The Bright Nights in Stanley Park Christmas Train returns for its 17th season from November 27th until January 4th. Enjoy a dazzling light display, music, snacks, entertainment, and visits with Santa in the heart of Stanley Park.

Photo credit: Bright Nights in Stanley Park

Stanley Park Christmas Train Hours

Thursday, November 27, 2014 until Thursday, December 18, 2014
Open daily from 3:00pm until 10:00pm and from 10:00am to 11:00pm Fridays to Sundays

Friday, December 19, 2014 until Friday, December 26, 2014
Open daily from 10:00am to 11:00pm, closed on Christmas Day

Saturday, December 27, 2014 until Sunday, January 4, 2015
Open daily from 10:00am to 10:00pm

Stanley Park Christmas Train Admission

Admission to the site is by donation and tickets for the train can be purchased in advance via Ticketleader online or by phone (604) 252-3700. Same day tickets will be available starting November 27th at the on-site Miniature Railway Box Office in Stanley Park from 12:00pm (10:00am for Matinees). Train tickets are $11.00 (Adults 18–64); $8.00 (child and youth 3-17); $8.00 (seniors 65+) and free for children 2 and under. Tickets are $6.00 for matinées (all ages).

Monies raised through donations in the front gate bins go directly to the Burn Fund, which provides life-saving, life supporting and life enriching services to the people in BC. More than 3,800 professional fire fighters around the province dedicate their time and skills to support burn survivors. They increase the public’s knowledge about fire and burn safety through its Burn Awareness, Research and Prevention programs.

The Burn Fund encourages visitors to show their generosity by bringing food items for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. Food bins will be on-site at the entrance gate.

Follow the Bright Nights in Stanley Park Christmas Train on Twitter and Facebook for more information.

Best Buy is home to toys for all ages, whether you like to play music or video games, take or print photos, or accessorize your gadgets and gear. Best Buy online also has a toy section, filled with everything from remote control cars, learning toys, and robotics to DVD board games and building blocks.

For ages 1 to 100, Best Buy carries a vast selection of toys and gadgets for kids of all ages. You’ll find a great assortment of toys from VTech, LeapFrog, Parrot, Protocol, Hexbug, LEGO, Mattel, Hasbro and Traxxas.

Today’s remote controlled vehicles go beyond cars and ATVs – which are all still very cool – but more advanced vehicles now include a selection of helicopters and quadricopters that are designed to fly just like the real thing. Many models let you fly indoors or out, and can even be easily piloted by just about anyone with opposable thumbs.

Find a wide assortment of comic book, video game, and movie themed collectibles to add to your shelf or pick up a DVD edition board game and you’ll discover a more interactive experience than traditional board games that are just as much fun.

Best Buy Robotic Toy Giveaway

To promote their toy department, both online and in store, Best Buy has offered up two toys for me to give away: The WowWee Mip 2 Robot and Zoomer Boomer Dino.

The perfect companion for gadget enthusiasts and allergy-plagued pet lovers alike, the WowWee MiP Robot offers fun and intuitive interaction controlled by your smartphone and GestureSense technology. MiP plays games, dances, battles, balances and more – with an immersive personality and impressive response time, you’ll be a MiPster at first swipe. MiP might only hit your ankles height-wise, but he’s a little powerhouse of high-tech, kid-savvy fun. And best of all? This is one little robot that can actually bring you a sandwich too. Suitable for ages 8+

Boomer is a ferocious but cuddly Zoomer Dino. Take home your very own Jurassic friend with this tame robot dinosaur. Featuring interactive abilities, this zooming dino can spin, chomp, and roar as he roams around your home. Boomer can be cute and friendly, but watch out for his chompers, especially when you pull his tail. Suitable for kids ages 5 and up.

Here’s how you can enter to win these two toys:

• Leave a comment naming which of these robotic toys you would like to win (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw two winners (one for each prize) at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. Follow Best Buy Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more gift ideas this holiday season.

Update The winners are: Maegan Morin (Boomer) and @monkeyincowtown (MiP)!

