FAMILY EVENTS ON THE NORTH SHORE THIS WEEKEND
NOVEMBER 28-30, 2014
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28th
Bright Nights at Stanley Park Train (various times) BOOK TICKETS IN ADVANCE!
Location: Shipbuilders’ Square at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue, North Van Details: During the holiday season, the Bright Nights Train and Plaza at Stanley Park sparkles with three million twinkling lights, decorating the darkness that comes early at this time of year. Partial proceeds from the sale of Bright Nights tickets go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, which helps burn survivors and their families. $1.4 million has been raised over the past 16 years. Entrance to the Bright Nights Train Plaza is by donation (you don’t need to purchase train tickets to see the holiday lights). Donations will be accepted at the front gate. And if you want an evening train ride, book your tickets early! They always sell out way in advance. Open every day between Nov 27, 2014 and Jan 4, 2015, except for Christmas day. Shipyards Christmas Market (5 – 9 pm) $2 or $5 for season pass
Location: Shipbuilders’ Square at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue, North Van Details: The Market is back for Christmas! Get into the festive spirit early as you browse amongst the 50 artisan stalls packed into the beautifully decorated Pipe Shop building. Enjoy live music, festive light displays and food from your favourite food trucks. It’s a great way to kick-start your Christmas shopping and reduce your list. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until December 23rd! Scuba Claus @ Vancouver Aquarium! (10 am – 5 pm daily)
Location: Vancouver Aquarium, Stanley Park, Downtown Vancouver Details: Everyone’s favourite festive guest, Scuba Claus, returns for his lively annual visit to celebrate the holidays at the expanded Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre. Catch Scuba Claus on his daily dive in the Georgia Strait exhibit-a stunning exhibit full of colourful marine life found on British Columbia’s coastlines, including halibut, rockfishes, sturgeon, crabs and sea stars. Experience the Holidays at Vancouver Aquarium from November 27 until January 4, 2015 (including Christmas Day), with electric eel-powered holiday tree and jelly swarm exhibit, 4-D theatre film adventure of THE POLAR EXPRESS, and outdoor maze of trees and crafts & stories with Scuba Claus’s elves. Scuba Claus appearances until December 24th. Craft Fair & Kids Only Shop at Highlands Church! (6-9 pm)
Location: Highlands United Church, 3255 Edgemont Blvd., North Vancouver Details: Featuring a wide variety of amazing crafts: pottery, shawls, decorations, jewellery, leather bags, bath products, baby gifts, a huge bake table, a fabulous door prize and so much more. Be sure to check out the Nativity Exhibit, Christmas Cafe and the Kids Only Shop (where kids get help from staff to select holiday gifts for family members & wrap them up beautifully!). SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29th Bright Nights at Stanley Park Train (various times) BOOK TICKETS IN ADVANCE!
Location: Shipbuilders’ Square at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue, North Van Details: During the holiday season, the Bright Nights Train and Plaza at Stanley Park sparkles with three million twinkling lights, decorating the darkness that comes early at this time of year. Partial proceeds from the sale of Bright Nights tickets go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, which helps burn survivors and their families. $1.4 million has been raised over the past 16 years. Entrance to the Bright Nights Train Plaza is by donation (you don’t need to purchase train tickets to see the holiday lights). Donations will be accepted at the front gate. And if you want an evening train ride, book your tickets early! They always sell out way in advance. Open every day between Nov 27, 2014 and Jan 4, 2015, except for Christmas day. Craft Fair & Kids Only Shop at Highlands Church! (10 am – 3 pm)
Location: Highlands United Church, 3255 Edgemont Blvd., North Vancouver Details: Featuring a wide variety of amazing crafts: pottery, shawls, decorations, jewellery, leather bags, bath products, baby gifts, a huge bake table, a fabulous door prize and so much more. Be sure to check out the Nativity Exhibit, Christmas Cafe and the Kids Only Shop (where kids get help from staff to select holiday gifts for family members & wrap them up beautifully!). North Vancouver Holiday Bazaar (10 am – 4 pm) $2, but first 150 each day FREE
