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Christmas calendar of events

What's happening in Cloverdale and beyond over the holidays.
88567cloverdaleChristmasCalendar

ACTIVITIES

Winter Ice Palace

The Cloverdale Arena, 6090 176 Street, will be transformed into the Winter Ice Palace again, over winter break. Come and join in the fun. This is a very popular event that the whole family can enjoy. Admission is $4, but skate rentals are additional. Open Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Call 604-502-6410.

 

HOLIDAY MARKETS

Cloverdale Sunday Market

The Cloverdale Sunday Market runs every Sunday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except special events and holidays) at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 60 Avenue and 176 Street. Two buildings with 180 tables and 160 outdoor spots yield an eclectic mix of goods for sale, from electronics, household items, handmade crafts, artwork, jewelry and collectibles.

 

White Rock Holiday Market

White Rock Museum and Archives presents the 20th annual Holiday Market, November 23 to Dec. 30. Featuring more than 224 local artists and crafters. It’s open Monday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Located at 14970 Marine Drive, White Rock, 604-541-2221.

 

Milner Village Market

An indoor Christmas Market held every Saturday until Dec. 15 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m), Milner Gardens 6690 216 St., Langley. Every week will feature new vendors as well as food trucks serving hot breakfast and lunch all day. Do some local Christmas shopping without the risk of getting wet. www.milnergardens.ca/farmersmarket.

 

CONCERTS

Big River

David James and Big River, a Tribute to Johnny Cash, presented Sunday, Dec. 30 at the Coast Capital Playhouse, 1532 Johnston Road, White Rock. Tickets at the box office or online at www.whiterockplayers.ca. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.

 

FOR THE KIDS

Nature Christmas Party

Drop in to the Surrey Nature Centre (Green Timbers, 14255 96 Ave.) noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 15 for a winter celebration featuring Christmas games and crafts. Listen to a holiday story, create a nature-themed Christmas ornament and munch on treats. Meet a special Christmas visitor from the forest, too.

 

HISTORIC STEWART FARM

13723 Crescent Road, Surrey

Heritage Christmas at the Farm

Step back in time and enjoy the charming traditions of a country Christmas. Sample fresh seasonal treats baked in the woodstove, and take part in a different seasonal craft for kids each Saturday. Dec. 1 and 15, from noon to 4 p.m., drop in, all ages.

 

Christmas Open House

Enter the magical world of an old-fashioned Christmas! Celebrate the season in the charmingly decorated farmhouse. Enjoy live music, take part in fun, festive family crafts, and warm up with hot apple cider, hot chocolate and holiday baking. Saturday, Dec. 8 from noon to 4 p.m., drop in, all ages, by donation.

 

Evening Carol Sing

Join us for an intimate evening of interactive, traditional carols, sacred and multicultural songs with the local Soul of the World Choir in the Stewart Hall. Then sample festive treats and enjoy the cozy atmosphere in the farmhouse. Saturday, Dec. 8 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $5. All ages. Must pre-register at 604-592-6956.

 

SURREY MUSEUM

17710 56A Avenue

Baskets for Barter

Working closely with the Musqueam and Sto:lo Nations, the Surrey Museum presents their own baskets along side exceptional examples of historic and contemporary Coast Salish baskets from the Museum of Anthropology, Royal BC Museum, New Westminster Museum and Archives. Explore a unique aboriginal perspective on basket exchange with non-aboriginal communities through multimedia presentations, and connect with the traditional knowledge, creativity and time aboriginal basket makers have applied to their craft for generations. To December 24. For more, call 604-592-6956 or visit www.surrey.ca/heritage.

A Pioneer Christmas

Saturday, Dec. 8 from 1-3 p.m. Explore Christmas customs from pioneer days with crafts for the whole family. Enjoy refreshments and join in a carol sing-along with the White Rock Ladies Choir. Please bring a donation for the Surrey Food Bank. Drop in, all ages. For more information, call 604-592-6956 or visit www.surrey.ca/heritage.

 

Deck the Halls

Kids will love making soldiers and glittering ornaments. Easy, fun crafts help spread holiday spirit to everyone. Thursday, Dec. 13. Must pre-register at 604-592-6956. From 4-6 p.m., cost is $8, for ages 6-11.

 

Tot Tour: Jingle Jolly Santa

Little ones explore Surrey’s many cultures, decorate a cookie then make their own decorations to take home. Friday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to noon or 102 p.m. Must pre-register at 604-592-6956. Cost is $6.50, for ages 3-6 years.

