Celebrate the darkest night and the beginning of a new season with the 30th Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival in Vancouver presented by the Secret Lantern Society. Find the beauty, community, and cycles of nature with community events across the city.
Winter Solstice Lantern Festival in Vancouver
Participate in a variety of events including various lantern making workshops, performances from talented musicians and dancers, delicious food, and more. Here are some highlights:
Strathcona Secret Lantern Walk
Date: Thursday, December 21, 2023 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Location: Strathcona Community Centre (601 Keefer St, Vancouver)
Meet at the Strathcona Community Centre and be welcomed with music and light! The Secret Lantern Walk leaves at 6:30pm and will follow a secret path to the outdoor Community Labyrinth to sing songs, admire each others’ lanterns, and drink hot apple cider (please bring your own cup if possible).
Yaletown Secret Lantern Walk
Date: Thursday, December 21, 2023
Time: 8:00pm to 9:00pm
Location: Roundhouse Community Centre 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
Celebrate this magical night and the turning of the year with the Tiddley Cove Morris Dancers on a sweet little lantern walk from the Roundhouse to a mystery location! Bring your lanterns and follow the big sun lantern for special music, dancing and surprises. A full list of Yaletown events is available online.
Labyrinth of Light
Date: Thursday Decemebr 21, 2023
Time: 6:00pm to 10:30pm
Location: Roundhouse Community Centre 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
The labyrinth has long been used for meditation, prayer and sites of ritual in various cultures around the world. Created with over 500 pure beeswax candles, the winter solstice labyrinth invites you to warm yourself in a self-guided ceremony intended to help release old attachments and envision new possibilities as the darkest night of the year births a new season.
Granville Island Secret Lantern Walk
Date: Thursday December 21, 2023
Location: False Creek Community Centre 1318 Cartwright St, Vancouver
Celebrate the darkest night and the turning of the year by creating a lantern and joining one of the 3 processions that converge in the Water Park. Depart from Leg-in-Boot Square or H.R. MacMillan Space Centre at 6:00pm or at 6:20pm from Triangle Square (in front of the public market).
View a full list of events and workshops, on the day and leading up to the winter solstice, online here and on Facebook.
Follow Miss604Holidays this season for the latest arts and culture activities, attraction and event news »
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia in partnership with the BC Achievement Foundation has announced that nominations for the 2024 BC Reconciliation Award are now open.
BCAF Reconciliation Award – 2024 Call for Nominations
Nominations for the Reconciliation Award are open from now until January 31, 2024 and can be submitted through the online nomination form. the recipient will be announced Summer 2024.
One of the busiest months for events in Vancouver is here and Miss604 is proud to be a sponsor of two free attractions: Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum and Christmas at Canada Place. You can find these and many, many more December events in Vancouver (and beyond) listed below:
If you’ve followed this blog for the last 19 years, or the last 19 minutes, you may have noticed that a large part of what I do is about using social media for social good. A person who showed me that not only is it possible to use your online voice for a cause, but you can also really make an impact that way, is Darren Barefoot.
Since I began blogging almost two decades ago, I have used this medium to raise awareness and funds for local, national, and global causes. Aside from Events, my Non-Profit tag is the most populated.
Darren’s was one of the very first local blogs I followed back in 2003. His talks at the Northern Voice conference always showed me that I can be who I am and do what I love – for my job. That an online community takes root in-person through honest and open dialogue. That there’s power in storytelling, and being authentically me and showing people what I care about can have a ripple effect. That you can still do great work from your laptop halfway around the world.
Visit a historic Vancouver neighbourhood for shopping, dining, entertainment, and holiday fun during Gastown Thursday Nights starting November 30th. Running for four consecutive Thursday nights until December 21, there will be pop-up performances, roaming bands, and delightful displays to add to the festive atmosphere.
Photo submitted by Gastown BIA
Gastown Thursday Nights
On November 30th from 6pm to 7:30pm, the public is invited to Inform Interiors (50 Water Street) to experience an interactive store window display, inspired by the iconic New York City holiday storefronts at Saks Fifth Avenue. Visitors can enjoy by a free ballet performance from Arts Umbrella Dance Company’s Mixed Nuts production.
Then pop by every Thursday night from 4:00pm to 7:00pm to catch performances from the Los Dorados Mariachi Band (December 7th), the East Van Horns (December 14th), and the Nerdy Elves (December 21st).
“Kiss Me In Gastown” returns this year as well. This romantic gesture features mistletoe crafted by local florist, Floba, adorning multiple locations throughout the neighbourhood until January 6th. Visitors can explore the mistletoe installations at the Gateway of Gastown, the corner of Water/Cordova outside of Monaco Coffee, Maple Tree Square, the lamp in Le Magasin Alley, along with surprises at Arcade and other special spots waiting to be discovered.
Stay tuned for the list of retailers who will be open for late night shopping as well. Follow My Gastown on Facebook for more info.
