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Top 5 things to do in Burnaby

Ready for the holidays? We have suggestions lined up for last-minute Christmas preparation and relaxing, fun things to do for those who planned ahead. Here is our Top 5 list of things to do this weekend.
Jennifer Moreau
Heritage Christmas
Take the kids to Heritage Christmas at the Burnaby Village Museum. Entrance is free, and there are tons of fun things to do for the whole family.

Ready for the holidays? We have suggestions lined up for last-minute Christmas preparation and relaxing, fun things to do for those who planned ahead. Here is our Top 5 list of things to do this weekend.

  1. If you haven’t had a chance to check out Heritage Christmas yet, consider taking the kids this weekend. The Burnaby Village Museum, at 6501 Deer Lake Ave., is all decorated with vintage holiday flair. There are lights, heritage displays, entertainment, kids’ activities and more. Among this weekend’s highlights is the Rainforest Theatre production of Aladdin. The play runs Saturdays and Sundays, in Brookfield Hall, at 2:30, 4 and 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. The museum is open from 1 to 9 p.m. daily. Info: www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca.
  2. Check out the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s production of A Traditional Christmas this Sunday at the Michael J. Fox Theatre. The shows are at 4 and 7:30 p.m. Gordon Gerrard is the associate conductor, and Christopher Gaze (of Bard on the Beach fame) will be the host. The UBC Opera Ensemble and EnChor are performing, and there’s a long list of holiday classics, including Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers from Nutcracker, and Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols. This concert has sold out in the past, so get your tickets early. For prices and availability, go to www.vancouversymphony.ca and click on A Traditional Christmas.
  3. Take a tour of Burnaby’s best Christmas light displays using our handy list on page 3 or visit www.burnabynow.com and search “Burnaby Christmas light displays, 2014.” For many of these local families, decorating their home is an annual tradition, and the displays grow bigger and brighter each year. Some are collecting donations for charity, so bring some pocket change and your camera, as there will be plenty of photo opportunities.
  4. This is the last weekend for Christmas shopping, but brace yourself. It’s going to get awfully busy out there. Starting Friday, Dec. 19. Metropolis at Metrotown is open late – from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. – until Tuesday, Dec. 23. If you want to avoid the crowd, get there early in the morning.There are also photos with Santa in the grand court, available with a minimum donation of $2 with proceeds going to the Burnaby Christmas Bureau. There are also two charity gift-wrapping stations (one on the ground level, underneath the food court and another near Winners/HomeSense). People will wrap your gifts if you make a donation, and proceeds go to the MS Society and the Burnaby Neighbourhood House.
  5. If you are organized enough to have all your shopping done by now, head to the Burnaby Art Gallery at Deer Lake for All is Unmentionable, Up in the Air, an exhibit showcasing the work of Eli Bornowsky. The Vancouver artist is best-known for his abstract paintings. The show will feature some new works on paper, as well as a selection from the city’s permanent collection. The gallery is at 6344 Deer Lake Ave. and is open from noon to 5 p.m.