Celebrating 50 years of a tropical paradise that sits at the highest point in Vancouver! During Festivale Tropicale, you can enjoy Christmas at the Bloedel Conservatory as you experience 150 free flying exotic birds, magical lights, colourful plant displays, festive music, a scavenger hunt, and much more.
Bloedel Conservatory Photo
Festivale Tropicale, Christmas at Bloedel Conservatory
Where: The main entrance to the Bloedel Conservatory is located off 33rd Ave between Cambie and Main streets, in Queen Elizabeth Park.
When: December 7, 2019 to January 5, 2020 from 10:00am to 9:00pm daily (closed December 25)
Tickets: $6.75 adults, $4.55 seniors/youth, $3.30 children. 5-visit passes are available online.
Share your photos from Festivale Tropicale with the hashtag #FestivaleTropicale and tag Bloedel Conservatory for your chance to win 2 free flights to Mexico (see terms and conditions here). Follow along on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more info.
Bloedel Conservatory Photos
BONUS: Heading to the VanDusen Festival of Lights? You’ll receive a free ticket to Festivale Tropicale when you exit the event.
Constructed through a very generous donation from Prentice Bloedel, Bloedel was dedicated at its opening in 1969 “to a better appreciation and understanding of the world of plants.”
Arts Umbrella presents Mixed Nuts, a beloved holiday tradition, December 13-15, 2019 at the Vancouver Playhouse. A unique interpretation of The Nutcracker, the show is updated each year with works by local choreographers, new sets, costumes and a musical.
Samantha Aymong and Gijs Stenger. Photo by David Cooper.
Arts Umbrella Presents Mixed Nuts
Where: Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton St, Vancouver) When: December 13-15, 2019 Tickets: Available online now. Students & Seniors: $25 / Adults: $30
Arts Umbrella dancers, Vancouver-based choreographers and emerging dance artists all combine their talents for one of the most entertaining shows of the holiday season.
Featuring a variety of dance styles from hip-hop, to ballroom, to the classic grand pas-de-deux, this year’s production mixes old favourites and new pieces choreographed by leading Vancouver and Canadian dancers, including Ballet BC and Kidd Pivot company members.
The second act will feature a candy-inspired set, costume design, and choreography. Expect to see a family-friendly production filled with gingerbread people, candy canes, Hershey kisses, lollipops, chocolates, sugar plums, and cinnamon hearts, along with a panoply of emerging dance artists.
I have a pair of tickets to give away to Saturday’s performance (the winner can select 2:00pm or 7:00pm). Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Click below to post an entry on Twitter
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets @ArtsUmbrella’s Mixed Nuts http://ow.ly/SPS930q0mFD” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random at 9:00am on Thursday, December 12, 2019. UPDATE The winner is Tal!
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Unpaid, Personal Opinion — This is not a paid post, I use the OpenTable app freely on my own. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
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At this time of year my OpenTable app is filled with reservations since the city gets so busy, there’s so much to do! Brunch with John, lunch with my sister, it’s always nice to have a guaranteed spot (and earn points that give you dining credits). It makes sense that a reservations app would have some insights about the top dining establishments in Canada, which is why there’s the OpenTable’s Best Restaurant List. Out of the top 100 restaurants, 8 from Vancouver made the cut for 2019.
Vancouver Restaurants on OpenTable’s Best Restaurant List
The list is a comprehensive look at the year’s most beloved dining spots selected from more than 500,000 verified diner reviews of over 3,000 restaurants across the country.
My favourites on the list are Tavola and Savio Volpe. Another that’s usually a top pick for brunch or dinner in the Bollwitt household is Forage (1300 Robson St, Vancouver).
Exterior of Osteria Savio Volpe
The Top 100 features the Italian neighbourhood gem Giulietta in Toronto, the Mediterranean influenced hot spot Escoba Bistro and Wine Bar in Calgary’s downtown core, and the equally as delicious as it is visually stunning Osteria Savio Volpe in Vancouver, while showcasing OpenTable’s eclectic dining options for every occasion across Canada.
To round up the year, OpenTable is also revealing the top dining trends of 2019, based on diner reviews:
References to plant-based foods have increased by 136 per cent since 2017
Swapping out crust for cauliflower was mentioned 487 per cent more in diner reviews since 2017
Jackfruit was mentioned 148 per cent more in reviews since 2017 as a stand-in for meat dishes like pulled pork
Diners are interested in trying new things; 70 per cent of reservations came from new diners booking specific restaurants for the first time on OpenTable
North American cuisine was most popular for breakfast and lunch, but Italian reigned supreme as the most popular cuisine for dinner
The restaurants featured have been recognized for their impeccable service, their ability to orchestrate one-of-a-kind dining experiences and for consistently offering unforgettable dishes. Ontario has the greatest number of restaurants included on the list with 55 featured, followed by Alberta with 19, Quebec with 15 and British Columbia with 9 restaurants. Newfoundland and Saskatchewan are also represented on the list.
The list of Top 100 Restaurants in Canada for 2019 is generated solely from OpenTable diner reviews collected between October 1, 2018, and September 30, 2019.
It’s fun, fascinating, and entertaining for the family or for date night! I’ve put together a Science World Gift Guide for some memory-making inspiration this holiday season:
Science World Gift Guide
Events
The Science of Cocktails (February 6, 2020) is the perfect way to give back and have some fun while you’re at it! Join Vancouver’s most talented bartenders and chefs as they showcase the connection between ingredients, technique and science at this exciting event.
All proceeds from Science of Cocktails support the Class Field Trip Bursary Program, allowing over 9,000 kids from underserved schools to visit the geodesic dome in the next school year by covering their entry and school bus fee. General Tickets are $165 with a charitable tax receipt for $50 and VIP Tickets $289 with a charitable tax receipt for $150.
Membership
You’ll always have something to do, on a rainy day or otherwise when you have a Science World membership. Give the gift of visiting Science World as often as you like. A membership for a family of four is just $225 for the year and includes a number of exclusive member perks and events.
Film Lover
Tickets to Science World’s OMNIMAX theatre make the ultimate stocking stuffer. The screen is 27 metres in diameter and 5 storeys high, which makes it the largest of its kind in the world! It also boasts a 15,000-watt xenon lamp that lights the screen so bright that if you placed it on the surface of the moon and focused it at a spot on Earth, you could actually see its light. Tickets start at just $12.75 or can be bundled with admission to Science World.
Date Night
Try one of Science World’s Adult Evenings like Science World After Dark this coming year. Bring your inner kid out to play at this 19+ event where you’ll Immerse yourself in adult-focused programming featuring special guest speakers, OMNIMAX® films, food options, adult beverages, and one-of-a-kind activities. Science World After Dark takes place every month so there are tons of date night options, all year long.
Follow Science World on Twitter and Facebook for the latest event information.
Win Combo Tickets
To celebrate all the fun gift ideas at Science World (I didn’t even mention the gift shop) I’m giving away 4 general admission + OMNIMAX combo tickets to Science World. The winner will be able to explore their exhibits, the Science Theatre and view one OMNIMAX film during their visit. Here’s how to enter the contest:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Click below to post an entry on Twitter
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a 4 pack of admission + OMNIMAX Combo tickets to @ScienceWorldca http://ow.ly/45zO30pZot4″ quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, December 12, 2019. UPDATE The winner is Alli!
The trees are lit and Santa has paraded through town, now it’s time for lights, festivals, and markets! Miss604 is proud to be a media partner of Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam and Burnaby Village Museum’s Heritage Christmas, find these events and more things to do in Vancouver this weekend below:
