Well folks, the holiday season is upon us once again and there are tons of events happening in our fair city to get you in the festive spirit. From Christmas sales to light displays, to breakfasts (and brunches with Santa), there's no reason to be bored in Burnaby this December.
KID-FRIENDLY
* The Burnaby Village Museum features a ton of activities each day it's open in December, including Once Upon a Christmas (stories and music), carols by the Winter Hymnals and Afterglow, appearances by Father Christmas and KC the Clown, children's Christmas crafts, a scavenger hunt, old-fashioned Christmas films, carousel rides and much, much more. For a full list of all the events happening right through to Jan. 2, download the entertainment schedule at tinyurl.com/BVMIlluminations.
* Kick off the holiday season with breakfast with Santa on Dec. 6 at the Willingdon Community Centre, 1491 Carleton Ave. From 10 to 11:30 a.m. families can enjoy a pancake breakfast, make some holiday crafts and visit with Saint Nick. Registration is required, and there is a $9 cost for breakfast. All children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Call 604-297-4526 for more details.
* Santa Claus is making another stop at the Cameron Recreation Complex on Dec. 13. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. families can stop by for a visit with the jolly fellow and brunch. There will also be a crafts table for kids. Registration is required and there is a fee of $7.34 for the event. To register call 604-297-4456.
* Burnaby Minor Hockey Association is holding its 52nd annual Burnaby Bantam Classic hockey tournament from Dec. 27 through 30. Games are all day at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre and Burnaby Lake Arena.
* Fancy a skate with Santa Claus? Stop by the Bill Copeland Sports Centre, 3676 Kensington Ave., from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20 for an afternoon on the ice with Saint Nick. Regular admission prices apply and all ages are invited to this event. There will craft making on site as well as games for all. For more info, call 604-297-4521.
* Celebrate Christmas with the horses at Burnaby Equestrian Centre, 9080 Avalon Ave. Open to all ages, families are invited to the Burnaby Horsemen's Association's 13th annual open house. The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features pony rides, information about the association and public lesson program, a raffle, horse demonstrations, craft tables, a concession stand and free horse manure for your garden. At 12:30 p.m. there will be a special appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the wee ones. The concession stand and raffle tickets are cash only. For more info, visit burnabyhorsemensassociation.com.
* Enjoy the traditional Italian holiday tale, Befana's Star on Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14. Co-produced by BellaLuna, the Italian Cultural Centre and Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, this play tells the story of Befana, an eccentric, old woman who decides to travel to Bethlehem to bring cakes and cookies to the Child King. To this day, the legend says that old Befana still flies through the skies delivering gifts to kids around the world on the eve of Jan. 6, known in the Italian community as Epiphany. The production hits the stage Dec. 13 and 14 with shows at 4 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. For info or tickets, visit shadboltcentre.com.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
* Come check out the light displays at Burnaby Village Museum's annual Illuminations at Heritage Christmas. Until Dec. 12 the village is open from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. From Dec. 13 to Jan. 2, visitors can stop by everyday from 1 to 9 p.m. to check out the displays. Note: the Burnaby Village Museum will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 for the holidays. For more information, visit burnabyvillagemuseum.ca.
* Interested in learning how to take great photos of your Christmas lights? Every night at 7:15 p.m. the Burnaby Village Museum hosts a seminar on just that topic. Led by the folks at Kerrisdale Cameras, visitors can learn how to take stunning photos of light displays. The event takes place at the village's Central Park Theatre and is free, you just need to bring your own camera.
* After you've had your fill of pancakes, stop by the Christmas Flea Market and Craft Sale also at the Willingdon Community Centre. This free event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Shoppers can expect a variety of items for sale, including second-hand Christmas decorations, holiday-themed household items, nearly new gifts and seasonal crafts.
* Gather up your loved ones, bundle up and head to Barnet Marine Park for the annual Carol Ships Parade of Lights on Dec. 12. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. watch as the carol ships, adorned in thousands of twinkling lights, sail in and around Burrard Inlet. The ships are set to sail between 8 and 8:30 p.m., and the concession stand will be open weather permitting. For more info, visit carolships.org/s/Home.asp.
