Though the days continue to get darker, Burnaby is all aglow this season. It's not only because of the strings of lights popping up on many of the homes in the city but the glow that comes from time spent together. And there are lots of events in Burnaby this season for friends, family and neighbours to enjoy.
Below you'll find a sampling of the many wonderful events in the city.
December 4 to 7
Hotel Bethlehem
Ruby Slippers Theatre's production of Hotel Bethlehem opened on Wednesday. The popular Christmas satire by playwright Drew McCreadie is directed by Diane Brown. Opening night tickets are $15. The production runs until Dec. 7, and tickets prices range from $25 for matinees to $35 for evening performances ($30 for seniors). Tickets are available at tickets.shadboltcentre.com.
December 5
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts Seasonal Celebration
On Thursday, the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts is having its 18th annual Seasonal Celebration at 5:30 p.m. The free evening includes family activities, music and more.
Until December 6
Cash for Clothes
Want to help others this season? The Burnaby RCMP is holding a Cash for Clothes clothing drive this week until Friday. They are collecting bags of unwanted clothing in support of the Developmental Disabilities Association. Their goal is to collect 75 bags of clothing. Once they reach the goal, the association will pay them $2 for each bag, which the detachment will in turn donate to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. People can drop off bags of clothes at the main detachment at Deer Lake or any of the community policing offices.
December 6
The Nutcracker
The Royal City Youth Ballet performs The Nutcracker at the Michael J. Fox Theatre on Friday at 7 p.m. Call the box office at 604-521-5050 for ticket information or go to tickets.masseytheatre.com to purchase tickets online.
December 7
Breakfast with Santa
On Saturday, have breakfast with Santa at the Nikkei Museum and Cultural Centre from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $6.50 for children ages three to 12 and $3 for toddlers.
Mistletoe Market
After breakfast, check out the Mistletoe Market at Gordon Church, at the corner of Edmonds Street and Humphries Avenue. The market runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is $6 for adults and $3 for children six to 12 years old. There will be a silent auction, home baking, crafts and games.
Light Up the Heights
Also on Saturday, the annual Light up the Heights event takes place in North Burnaby. The focus this year is on shopping locally for the holidays. The Heights Merchants Association, which organizes the event, is inviting community members and friends to the sidewalk festival. Carollers, Santa and his elves will be walking along Hastings Street from noon to 5 p.m. At 4:45 p.m., everyone will gather at the Burnaby Fire Hall at Hastings Street and Carleton Avenue for the lighting ceremony.
Hallowed Manger Ground
On Saturday evening, the Westminster Church Choir and friends is presenting the Hallowed Manger Ground, with a selection of new songs and seasonal favourites at 7:15 p.m. at the Westminster SDA Church, 7925 10th Ave. The concert is for all ages. Seating is limited. For more information, call 604-524-6969.
December 7 & 8
Artspace Show & Sale
Artspace Children's Arts Centre at 4588 Hastings St. is holding a show and sale on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be an artisan
market, an exhibition of student artwork and free demo workshops for the kids. To pre-register for the workshops, email [email protected] or call 778-989-9051.
December 14
A Christmas Wish performed by the Amabilis Singers
Next week, Burnaby residents can listen to the sweet sounds of the Amabilis Singers as they present A Christmas Wish, featuring work by Forrest, Mendelssohn, Caracciola, Rutter and more, plus carols and sing-alongs, under the direction of Ramona Luengen. The concert takes place on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. at the New Westminster Christian Reformed Church at 8255 13th Ave. Tickets are $20 but free for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased from choir members, at the door or by calling 604-433-6538.
December 20
Carol Ships Parade of Lights
It's not just the city that will be aglow on Friday, Dec. 20 but the ocean, as well, during the Carol Ships Parade of Lights. The annual flotilla of carol ships is expected to pass by Barnet Marine Park between 8 and 8:30 p.m. There'll be a bonfire on site and hot chocolate and snacks at the concession. For more information, go to www.carolships.org.
December 21
Santa Skate
Kids have the chance to skate with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre from 12:30 to 3 p.m. There will be crafts, games and holiday cheer. Regular admission and rental rates are in effect. For more information, call 604-297-4521.
December 22
A Traditional Christmas presented by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Continuing with the musical holiday tradition in the city, on Sunday, Dec. 22, A Traditional Christmas is being presented by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and hosted by Christopher Gaze at the Michael J. Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Ave. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at www.vancouversymphony.ca or by calling 604-876-3434.
December 28
Holiday Miracles
The celebrating keeps on going after Christmas as well, with presentations of a new children's play by the Open World for Kids Foundation, Holiday Miracles or Yaga the Witch is in Opposition. The play is taking place at the Serbian Cultural Centre, 7837 Canada Way, on Dec. 28. Tickets are still available for the 4 p.m. show. The program includes an incendiary show featuring favourite fairy tale characters, cartoons, games and entertainment, a lottery, dance around the Christmas tree and of course, gifts from Santa Claus. Children's tickets are $25 (which includes a gift) and adult tickets are $12. Tickets will not be sold at the door. For more information and to buy tickets, go to openworldforkids.com/?p=388.
Until January 4
Illuminations at Heritage Christmas
One of the signature Christmas events is the annual Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum.
This year's Illuminations at Heritage Christmas, which opened last month, includes more than 24,000 lights throughout the village as well as festive decorations, traditional entertainment, Father Christmas and of course, a ride on the carousel. Gate admission is free, however, carousel rides are $2.21 each. On Saturday, Dec. 14, all ticket sales from 4 to 9 p.m. go to the Burnaby Christmas Bureau. Illuminations closes on Jan. 4.
For more information, go to www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/EN/main/about/photo-galleries/illuminations-at-heritage-christmas.html
Ongoing
Visits with Santa Claus
Santa has arrived in the city and is making plenty of appearances, particularly at local malls for photos with the kiddies. For more information on dates and times for children to meet the jolly old elf: For Brentwood Town Centre go to www.brentwoodtowncentre.com, for Lougheed Town Centre go to www.lougheedtowncentre.com, and for Metropolis at Metrotown go to metropolisatmetrotown.com.
Decorating the tree
Staying home with loved ones is also a fine way to celebrate. Crack open the 'nog, put out some cookies and decorate a tree from Aunt Leah's Christmas tree lot. The Burnaby lot is located at All Saints Anglican Church at Royal Oak Avenue and Rumble Street. The lot opened at the end of last month, so be sure to head over soon to find the perfect tree, or you can even order online. All the profits go to the Aunt Leah's Place charity, which helps kids in foster care and teen moms. For more information, go to auntleahs.org/support-us/buy-a-tree.
Christmas movies
And there are plenty of holiday movies to keep the family entertained. From Elf to Alistair Sim's classic performance as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, there is something for everyone. Check out TV listings, which are full of Christmas offerings this month, or drop by your nearest library branch - there are lots of family-friendly options in the library's DVD collection.
Christmas lights
For a break from the shopping craziness and intensity of the season, take a stroll through the streets of Burnaby and take in all the lovely light displays. Check out the Burnaby NOW's Christmas light photo gallery at www.burnabynow.com for locations. We'll also be publishing a list of the best displays in the city soon.
Get away from it all
If you've had too much of Christmas and need to get away from the chaos of the holidays, try a walk in one of Burnaby's parks. You can search for pheasants at Deer Lake Park or wander down to Burnaby Lake to watch the ducks.
Winter's delights aren't all glowing or covered in tinsel, and the peace and quiet might be just the respite you need.
- Janaya Fuller-Evans