Location: Carson Graham Secondary School 2145 Jones Avenue, North Van Details: If you were a fan of the Delbrook Christmas Craft Fair and are devastated that it is no longer in operation, we have good news for you… The Delbrook Christmas Craft Fair is under new ownership and has a new name, the North Vancouver Holiday Bazaar! With over a hundred vendors each day, many of your favourite artisans from previous years, along with some great new ones, buying a gift for everyone on your list will be a breeze. There will be music, food stands, refreshments, face painting and entertainment for the kids and more! The first 150 guests each day will receive FREE admission. 5th Annual Family Services of the North Shore Toy Drive (10 am – 4 pm) FREE
Location: Northshore Auto Mall bottom of Fell Avenue, North Van Details: Bring a NEW, UNWRAPPED toy or gift for a child, senior or a person with disabilities. The Christmas Bureau will distribute all toys and gifts to North Shore families in need this holiday season. Please drop by with a new unwrapped gift or toy and enjoy treats and a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Let’s make this year’s Toy Drive another successful event! 604-984-9627 Scuba Claus @ Vancouver Aquarium! (10 am – 5 pm daily)
Location: Vancouver Aquarium, Stanley Park, Downtown Vancouver Details: Everyone’s favourite festive guest, Scuba Claus, returns for his lively annual visit to celebrate the holidays at the expanded Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre. Catch Scuba Claus on his daily dive in the Georgia Strait exhibit-a stunning exhibit full of colourful marine life found on British Columbia’s coastlines, including halibut, rockfishes, sturgeon, crabs and sea stars. Experience the Holidays at Vancouver Aquarium from November 27 until January 4, 2015 (including Christmas Day), with electric eel-powered holiday tree and jelly swarm exhibit, 4-D theatre film adventure of THE POLAR EXPRESS, and outdoor maze of trees and crafts & stories with Scuba Claus’s elves. Scuba Claus appearances until December 24th. Friends of the Library Christmas Book ‘n Bake Sale (11 am – 4 pm) FREE
Location: North Vancouver City Library 120 West 14th Street, North Van Details: Home cooked treats and great deals on books! Hardbacks, paperbacks, magazines and multimedia from $0.25 to $3.00 per item. 604-998-3450 Capilano Canyon Lights (11 am – 9 pm)
Location: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park 3735 Capilano Road, North Van Details: Runs Sat, Nov 29 to Sat, Jan 3. You’ll be dazzled by hundreds of thousands of lights glittering throughout the rainforest, across the Suspension Bridge and on the CLIFFWALK. A children’s scavenger hunt, gingerbread cookie decorating, sing-a-long carols with the holiday band are all back by public demand and new this year, create your own Christmas card and enjoy holiday treats in the Winter Pavilion. 604-985-7474 Shipyards Christmas Market (12 noon – 8 pm) $2 or $5 for season pass
Location: Shipbuilders’ Square at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue, North Van Details: The Market is back for Christmas! Get into the festive spirit early as you browse amongst the 50 artisan stalls packed into the beautifully decorated Pipe Shop building. Enjoy live music, festive light displays and food from your favourite food trucks. It’s a great way to kick-start your Christmas shopping and reduce your list. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until December 23rd! Dundarave Christmas Fair (12 noon – dusk) FREE
Location: Dundarave Park, West Van Details: This is a Christmas tree decorating party like no other. Enjoy an afternoon of free festive concerts in the festival’s longhouse and the Dundarave Nativity Pavilion. The magic happens at dusk when the official lighting of the festival’s Christmas tree forest takes place and everyone’s hard work is brought to life. Holiday Crafternoon (1:30 – 3:00 pm) FREE
Location: North Vancouver City Library 120 West 14th Street, 3rd floor Details: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Join Denise from Thrifty By Design for an afternoon of crafting your own handmade decorations using upcycled and repurposed materials. Ornaments and home decor created from wine corks, cereal boxes and wool sweaters with scrap yarn, miscellaneous buttons and old jewelry to embellish your creations. No registration required. This workshop is free and open to all ages and abilities. Supplies included. 604-998-3450
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30th
Bright Nights at Stanley Park Train (various times) BOOK TICKETS IN ADVANCE!
