Christmas is here, bringing good cheer - and list-making and organizing and baking and shopping and planning and stress and headaches …
If you need to take some time to step away from the hustle and bustle and get yourself into the holiday spirit, never fear. There is an array of Christmassy events to choose from in the city, and we’ve rounded up our top 10 favourites to get you started.
Here are our picks for 10 Things To Get You Into the Holiday Spirit in Burnaby:
1. VISIT HERITAGE CHRISTMAS AT BURNABY VILLAGE MUSEUM
Honestly, it’s not Christmas in Burnaby until you’ve headed over to Burnaby Village to enjoy Christmas the old-fashioned way. Heritage Christmas opened Nov. 25 and continues through to Jan. 5.
Of particular note this year is the Bright in Burnaby event on Saturday, Dec. 2 that officially launches the season, with a tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy new light displays and decorations around the village, as well as the usual jam-packed schedule of holiday fun: visits with Father Christmas, roving and onstage entertainers, baking at the Love Farmhouse, kids’ crafts and activities, a 12 Days of Christmas Scavenger Hunt, rides on the carousel and much more. Forte Theatre Society’s new Christmas play, Toy of the Year, is also on weekends at Brookfield Hall.
From now until Dec. 15, the village is open 1 to 5:30 p.m. weekdays, and 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. From Dec. 16 to Jan. 5, it’s open daily from 1 to 9 p.m. (closed Dec. 24 and 25).
The whole thing is free, with a small fee ($2.65) only for carousel rides.
Burnaby Village is at 6501 Deer Lake Ave. See www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca or call 604-297-4565 for information.
2. ENJOY THE NUTCRACKER
How can it be Christmas without the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy? You can enjoy Tchaikovsky’s classic Nutcracker, brought to life by the 100-plus young dancers who make up the Royal City Youth Ballet production.
The production, under the artistic direction of Camilla Fishwick-Kellogg, is always a large and colourful occasion, featuring sumptuous sets by Jean-Claude Olivier and extravagant costumes by Chris Sinosich.
It’s on Friday, Dec. 1 at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby. And, should you miss the local show, it’s on tour until Dec. 23, when it winds up its run with two shows at New Westminster’s Massey Theatre. See www.royalcityyouthballet.org for all the details.
3. ENJOY THE OPERA AND THE SYMPHONY
Soak in some of the best classical music of the season with Burnaby Lyric Opera and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
First up, it’s Burnaby Lyric Opera with their annual Christmas concert fundraiser, featuring three young rising opera stars in a program of opera highlights and Christmas favourites. It’s on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. As a bonus, you get to enjoy some sing-alongs and prize draws, and tickets are only $15. Buy through tickets.shadboltcentre.com or 604-205-3000.
Then, on Sunday, Dec. 17, you can enjoy Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Traditional Christmas, onstage at Michael J. Fox Theatre (7373 MacPherson Ave.) at 4 and 7:30 p.m. Host Christopher Gaze joins the VSO, under the baton of William Rowson, with guests EnChor and the UBC Opera Ensemble, in a program of classical favourites and Christmas carols. Tickets are $37 for kids and seniors, or $43 regular. See www.vancouversymphony.ca.
4. HEAR A CHOIR SING
It’s just not Christmas without choral music.
Burnaby audiences have a number of wonderful holiday concerts to choose from this season.
The Coastal Sound Youth Choir is onstage with I Waded the Snow Sea to Sing, on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave., Burnaby (between First and Newcombe). Cellist Claire Dresselhuis, violinist Alana Lopez and pianist David Antoniuk join the choir in a program that includes music by Gordon Lightfoot and Sarah McLachlan. See www.coastalsoundmusic.com/concerts-events/ for tickets and information.
The Amabilis Singers are offering up A Christmas Gift on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m., featuring a variety of music – both familiar and new - tapping into the beauty and wonder of the holiday season. It’s also at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave. Tickets are $20 (free for kids under 12), available at the door or by calling 604-503-2074. See www.amabilissingers.org.
Also on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m., you can enjoy musica intima's Nativité. The eight-voice professional vocal ensemble includes Burnaby's Steve Maddock (bass), and Siri Olesen, a former soprano with the group, is its artistic manager. The concert features traditional Christmas favourites with some new, contemporary arrangements. It's at Brentwood Church, 1600 Delta Ave. Tickets are $30 regular, $25 for seniors and $20 for students. See www.musicaintima.org.
