ongoing holiday happenings
Filed Under Events, Places | November 30, 2010
Here’s our roundup of ongoing seasonal festivities so you can get all your holiday ducks in a row. We will add other events as we come across them so keep checking back and as we enjoy some of these ourselves we’ll add our personal reviews to give you as much info as possible. Happy holidays, we hope you’ll be making some wonderful family traditions of your own this year!
Festival of Trees
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 – Wednesday, January 5th, 2011, Four Seasons Hotel, 791 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Once again in true Vancouver tradition the lobby of the Four Seasons is adorned with a forest of decorated trees and you’re invited to browse among them and vote for your favourite(s). Admission’s free but they suggest you donate $2 for every ballot you cast which is all to benefit BC Children’s Hospital: secure.bcchf.ca
Bright Nights in Stanley Park
Friday, November 26th, 2010 – Sunday, January 2nd, 2011, 3 pm – 10 pm, Stanley Park; Friday, November 26th – Sunday, January 2nd, 3 pm – 10 pm, Stanley Park, Vancouver
Bright Nights is back for the holidays with new holiday magic dreamed up by the Mortal Coil society. We love this event that transforms the park with millions of twinkling lights, animated displays, hot chocolate, fresh popcorn and roasted chestnuts. And, of course, Santa’s in his workshop: vancouver.ca. Here’s our review of this year’s fabulous event.
Magic of the North
Saturday, Sunday, November 27th, 2010 – Monday, January 3rd, 2011, see schedule for times, Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
The Aquarium’s Arctic exhibit has been transformed into a winter wonderland where you can join Santa’s helpers with holiday crafts, write a letter to Scuba Claus and catch their Christmas Tree which is lighted by electricity generated through their resident electric eels. Plus they’re showing the Polar Express 4-D throughout the holidays: www.visitvanaqua.org
The Peak of Christmas
Saturday, November 27th – Friday, December 24th, Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver
Take your family up the mountain for some serious holiday cheer including a visit to Santa’s Workshop, a chance to meet reindeer, sleigh rides through the forest, skating on their mountaintop pond, classic holiday movies at the Theatre in the Sky and lots, lots more. And from December 15th to 24th you can enjoy Breakfast with Santa atop Grouse as well each day from 9 am – 11 am. Call 604.980.9311 to book your tix: www.grousemountain.com
Dundarave Festival of Lights and Christmas Fair
Saturday, November 27th, 2010 – Friday, January 7th, 2011, Dundarave Beach, West Vancouver
Dundarave’s Festival of Lights kicks off with their fabulously festive Christmas tree decorating beach party, free concerts and legendary BBQ. Then on through January there’ll be free family concerts set among the grove of holiday trees, be sure to check their site for the concert schedule: www.dundaravefestival.com
Woodward’s Window Christmas Display
Wednesday, December 1st – Friday, December 24th, Canada Place: 999 Canada Place (in the Welcome Centre), Woodward’s TD Canada Trust: Hastings & Abbott, Bentall One: Burrard & Pender, Bentall Three: Burrard & Dunsmuir. BC Ferries: Burrard & Cordova & Vancouver Christmas Market: Cambie & Georgia, Vancouver
They’re back! The Woodward’s Windows are a Vancouver Christmas classic and have been since the 1960s. This year you can check them out not just at the newly-restored Woodward’s building but at five other locations around downtown, and they’ve even mapped out a walking tour complete with quizzes and a grand prize from BC Ferries. We’ve taken a tour of the windows already, click here for our review: www.christmas.canadaplace.ca
Capilano Suspension Bridge Canyon Lights
Friday, December 3rd, 2010 – Sunday, January 2nd, 2011, 5pm – 9 pm, 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
We took in this event for the first time last year, and except for a slight fear of heights (us, not our kids) had a great time! With over 250,000 twinkling light decorating the Suspension Bridge and park you can also go on a Treetops Adventure and listen to the Christmas Band every night at 5:30 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm: www.capbridge.com
50th year Celebration of Carol Ships Parade of Lights
Friday, December 3rd to Thursday, December 23rd, see schedule for times, Coal Harbour, Vancouver
Over 50 years this event has grown from one decorated boat outside the Bayshore in Coal Harbour to more than 50 boats decorated with over 100,000 lights taking over 30,000 people for a three hour tour (okay, we just had to say that, we’re pretty sure it’s not three hours) over 20 nights: www.carolships.org
Christmas Train in Bear Creek Park
Friday, December 3rd – Sunday, January 2nd, 10 am – 4 pm, Bear Creek Park, 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey
Take a train ride through the Christmas Forest display and Santa’s Golden tunnel exhibit. Be sure to bring your camera and you’re bound to bump into Santa along the way: www.bctrains.com
Under the Christmas Tree
Fridays & Saturdays, December 3rd – 18th, Evening shows: 7:30 pm, Saturday matinee on December 11th & 18th, 2 pm, Second Storey Theatre, 201-2550 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam
Catch this interactive comedy with Christmas characters, puppets, songs and lots of improvisation. And it’s for a good cause, raising money and food donations for families in need: www.table23.com
Forgetful Santa Puppet Show
Friday, December 3rd – December 21st, various times & various VPL branches (see below), Vancouver
It’s Christmas Eve and Santa Claus has lost his memory! In this fun show from the Puppetry Renaissance Troupe kids will be treated to hilarious hijinks and fun as Santa’s friend help him remember before it’s too late to begin his toy-toting journey. Will they succeed?
- Friday, December 3, 3:45 pm, Kerrisdale Branch, 2112 West 42nd Ave.
- Saturday, December 4, 2 pm, Renfrew Branch, 2969 East 22nd Ave
- Tuesday, December 7, 10:30 am, Hastings Branch, 2674 East Hastings St.