SALES/SHOPPING
* Light up the Heights is celebrating another year with its usual festive cheer. From 12 to 5 p.m. visitors can partake in a number of events between Gamma Avenue and Boundary Road. There will be a sidewalk festival featuring carollers, contests, activities and treats, and many businesses will be offering discounts to encourage shoppers to buy local this holiday season. Santa and his helpers will also be out and about spreading cheer along Hastings Street. At 4:30 p.m. visitors are asked to head over to Fire Hall No. 5 (4211 Hastings St.) for the tree lighting ceremony. For more info and a complete block by block event guide, visit burnabyheights.com/events.
* Check out the Christmas basket and bake sale at All Saints Anglican Church, 7405 Royal Oak Ave., on Dec. 6. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. vendors will be selling gift baskets, baked goods, fudge, decorations and other festive items.
* Come check out the Christmas market at GardenWorks, 6520 Lougheed Hwy. From 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 there will be up to six food trucks, pictures with Santa and pony rides from Laughing Stock Ranch. There will also be fresh wreaths, planters, poinsettas and Christmas trees for sale. More info at gardenworks.ca.
* Stop by the Nikkei Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres., for its Kimono and Japanese gifts Christmas sale. Shoppers can browse and purchase a variety of items, including traditional Japanese items such as kimonos, haori, yukata, obi, geta and tabi, as well as scarves, hair accessories, purses, jewelry and more. The sale runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. For more information, visit kimono.pacwestie.com or call Pac West at 604-736-0966.
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
* Looking for something new to do this holiday season? Why not check out Sharron & George's Super Fun Christmas Sing-A-Long playing at 8 p.m. both Dec. 11 and 12 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave. Acclaimed musical theatre couple Sharron Matthews and George Masswohl put together this Christmas show, which had two hit runs in Toronto before they decided to bring the show to Burnaby. Audiences can expect to laugh and have fun all while enjoying a true sing-a-long featuring classic Christmas tunes. For more information or to buy tickets, visit shadboltcentre.com or call the box office at 604-205-3000.
* It's back. Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's Traditional Christmas returns to Burnaby's Michael J. Fox theatre, 7373 MacPherson Ave., on Dec. 21 for two shows. The Christmas concert features host Christopher Gaze, of Bard on the Beach fame, the UBC Opera Ensemble and EnChor and, of course, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra led by associate conductor Gordon Gerrard. Burnaby show times are 4 and 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $42 for regular (student, senior and subscriber discounts available). For more info or to buy tickets visit vancouversymphony.ca or call 604-876-3434.
* Stop by the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave., for its Seasonal Celebration: Italian Style open house. From 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 people of all ages can stop by the centre and enjoy a variety of offerings, including performances in the atrium by famee furlane dancers, Cory Weeds and Luis Giraldo, City Opera Vancouver and many more. There will also be a Christmas market set up in the atrium, featuring vendors from the Italian Farmers Market. Gingerbread homes (with an Italian twist) made by City of Burnaby staff will be on display in the galleria and people can vote for their favourite at the reception desk. For the crafty folk, there will be activities in the studios to partake in. For those ages two and up, in studio 103 and 105, there is children's paper art, holiday card making and needlepoint. For the crowd ages 12 and up there is a holiday door swag making happening in studio 106, and for all ages there will be cooking demonstrations by Sunday Dinner Catering in studio 104. Outside visitors can take in some jazz and accordion music while sipping hot cider and trying their hand at making star clay ornaments. For more info, visit shadboltcentre.com.
* Take in music from around the world at Global Village, the SFU Choir's upcoming concert. Featuring music from China, Norway, Australia, India and more, including Christopher Tin's Kia Hora Te Marino and Jai Ho from the movie Slumdog Millionaire. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Cliff Avenue United Church, 1600 Cliff Ave. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and children ages 12 and under are free. For more info go to sfuchoir.ca.
ADULTS
* Enjoy an evening of tasty bites paired with holiday wines at the Holiday Wine & Tapas event at Club Ilia eatery and lounge on Burnaby Mountain. Attendees will sample a variety of gourmet wines and tapas created by Club Ilia's chef. The event is on Dec. 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and tickets are $40. For more info and to buy tickets, visit wcwed.com/courses_dec.html.
* Looking for an exciting event to ring in the New Year? Why not the Glitz & Glamour New Year's Eve dinner and dance at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, 6083 McKay Ave. With three floors and six different DJs spinning everything from Top 40 to Classic Rock from the '70s, '80s and '90s. Visit meloproductions.net/events for more info. Tickets are $65 for the dance only or $99 for dinner and dance, and are available at ticketmaster.ca.
