The 20th edition of the CP Holiday Train is ready to support communities and raise awareness​ across Canada as it sets out to visit 164 cities and host free events in November and December. There are 16 stops in BC, from Golden to Port Coquitlam, with each featuring an opportunity to view the impressive train-long light displays and enjoy a free concert.

CP Holiday Train 2018

Local Schedule

Sam Roberts Band, Kelly Prescott and Tracey Brown will roll up into the Fraser Valley on December 17th for a show stop in Agassiz, then head over to Haney-Maple Ridge for another, and will end the night in Pitt Meadows. The train will roll on December 18th with the two final stops and performances in Port Moody and Port Coquitlam.

Click here for the full cross-country schedule »

How The Events Work

When the train arrives it will pull to a safe stop in front of the crowd in attendance. The stage door lowers and the band opens with its first song. After that, a brief presentation takes place with local food bank officials and other dignitaries.

Once complete, the band resumes performing a mix of traditional and modern holiday-themed songs. The whole event lasts about 30 minutes, and once the band plays its farewell show, the boxcar door closes, and the train slips off into the night on its way to the next stop.

The spectacular event is free to attend, but you are encouraged to bring healthy donations for the food bank. Every pound of food and dollar raised at each stop stays with the local food bank to help feed those in need in that community.

The CP Holiday Train program launched in 1999 and has since raised more than C$14.5 million and gathered 4.3 million pounds of food for communities along CP’s routes in Canada and the United States.

Follow the #CPHolidayTrain on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to see its full schedule as the cross-country journey comes to an end out west.

Maple Organics, established as Canada’s first organic pharmaceuticals company, has just won the New Business of the Year award from the Surrey Board of Trade and they would love to share some of the winning spirit with the Miss604 audience!

Maple Organics is a USDA Organic certified and Health Canada approved company selling a variety of organic pharmaceutical and personal hygiene and lifestyle products. They have a vast collection ranging from skin therapy, baby items, essential oils, hair therapy and bug sprays. The company was co-founded by two women who met at Business School. After seeing a gap in the market, they teamed up to create Maple Organics and instead of selling at mass supermarkets, they’ve decided to use a direct sales approach with ‘Wellness Consultants’.

Win a Gift Set

I have the Maple Organics “Love Her Gift Set” to give away (value $135) that includes: Body wash of the winner’s choice, Hydrate Body Lotion, and a Therapy Product. Beautifully set in a wood box, this set comes with a luxurious bath pouf and a hand poured soy candle.

Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Click below to get another entry by posting on Twitter:

[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a @MapleOrganics gift set (value $135) http://ow.ly/Vzq730mxkKN” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2018. Follow Maple Organics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info.

Update The winner is Jen!

It’s tough to save money during the holidays while going to gatherings of friends and family, hosting dinners, and exchanging gifts. However, I know of several activities that will get you in the holiday spirit without sliding you into debt. Here is my third annual list of Free Christmas Activities in Metro Vancouver*:

This list will be updated often throughout the season so be sure to bookmark it and check back regularly.

Free Christmas Activities Around Vancouver

• TELUS Santa Claus Parade in Downtown Vancouver on December 2nd.
• Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting on November 30, 2018 at Robson Square.
• St Paul’s Lights of Hope launch on November 16, 2018 at Burrard at Helmcken Street with the light display staying up all season.
• Winter’s Dance #onRobson December 1 & 2, 2018.
• Thursday, December 6, 2018 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Yule Duel Choir Competition in Gastown, proceeds from donations support May’s Place Hospice.
• Vancouver Menorah Lighting on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at the Vancouver Art Gallery for Chanukah in the City.
• Festival of Trees at Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver & CF Pacific Centre on display from November 21, 2018 to January 1, 2019. The 32nd annual Festival of Trees are on display supporting BC Children’s Hospital.
• CBC Vancouver Open House & Food Bank Day is December 7, 2018. Meet your local CBC hosts, get newsroom tours, support a great cause.
• Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink. Free when you bring your own skates. Open December 1, 2018 to February 2019. Free live music nightly starting mid-December.
• 25th Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival on Friday, December 21, 2018 on Granville Island, in Chinatown, Strathcona, and Yaletown.
• Wesbrook Village holiday events November 17 to January 2019. Photos with Santa, light displays, games, and more. Check the event schedule to see what’s happening each weekend.
• Christmas at Canada Place December 7, 2018 to January 1, 2019 with free outdoor displays, lights, the legendary Woodward’s Windows, and more.
• Free family movie afternoons at Wesbrook Village, December 5, 12, and 19.
• Lumiere Light Displays in the West End. Luna the Orca, Luna the Whale, Eugenia the Tree and Stanley the Blue Heron will remain up in Morton Park/English Bay until February 2019.