- Saturday, December 11, 12:30 pm, Carnegie Branch, 401 Main St.
- Saturday, December 18, 11 am, Firehall Branch, 1455 West 10th Ave.
- Saturday, December 18, 2 pm, South Hill Branch, 6076 Fraser St.
- Tuesday, December 21, 2 pm, Kitsilano Branch, 2425 MacDonald
Apple Barn – Christmas Apple Kart
Saturday, December 4th, see schedule for times, Apple Barn, 333 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in December from 2 pm – 8 pm you can take a ride in the “Apple Bin Train”, tour the farm and take in their holiday displays and finish it all off with a stop at Santa’s workshop where you can make an ornament to take home: www.applebarn.ca
Yuletide on Granville Island
Saturday, December 4th to Sunday, December 19th, see schedule for times, Granville Island, Triangle Square (on Johnson Street across from the Public Market in front of La Baguette), Vancouver
Triangle Square has been transformed into a Gingerbread-themed square (or triangle) complete with an outdoor stage featuring live entertainment, free children’s holiday workshops (from 10 am – 1 pm) and larger than life gingerbread characters, include the ever- mischievous Gingerbread Boy: www.granvilleisland.com
Carousel Theatre presents Seussical the Musical
Saturday, December 4th – Saturday, January 1st, see schedule for times, Waterfront Theatre, 1412 Cartwright Street on Granville Island, Vancouver
The Cat is back for another year! Carousel’s hilarious musical returns after two sold-out runs so be sure to get your tickets soon. Aimed at ages 3 and up, this year they’ve introduced babe-friendly performances on the 12th and 19th at 10 am: www.carouseltheatre.ca. Click here for our review.
Trinity Street Light Festival
Saturday, December 4th, 2010 – Sunday, January 2nd, 2011, 2400 – 2900 blocks of Trinity Street (one block North of McGill), Vancouver
This community lights display has become a tradition not to be missed. You can also support local organizations by voting for your favourite illuminated display. And it’s their Annual Winter Walk on December 19th from 6 pm – 9 pm. The lights are turned off each night at 11 pm. www.facebook.com
Festival of Lights VanDusen Botanical Garden
Friday, December 10th, 2010 – Sunday, January 2nd, 2011, 4:30 pm – 9 pm, VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
This is one of our favourite Vancouver family traditions, we go with our kids every year and neither wind, nor sleet, not hail – and we’d pretty much had all those – can stop us. With everything from millions (literally) of lights to Santa to dancing lights and a gingerbread wood, kids and adults alike find this event magical: vandusen.org
Spot Santa on Seymour
Saturday, December 11th & Sunday, December 12th; Saturday December 18th & Sunday December 19th, see schedule for times, Mt Seymour ,1700 Mount Seymour Road, North Vancouver
Santa’s bringing his holiday cheer to Mt. Seymour. He’ll be in his workshop in Harold’s Café in the new Lodge to hear your little one’s holiday wishes. And if you bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation for the food bank the fee for your pix with the big guy will be free: www.mountseymour.com
Christmas on the Coast
Monday, December 20th, 2010 – Monday, January 3rd, 2011, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
You’ll find twinkling starts, West Coast imagery, sparkling city lights and traditional Christmas music from Canadian artists at the Planetarium through the holidays: www.spacecentre.ca
Farther Afield:
North Pole BC in Maple Ridge!
Saturday, November 27th, 2010 – Friday, December 24th, 2011, book your time, North Pole BC, North end of 224th Street, Maple Ridge
North Pole BC is a world of elves, legends, fantasy and traditional holiday magic. You can learn the secret skills of the elves, help them in the toy workshop, enjoy story time with Mrs. Claus, visit the post office and more and have a private family visit with Santa. Put aside at least two hours to enjoy it all: www.NorthPoleBC.com
Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum
Saturday, November 27th, 2010 – Sunday, January 2nd, 2011, see schedule for times, Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
The museum is all about classic old-fashioned ornaments and decorations, traditional entertainment, demos and hands-on activities. Kids can make a craft and visit with Father Christmas and, of course, take a while on their classic carousel: www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
Christmas at the Cannery: Festival of Trees 2010
Sunday, November 28th – Friday, December 31st, 10 am – 5 pm, Gulf of Georgia Cannery, 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond
New to Steveston is their first annual Festival of Trees. Local businesses get a chance to decorate a tree for visitors to admire and in the evenings of December 3rd, 10th and 17th the Cannery will be open late showing holiday movies in their theatre: exploresteveston.com
The Land of Christmas
Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 – Thursday, January 7th, 2011, 5 pm – 10 pm, 20169 32nd Avenue, Langley
Enjoy a wonderful light show, free hot chocolate, live entertainment, carolling and Christmas music. Plus Santa will be on hand right up to the 24th in his towering castle surrounded by giant fir trees. Proceeds support the Children’s Wish Foundation: www.childrenswish.ca
Santa’s Snow Show
Wednesday, December 1st – Tuesday, December 23rd, 6 pm, Richmond Centre 1788-6060 Minoru Boulevard, Richmond
Santa, Mrs. Claus and 38 of his best elves have brought a bit of the North Pole to Richmond Centre, including snow. Every night at 6 pm (and 4:30 on Christmas Eve), you can catch their imported snow show: www.santaatrichmondcentre.com
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! And most of these attractions will be closed on December 25th.
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[...] list is a little lighter than usual because of all the ongoing holiday happenings (we’ve added even more) including the launch of this year’s Festival of Lights at VanDusen [...]
[...] have lots on your calendar already, but here’s more fun to be had. And lots of the events on our list of ongoing happenings continue on between Christmas and New Years if you can’t fit in everything you’d like to do [...]
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