 

SENIORS CENTRE

Cloverdale Recreation Centre, 6188 176 Street

surrey.ca/seniors

Van Dusen Gardens Festival of Lights

Bus trip to the Festival of Lights at Van Dusen Gardens, transformed into a winter wonderland. Thursday, Dec. 6. Cost is $22 for members and $27 for non-members. Ages 55 and up. Pick up is 5 p.m., drop off at approximately 9:30 p.m.

 

Christmas dinner

Join us for an evening of friends and festivities plus a traditional turkey dinner Friday, Dec. 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Musical entertainment by Susie Francis and The Versatiles. Tickets are $19 (please purchase by Dec. 7).

 

AROUND THE REGION

Vancouver Christmas Market

The 2012 Vancouver Christmas Market opens Dec. 24 and runs to Dec. 24. This attraction features more than 50 traditional wooden booths with authentic German products and specialty foods, rows of Christmas trees strung with thousands of lights, a children's Christmas carousel and more. It's open every day, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza. This year, visitors will receive re-entry for the entire season with the purchase of one regular or discounted admission. Visit www.vancouverchristmasmarket.com.

 

VANCOUVER CHRISTMAS MARKET: Named one of the world’s top 10 Spectacular Holiday Markets by Frommer’s, it’s an authentic “Christkindlmarkt” featuring traditional German crafts, cuisine and entertainment. A special children’s area gives youngsters the chance to make their own Christmas gifts and ride the children’s Christmas carousel. German bratwurst, Swiss raclette, brataepfel (stuffed baked apples) and schupfnudeln (German noodles)t. New this year is the X-mas Factor singing competition for the grand prize: a studio recording worth $10,000. Nov. 24-Dec. 23, 11am-9pm. $2-$5 at the door. VancouverChristmasMarket.com.

 

HERITAGE CHRISTMAS AT BURNABY VILLAGE MUSEUM: Kids can meet Father Christmas, tour historical buildings and enjoy crafts, story time, Christmas baking, carolers and a festive scavenger hunt. Nov. 24-Dec. 14, Dec.15-Jan. 4 (closed Dec. 24-25). BurnabyVillageMuseum.ca.

BRIGHT NIGHTS IN STANLEY PARK: The Stanley Park holiday train winds through the forest past two million sparkling lights, while the aromas of hot chocolate, fresh popcorn and roasted chestnuts bring back festive childhood memories. Kids can also visit Santa in his “living room” at the train station. Nov. 29-Jan. 2 (closed Dec. 25). $6-$10 for train ride. Vancouver.ca

THE PEAK OF CHRISTMAS ON GROUSE MOUNTAIN: Grouse Mountain’s popular holiday attraction returns with a new theme: Reindeer Games. Guests begin their adventure by soaring 3,700 feet above the city aboard the Skyride, which has been transformed into a reindeer (complete with antlers and red nose). Visitors can meet real-life reindeer during a live comedy sketch at the wildlife habitat, take pictures at the reindeer photo board, participate in reindeer-themed crafts and get a reindeer tattoo. Nov. 24-Dec. 24, 9am-10pm. GrouseMountain.com.

• CAROL SHIPS PARADE OF LIGHTS: More than 50 boats decorated with 100,000-plus twinkling lights can be seen gliding through Vancouver’s waterways on peak evenings. The spectacle viewed from the shore is free, but the best experience is from the carol ships themselves, which carry more than 30,000 guests a season. Dec. 1-23. CarolShips.org.

• CANYON LIGHTS AT CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE PARK: The entire park is lit up with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights. Explore the forest and Treetops Adventure, in addition to decorating gingerbread houses, listening to seasonal music from a Christmas band, taking part in glass ornament blowing demonstrations and joining a kid-friendly scavenger hunt. View a dancing light display along the colour-washed cliff-face. New for this year, visitors can board a complimentary shuttle departing from Canada Place every hour on the hour. Dec. 1-Jan. 5 (closed Dec. 25), 4pm-9pm at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (3735 Capilano Road). $12-$31.95, $65 (families). Capbridge.com.

• FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT VANDUSEN BOTANICAL GARDEN: The garden is transformed into a holiday wonderland with seasonal displays and more than one million sparkling lights wrapped around trees and trellises. Dec. 7-Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 25), 4:30pm-9pm. $7.75-$14.25. VanDusenGarden.org.