Highstreet in Abbotsford is your shopping destination this season, with big name brands, community events, unique finds, and holiday fun. With one of the largest Christmas trees in Canada, Highstreet’s tree rivals that of New York City’s iconic Rockefeller Center and features an eight-minute animated light show, utilizing 6,000 individually controlled tri-colour LED nodes, six snow-making machines and plenty of cheer daily at 5:00pm and 7:00pm until Christmas Eve.
Photo courtesy of Highstreet
Highstreet is a 600,000 square foot outdoor centre bringing urban lifestyle shopping to the Fraser Valley. The three level centre includes fashion, food, services and entertainment on the podium level. Anchor tenants include Walmart Supercentre, London Drugs, H&M, OLD NAVY, and Cineplex VIP Cinema.
Enjoy outdoor holiday shows in the Central Plaza at 5:00pm on Saturday, December 6th; Saturday, December 13th; and Saturday, December 20th with the MEI Marching Band, Spandy Andy, Project Dancers, Santa and friends.
The Abbotsford Concert Band will also be there on December 7th, Bobs and Lolo take the stage December 14th, and The West Coast Fiddlers will perform on December 21st.
Highstreet shops are now open holiday hours, from 10:00am to 9:00pm Monday through Saturday and 10:00am to 7:00pm on Sundays. Get photos with Santa, gift wrapping service, and more. Visit the events calendar online for information and follow Highstreet on Facebook and Twitter.
Highstreet Holiday Show and Giveaway
Highstreet would love to see you over the holidays so they have given me a $50 gift card to award one lucky Miss604 reader. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post naming a Highstreet shop (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, December 8, 2014. Highstreet is located at 3122 Mt. Lehman Road, just off the Lehman exit from Highway 1.
Update The winner is Darcy!
Miss604 is pleased to announce a new promotional partnership with the Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards (the “Jessies”). On the first Thursday of every month, I will feature a list of productions that are registered for the Jessie Awards, including their dates, locations, and more. The goal of this partnership is to promote eligible shows and further the Jessies’ mandate of educating the public about professional theatre in Vancouver. Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blogger of The Jessies.
Vancouver Theatre Listings for December 2014
Left: Crazy For You. Gaelan Beatty, Kate Blackburn. Photo Credit David Cooper. Right: Wide Awake Hearts. Claire Hesselgrave. Photo by David Cooper
Gateway Theatre presents:
Crazy For You
Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin
Book by Ken Ludwig
At Gateway Theatre (6500 Gilbert Rd, Richmond)
December 4th to December 21st, 2014
Website | Tickets
Hardline Theatre & 20-Something Theatre present:
Wide Awake Hearts by Brendan Gall
December 3rd to December 21st, 2014
At Little Mountain Studio (195 East 26th Ave, Vancouver)
Website | Tickets
James and the Giant Peach. Photo by Tim Matheson.
Carousel Theatre presents:
James and The Giant Peach
Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul
Book by Timothy Allen McDonald
December 6th, 2014 to January 4th, 2015
At Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island (1412 Cartwright St, Vancouver)
Website | Tickets
Fire Escape Equity Co-op presents:
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
December 4th to December 21st, 2014
At Jericho Arts Centre (1675 Discovery St, Vancouver)
Tickets
Blackbird Theatrical presents:
Samuel Beckett’s All That Fall by Samuel Beckett
December 29th, 2014 to January 24th, 2015
At The Cultch Historic Theatre
Website | Tickets
For more information about professional theatre in Vancouver, follow the Jessies on Twitter and Facebook.
Carousel Theatre for Young People presents a heartwarming musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic from Tony-nominated songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Opening December 6th at the Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island, families will love this tale of friendship and adventure.
When young James Trotter is shipped off to live with his wretched aunts, he longs for a real family and a new home. All seems lost until he discovers a magical giant peach inhabited by fantastical creatures. Together with Grasshopper, Ladybug, Centipede, Spider and Earthworm, James embarks on an extraordinary adventure, sailing across the sea to distant lands.
Words and music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, book by Timothy Allen McDonald, based on the Book James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. Directed by Carole Higgins, choreographed by Kayla Dunbar and Musical Directed by Steven Greenfield. Featuring: Patti Allan, Scott Bellis, Kaylee Harwood, Julian Lokash, Makayla Moore, Alex Rose, Deb Williams and Jonathan Winsby.
Win Tickets to James and the Giant Peach
Carousel Theatre for Young People is offering up a pair of tickets to see their production of James and the Giant Peach, here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 . Follow Carousel Theatre on Twitter for more information and show details. James and the Giant Peach runs until January 5th, 2015.
Audience Advisory: James’ parents are eaten by a rhinoceros (puppet) at the London Zoo at the beginning of this play. We recommend you discuss this with your children prior to attending the performance. Running Time: 90 minutes (plus a 15 minute intermission for public performances).
Update The winner is Angela!
