Make a difference in a young person’s life this season at one or more of these holiday toy drives located around Vancouver. New, unwrapped gifts, monetary donations and more are accepted.
A holiday Wish List at the bottom of this page may assist in your planned giving
Holiday Toy Drives Around Vancouver
Toy Mountain at Guildford Date: November 30 to December 1, 2023 Location: Centre Court at Town Centre (10355 152 St, Surrey) Details: Accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys for the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. For all early risers who make a donations between 6:00am and 9:00am, enjoy a complimentary breakfast to go from Triple O’s.
Family Services North Shore Toy Drive (special event) Date: December 3, 2023 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm Location: Morrey Mazda of the Northshore (818 Automall Dr, North Vancouver) Details: Drop off new, unwrapped gifts for community members in need. The Northshore Auto Mall has pledge to match all gift drive donations made, up to $10,000. Gift Drive donations go directly towards purchasing new toys and gifts for children and teens, ensuring everyone can share in the joy of the holiday with presents under the tree.
Surrey Christmas Bureau Date: Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm Location: Surrey Christmas Bureau (13665 102 Ave, Surrey) Details: If you can’t make it to the Toy Depot to drop off new, unwrapped gifts, financial donations are also needed year round to support the Hamper program. Volunteer positions are available as well.
Richmond Christmas Fund Date: Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm Location: Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (190-7000 Minoru Blvd, Richmond) Details: Please be advised that, due to allergies, they are no longer accepting donations of stuffed animals. Donations of books instead of bears and toys instead of teddies are encouraged. All donations are appreciated but there are several popular items this year that are needed this year; you can find these on the 2023 Wish List.
Landsdowne Centre Toy Drive (special event) Date: November 18 from 9:00am to 2:00pm Location: Centre parking lot next to the Canada Line Details: The 9th annual Richmond Toy Drive with the Richmond RCMP is back raising awareness and gifts for families in need for the Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives Christmas Fund. The event will have an array of activities, treats, and photo-ops with Santa. The public is encouraged to contribute a new, unwrapped toy or by making a minimum of $10 donations. Gently used clothing, blankets, and textiles will also be collected on site and donated to the Salvation Army.
Langley Christmas Bureau Date: Monday through Thursday from 10:00am to 3:30pm Location: Timms Community Centre (20550 Douglas Crescent. Langley) Details: Drop off a donation of a new toy or gift certificate. Please note that stuffed animals are not recommended due to allergies.
SHARE Family & Community Service TOYBANK Date: November 27 to December 24, 2023 Location: Coqutilam Centre Level 2 between Walmart and H&M (2929 Barnet Hwy #2201, Coquitlam) Details: Accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys and gift cards as well as debit and credit donations (no cash please). This year, SHARE is anticipating need will increase by %50 while all donations are appreciated, this year SHARE is requesting gifts for youth aged 6 to 17. A wish list is available online for gift ideas.
Burnaby Firefighters’ Toy Drive Date: Before December 6, 2023 Location: Burnaby Hospital Foundation Office (3rd floor, West Wing of the Hospital) and Date: December 9, 2023 Location: Metropolis at Metrotown Grand Court (at Santa) Details: The Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society is hosting toy drives for the Burnaby Christmas Bureau. You can contribute unwrapped, unused toys at these locations.
Wish List Items
Check with each organization for their specific list but here’s what many think will be popular this year:
For babies, toddles, and preschoolers:
Activity books, blankets, diapers, educational toys, musical toys, Disney toys, Peppa pig toys, and Paw Patrol toys.
For elementary and pre-teens:
Colouring books, LEGO, Hot Wheels, crafting kits, STEM toys, LOL Dolls, action figures, sports equipment, pretend play items (kitchen sets, doctor sets, costumes, etc.),books, tickets for kid-friendly attractions (Aquarium, Science World, etc.) and appropriate gift cards.
For teens:
Sports equipment, crafting supplies, LED strip lights for room decor, makeup and nail polish sets, Fuji Instax Polaroid camera and film, bluetooth speaker, wireless headphones, books, and gift cards.
If you know of any more toy drives please feel free to leave of comment to be included.
The third annual Vancouver International Black Film Festival #VIBFF23, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and co-presented by Global BC, has announced its program and events lineup happening December 1-4, 2023.
Vancouver International Black Film Festival
The Vancouver International Black Film Festival will have a hybrid model this year to amplify the voices of Afro-descendants in British Columbia and to foster accessibility across the country. The in-person screenings and events will take place at the VIFF Vancity Theatre and Studio Theatre.
Through films and various panels, this year’s festival is aimed at the public from all communities as it highlights the talent of creators from diverse backgrounds and makes room for them to reflect on the issues they face.
The opening night red-carpet event is Friday, December 1st at 7:00pm featuring Ellie Foumbi’s Our Father the Devil at the Vancity Theatre.