5. ENJOY A LIVE READING OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL
It’s another one of those “it’s not Christmas without it” events: A Christmas Carol.
Charles’ Dickens beloved classic is being brought to life on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. at the Cameron Recreation Centre’s Maple Room, courtesy of the Burnaby Public Library.
Librarian Lise Kreps directs a dramatic reading of A Christmas Carol, using Dickens’ original language as adapted for the stage by David Lawver, read aloud by a cast of community readers.
“Dickens himself read the tale aloud to 127 audiences, to help raise money for the poor,” Kreps explains in a press release. “For our Community Readers’ Theatre production, we are fortunate to have veteran actor Alec Burden playing Scrooge.”
Christmas carol singing will be part of the show, and cookies, coffee, tea and juice will round out the occasion. Audience members can also donate new toys or money to the Burnaby Christmas Bureau.
It’s free, but space is limited, so sign up at www.bpl.bc.ca/events or call 604-421-5454.
6. COUNT THE BIRDS
The holiday season is most definitely for the birds.
The young nature enthusiast in your house is invited to join in the Christmas Bird Count for Kids on Sunday, Dec. 3 at Burnaby Lake Nature House, 4519 Piper Ave. Metro Vancouver regional park interpreters will be on hand to teach basic birding skills to kids aged eight to 14, accompanied by an adult. Everyone can use binoculars and a field guide to identify and report findings.
It’s free, but registration is required. Sign up through Metro Vancouver at www.tinyurl.com/KidsBirdCount2017.
The bird count runs from 9 a.m. to noon, and it’s followed by the Burnaby Lake Park Association’s annual holiday open house. You can drop in to the Nature House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enjoy crafts, complimentary refreshments and a guided nature walk.
See www.burnabylakepark.ca for details.
7. TAKE PART IN A SEASONAL CELEBRATION AT SHADBOLT
Every year, the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts marks the season by inviting people in for an afternoon and evening of arts, crafts, entertainment, culture and food.
This year’s festivities are on Saturday, Dec. 9, running from 3 to 7 p.m. This year’s highlights include ice carving demonstrations, gingerbread decorating, wooden toy making, a formal Christmas Tea, performances by harpist Josephine Lee and a production of How Raven Stole the Sun, by 3 Crows Productions. Admission is free, but note that tickets must be purchased separately for the formal tea and How Raven Stole the Sun.
The Shadbolt Centre is at 6450 Deer Lake Ave. For details, see www.shadboltcentre.com or call 604-291-6864.
8. HUG A HORSE
Yes, the Burnaby Horsemen’s Association is back with its always popular Christmas With the Horses.
The 16th annual event is on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Burnaby Equestrian Centre at 9080 Avalon Ave. Parking and admission are free, and the event includes various horse demonstrations, facility tours, a kids’ craft table, pony rides and a visit from Santa. There’s also a concession stand (cash only) on site.
It’s an extra special year for the group, since this marks the association’s celebration of 50 years as a club. For more information, see www.burnabyhorsemensassociation.com or email [email protected].
9. HELP LIGHT UP THE HEIGHTS
The annual Light Up the Heights event returns to Hastings Street on Saturday, Dec. 2 from noon to 5 p.m., courtesy of the Heights Merchants Association.
Merchants welcome visitors for a sidewalk festival that features Santa Claus, elves, carollers and more. And everyone is invited to Burnaby Fire Hall No. 5, at 4211 Hastings St., for the tree lighting ceremony at 4:30 p.m.
See www.burnabyheights.com for more, or just turn up for a stroll along Hastings and keep your eyes open for that Jolly Old Elf.
10. ENJOY THE CAROL SHIPS
Once again, Burnaby is hosting a shoreside celebration for the annual Carol Ships Parade of Light.
Barnet Marine Park is the place to be on Friday, Dec. 8 from 7:30 to 9 p.m., when the flotilla of carol ships (which started out in Vancouver) sails past. Dress for the weather and turn out for the brilliantly lit contingent of ships, which are expected to sail by between 8 and 8:30 p.m. (but times may vary, so turn up early).
The concession will be open for drinks, weather permitting, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
See www.burnaby.ca under Events for more.
