As December frosts sneak up on chilly mornings, and nights grow ever longer, get ready to ward off the winter blues with a vast assortment of lively events to brighten the season, including sweeping musical arrangements, lights galore and, of course, visits with Santa.
Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum
From now until Jan. 2, 2023, you can visit a winter wonderland at Burnaby Village Museum (6501 Deer Lake Ave.) as the 10-acre venue is adorned with beautiful, festive lights and traditional décor. The event runs Monday to Friday from 1 to 5:30 p.m. (with a 4 p.m. closure on Dec. 5) until Dec. 18; from Dec. 19 to Jan. 2, the museum is open from 1 to 9 p.m. and closed Dec. 24 and 25.
Admission is free but remember to plan in advance as entry may be limited by site capacity.
Manites Flower Shop Ornament and Wreath Workshops
Manites Flower Shop, at 7656 Sixth Street, is hosting a variety of ornament workshops this season.
In the mini-Christmas-tree and pine cone ornament workshop (held on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m.; on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 5:30 p.m.; and Monday, Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m.), you’ll get all tools and supplies included for the hour-and-a-half workshop where you’ll learn to make a mini-size Christmas tree, with tips and tricks from a professional florist.
The course costs $144.22 on Eventbrite.
You could also try a Christmas wreath and dried flower ornament workshop. With only one date listed, on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 4:30 p.m., you can decorate a 22-inch Christmas wreath and a dried flower ornament, with all the tools and supplies included – as well as tea or coffee and light refreshments. Tickets are a minimum of $133.61.
Holiday light displays around Burnaby
For an evening of bright, festive light and joy, take a tour of Burnaby’s holiday lights. The city has created a map of holiday light displays throughout Burnaby – whether you see the trees along Hastings Street bedecked with tens of thousands of twinkling lights, or the mesmerizing evergreens lit up with celestial blue beams at the Kensington Archery Range at 6159 Curtis St., the beauty of the holidays is all around the city. Find the map at the city’s website.
As you follow the trail of lights, take photos of your journey and include the hashtag #BurnabyLights to your social posts.
Symphony in the City at Lougheed Mall
On Dec. 3, 9, and 16 from 6 to 7 p.m., you can listen to a complimentay seven-piece orchestra from V&G Entertainment perform the holiday classics in Santa’s forest. The event will be hosted on the mall’s lower level.
Burnaby mall photos with Santa Claus
It’s a holiday staple – head out to the mall, tell Santa what you want for Christmas this year, and snap a picture to remember the moment.
At Metrotown, reserve your photo visit between Monday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. On Sundays, Santa is available between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and then from 2 to 6 p.m. You can reserve a time slot at Metrotown online. Photos are a $10 donation.
At Brentwood, head to the food court’s exterior deck for a private Santa visit and photo time. Photos are a minimum of $35 plus tax, with three photo package options. Reserve a timeslot for Brentwood online.
Lougheed mall will host Santa as well, in front of London Drugs on the lower level. Photos are a minimum of $35 plus tax, and you can book your timeslot for Lougheed online.
Holiday Open House at Burnaby Lake Park
Join the Burnaby Lake Park Association for their annual holiday open house on Sunday, Dec. 4 at the park’s nature house. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Burnaby Lake Nature House (4519 Piper Ave.), learn all about the birds of Burnaby Lake, take a guided bird outing to see migratory birds and year-round birds, and check out Santa’s “naughty and nice” plant list. Don’t forget to decorate a wood duck cookie! Online egistration is required for the guided walks.
Toy Drive at Metrotown
The Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society is hosting a toy drive for the giving season, in support of the Burnaby Christmas Bureau. Head to Metrotown mall, on the lower level next to Uniqlo, to donate new, unwrapped toys from Friday, Dec. 2 to Sunday, Dec. 4 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The first 200 guests to donate in-person will receive a $10 gift card to the mall.
The Burnaby Christmas Bureau has a list of suggested toy and gift donations, including board games and sports balls; gift cards for clothing shops like Old Navy, Sephora, Sport Chek, and Chapters (or movie tickets); Lego, Easy-bake ovens, science kits, “Pokemon anything,” and fidget toys. For more options, see a list created by the Burnaby Christmas Bureau.
Cash donations are also accepted.
Voces Angelorum with the Amabilis Singers
The Amabilis Singers, a 60-voice auditioned community choir, presents Voces Angelorum at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave., Burnaby. On Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m., artistic director Frank Lee and pianist Ingrid Verseveldt lead the choir in a program of music from traditional to contemporary, featuring harpist Dr. Elizabeth Volpe Bligh and instrumentalist Elliot Lo. They will be joined by two special guest choirs: Burnaby Central Chamber Choir on Friday and St. Thomas More Collegiate Chamber Singers on Saturday. Tickets are $25; free for children 12 and under. Find more information at www.amabilissingers.org.
Coastal Sound Youth Choir
Join Coastal Sound’s youth ensemble for Into the Morning, 7:30 p.m. at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave., Burnaby. Conductor Will de Sousa and pianist Krista Pederson lead the choir on a wintry journey through the night: from festive gatherings in the evening, to listening to rainfall, finally waking up to the simple beauty of a sparkling frosty morning sunrise. The choir will be joined by special guests from Argyle Secondary School. Buy tickets online. Tickets range from $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, to $10 for children 12 and under.
Winter fun hosted by the City of Burnaby
Saturday, Dec. 17 will be a day of great winter jubilation in Burnaby, as the city hosts a variety of holiday-themed celebrations.
At Bill Copeland Sports Centre, at 3676 Kensington Ave., wear your best ugly Christmas sweater for a toonie skate, then participate in family-friendly crafts, reindeer games and holiday cheer. Santa and his friends will make a special visit. The event runs from 12:30 to 3 p.m., with admission $2 per person (including skates and helmet) and free for children three and under.
For an “Elfie Selfie station” head to the winter fun festivities at Willingdon Community Centre (1491 Carleton Ave.) on the 17th, from 1 to 3 p.m. Make holiday crafts, write a letter to Santa, and munch on some light refreshments for a delightful afternoon. Admission is $2 per person.
That same Saturday hosts “Swim with Santa” at Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool and Fitness Centre at 240 Willingdon Ave. Family swim rates apply, with fun games in and out of the pool as well as seasonal crafts for all.
Maple Leaf Singers
The Maple Leaf Singers, a 50-voice show chorus, presents its Christmas show on Sunday, Dec. 18 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion, 6871 Roberts St., Burnaby. Tickets are $10, and you can also enjoy a bake sale (cash only). Email [email protected] for more information.
Family Storytime at Burnaby Public Library
Kids of all ages and their adults can welcome winter on Tuesday, Dec. 20, as Burnaby Public Library will host a winter-themed family storytime at its Cameron branch (9523 Cameron St.) in the children’s area. It’ll be a half hour beginning at 10:30 a.m. of songs, rhymes and stories and you can come early or stay after to meet other families to socialize. This is a drop-in event, no registration is required – just remember to stay home if you’re feeling sick.
— with files from Julie MacLellan
Do you have a holiday event you want featured? Email our reporter Lauren Vanderdeen at [email protected].
