This Christmas, add even more magic and wonder to your holiday activity lineup by checking out Enchanted Nights at Bloedel.
The Bloedel Conservatory, celebrating 46 years on December 6th, is one of Vancouver’s most spectacular hidden gems. As Canada’s largest single-structure conservatory, you’ve probably spotted its geodesic-style roof at QE Park and if you’ve ventured inside you would have discovered its exotic birds, plants, and tropical paradise all encapsulated within its unique structure.
Enchanted Nights at Bloedel
Walk through a miniature world of artisan fairy and sprite villages with magical lights, holiday music, and live entertainment set amongst the dome’s tropical plants and exotic birds.
The fun continues outside on the Queen Elizabeth Park plaza. Grab a treat, take a pony ride, and snap a selfie at the highest viewpoint in the city. Make a full date night of it and reserve a table for dinner at Seasons in the Park.
The miniature fairy world has been brought to life by the collective artistries of: Benjamin Kikkert of New-Small & Sterling Studio Glass; Melissa Hume of Dirty Clay Studios; Christopher Moreno of 365 Productions; The Enchanted Forest Collective; Corey Cote.
- Where: Queen Elizabeth Park (4600 Cambie St, Vancouver)
- When: December 4 to 24, 2015 from 4:00pm to 9:00pm
December 25, 2015 Closed; December 26 to January 3, 2016 from 4:00pm to 9:00pm
- Admission: Buy in person or online in advance
When you buy tickets to the Festival of Lights at VanDusen, you get free entry to Enchanted Nights at Bloedel.
Vancouver’s harbinger of all seasons, VanDusen Botanical Garden, is a delight to visit for the new blossoms in the spring, full foliage in summer, and the bright bursts of colour in the fall. When winter approaches, the garden is adorned with over one million sparkling bulbs during the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden.
Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden
This family-friendly festival features both indoor and outdoor activities and attractions, plenty of photo opportunities, holiday treats, and much more.
- Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden
5251 Oak St (37th and Oak) in Vancouver
- When: December 1 – 17, 2015; December 24, 26 – 31, 2015: 4:30 to 9:00pm
Open late December 18 – 23, 2015: 4:30 to 10:00pm
- Admission: Buy in person or online in advance
Activities range from photos with Santa, the Dancing Lights show on Livingstone Lake, Jardins de Paris, Scandinavian gnome performances, VPL Tales from a Winter’s Night, Make-A-Wish candle grotto, toy train, sound house, and choirs performing certain nights.
Since there’s so much to see and do, you’ll probably need some holiday treats and warm beverages. Dining and snack options include Truffles Café, Truffles Pop-up Café, Shaughnessy Restaurant, Santa’s Kitchen, Ms. Klaus’s Kettle Corn Kiosk, Rudolph on the Roof, Cin City Donuts, and Whistler Wood Fired Pizza.
Follow VanDusen Botanical Garden on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
New! All Festival of Lights tickets include free entry to Enchanted Nights at Bloedel Conservatory.
Extended Days/Hours
VanDusen is extending the Festival of Lights for a few weekends in January. It will be open January 8-10 and January 15-17, 2016.
I’m pretty sure that the Dirty Dancing soundtrack was also the soundtrack for my rugby team back in high school. On our way to tournaments and away games the tape would hit the van’s deck and we’d get pumped by singing along to “Hungry Eyes,” “Hey Baby,” “Do You Love Me?” and the heart stopping “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”
It was an odd combination but it did take us to two provincial championships so it must have had a great effect on us.
Dirty Dancing is coming to the big stage in Vancouver and if you have memories of its scenes and music being a part of your life like I do, you’ll want to hop on this pre-sale that’s opening up on Friday.
Pre-Sale Code for Dirty Dancing in Vancouver
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage is an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance, and sensational dancing.
When: January 12 – 17, 2016
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Seen by millions across the globe, this worldwide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Don’t miss your chance to see this record-breaking live theatre sensation. You will have the time of your life!
Pre-Sale Code & Link
This pre-sale link will be ONLY available November 27 at 10:00am until November 29, 2015 and the code to use is MOVIE.
Tickets
Individual tickets for the Vancouver premiere of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage will go on sale Monday, November 30 at 10am. Tickets are available at 1-855-985-5000 or through Ticketmaster online. Groups of 10 or more can call 1-800-889-8457. American Express® Cardmembers have access to some of the best seats in the house for all the Dirty Dancing performances. Performances run Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00pm, Sunday evening at 7:30pm with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm.
Follow Broadway Across Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their shows coming to Vancouver in 2015-2016.
I am a huge fan of gifting experiences to loved ones for birthday and Christmas, giving them something that will create memories and entertain.
Local tours are a great gift, as not many people enjoy some of the wonderful benefits of being a tourist in their own home town. Better yet, for the craft beer lover in your life, a brewery tour lets them experience the latest and greatest creations brewed up right here in Vancouver – in their neighbourhood and beyond.
Vancouver Brewery Tours
Vancouver Brewery Tours is one of the top-ranked food/drink tours in Vancouver on Trip Advisor! It was the city’s first and only exclusive brewery tour company, and was launched by local craft beer enthusiast Ryan Mackey in 2013.
They bring friends, families and colleagues together with three-hour Public Tours ($75), four-hour Beer and Food Tours ($85) and completely customizable Private and Corporate Group Tours, allowing for truly out-of-the-box gifting and merry making.
