off to a fun start. Lots of these events are ongoing to help you plan your holiday festivities and breakfasts with Santa and holiday skates are listed at the end of each section.

North Van Libraries’ Holiday Open Houses
Thursday, December 17th, 2 pm – 4 pm, Capilano Branch Library, 3045 Highland Boulevard & Friday, December 18th, 2 pm – 4 pm, Lynn Valley Main Library, 1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver
Theses all age mix and mingles at North Van’s busy libraries will include festive décor, treats and more: www.nvdpl.ca

Family Movie Night
Friday, December 18th, 7 pm – 9 pm, Kitsilano War Memorial Community Centre, 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver
Viewers have chosen from Rudolph, Santa, Frosty and the Grinch and the winning flick will be revealed on Friday night. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets and get there early for freshly made popcorn from their very own Chef Mark: www.kitscc.com

Scuba Claus and Bobs & Lolo at the Aquarium
Saturday, December 19th – Wednesday December 23rd, various times, Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Scuba Claus will be taking his annual dip in the Straight of Georgia along with the halibut, herring, sturgeon and sea stars. Plus popular local music duo Bobs & Lolo will be performing and getting your kids singing and dancing along: www.visitvanaqua.org

Twelve Days of Christmas
Saturday, December 19th – Sunday, January 3rd, 2010, 10 am – 5 pm (on Sundays the museum is open from Noon – 5 pm), December 24th, 10 am – 2 pm, and closed on December 25th, Vancouver Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Avenue in Vanier Park, Vancouver
The museum will be providing a safe harbour over the holidays providing self-guided crafts for kids and festive décor. Plus when you bring a non-perishable food bank donation kids under ten are free: vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

Christmas in Marpole Village
Saturday, December 19th, 11 am – 2 pm, Marpole commercial district on Granville Street between 63rd and 71st Avenues, Vancouver
Celebrate the season with festive banners, lights and trees, Santa and strolling carollers. Plus in support of the Marpole Oakridge Family Place you can drop off new, unwrapped toys, warm articles of clothing or non-perishable food items at either the Royal Bank, VanCity, TD Bank & Marpole Library: www.marpoleonline.com

Santa’s Late
Friday, December 18th – Sunday, January 3rd, 2010, HR MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
Santa’s gone missing and he needs your help to deliver all his presents on time. This virtual voyage is a holiday classic: www.spacecentre.ca

North Vancouver Carol Ship Festival of Lights 2009
Saturday, December 19th, 8 pm – 9:30 pm, Panorama Park, 2200 Panorama Drive, North Vancouver
Watch the Carol Ships sail by while you sing and dance with the V.O.C. Soul Gospel Choir and enjoy carolling, live performers, free crafts, a warming bonfire and maybe even a visit from the big guy himself. Please bring non-perishable foods or toys to support Family Services of the North Shore Christmas Bureau and the North Shore Harvest Project: www.northvanrec.com

Charlotte Diamond and the Hug Bug Band Holiday Sing-Along Concert
Sunday, December 20th, 2 pm, Centennial Theatre, 2300 Lonsdale, North Vancouver
Perennial children’s fave Charlotte Diamond will be charming pint-sized audience members with a sing-along concert this Sunday:  www.centennialtheatre.com

Trinity Street Light Festival and Neighbourhood Walk
Sunday, December 20th, 6 pm – 9 pm, Trinity Street (2400-2900 blocks, just north of McGill), Vancouver
It’s the eleventh year that the folks of Trinity Street have been putting up dazzling displays and here’s your chance to enjoy the lights and vote for your favourite block (the proceeds go to Harbourview Daycare, a Kiwassa Neighbourhood House program) while you’re at it. If you can’t make the 20th, have no fear, the lights will be bright until January 2nd. Please note, this is a car-free event so please park a few blocks away if you can’t get there on foot: www.raisedeyebrow.com/clients/trinity

Winter Solstice Celebration – Vancouver
Monday, December 21st, 6 pm – 10 pm, various locations around Vancouver including East Van, Yaletown, Granville Island, Strathcona/China Town and the West End/Coal Harbour
Celebrate the longest night of the year by exchanging gifts, eating, drinking and being merry and following the hand-made lanterns to the magical garden. Hmmm, we’re intrigued: www.secretlantern.org

Breakfasts with Santa

It’s best to register in advance to eat pancakes with Mr. Claus, these breakfasts often sell out in advance:

Farther Afield

North Pole BC
Thursday, December 17th – Thursday, December 24th, Belcarra, North Port Moody
Visit Santa in the North Pole and help him and his elves prepare for a busy Christmas in the toy factory. Enjoy the scenes and activities of the North Pole and finish everything up with a visit with Santa: www.northpolebc.com

Indoor Holiday Playland
Thursday, December 17th, 9:30 am – 11:30 am, Queensborough Community Center, 920 Ewen Avenue, New Westminster
Kids from one to six are invited to blow off some steam with a new blow-up Pirate Ship, a bouncy castle, ride ‘em toys and gym equipment: www.nwpr.bc.ca

Motoring Munchkins Christmas Party
Friday, December 18th, 9 am – 11:30 am, Queen’s Park Arenex – 1st Street and 3rd Avenue, New Westminster
Visit with Santa and enjoy heaps of festive fun and activities. Don’t forget to have your photo taken with jolly old St. Nick: www.nwpr.bc.ca

CP Railway Holiday Train
Friday, December 18th, 7:45 pm – 8:15 pm, Train stops in front of the Billy Miner Pub, 22355 River Road, Maple Ridge
Each year people eagerly await the arrival of CPR’s brightly decorated holiday train which includes a live holiday concert. Please bring a monetary or non-perishable food donation for your local food bank. It will be stopping in Port Moody at 9:30 pm on the 18th as well: www8.cpr.ca

Holiday Festivities at Fort Langley
Saturday, December 19 – Sunday, January 3, 2010, Fort Langley National Historic Site, 23433 Mavis Avenue, Fort Langley
Come early to help start the forge, light the bake oven and raise the flag. Then you can cast your vote for your favourite decorated tree and learn how Christmas was celebrated historically at Fort Langley: www.fortlangley.com

Parents Night Out
Saturday, December 19th, Tuesday, December 22nd, & Wednesday, December 23rd, 5 pm – 10 pm, Panther Cheer Athletics, #170-5731 Minoru Boulevard, Richmond
Leave your kids to enjoy activities, a pizza party, movies and more while you celebrate with a bit of time to yourself for shopping or reconnecting. Be sure to register in advance by calling 778.297.8437: www.panthercheerathletics.com

Breakfasts & Skates with Santa

It’s best to register in advance to eat pancakes with Mr. Claus, these breakfasts often sell out in advance.

Breakfasts

Skates

And we wanted to remind you to always call or visit the website for event info before you head out just in case any changes have been made since we posted it. And of course, have fun!

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • NewsVine
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Kirtsy
 

Leave a Comment

Let us know what you think or share your great finds with us so we can share them with other Vancouver mothers!