The holiday season kicks into high gear this weekend, with a variety of events planned for folks of all ages. Here are the Record’s top picks for the Dec. 4 to 6 weekend in New West.
1. Welcome Santa to town at the annual Santa Claus Parade in downtown New West – just one of the many festive events taking place on Saturday. The parade runs along Columbia Street, starting at Fourth Street and ending at Eighth Street, starting at 11 a.m. For a full day of festive fun, be sure to drop by Anvil Centre (letters to Santa, cookie station, holiday edition of Royal City Farmers Market and performances), River Market (Christmas activities for the whole family), Fraser River Discovery Centre (Merry Fishmas). Cap the day off with the tree lighting at Hyack Square at 4 p.m.
2. Tour some of the city’s beautiful heritage homes when they’d decorated in their holiday finery at the third annual Homes for the Holidays tour. The Queen’s Park Healthcare Volunteer Society is hosting the tour on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Along the way, you’ll find some of the homes selling items from Quintessential, the popular gift shop at Queen’s park Care Centre – so you’ll be able to enjoy some beautiful décor and shop for Christmas at the same time. Ticket are $20 and available at www.qphf.org.
3. Enjoy a holiday tradition when the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra and the Richmond Academy of Dance team up for their 16th annual Christmas Nutcracker Dance Concert. The concert, a combination of classical music and seasonal selections and ballet, takes place at the Massey Theatre on Friday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket are $17 and are available at www.ticketsnw.ca or at 604-521-5050.
4. Shop local at the Christmas Night Market presented by the Arts Council of New West. Fifteen to 20 curated vendors will be taking part in the market that’s being held on Saturday, Dec. 5 at River Market (810 Quayside Dr.) from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. You’ll be able to enjoy live music, while shopping in a relaxing environment and sipping on drinks from New West's very own Steel & Oak brewery and Pacific Breeze winery.
5. Cross a few things off your Christmas list and enjoy an afternoon of fun at the second annual Uptown Holiday Market on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at New Westminster Secondary School (Where). The event also includes photos with Santa for $5, a fun dress-up photo booth, a barbecue, tumbling classes (throughout the day) and a performance by the school’s cheer programs. Tickets are $2 and available at the door.
6. Enjoy some laughs at Seriously Senior, featuring three one-act plays: Time Out, Yogiisms, and Profusion of Roses. The show, presented by Golden Age Theatre at Century House, 620 Eighth St., runs on Friday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 5 at 1:30 p.m. It’s $8 for Century House members and $10 for non-members, which includes refreshments and entertainment. For tickets, call 604-519-1066.
Email your Top 5 ideas to [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also check out our full arts and events calendar listings on our website's homepage at www.newwestrecord.ca.
