Not in the Christmas spirit yet? Never fear, there’s plenty of festive feeling to be found in the city.
And, because we know you’re more than busy enough at this time of year, we figured we’d make it easy for you by compiling this list of the top 10 things to do, all in one place.
So what are you waiting for? Round up your family and friends and get out to enjoy the fun.
1. Step back in time at Burnaby Village Museum.
There’s a reason that Burnaby Village Museum remains one of the favourite Christmas destinations for families from Burnaby and beyond: it’s worth a visit, plain and simple. The museum is all decked out for the holidays with period décor and abundant lights, and there’s a long list of special activities and entertainment every day from now until Jan. 1. You can bake in the farmhouse, make crafts, visit with Father Christmas, watch the blacksmith at work or take a spin on the heritage carousel. Check out www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca for the daily schedule. Heritage Christmas is open weekdays from 1 to 5:30 p.m. and weekends from 1 to 9 p.m. until Dec. 11. From Dec. 12 to Jan. 1, it’s open daily from 1 to 9 p.m. (closed Dec. 24 and 25).
2. Enjoy the VSO’s Traditional Christmas.
You can’t go wrong when the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra comes to town, and the always sold-out Traditional Christmas concert is back in Burnaby on Sunday, Dec. 20 for shows at 4 and 7:30 p.m. The concert is hosted by Christopher Gaze and conducted by Rosemary Thomson, and the orchestra’s special guests are EnChor and the UBC Opera Ensemble. Check out www.vancouversymphony.ca for all the details.
3. Relive the magic of the Nutcracker – with a modern twist.
Burnaby’s Avant Dance Co. is teaming up with Ballet Victoria to present The Gift, a modern take on the classic Christmas ballet. Local dance students have had a chance to learn and perform alongside professional dancers to bring the show to the stage at Michael J. Fox Theatre. It’s on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. See www.avantdance.ca and www.balletvictoria.ca for all the details.
4. Experience the flavours and fun of Mexico.
The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts is offering up a Feliz Navidad to the residents of Burnaby with its annual seasonal celebration. This year’s celebration runs Saturday, Dec. 12 from 3 to 7 p.m., and admission is free. Families can join in art activities, entertainment, food and a market celebrating the cultural traditions of Mexico. The Shadbolt Centre is at 6450 Deer Lake Ave. See www.shadboltcentre.com for more, or just drop in to experience the fun for yourself.
5. Visit your local library.
The Burnaby Public Library’s four branches (Metrotown, Cameron, Tommy Douglas and McGill) all offer up programs and activities to get folks of all ages into the holiday spirit. Among the upcoming events are a holiday craft session at Metrotown on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m., a Christmas family storytime at Tommy Douglas on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 6:45 p.m., a Jingle Babies and Toddlers session at Tommy Douglas on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 10:30 a.m. and Christmas Storytimes at McGill on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. There are other storytimes, Lego and board games sessions, family movie nights and much more – and even, for the first time, a Christmas carol sing-along, The carol sing-along is set for Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. in the lobby at the McGill branch – it’s free, and everyone’s invited to drop in. Check out www.bpl.bc.ca/events for all the details on these and other holiday events at the libraries.
6. Revel in the sparkle of the carol ships.
The annual Carol Ships Parade of Lights returns on Friday, Dec. 18, and the city’s celebration runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Barnet Marine Park. Ships are expected to sail by between 8 and 8:35 p.m., but folks are encouraged to arrive early to avoid missing the ships. The concession stand will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. (weather permitting). See www.burnaby.ca for more details.
7. Solve a mystery with Sherlock Holmes.
Forte Theatre Society is back to fulfil its mission of offering up family-friendly entertainment on the local stage, presenting Sherlock Holmes’ Christmas Goose at Brookfield Hall at Burnaby Village. The case puts the famed detective (as played by Gavin LeClaire) and his sidekick Watson (Karissa Ketter) to work solving the theft of the Christmas goose and the blue carbuncle on Christmas Day. It’s on at 2:30, 4 and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13. See www.burnabyvillagemuseum.caor email [email protected] for more information.
8. Spend some time with Santa Claus.
Santa is a busy guy these days, but he always manages to make time for Burnaby’s boys and girls. You can visit him at the local malls – Metropolis at Metrotown, Lougheed and Brentwood all have sessions with Santa – or, even better, catch him on the ice for the City of Burnaby’s Skate With Santa event, set for Saturday, Dec. 19 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre, 3676 Kensington Ave. Along with skating, there will be crafts, games and holiday fun – regular admission and rental rates apply. Call 604-297-4521 for info.
9. Experience Japanese culture at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre.
Set aside some time on Saturday, Dec. 12 to head on over to the Nikkei Centre (www.nikkeiplace.org, 6688 Southoaks Cres.) and enjoy their holiday offerings. From 10 a.m. to 4 pm., you can browse the Winter Food and Book Fair, which includes handmade Christmas gifts, ornaments and a diversity of goodies alongside sales of secondhand books and magazines. On the same day, the centre is hosting a Christmas Matcha Party, presented by the Nikkei Centre Tea Ceremony Club, at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. You can enjoy a special Christmas Japanese tea ceremony, with sweets. All are welcome, and children 12 and under can accompany an adult for free (regular price is $12 members, or $15 others). No jeans or miniskirts, and please bring a pair of white socks. Email [email protected] or call 704-777-7000 to sign up.
10. Stop. Slow down. Relax.
Quit the shopping, quit the rushing, quit the bundling everyone into the car to get hither and yon. You’ve been plenty busy enough already. You owe it to yourself to actually take some time to enjoy the season. Whether it’s curling up by the fire with a new novel, taking a walk in one of Burnaby’s many beautiful outdoor locations (think Burnaby Mountain, Deer Lake, Burnaby Lake or Fraser Foreshore Park for starters) or strolling around your own neighbourhood to enjoy Christmas lights, be sure to set aside some time for more contemplative, quiet enjoyment of the holidays.>
So there you have it. Ten ways to enjoy the holidays without straying far from home.
Merry Christmas to all!
