Experience an Arctic Oasis at Bloedel Conservatory with seasonal lights, music, and a holiday scavenger hunt. Warm up inside the tropical dome while enjoying the exotic birds, lush gardens, and holiday light display produced by MK Illumination.
Find all the hidden penguins in the arctic oasis for the holiday-themed scavenger hunt. Enjoy the evening city views and lit fountains at Queen Elizabeth Park. Lots of things to see and do at a family-friendly price!
Holiday Heights at Bloedel Conservatory – Arctic Oasis
- Where: 4600 Cambie Street, Vancouver (Queen Elizabeth Park)
- When:
December 15, 2017 to January 7, 2018 from
10:00am to 8:00pm daily
(closed December 25th)
- Admission: Adult (19-64 years) $6.50
; senior (65+ years) $4.35;
youth (13-18 years) $4.35;
child (4-12 years) $3.15;
family (2 adults and their children under 19) $14.75.
Children (3 and under and accompanied by an adult) are free.
Free for
VanDusen Garden Association Members. Groups of 10 or more can get 10% off admission fees. More info here »
Free parking is available during event hours only at the parking lot by the fountains (other parking in the park is charged).
Bloedel Conservatory is a domed lush paradise located in Queen Elizabeth Park atop the City of Vancouver’s highest point. More than 120 free-flying exotic birds, 500 exotic plants and flowers thrive within its temperature-controlled environment. 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.” Designated as a heritage building, it is jointly operated by Vancouver Park Board and the Vancouver Botanical Garden Association. Together, these partners also operate VanDusen Botanical Garden.
Ballet BC is proud to present the return of Alberta Ballet in their exquisite production of the holiday classic The Nutcracker at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, with live music by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Alberta Ballet in The Nutcracker. Photo by Yin Yi.
Ballet BC Presents Alberta Ballet in The Nutcracker
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (650 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
>When: December 28 to 30, 2017 at 7:30pm
& December 29 & 30, 2017 at 2:00pm
Tickets: Available online or by calling 1-855-985-2787 (855-985-ARTS) for $35 to $95 (plus service charges). Family 4-packs are available from $140-$300.
Choreographed by Edmund Stripe, with sets and costumes designed by Emmy Award-winning designer Zack Brown, The Nutcracker is set in turn of the 20th century Imperial Russia, an era of opulent grandeur.
This production “…sparkles like a Fabergé egg…” says the Vancouver Sun and extravagantly displays more than a million dollars in stunning sets and costumes. With scores of children, mice in the battle scene dressed as Cossack soldiers, and snowflakes dressed as Russian princesses, this “sparking and spectacular achievement” (The Calgary Herald) offers a perfect complement to Tchaikovsky’s glorious musical score played live by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Casting over 80 talented, aspiring young dancers from close to 20 dance schools across the Lower Mainland, this presentation also gives us a chance to support the local dance community and marks the first opportunity for these young dancers to perform with a professional ballet company.
Ballet BC’s Artistic Director Emily Molnar says, “Vancouver audiences were delighted with Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker when it was first presented here in 2011. We’re pleased to bring back this magical version of the famous Christmas ballet with live music by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, extravagant sets and costumes and the talented dancers of Alberta Ballet. The Nutcracker is unforgettable family entertainment that is sure to enrich your holiday season.”
Win Tickets
I have a pair of tickets to the opening of Ballet BC presents Alberta Ballet in The Nutcracker (December 28 at 7:30pm) to give away. 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 to @BalletBC presents @albertaballet’s The Nutcracker http://ow.ly/InaB30hboWZ” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, December 19, 2017. Follow Ballet BC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information about performances this season.
Update The winner is Amy Cross!
Last year, with so much snow early on in the season, snowshoeing became the hottest activity around. Perfect for outings with friends, a family adventure, or a romantic date night. Here are some options for your next local snowshoeing experience.
Where to Snowshoe Near Vancouver This Season
Mount Seymour
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The snowshoe centre is open 9:00am to 4:00pm; 12:00pm to 4:00pm during the holidays (December 26 to January 7). Seymour offers 8 types of snowshoe tours if you’re looking for a guided or package experience. From “Legends and Lanterns” at night to “Chocolate Fondue”, “Baby and Me”, and “Snowfit” options. Check out the Snowshoe Trails Map if you’re coming up on your own. Rentals are available and if you have your own gear, simply purchase a trail pass and head out on your adventure.
