12 Days (and Nights) of Christmas in British Columbia

A Victorian Christmas
December 1st. thru to December 31st. 2003
Experience a unique Greater Victorian Christmas this year as you enjoy some of the many events planned.  Meander along the Festival of Trees at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, take in the lights and activities at the Historic Inner Harbour, sing along with the Victorian Carolfest, or walk one of the Heritage Tours.  Visit the dazzling Butchart Gardens at dusk, marvel at the Lighted Ships Parade in Sidney, stroll Oak Bay Avenue sipping mulled cider, or dress up for the Dickens Dinner.  Munch on the famous Fairmont Empress Gingerbread cookie and watch your children’s amazement at the Ice & Sand Carving displays, then top it all off with an evening Orchestra performance of traditional Christmas music.

All this and so very much more awaits the visitors and locals alike.  Keep watch for the Victorian Town Criers who will be roaming the Highways and Byways to tell you more! Visit the website atwww.victorianchristmas.ca or call for more information (250) 475-NOEL (6635)

Carol Ships ‘Parade of Lights’

Vancouver harbour will blaze with lights during its 42nd annual Carol Ships Parade of Lights Festival from December 3rd to 23rd. The ‘Parade of Lights’ began more than 42 years ago with one boat decorated with Christmas lights in Coal Harbour off the Bayshore Inn (now the Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina). On peak evenings, this holiday tradition has grown to include more than 80 decorated boats, with in excess of 150,000 lights, and carrying over 45,000 people during the 21 night festival. Along with many community-based shore side celebrations, more than 200,000 people enjoyed the parade in 2002. For more information and the carol ship schedule, call (604) 878-8999 or visit www.carolships.org

 

An Old Fashioned Barkerville Christmas

The air will be filled with the aroma of fresh baking and pungent hot drinks as Barkerville celebrates in pioneer style during the two weekends before Christmas (December 13/14 and December 20/21) with special displays at the town museums, horse-drawn sleigh rides, shopping at the General Store, visits to St. Nicholas in the Enchanted Forest and different events every day. Another treat is to spend the whole weekend and sleep over at the Kelly House Bed & Breakfast where you can spend a cosy night in the comfort of a down quilted bed. For more information and the schedule of daily events visit www.heritage.gov.bc.ca, or call (250) 994-3302 ext 29.

 

Panorama Resort’s Christmas Packages

Get into the spirit with truly Canadian winter activities like horsedrawn wagon rides, moonlit snowshoe hikes, and roasting marshmallows under a starry sky! The fact that kids 12 and under ski and stay free, makes the season even better! The family “Christmas Special” package costs $699 per adult, and includes five nights in a Silver two-bedroom unit and six days of skiing. Or, take a Gold two-bedroom unit for five nights and six days of skiing for $799. For more information call 1-800-663-2929.

 

Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum

Through the month of December guests are invited to a village filled with memories of Christmases past, colourful costumed characters and the fabulous CW Parker vintage carousel. Take a trip back to 1925 and tour a one-room schoolhouse, a Chinese herbalist or a blacksmith’s shop. There are crafts for the children, schoolhouse story time, Christmas baking in the farmhouse and children’s entertainers, choirs and exhibits are featured. The Ice Cream Parlour offers lights lunches and dinners and visitors can take advantage of group rates and book in advance if they’d like to come with ten or more people. Open Nov 22-Dec 12 and Dec 31-Jan 3 (12:00-5:30pm) and Dec 13-30 (12:00 – 8:00pm). Closed Dec 24th and 25th. For more information phone (604) 293-6501, or visit www.city.burnaby.bc.ca

 

“Wild” Lights

This December the British Columbia Wildlife Park, located near Kamloops, will explode with brilliant color when over 350,000 Christmas lights come to life. Crafted from energy efficient and bright non-neon, visitors will see a huge variety of wildlife light sculptures in the Dinosaur Adventure and the African Adventure, including life-sized elephants, giraffes, moose and bison (just to name a few)!  For a little adventure, navigators young and old will test their skills in the Giant Techno-Maze featuring 7,000 sq. ft. of turning and twisting tunnels and spectacular special effects. Throw in miniature train trips, outdoor movies and festive music, and you have the makings of a Christmas family event. Events run December 5th until January 4th. For more information visit www.BCzoo.org, or call (250) 573-3242.