Free Christmas Activities in Burnaby & New Westminster

• Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas November 24, 2018 to January 4, 2019. Free gate admission includes light displays, entertainment, crafts, and more. Special event December 1st!
• Fridays on Front special holiday edition on December 14, 2018.
• New Westminster Santa Parade along Columbia Street on December 16, 2018.
• Holiday Entertainment at Lougheed December 1-24, 2018. Decorate ornaments on Saturdays, and school choirs are featured December 8-19.

Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

It’s a long weekend in Vancouver, with the observance of Remembrance Day on Sunday and federal offices closed on Monday. Around the region this weekend you can check out winter farmers markets, a food festival, theatre, and more.

Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend

Friday, November 9, 2018
Dear Rouge at the Commodore
abunDANCE
Zero Waste Conference
Little Black Dress Gala
Family Paint Night
Wine Glass Painting at Zealous Art Langley
Rayvolt Premium E-Bikes Showroom Launch Party
The Little Chamber Music Series: Sounding the Sophia
Aquarela do Brasil at the Vancouver Playhouse
Light Festival at Bear Creek Park
Vancouver Academy of Music: Calmus Ensemble
EAT! Vancouver
Vancouver Podcast Festival
Circle Craft Christmas Market
CANstruction 2018 at Lougheed
A Christmas Story: The Musical
Gateway Theatre: Empire of the Son Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

The Robson Square ice rink opens for the season on December 1st, providing affordable family fun in Downtown Vancouver throughout the holidays and beyond.

Click here for 2019-2020!

Skating is free with your own skates, otherwise rentals are available for $5/pair. The rink also features a concession stand with snacks and warm drinks.

Robson Square Ice Rink Hours

December 1, 2018 until the end of February 2019
Sunday to Thursday: 9:00am to 9:00pm
Friday and Saturday: 9:00am to 11:00pm

Holiday Hours

Christmas Eve (December 24): 9:00am to 9:00pm
Christmas Day (December 25): 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Boxing Day (December 26): 9:00am to 9:00pm
New Year’s Eve (December 31): 9:00am to 11:00pm
New Year’s Day (January 1): 9:00am to 9:00pm

Skate rental ends 30 minutes prior to close. Helmet included with skate rental. Cash only. Please be advised that warm weather leads to warm ice! Robson Square Ice Rink may need to close unexpectedly.

Ice Rink Closures, Schedule Changes & Events
Watch here for updates or call the Robson Square Hotline (604) 646-3554.

Entertainment Lineup for the 12 Days of Christmas

School Program
If you are a teacher or administrator with a grade 4-7 class, they offer the opportunity for a free skate with rental and lesson for your class during the week as part of the Robson Square Ice Rink School Program. Robson Square will provide your class with free skate and helmet rentals. The school program runs Monday through Friday with three 1 hour time slots daily. Call (604) 646-3557 or email [email protected]

The The Robson Square ice rink will remain open until February 2019. Tag your photos with #robsonsquare on social media to share the fun. Robson Square is located at 800 Robson Street between Robson and Georgia, Howe and Hornby.

Save The Date

I’m happy to host Miss604 Skate Night for Variety BC on January 24th. Please join me at Robson Square ice rink and bring a donation for Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC. More details to follow in the new year.