Location: Shipbuilders’ Square at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue, North Van Details: During the holiday season, the Bright Nights Train and Plaza at Stanley Park sparkles with three million twinkling lights, decorating the darkness that comes early at this time of year. Partial proceeds from the sale of Bright Nights tickets go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, which helps burn survivors and their families. $1.4 million has been raised over the past 16 years. Entrance to the Bright Nights Train Plaza is by donation (you don’t need to purchase train tickets to see the holiday lights). Donations will be accepted at the front gate. And if you want an evening train ride, book your tickets early! They always sell out way in advance. Open every day between Nov 27, 2014 and Jan 4, 2015, except for Christmas day. North Vancouver Holiday Bazaar (10 am – 4 pm) $2, but first 150 each day FREE
Location: Carson Graham Secondary School 2145 Jones Avenue, North Van Details: If you were a fan of the Delbrook Christmas Craft Fair and are devastated that it is no longer in operation, we have good news for you… The Delbrook Christmas Craft Fair is under new ownership and has a new name, the North Vancouver Holiday Bazaar! With over a hundred vendors each day, many of your favourite artisans from previous years, along with some great new ones, buying a gift for everyone on your list will be a breeze. There will be music, food stands, refreshments, face painting and entertainment for the kids and more! The first 150 guests each day will receive FREE admission. Scuba Claus @ Vancouver Aquarium! (10 am – 5 pm daily)
Location: Vancouver Aquarium, Stanley Park, Downtown Vancouver Details: Everyone’s favourite festive guest, Scuba Claus, returns for his lively annual visit to celebrate the holidays at the expanded Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre. Catch Scuba Claus on his daily dive in the Georgia Strait exhibit-a stunning exhibit full of colourful marine life found on British Columbia’s coastlines, including halibut, rockfishes, sturgeon, crabs and sea stars. Experience the Holidays at Vancouver Aquarium from November 27 until January 4, 2015 (including Christmas Day), with electric eel-powered holiday tree and jelly swarm exhibit, 4-D theatre film adventure of THE POLAR EXPRESS, and outdoor maze of trees and crafts & stories with Scuba Claus’s elves. Scuba Claus appearances until December 24th. Capilano Canyon Lights (11 am – 9 pm)
Location: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park 3735 Capilano Road, North Van Details: Runs Sat, Nov 29 to Sat, Jan 3 (except Christmas day). You’ll be dazzled by hundreds of thousands of lights glittering throughout the rainforest, across the Suspension Bridge and on the CLIFFWALK. A children’s scavenger hunt, gingerbread cookie decorating, sing-a-long carols with the holiday band are all back by public demand and new this year, create your own Christmas card and enjoy holiday treats in the Winter Pavilion. 604-985-7474 Shipyards Christmas Market (12 noon – 6 pm) $2 or $5 for season pass
Location: Shipbuilders’ Square at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue, North Van Details: The Market is back for Christmas! Get into the festive spirit early as you browse amongst the 50 artisan stalls packed into the beautifully decorated Pipe Shop building. Enjoy live music, festive light displays and food from your favourite food trucks. It’s a great way to kick-start your Christmas shopping and reduce your list. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until December 23rd! The Very Hungry Caterpillar (4 pm) $25 / $15 / $12 tickets
Location: Kay Meek Theatre 1700 Mathers Avenue, West Vancouver
Details: Brought to you by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, three beloved stories by Eric Carle, award-winning children’s book illustrator and author, are retold on stage through the magic of black light and fanciful puppets. The Very Hungry Caterpillar follows the wonderful adventures of a very tiny and very hungry caterpillar as he eats his way through an amazing variety of foods on his path to becoming a beautiful butterfly. High up in the sky, Little Cloud playfully transforms himself into various creatures, including a sheep, airplane, shark and more. The Mixed-Up Chameleon is bored with his life, sitting about predictably changing colour all day. Stick around after the performance for a post-show Q & A session with Mermaid Theatre! Lynn Valley Christmas Parade of Trees Grand Lighting Ceremony (4:30 – 5:30 pm) FREE
Location: Lynn Valley Village 1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Van
Details: Enjoy music and singing led by Bobbi Smith, lots of free activities for kids including balloon twisting, face painting and more. Stroll amongst the decorated Christmas trees and don’t forget to vote for your favourite tree! After the ceremony stop by the Lynn Valley Community Association Open House in the Community Room for some seasonal treats and to learn more about the association. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will gladly be accepted for Lynn Valley Legion’s toy drive. If you know of any other events happening on the North Shore this weekend, please email angela@modernmama.com.
CHEERS!
