Welcome to yoyomama’s weekend guide! Your go-to list of family friendly fun things to do with kids in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

There’s lots to celebrate this weekend, with the lighting of the biggest candelabra for Chanukah, a party to celebrate 40 years of the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, and a celebration of the renovations of TELUS World of Science.  You can also learn a few things about sleep or cloth diapers, check out a movie at Movies for Mommies, or share a meal at a community potluck.  And don’t forget our oft-updated Holiday Events Listings, which we’ve sampled below.

Free Skating At Robson Square
Thursday, December 1st – end of February 2012, Sunday – Thursday, 9 am – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday, 9 am – 11 pm, Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
The skating rink that was renovated for the Olympics will be open again for skating this winter, and it’s opening today!  Skating is free if you have your own skates, otherwise rentals are available: www.yougottabehere.com

Movies For Mommies: Footloose
Thursday, December 1st, Noon, Denman Cinema, 1779 Comox Street, Vancouver
Movies for Mommies will get you tapping your feet along to Footloose this week.  Come early for a free playtime with Gymboree Play & Music of Vancouver & the North Shore.  You can also feast your eyes on nursing wear by Au Fait Mama: www.facebook.com/movies4mommies

Winter Joy Fest
Friday, December 2nd, 5 pm- Midnight, and Saturday, December 3rd – Sunday, December 4th, Noon – Midnight, Cuppa Joy Coffee House, 2083 Alma Street, Vancouver
The Joy Fest is a celebration of local musicians and artists that hopes to give them valuable exposure and build a sense of community.  The festival runs late at night, but also both afternoons on the weekend.  You can bring the kiddies and enjoy some live music while sipping a hot chocolate:  www.facebook.com

Young Naturalists’ Club: Savvy Scavengers
Saturday, December 3rd, 10 am – Noon, Lost Lagoon Nature House, Stanley Park, Vancouver
The Young Naturalist Club meets monthly at the Lost Lagoon Nature house for a walk in the park.  Kids aged 5-14 can come for two hours of exploration and fun, with activities, hikes, wildlife observation and more.  Parent participation is required, and pre-registration is suggested: www.stanleyparkecology.ca

Free Admission To Science World
Saturday, December 3rd, 10 am -6 pm, Science World at TELUS World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
Science World is almost finished with the renovations and in order to thank their supporters, the centre is free on December 3rd!  Swing by to check out the new Extreme Dinosaurs exhibit, or see what old favourites are still on display: www.techvibes.com
Celebration In The Woods

Celebration In The Woods
Saturday, December 3rd, Noon – 4 pm, Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Road, North Vancouver
The Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre is turning 40 and it’s time for a party!  Come for games, goodies, cake and prizes, and enjoy the Ecology Centre Puppeteers as they perform their famous black light puppet show: www.dnv.org

Chanukah Celebration
Sunday, December 4th, 7:45 pm, Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Chanuka is a celebration of the triumph of light over darkness, and it will be celebrated this weekend by lighting the tallest candelabra in Canada.  Head to the art gallery, where there will be a 45-minute program, including the lighting of the candelabra, followed by a party on the 2nd floor including treats:  www.lubavitchbc.com

Essential Series – Sleep
Wednesday December 7th, 10 am – Noon, Rocky Mountain Flatbread, 1876 W 1st Avenue, Vancouver
This first session of the Essential Series is about sleep; something most moms would like more of.  Learn about the science of sleep, share your own struggles, and pick up some tips and tricks for getting more sleep.  Registration includes a light breakfast, and there are nannies available onsite so you can bring your toddlers:  www.modernmama.ca

Farther Afield:

Cloth Diaper 101 Workshop
Thursday, December 1st, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Watershed Arts Cafe, 20349 88 Avenue, Langley and Sunday, December 4th, Jillian Kirby Baby Photography Studio, 20238 Fraser Highway, Langley
If you’ve thought about using cloth diapers but need more information, this workshop is for you.  You can see the diapers in person, learn all about which ones work best for newborns through to toilet training, and learn how to wash and care for them.  Bring all your burning cloth diaper questions:  www.littlemonkeystore.com

Community Potluck
Friday, December 2nd, 6 pm -8 pm, Terra Nova Barn, 2631 Westminster Highway, Richmond
This community potluck happens every month, and is an opportunity to connect with your neighbours over some good food, while listening to a speaker or watching a film: www.richmondfruittree.com

Bobs & LoLo At The ACT Arts Centre & Theatre
Saturday, December 3rd, 4 pm – 6 pm, The ACT Arts Centre & Theatre, 11944 Haney Place, Maple Ridge
Bobs & Lolo are energetic, entertaining, and interactive! You’ll find your whole family on their feet, singing and dancing along to the show.  Performing songs from all three albums, Bobs & Lolo inspire kids to care about the world around them:  www.theactmapleridge.org

