West Coast Holiday Getaways

CLOSE-TO-HOME HOLIDAY GETAWAYS

by Andrea Vance

The holidays are a magical time of year, with so many celebrations happening in homes and around town. This year, we’ve found some beautiful ways to celebrate with your family and friends, no matter what your traditions and beliefs may be.

Head South To Find Santa

If you’re heading south across the border, Bellevue is a great alternative to its neighbouring cities. Avoid the crowds, and enjoy a fantastic downtown that is very family friendly. On the way, stop at Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett, Washington. Not far off I-5, it is a great stop for families driving south. Each weekend, they hold a variety of special events, like the Holiday Workshop (December 14), where guests can use art to create Santa, snowmen, and holiday pals. Although the $20 workshop is meant for kids 4-8 years old, there is plenty to do for all kids. You can also check out the North Pole Party (November 30), with holiday fun for everyone from 10am-2pm, where Santa stops by for story and craft time, and kids can try carpet skating too. This party is free with admission, which is only $13. Learn more at www.imaginecm.org.

Celebrate The Holidays in the City

If you’re staying in the city, experience a whole day and night of magic with the Waterfront Christmas Experience at Canada Place. Downtown Vancouver’s harbourfront district includes FlyOver Canada, where you can take in the amazing ride Fly Like Santa and the pre-show and festivities that surround it. Then head over the Canadian Trail to take in the historic Woodward’s Windows holiday scenes. To finish off the day, head to Jack Poole Plaza for the Vancouver Christmas Market, a traditional market that brings festive Old-World charm to Vancouver each and every year with food, shops, and a carousel ride too. You will be fully immersed in the holidays with this amazing day filled with spirit. Learn more and buy tickets at www.flyovercanada.com.

Add a little music and dance to your itinerary with the kids to get into the holiday spirit, with Holiday Hooray with Lisa & Linda from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Canada Life Tiny Tots concerts series. “Hooray, hooray, we’ll have fun in the snow today!” allows kids to singalong to frosty favourites while you move along with miniatures from “The Nutcracker,” “Babes in Toyland” and other sparkly holiday classics. Featuring a brass trio that will have the kids wide-eyed. The concerts are 45 minutes long and full of sing-along, move-along fun, and you can see the show on December 6 at Pyatt Hall at the VSO School of Music in Vancouver, or on December 7 at Anvil Centre in New Westminster. Head to www.myvso.ca for more details.

The miracle of Hanukkah is that only one vial of oil was found with just enough oil for one day, and yet it lasted for eight full days. So each year, this is celebrated with a Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” including a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. Treat yourself to doughnuts and chocolate gelt, make a dreidel and spin it, light the menorah, sing songs, and listen to the story of Hanukkah at Trout Lake Community Centre (December 15). This is a family fun event for all ages and kids 2 years and under are free! Visit www.troutlakecc.com for more details.

Close-To-Home Day Trips From Whistler To Steveston

Heading to Whistler? Stop in Squamish and ride the Polar Express™ at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park for select dates in November and December. After the train ride experience, head over to The North Pole to visit Santa, build toys, ride the mini rail and much more. The ride typically lasts approximately 50 minutes and guests are encouraged to wear their pyjamas just like in the movie. There is parking available for just $5 but don’t forget to put snow tires on your car. We love that there is also a sensory-friendly ride too (November 24). Tickets start at $35 and you can reserve your time in advance online at www.wcra.org.

Out past the valley, the hot springs were revered as a “healing place” by natives of the Coast Salish people, who travelled by canoe to benefit from their waters. Harrison Hot Springs has now become a year-round destination, and the winter is now just as magical as summer. Enjoy the cozy Christmas feeling with Lights by the Lake (www.lightsbythelake.ca), which starts on November 23. This free event features a Christmas light display along the front of the lagoon in Harrison Hot Springs where you can stroll and play. New in 2019 is a synthetic outdoor ice rink, so bring your skates or rent there. Don’t miss the Christmas Tree Trail too, with local businesses decorating beautiful trees for families to enjoy. For places to play and stay, visit www.tourismharrison.com.

Steveston is a beautiful spot year round, and the holiday season makes it just a little more special with Christmas at the Cannery: Festival of Trees (December 1-31).The event is held in Richmond‘s Steveston Village where the place is transformed with dozens of elaborately decorated Christmas trees designed and sponsored by local merchants. It’s a nice bonus when you visit the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Historic Site and all its displays. After the tree lights, take a stroll along the wharf for fish ‘n chips at Dave’s or Pajo’s to see who really is the best in the business, and check out all the beautiful shops that will be dressed up for the season. For more details, check out www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.org and then try www.exploresteveston.com for a listing of restaurants and shops in the area.