Nearly 9 million people visit the Greater Vancouver region each year1, about 60 per cent of them from Canada, and yet there are so many locals that have new been up Grouse Mountain, never driven the Sea to Sky, or never experienced an exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery. I have a series of Vancouver Gift Guides I’ll be sharing this week that will help you find the perfect local gifts that come wrapped up with quality time with family and friends, and experiences you’ll never forget.
Gifts for Tourist in Their Hometown
See Vancouver from a new perspective, as a long time local or with the fresh eyes of a visitor. Here are just a few local attractions and tours that your gift recipient will be able to appreciate and enjoy throughout the year:
Attraction Passes and Memberships
The gift of membership is something your recipient can enjoy all throughout the year!
Science World: Purchase gift cards online for items in the Kaleidoscope gift shop, for OMNIMAX films, Science World Memberships, and general entry to Science World at TELUS World of Science.
Vancouver Aquarium: Give the gift of membership or pre-load a gift card that can be used for entry and gift shop purchases.
The Vancouver Art Gallery: Give the gift of annual membership as members also receive special deals throughout the year. You can also pick up a gift card for the gallery story, which is filled with gifts for the art lover in your life.
The Museum of Anthropology at UBC: I absolutely love the MOA and you will too. Aside from its permanent galleries, it hosts a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. Gift the gift of membership or pick up beautifully crafted Aboriginal art and jewelry in the museum shop.
Museum of Vancouver: Give the gift of membership or pick out some truly Vancouver-inspired items from the gift shop that you won’t find anywhere else, but will scream “I Love Vancouver!”
Grouse Mountain: Your gift card purchase can be used throughout the year for lift passes, at the rental shop, Outfitters store, The Spirit Gallery Gift Shop, Lupins Café, The Rusty Rail BBQ, Grouse Grind Coffee Bar™, Starbucks Coffee (Grouse Mountain location only), Altitudes Bistro, The Observatory and more.
Under half an hour up the Sea to Sky highway, check out the Britannia Mine Museum as well. This National Historic Site is fun for kids and offers some great local history.
Walking Tours
Whether you want to learn about our history or see the city from a fresh perspective, or you just love discovering new places to eat or grab a pint of craft beer:
Forbidden Vancouver Tours: Gift certificates are available for the signature tours, Prohibition City or the Lost Souls of Gastown.
Vancouver Heritage Foundation: Purchase a special 3 tour gift pack this Christmas and your guest will enjoy (and have a guaranteed spot on) the extremely popular 2015 Vancouver Special House Tour, 2015 Heritage House Tour and 2015 Laneway House Tour.
Vancouver Foodie Tours: Purchase gift certificates for the Granville Island Market Tour, World’s Best Food Truck Tour, and the Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour.
Taste Vancouver Food Tours: Purchase gift certificates for their Taste of Gastown or Taste of Little Italy (on Commercial Drive) tours.
Vancouver Brewery Tours: Visit 3 breweries in 3 hours, transportation included, go behind the scenes, learn about the process and enjoy plenty of samples.
Vancouver Photowalks: For the shutterbug in your life. They’ll get to combine a local walking tour with a custom two-hour photography course. Gift certificates are available for 3 tour options.
Bonus Gifts
A very practical gift for someone living Downtown could be a pass for Aquabus or False Creek Ferries. While giving the gift of transportation doesn’t seem very glamorous, some of our very best and most romantic date nights start with a water taxi ride from Downtown to Granville Island so it’s worth considering.
Finally, while Stanley Park is absolutely free for everyone to enjoy, consider given a gift that will ensure its nature and wildlife continue to thrill. Give the gift of Stanley Park Ecology Society membership or Adopt an Acre of Stanley Park, Adopt a Heron Nest, or Adopt and Eagle Nest.
Watch for a series of posts featuring themed gift ideas in the Vancouver Gift Guide this week.
12010 Vancouver Economic Summit
Enjoy your holiday retail experience along one of Vancouver’s best shopping streets! West 4th Ave merchants are not only offering up great deals and unique gift ideas but they are also hosting free festivities this season to boost community spirits and keep you full of Christmas cheer.
Shop West 4th for the Holidays
Shop West 4th this season to find men’s, women’s and family fashions to outdoor supplies, lifestyle and music, home decor, specialty shops, and award-winning restaurants.
On Saturday, December 6th at West 4th and Yew, Santa Claus will be available for selfies and photo booth pics, local school choirs will be carolling, and kids can make a variety of crafts between 11:00am and 3:00pm. Santa visit donations will go to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. These festivities will take place rain or shine.
On Sunday, December 14th at West 4th and Vine you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city as you enjoy a horse and carriage ride. Donations for the festive rides will support the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.
Shop in your community, support local businesses, contribute to great local causes, and have a great time while you make your way down your Christmas list!
There are over 250 businesses along West 4th between Fir and Balsam. The area has plenty of street and lot parking, and it is served by several buses like the #4, #84, and #99 B-Line. Follow Shop West 4th (the West 4th BIA) on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