Owl Show
Sunday, December 4th, 11 am -3 pm, Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Highway, Richmond
Bring the kids to see some live owls this weekend, and even get a photo with one.  Owls are courtesy of the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society: www.richmond.ca

Swap Meets This week:

• Lil Rascals Kids Swap Meet
  Saturday, December 3rd, 9 am – 3 pm, Chilliwack Heritage Park, 44140 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack

Here’s a sample of what’s happening in holiday craft fairs and markets:

Christmas in Cloverdale: Gift and Marketplace Friday, December 2nd, 5 pm – 9 pm, Saturday, December 3rd, 10 am – 4 pm, Shannon Hall & The Alice Mckay Building, Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6050A 176 Street, Surrey

Fair Trade Vancouver Holiday Fair Saturday, December 3rd, 11 am – 6 pm, 196 Kingsway Street, Vancouver

Saint George’s Anglican Church Annual Christmas Bazaar Saturday, December 3rd, 10 am – 2 pm, Saint George’s Anglican Church, 9160 Church Street, Fort Langley

Here’s a sample of what’s happening in holiday crafts, storytimes, and activities:

Tot Tour: Christmas Around the World
Friday, December 2nd, 11 am – Noon or 1 pm – 2 pm, Surrey Museum, 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey
Bring your little ones, aged 3 – 6, to learn about Surrey’s cultures, while decorating a cookie and making decorations to bring home.  Pre-registration is required: www.surrey.ca

Santa’s Workshop
Sunday, December 4th, 1 pm – 3:30 p m, Killarney Community Centre, 6260 Killarney Street, Vancouver
Your older kids (aged 6-12) will enjoy baking holiday treats and crafting some decorations for your home.  Pre-registration is required, but there will be drop in available if space permits: www.vancouver.ca

Parent & Pee Wee Holiday Art Time
Monday, December 5th, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Dunbar Community Centre, 4747 Dunbar Street, Vancouver
Little ones aged 2 – 5 can come with their parents to make some holiday crafts and ornaments.  Adult participation and pre-registration (in the child’s name only) is required:  www.dunbarcentre.ca

Here’s a sample of what’s happening in holiday celebrations, parades, festivals and parties:

A Pitt Meadows Christmas
Friday, December 2nd, 6 pm – 8 pm, 12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows
Come celebrate the annual lighting of the Christmas tree! There will be hot dogs, apple cider and hot chocolate, entertainment and activities.  This event is free:  www.pittmeadows.bc.ca

Christmas Carnival
Saturday, December 3rd, 10 am – Noon, Coal Harbour Community Centre, 480 Broughton Street, Vancouver
Kids aged 2 – 6 can come for a magical winter wonderland where they will do holiday crafts play holiday games, and maybe see a special someone.  Pre-registration and parent participation is required:  www.vancouver.ca

Christmas In Steveston Village
Saturday, December 3rd, 2 pm – 6 pm, Steveston Village, Richmond
Santa arrives at Fisherman’s Wharf, nautical style aboard a whale watching boat, while horse drawn carriages carry you around the village lit with lights.  You’ll find unique holiday shopping in stores all decked for the season, and the day ends with the lighting of the tree in Fisherman’s Park:  www.exploresteveston.com

And here’s a sample of what’s happening in holiday trains, lights, and other ongoing events:

Woodwards Windows
Thursday, December 1st – Wednesday, January 4th, see site for list of locations and times, Downtown Vancouver
If you grew up in Vancouver, chances are you remember the Woodward’s Windows, with the animated, lighted, vintage charm. When Woodwards closed, Canada Place purchased the windows and they have been displaying them every year since. This year you can see nine different displays, and in the process enter to win a $2000 London Drugs Shopping Spree. You can find a list of site locations for the windows as well as hours online: www.christmas.canadaplace.ca

Alouette Tree Farm
Weekends, starting December 2nd, 9 am – 5:30 pm, Alouette Tree Farm, 23083 132 Avenue, Maple Ridge
You can pick up the perfect Christmas tree and have some family fun at the farm. You can ride the Alouette Express, visit the critters in the stable, enjoy some hot dogs and cider, and take photos with Santa. There will be a Children’s craft area, too:  www.alouettechristmastreefarm.com

Carol Ships Parade Of Lights Festival
Friday, December 2nd – Friday, December 23rd, 7 pm, Participating boats meet at Canada Place, Vancouver
After 47 years running, the Carol Ships are a Vancouver holiday tradition. Over 50 boats participate in the parade (some are privately owned and others are commercial and offer paid dinner cruises your family can join). You can participate in organized shoreline activities or simply pull up a piece of shore and enjoy the show:  www.carolships.org