On Friday, December 1st, at 9:00pm, all films will be accessible online.
On Saturday, December 2nd the VIFF Vancity Theatre will host Fabienne Colas Foundation’s award-winning Being Black in Canada short film series, and the VIBFF Black Market where film and television industry professionals will share their thoughts and real-world experiences on today’s most critical filmmaking issues. View the full event schedule online here.
All Access Online Pass gives access to the entire online film program ($45 +fee/tax). All Access In-person Pass gives access to the entire in-person program ($39 + fee/tax). Single tickets for in-person film screenings are available for $12, and $20 for the Opening Night film. Purchase tickets and passes online here.
Win Tickets
I have two pairs of tickets to give away to the Being Black in Canada events on December 2nd so I’ll draw two winners! Here’s how you can enter to win:
This weekend Miss604 is proud to support the Take a Hike Foundation’s Homes for the Holidays event happening on Saturday and Sunday, along with the combined exhibition at the Roundhouse featuring recipients of the 2023 BC Achievement Foundation’s First Nations Art and Applied Art + Design awards. You can find these events and many more things to do in Vancouver this weekend listed below:
Bill Reid Gallery presents their latest mezzanine exhibition, 13 Moons Around the Lake, an exhibition curated by Nlaka’pamux artist Nadine Spence. This exhibition is part of a larger, multi-year project titled Honouring Our Grandmothers Healing Journey.
13 Moons Around the Lake at the Bill Reid Gallery
When: October 25, 2023 – January 28, 2024
Where: Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art (639 Hornby St, Vancouver)
Admission: Tickets can be purchased online or on site for $6-$13
Free admission on the first Friday of the month, 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Free admission for Indigenous Peoples and Gallery Members
13 Moons Around the Lake celebrates and honours Indigenous grandmothers, family, the lands, the waters, and the salmon cycle in Southern British Columbia.
This exhibition will feature several designed bentwood chests, chest carrier platforms, Nlaka’pamux regalia, blankets, and other artworks by Indigenous artists from a variety of BC nations, which depict their own individual histories, stories, and healing journeys.
The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art is a public gallery nestled in the heart of downtown Vancouver. It was named after acclaimed Haida artist Bill Reid (1920–1998), a master goldsmith, carver, sculptor, writer, broadcaster, and spokesman. Since opening in May 2008, the Bill Reid Gallery has remained the only public gallery in Canada devoted to contemporary Indigenous art of the Northwest Coast, and is home to the Simon Fraser University Bill Reid Art Collection, as well as special exhibitions of contemporary Indigenous art of the Northwest Coast of North America.
The PNE Winter Fair features favourites from the summer transformed for winter, including holiday-themed food and beverages, a marketplace, and special performances.
PNE Winter Fair
Date: Decemeber 8 & 9, 14 to 23, 2023
Time: 4:00pm to 10:00pm
Location: PNE Grounds (2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver)
Admission: Purchase online (for a discount in advance) or at the door.
Indoor & Outdoor Activities
Sit back and experience the enchantment of Tchaikovsky’s timeless masterpiece with The Nutcracker on Ice, or catch the Magic of Santa Musical Stage Show. Embark on the ultimate journey to meet Santa Claus with Discover Santa. Solve puzzles, crack riddles, and take on challenges to get closer to Santa. Experience the incredible finale – a magical meeting with Santa Claus himself.
Take part in public ice-skating at the Tim Hortons Ice Rink on the pond at the historic Agrodome, which will be open to guests of all ages (skate rentals are available for $7). You can also glide seamlessly across the slipper surface with ice bumper carts!
Enjoy festive food and gifts at the Indoor Holiday Market. Shop a curated collection of BC’s most unique craft vendors and artisans inside the Pacific Coliseum. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the festive ambience of the Winter Chalet with talented musicians that fill the air with enchanting melodies from classic carols to modern hits.
Outside, celebrate the beauty of nature with the Festive of Living Trees; a whimsical display of living evergreen trees themed and adorned with lights and ornaments.
Ride through the PNE Winter Fair attractions on board the PNE Express Train and make sure to catch the Winterlights presented by BC Hydro that turn Hastings Park into an enchanted land full of glowing lights. Each night of the fair, watch Sparkle in The Night, when the winter lights come alive, synchronised flawlessly to a magical soundtrack.
Don’t forget to experience the rich flavours of the holiday season with the Outdoor Food and Beverage Festival. Whether you’re craving traditional favourites like roasted turkey with all the trimmings or seeking out international culinary delights. Quench your thirst with seasonal beverages like mulled wine and spiced cider. There will also be beloved Fair classics like mini donuts and hot dogs.
Follow Miss604Holidays this season for the latest arts and culture activities, attraction and event news »