The annual Surrey Tree Lighting Festival takes place Saturday, November 22nd at the new Surrey City Hall Plaza. It’s a highlight of the holiday season and although I could name many more, here are 3 big reasons to attend this free family festival this year:

Photo via Surrey Tree Lighting Festival on Facebook

The Lineup

Surrey City Hall and Central City will each host two stages. At Surrey City Hall you’ll find:

Have your picture with Santa at the shopping centre before making your way to the festival outside between 11:30am and 4:00pm. At Central City Mall:

The Activities

There is always so much fun to be had at the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival! From Central City Mall over to Surrey City Hall (inside and outside) your family can enjoy: Photos with Santa, a Miniature Christmas Train, the Storytime Igloo, a Giant Snowglobe, shopping at the Christmas Market, Storyville at the Library (next to City Hall), delicious and festive fare from Food Vendors, Ice Carving Demos, the Road Hockey Zone, the Shooting Star Ferris Wheel, Holiday Trolley Rides, a stroll down Candy Cane Lane, and Ornament Making with Surrey Nature Centre.

The Causes

The Surrey Tree Lighting Festival supports three local causes: The Surrey Food Bank, The Surrey Christmas Bureau, and the Surrey Fire Fighters Association Toy Drive. Bring a non-perishable food item donation, cash, or a new unwrapped toy to donate to these causes at the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival. The Surrey Fire Fighters are gathering unwrapped toys for their Adopt-a-Family event and they’ll event help you drop off your toys if you don’t want to get out of the car. Learn more …»

You can also enter to win a Meet and Greet with Alyssa Reid or a Meet and Greet with Elsa and Anna! See full contest details here and follow the Surrey Events team on Twitter and Facebook for more information.

The 5th annual Vancouver Christmas Market opens on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza in Downtown Vancouver. This slice of European holiday cheer hosts 50 unique vendors and a variety of themed activities through to Wednesday, December 24, 2014.

Vancouver Christmas Market

Take a spin on Vancouver’s only Christmas Carousel, enjoy some glühwein and schnitzel, and shop for holiday treats, gifts, and decorations. There is also a full schedule of live entertainment including a performance from the legendary Dal Richards on opening day, November 22nd.

Being in the open air, with the warm aromas of baked goods and European fare, shopping for gifts and browsing hundreds of unique ornaments are all reasons why I love visiting the market each year.

Vancouver Christmas Market, located at 650 Hamilton St, will be open daily from 11:00am to 9:00pm, and until 6:00pm on Christmas Eve. Admission is $7 for adults (13+) in the evenings after 4:00pm and $4 during the day from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Seniors (60+) receive $1 off admission, youth (7-12) are $3 and children (0-6) are free anytime.

For the price of any paid admission, visitors will be given a free season’s pass so that they can return to the market anytime over the course of the 33-day event. Those who attend between 11:00am and 2:00pm on weekdays can beat the crowds and enjoy 2-for-1 lunch admission.

Win Tickets

If you would like to check out the market, I have a 4-pack of gate tickets to give away (good for any day of the market). Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post naming your favourite holiday decorations, crafts, or ornaments (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

Follow the Vancouver Christmas Market on Twitter and Facebook for more special event information. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, November 25, 2014.

Update The winner is Linda!

Start the season off in the warmth of historic Hycroft Manor at the 42nd annual holiday fair. Hosted by the University Women’s Club, Christmas at Hycroft runs daily from Thursday, November 20th until Sunday November 23rd.

Christmas at Hycroft

Enjoy live entertainment, unique boutiques, local artisans, traditional treats and visits with Santa. Have a cup soup in the terrace bistro, tour the manor’s beautiful decor, shop the boutiques on the second floor, and enter to win door prizes.

Where: Hycroft Manor (1489 McRae Ave, Vancouver)
When: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Monday to Saturday) and 11:00am to 6:00pm (Sunday).
Admission: $15 for adults, children 12 and under are free. Valet parking is available for $5 and coat check is complimentary.

Photos by Christmas at Hycroft on Flickr

Activities and exhibitors will also be outside at the Courtyard Fair. In the Coach House pick up homemade Christmas preserves, puddings, mincemeat, lemon curd, lemon lentil soup, and baked goods served up by the Hycroft Kitchen Creations Team. Olde World Fudge will have caramel, peanut brittle, and almond bark and Purdys Chocolates will have all your favourites likes Hedgehogs, assorted chocolate Gift Tins, Christmas stockings and more.

Follow Christmas at Hycroft on Twitter and Facebook for more information.