sparkling traditions
Filed Under Events | December 14, 2009
When you think back to the holidays when you were young what do you remember most? For us the things that we did trumped the things we got so when we became parents we started some holiday traditions of our own. Here are three magical local events that you and your kids will remember long after their intense desire for Zhu Zhu Pets has been forgotten.
A bit of housekeeping: please check each site before you visit to make sure you catch Santa in his lair or other special moments; the mother in us has to remind you to bundle up big time; gird your loins to battle traffic and parking, the stress of which dissolves once things are illuminated; and if the weather’s inclement be sure to call in advance to make sure things are business as usual.
VanDusen Botanical Garden Festival of Lights
December 11th – January 3rd, 2010, 4:30 pm – 9 pm (closed December 25th), 5251 Oak Street (@ 37th Avenue), Vancouver
Every year since our first child was born we hit up this glittering, sparkling 1.4 million light extravaganza with our nuclear family. This year they’re touting it as light therapy to banish the blahs, and banish them indeed it does, in fact this may be our favourite Fest yet. As well as classics like the Gingerbread Wood, Make-a-Wish Candle Shrine and Santa’s Living Room they’ve added a Sparkling Spruce and two different versions of their Dancing Lights on Livingstone Lake. Plus in every nook and cranny we found hidden treasures like fluffy sheep and sinuous sea monsters. And we were thrilled to find this year’s food offerings included waffles, sausages, baked potatoes and Thomas Haas hot chocolate. We recommend going early with your kids (parking’s easier on the East side of Oak) and treating them to a feast of sausages, baked potatoes, waffles and hot chocolate and then once they’re home and nestled all snug in their beds you can enjoy a grown up dinner à deux. The paths are mostly stroller accessible but a baby carrier might be an easier for negotiating the crowds: vancouver.ca/parks/parks/vandusen
Bright Nights in Stanley Park
November 27th – January 2nd, 2010, 3 pm – 10 pm (farmyard closes at 9 pm) (closed December 25th), Stanley Park Miniature Railway, Vancouver
We save Bright Nights for when our whole extended family is gathered together (which is why we haven’t put it to the test yet this year) but from our previous experiences we can heartily vouch for this fundraiser for the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund. The Mortal Coil Performance Society makes the train ride extra exciting and with two million lights they even top VanDusen. You’ll also find animated displays and more, including hot chocolate and hot buttered popcorn from the Stanley Park Ecology Society. We always save the Children’s Farmyard for after the train – it’s a good way to warm up – and don’t miss it this year, as it may be their last. You can also bring your pre-LED lights with you and leave them in a bin by the front gate. BC Hydro will donate $2 to the Burn Fund for every light string dropped off. The wide paths are stroller-friendly and you can leave your buggy at the station when you go on the train, but a carrier might be easier: vancouver.ca/PARKS/events/brightnights
Capilano Suspension Bridget Light Up the Night
December 4th – January 2nd, 2010, 5 pm – 9 pm (except December 25th), 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
New to our repertoire this year was a trip to Light up the Night at the suspension bridge. Though they only use a paltry 250,000 lights (paltry by VanDusen and Stanley Park standards anyhow) the sight of the brightly lit suspension bridge spanning the canyon is beyond compare. We must admit we had to fake bravery for the sake of our tots as we crossed the bridge in the dark, so if you’re faint of heart, this may not be your “thing”. Once across the bridge you can go on a bear hunt for a chance to win a big stuffed bear and traipse across the Treetops Adventure walkways for amazing views. For kids they also have gingerbread cookie decorating and crafts. There’s also a live holiday band, candy canes for the little ones and historical displays. Our kids weren’t fazed at all by swaying bridges crossing chasms in the pitch dark or wobbly treetop pathways but we’d advise bringing at least one brave adult with you. And we can’t imagine trying to take a stroller across the bridge, so we’d recommend a carrier: www.capbridge.com
Next on our list to check out is the Peak of Christmas on Grouse Mountain and our apologies for going a little long, it was the only way we could fit in all the sparkling details.
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[...] are a few select, festive happenings and don’t forget Bright Nights, the Festival of Lights and Canyon Lights are all [...]