Explore charming Fort Langley National Historic Site during the holidays. During Heritage Holidays at the Fort, visitors can enjoy the relaxed, charming setting that tells the story of life at this small west coast trading post.

When: December 21-23, 27-30, 2019 from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Where: 23433 Mavis Ave, Langley
Tickets: Regular admission fees apply: $7.80 per adult; $6.55 per senior; free admission for youth 17 and under and annual pass holders. Note that the site is closed December 25, 26 and January 1.

Heritage Holidays at Fort Langley

Taste a roasted chestnut, watch demonstrations, hear live music, and take a guided tour along the lantern-lit pathway to the different buildings at Fort Langley National Historic Site.

Hot drinks and heritage-inspired treats and lunch are available at lelәm’ at the fort café on site, and unique gift ideas await at šxwimelә Boutique & Gifts.

Have you even heard of a Thaumatrope? Maybe not, but you’ve probably seen one of these simple optic toys, popular in the 19th century. When you visit during Heritage Holidays, you’ll be able to craft one. You can also craft a cornucopia to use to collect small treasures during your Heritage Holidays tour.

A full list of activities at Fort Langley Historic Site is available online.

Gift of Admission

Give someone the gift of quality time spent together in 2020. Fort Langley’s early bird annual passes are on sale at a 20% discount: just $15.70 for adults and $13.20 for seniors. Youth age 17 and younger are free and don’t need a pass. Passes are available at our Visitor Centre.

Get to know Canada’s history with our Parks Canada Family/Group Discovery Pass! Purchase yours by December 31, 2019 and save $20! Bonus: get 20% off merchandise online.

For more information and a full list of activities at Fort Langley Historic Site follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Well, it’s pretty cool when you find out that you’re on the press distribution list from the North American Aerospace Defense Command. The NORAD Santa Tracker has been launched for 2019 and it will officially start tracking the jolly elf’s movements on December 24th.

“In addition to our day-to-day mission of defending North America, we are proud to carry on the tradition of tracking Santa as he travels along his yuletide flight path,” said Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command. “The same radars, satellites and interceptors employed on December 24 are used year-round to defend Canadian and American airspace from threats.”

The defense of Canada and the United States is NORAD’s top priority. NORAD is a binational U.S. and Canadian command charged with aerospace and maritime warning and aerospace control of North America as well as monitoring aerospace activity globally. However, every year during the holidays, NORAD assumes the supplementary mission of tracking Santa as he travels around the world. 

It all started in 1955 when a local newspaper advertisement informed children they could call Santa directly – only the contact number in the advertisement was misprinted. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone rang through to the crew commander on duty, U.S. Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, at the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center, the predecessor to NORAD.  Col. Shoup was quick to realize a mistake had been made, and assured the child he was Santa. Shoup then assigned a duty officer to continue answering calls.  Thus, a tradition was born, and continued when NORAD was formed in 1958. Each year since, NORAD has reported Santa’s location on December 24th to millions of children and families.

NORAD Tracks Santa is truly a global experience, delighting generations of families everywhere. This is due, in large part, to the efforts and services of numerous program contributors and volunteers.

On December 24th, users may call 1-877-HiNORAD for Santa’s up-to-date location and check the website here »

It’s one of BC’s most beloved companies and a huge part of that is the amazing people who make up its employee base. For the 17th consecutive year, staff at the Kingsway Vancouver and Richmond Centre White Spot locations will donate their time and tips on Christmas Day to support local charities.

White Spot Christmas Day Lunch for Charity

Friends and family are invited to join the merriment and enjoy award-winning Legendary burgers and other Spot Classics at either location on Christmas Day to help support two deserving local charities.

Where: Richmond Centre (Unit 1902 – 6551 No. 3 Road)
When: Wednesday, December 25, 2019 from 11:00am to 3:00pm
Cause: Richmond Hospital Foundation

Richmond Hospital Foundation, is a registered charity, dedicated to ensuring donors’ dollars have 100 percent impact on improving health care in Richmond.  We work closely with our doctors and health care teams as well as hospital leadership to ensure donations are directed to areas of greatest need.  

Where: Kingsway (1476 Kingsway at Knight Street)
When: Wednesday, December 25, 2019 from 11:00am to 3:00pm
Cause: Variety – The Children’s Charity

Variety – the Children’s Charity steps in where health care ends, providing direct help to children with special needs in BC. For over 50 years, Variety has ensured that children have the support to reach their potential and thrive.

Follow White Spot on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date on their latest menu offerings and promotions.

It’s time for Miss604’s annual list of what’s open on Christmas Day in Vancouver! If you’re looking for family fun or just couldn’t get around to some of these holiday activities before the big day, you’re in luck. Here are a few things to do:

Open on Christmas Day in Vancouver

The Robson Square Ice Rink will be open for skating on Christmas Day from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.

The Vancouver Aquarium will be open from 11:00am to 4:00pm.

Local Mountains: Visit the Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain for some mountaintop ice skating, skiing, or snowshoeing. Cypress will also be open for snowshoe, nordic, and downhill.

Recreation: Hillcrest pool will be open 9:00am to 4:00pm on Christmas Day and the Hillcrest rink will have a public skate 2:30pm to 4:00pm. Kitsilano fitness centre will be open 9:00am to 5:00pm, Trout Lake community centre will be open 10:00am to 4:00pm, and Kerrisdale Cyclone Taylor Arena will have a public skate 12:00pm to 1:30pm.

Light Displays: The free 1.2km trail of Lights at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam will turn on as usual at dusk. Also free, the Park & Tilford Hi-Light Festival‘s 150,000 lights on display over 3 acres will be open, along with Christmas at Canada Place along the waterfront in Downtown Vancouver.

Charity Events: Attend the White Spot Christmas Lunch which supports the Richmond Hospital Foundation and Variety – The Children’s Charity.

If you have any other events to add, send them in via the contact form and I’ll include them. Thank you!

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Looking for family fun, a little holiday cheer, or dazzling date night inspiration this season? This season you can experience some magic moments at a light display, a mountain top skating pond, over a holiday meal or cocktail, or simply by finding the perfect gifts for the ones you love. I have teamed up with Tourism Vancouver to present the ultimate guide to holiday fun in Vancouver:

Guide to Holiday Fun in Vancouver