 

Christmas Lights Bloom at The Butchart Gardens

A visit to Victoria’s world-famous Butchart Gardens over the Christmas holidays is an annual tradition for many. Colourful in any season, the Gardens becomes a lavish display of lights and magic during the holiday season. The Butchart Gardens prepares all year for Christmas. Hundreds of hours are spent making decorations and in October, the installation of more than one hundred thousand coloured lights begins. Sixty percent of the lights are the kind you can buy in stores, the rest are either custom-made at the Gardens or specially made by the manufacturer. The Butchart Gardens’ feature attraction is the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Every year, another “day” is added and brought to life with lights. This year, don’t miss the newest addition to continue this tradition – “Eleven Pipers Piping.” Runs December 1st to January 6th. Visit www.butchartgardens.com or call toll free 1-866-652-4422 for more information.

 

Christmas Sleigh Rides at Fort Steele

Enjoy Fort Steele Heritage Town’s traditional Christmas Sleigh Ride special event on Sunday, December 21.  Bundle up in blankets and sing Christmas carols, as Fort Steele’s black Clydesdale horses pull antique sleighs down the snowy streets of the turn-of-the-19th-century town.  Warm up with mugs of hot chocolate, or toast hot dogs and marshmallows over bonfires.  Between November 27 – December 21 Fort Steele’s Heritage Trades have put together a great selection of local and regional arts and crafts for the special people on your Christmas list. Call (250) 417-6000 or visit www.fortsteele.bc.ca for more information.

 

VanDusen Garden’s Festival of Lights

Do you believe in magic? Be dazzled when millions of twinkling lights turn the centre 12 acres of the Garden into a realm of sheer magic. Santa is in his Workshop nightly from December 5th until 24th. Delight in the effects created along Lake Walk with the Dancing Lights Sound and Light Extravaganza and make a wish at the Candle Shrine to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation. And there will be plenty of hot chocolate and seasonal goodies at Shaughnessy Restaurant. The Garden will be lit up from December 5-31, closed on December 25. For more information visit www.vandusengarden.org, or call (604) 878-9274.

 

Christmas on Baker Street, Nelson, BC

On December 5 Baker Street will be transformed into a community Christmas event between 6-9 pm. This free family event celebrates the true meaning of Christmas. Special attractions include bonfires, hot chocolate, puppet show, bands, live nativity, caroling and special musical presentations. For more information call (250) 352-7700.

 

Festival of Lights in Ladysmith

More than 100,000 twinkling Christmas lights in the streets, roof tops and buildings decorate Ladysmith until January 1st. And enjoy the 21st Annual Christmas Lights Cruise sponsored by the Mt. Brenton Power & Sail Squadron. Held on Saturday, December 13 starting at 6:00 p.m. Visitors can see this impressive nautial, festive light display from Ladysmith’s Transfer Beach. All are welcome to join the Ladysmith Kinsmen Club at the beach with a bonfire, hotdogs, hot chocoatle, special apple cider and fun. Bonfire starts at 5:30 p.m. (cruise is subject to weather conditions). For more information call 250-245-5888 or visit www.ladysmithfol.com

 

Winterfest in Prince Rupert

The fun and excitement begins December 4th, with the Atlin Terminal Open House with treats, voting for your favourite Charity Decorated Tree, and live entertainment. On December 5th at 7 p.m. we light up the town and turn on the trees at Prince Rupert’s Courthouse. Caroling, local music talent and free refreshments are provided while you meet and greet your neighbours and friends. On December 6th, after Breakfast with Santa, the Children’s Santa Claus Parade steps off at 11 a.m. In the evening, the Harbour will come alive with lights as boats dressed out in Christmas finery parade in the famous Christmas Carol Sailpast.  A bonfire, free refreshments, entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display will follow. Throughout the weekend there will be a Stocking Stuffer Showcase, Hot Chocolate, Gingerbread decorating, swimming, movies, crafts and plenty of fun for the entire family! The volunteers of Prince Rupert Special Events Society organize this event, and please call 624-9118 for more information.

November 28, 2003   Posted in: Canada