Let them do the driving as you visit 3 breweries for behind the scenes, guided tours. Each brewery will show you something different and unique while you learn about the company’s history, operations and the people who started it all for them. On the road, guides will continue to point out interesting facts about the Vancouver craft been scene and the neighbourhoods you’ll visit.
The tour’s partner breweries include Storm Brewing, Brassneck Brewery, Bomber Brewing, Strange Fellows Brewing, Steamworks, Main Street Brewing, Bridge Brewing, Deep Cove Brewers, Big Rock Urban Brewery, Steel Toad Brewpub, R&B Brewing, Off the Rail Brewing, Doan’s Craft Brewing, and Postmark Brewing.
In the online shop you can purchase tour gift certificates, growlers, beer flight paddles, bottle savers, and t-shirts. You can also bundle up and purchase the Holiday Gift Pack.
Win a Holiday Gift Pack
The Vancouver Brewery Tours Holiday Gift Pack has it all: 2 tour passes, a 64oz growler and fill-up while on tour, and a pair of Vancouver Brewery Tours 16-oz beer glasses (value $169). Here’s how you can enter to win this Holiday Gift Pack for yourself, or the beer lover on your shopping list this season.
- Leave a comment naming one of the tour’s partner breweries (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries (must be 19+) at 12:00pm on Tuesday, December 1, 2015. Please enjoy responsibly. Follow Vancouver Brewery Tours on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Update The winner is Shawn Sorenson!
You won’t always have to come to Downtown Vancouver in order to find holiday activities for the family this season. Leigh Square is hosting 12 Days of Christmas in Port Coquitlam, starting November 28th.
12 Days of Christmas in Port Coquitlam
Leigh Square Community Arts Village (2253 Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam)celebrates the holiday season with a series of holiday inspired art workshops including wreath making, card making, handmade gifts, and holiday crafts for kids. Share in the festivities at Leigh Square with a Christmas concert, bring your family for a unique holiday movie experience and enjoy the holiday spirit in your community with a Lantern Festival. All of these events are free or of low cost.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Christmas at Leigh Square 1:00pm to 5:00pm (Free)
Come celebrate the spirit of community and the start of the holidays with Leigh Square with the Annual Lighting ceremony. Enjoy holiday craft making, music and entertainment, storytelling, artists and artisan vendors, and get photos with Santa provided by PoCo Heritage.
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Winter Artisan Fair 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Leigh Square’s Annual Winter Artisans Fair returns to offer affordable, quality art and fine crafts and edibles.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Holiday Wreath Workshop 6:30pm to 8:30pm ($10, Register in Advance)
Get hands-on this holiday season and learn how to make your own wreath or swag. Bring your creativity, and they’ll provide the tree clippings, holly, pinecones, and decorative materials.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Holiday Pajama Party 6:00pm to 8:00pm (Free)
Play board games with friends and family, and don’t miss out on a photo booth with fun holiday props. Classic Christmas movies will be playing as we snack on popcorn and hot chocolate.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Arm Knitting Workshop (12+ yrs) 6:30pm to 8:30pm (Register in Advance)
Learn to knit a whole scarf with nothing but your arms! Come to this workshop and leave with a beautiful infinity scarf that will keep you warm all winter long for years to come.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Handmade Cards and Gift Tags 6:30pm to 8:30pm ($10, Register in Advance)
Add a personal touch to your holiday givings with unique handmade cards and gift tags. Create texture in your cards with an embosser, and surprise everyone with your pop-up card designs.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Arthur Christmas Movie Night 6:45pm to 8:45pm (Free) + Skating (Regular Admission)
Lace up your skates and celebrate with a movie and skate at the Recreation Centre here in Port Coquitlam.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Lantern Festival 3:00pm to 4:45pm ($10, Workshop) 5:00pm to 6:00pm (Free, Parade)
Headed by The Carnival Band, there’s bound to be lots of music and fun times for all. Bring your own lantern for the parade or attend the workshop at Michael Wright Art Gallery beforehand.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Little Elves Workshop (5 year+) 10:00am to 12:30pm ($5, Register in Advance)
Kids can enjoy their Sunday morning as one of Santa’s elves. Little ones will keep busy in this workshop, making Christmas toys and décor like with Olaf sock snowmen, minion ornaments, and decorative Christmas paintings. Parent volunteers are welcome.
Monday, December 7, 2015
DIY Gifts and Décor 6:30pm to 8:30pm ($10, Register in Advance)
In this family workshop, learn the tips and tricks to creating festive decorations for the whole home, with the help of art instructors.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Christmas Concert 6:30pm to 8:30pm ($5 Admission)
Felice Choir led by music director and conductor Mr. Andrea Kim, the swinging classics and fun retro arrangements of The Beauty Shop Dolls, and a sing-along opportunity with The Port Coquitlam Stroke Association.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Snowman Family Portraits and HUMANbeing Theatre Show
5:30 to 7:30pm ($10, Workshop) 7:45pm to 8:10pm ($4, Performance)
Get artistic with your whole family in this collaborative painting workshop. Once complete, head over and enjoy an all ages friendly theatre show that was featured at the 2015 Vancouver Fringe Festival. Join Little Canary Theatre for HUMANbeing, the story of a little spirit that lives in space and decides to come to Earth to experience what it is like to be a human.
For registration, find the listing online and sign up or call (604) 927-8400. Follow Leigh Square on Facebook for more information.