Grouse Mountain
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Access to Grouse’s snowshoe trails is included with your Alpine Experience ticket or valid pass. Once you’re up the SkyRide, you can pick up rentals or hit the trails. Tour options include “Baby and Me”, “Boomers and Zoomers”, “Snowshoe Fondue”, “Snowshoe Grind”, guided tours and more. Looking for a challenge? Try the “Snowshoe Grind” at 4.3 km long and with an elevation gain of 215 metres. Drop in for a Snowshoe Social Night Monday or Wednesday.
Cypress Mountain
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Cypress offers self-guided trails on a 11km network through the snowy sup-alpine forests and meadows of the Nordic Ski Area located on the Hollyburn Ridge. Tours offered include “Chocolate Fondue”, “Winter Wanderer”, “Girls Night Out”, “Snowshoe Fondue”, “Music Nights”, and the regularly scheduled “Hollyburn Meadows Tour”.
Bonus: Manning Park
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Pop into the Nordic Centre daily from 8:30am to 4:30pm to pick up your trail pass or rent snowshoes. Explore 4 easy trails, 2 moderate, and 2 difficult in the 64km snowshoe trail network. Cross the Similkameen River Bridge, or Rainbow Bridge, loop around Beaver Pond or Lightning Lakes. If you are new to snowshoeing or are looking to learn more about Manning Park in the winter, consider a guided snowshoe excursion which run during the day and in the evenings.
Snowshoe Tips
- Get there early, and by early I mean before 9:00am as parking lots fill up quickly.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Wear sunscreen if it’s sunny. Wear layers that are waterproof. Bring eyewear (sunglasses).
- On your feet, wear insulated, waterproof boots or hiking boots. If you’ll be in deep snow, gaiters will keep your ankles dry.
- Plan your trail route so that you know where you’re going and are in designated areas.
- Bring water. Even if it’s cold you’ll still need to hydrate from the exercise. Also bring some snacks (granola bars, trail mix, etc.) to keep you fueled during the day.
Have fun and be safe out there! Remember to also take lots of photos of the beautiful alpine scenery to share the fun.
The 8th annual Vancouver Christmas Market is in full swing at Jack Poole Plaza, with an expanded 55,000 square foot site filled with festive German jubilation. The treasured holiday tradition features more than 75 huts stuffed with sweets, treats and gifts, coupled with a multitude of festive family activities and live entertainment.
Vancouver Christmas Market
Where: Jack Poole Plaza (Olympic Cauldron at Vancouver Convention Centre West)
When: Until December 24, 2017 11:00am to 9:00pm (closing at 6:00pm December 24)
Tickets: Adult $10, Seniors $9, Youth $5, Children Age 0-6, FREE.
Purchase online to receive a complimentary Season Pass and to get Express Line access.
The tradition for John and me is to enjoy the live music, pick up a cup of mulled wine, devour some schnitzel, then shop for ornaments.
Among this year’s expanded highlights will be Canada’s first-ever Walk-In Christmas Tree: a 30ft tall tree covered with 36,000 twinkling lights that guests can enter to experience a spectacular – and Instagram-worthy light display.
In addition to Deutschland delicacies, rousing entertainment, and returning favourites – such as downtown Vancouver’s only Christmas Carousel and the warming Alpine Haus tent – visitors can wander throughout the market’s quaint pathways of huts, discovering lovingly crafted gifts and treasures that cry out to be slipped into stockings and placed under Christmas trees.
The Vancouver Christmas Market and Children’s Wish Foundation have partnered for the 2017 season in order to raise funds to grant the most heartfelt wishes of BC children diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. During the market’s ‘Children’s Wish Week’, from December 16 to 24, Children’s Wish will be collecting donations and selling ‘wish wands’ at booths throughout the market.
Their mascot ‘Roary’ the lion and representatives from Children’s Wish will be onsite December 16 and 17 to help bring the magic of a wish to the Vancouver Christmas Market. Those who generously make a donation at the ticket booths will receive a complimentary Season Pass to the Vancouver Christmas Market. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
After almost a month of rain, I was pretty excited that there was sunshine in the forecast last week. However, being located in Downtown Vancouver, a grey blanket of fog prevented that sunshine from reaching us for several days. This phenomenon happens a few times a year and locals associate it with the tag #Fogcouver on social media.
Whether it’s a temperature inversion or marine air, it’s eerily beautiful. Here are some of my favourite photos from the Miss604 Flickr Pool and the #Photos604 tag on Instagram:
Fogcouver Vancouver Fog Photo Roundup
Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
