The spirit of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games is something I, and probably the rest of Canada, will never forget. The excitement in the air, the excellence in sport, the patriotism and camaraderie, all of it was so magical. Now you can relive the excitement of yesterday and the future innovations of sport at The Richmond Olympic Experience (“The ROX”) at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
The ROX at the Richmond Olympic Oval
The ROX at the Richmond Olympic Oval will open on November 28th as the first member of the Olympic Museums Network in North America and one of the most interactive sport attractions in the world.
Guests to the ROX will be among the first in the world to experience state-of-the-art Olympic and sport simulators. Feel the rush as you fly off an Olympic ski jump, paddle down a raging white-water kayak course, carve the perfect line in a sit-ski slalom race, and zip along at incredible speeds on the Vancouver 2010 bobsleigh track.
The ROX is also full of interactive challenges, allowing guests to pit themselves against friends, family and even long standing world records. Test your skills and accuracy on interactive hockey and soccer nets. Measure your vertical jump, long jump and reaction time, comparing your results to those of an Olympian. You can even try your hand at broadcasting an Olympic event.
On top of all of the activities and experiences, you can browse an impressive collection of over 570 rare and unique artefacts on hand from some of the world’s most inspiring sport, Olympic and Paralympic moments. I’m probably most excited about this element as I’ve been fortunate enough to visit the IOC’s Olympic Museum back in 2009.
At The ROX, you’ll see historic Olympic medals, torches, and uniforms from past Olympian heroes and discover Olympic and Paralympic history through interactive touch tables showing how the Games have and continue to evolve.
For more information about admission, programming and more, visit The ROX where you can purchase tickets to the public opening on Saturday, November 28, 2015. The Richmond Olympic Oval is located at 6111 River Rd, Richmond, BC. Follow The ROX on Twitter and Facebook.
Leonard Cohen’s powerful and inspirational music is the heartbeat of Chelsea Hotel, which will take the stage at the Anvil Centre Theatre in New Westminster from December 8 to December 13, 2015.
Through Cohen’s transcendent songs and the honesty of his lyrics, you will be transfixed by this eclectic cabaret of loves won and lost. In Chelsea Hotel, six performers play seventeen different instruments in a rollicking tribute to the remarkable writer.
“Chelsea Hotel brings together some of the most beautiful, melancholic and affecting songs in the history of recorded music.” Winnipeg Free Press
- Where: Anvil Centre Theatre (777 Columbia Street, New Westminster)
- When: December 8-13 at 7:30pm; additional matinees at 2:00pm on December 12 and December 13, 2015.
- Tickets: Available online or at the Anvil Centre box office for $40 (adults) and $30 (students & seniors). Group rates are available for 10 tickets or more, call (604) 521-5050 for info.
Win Tickets to Chelsea Hotel
I have a pair of tickets to give away to opening night of Chelsea Hotel on December 8th. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave the name of a Leonard Cohen song in the comments (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, December 3, 2015. Follow the Anvil Centre on Facebook and Twitter for more programming highlights and information this season.
Update The winner is Rita!
The holiday season is a time when we not only enjoy the comforts of home, but also dream of warm getaways with sandy beaches and palm trees. It’s also a time for giving back and this Cyber Monday, you can roll all of these delights into one. You will be able to bid on your next vacation with the Transat Auction and better yet, proceeds from each successful bid will benefit SOS Children’s Villages.
Transat Auction for a Cause
The the auction will take place on Twitter, where Canadians will be able to bid on 20 auction lots consisting of all-inclusive packages to popular Sun destinations like Mexico, Curaçao, Panama and St. Maarten, as well as roundtrip flights to Europe.
Through the Transat Auction, Canadians can secure great vacation deals while supporting a worthy cause. All funds raised through the auction will be donated to SOS Children’s Villages, a non-profit humanitarian organization that provides caring family homes to more than 80,000 orphaned and abandoned children in 134 countries.
To participate and bid on their dream vacation, travel enthusiasts must follow the @AirTransat account, or search for the hashtag #TransatAuction. Full details of the Transat Auction and the lots will also be available on the www.transatauction.ca microsite as of Friday, November 27, 2015.
Since Transat started supporting SOS Children’s Villages in 2009, it changed the lives of more than 25,000 vulnerable children.
I have had the opportunity of visiting Ghana (back in 2011) and seeing the great work that organizations like SOS Children’s Villages does in communities there. I spent time in Accra and Kumasi, along with several smaller villages. In one village we stood near a rusted-out jungle gym, sitting on cinnamon red earth in the courtyard of a modest cinderblock school. One thing that struck me during these travels was the enthusiasm the school children had for their education. No matter their home life, if they had a home or parents around to care for them, they were smiling because they were in school. I’ve never been so surrounded by so many children excited to show me their math homework.
Over $2 million has been raised by Transat and its customers, thanks to various initiatives including the previous editions of the Transat Auction raising $68,000. This event taps into Transat’s commitment to help ensure the well-being of orphaned and abandoned children in many of its destination countries, providing them with safe, loving homes, food, education, healthcare and a future filled with hope.
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 are my top picks for FREE Christmas activities in Metro Vancouver over the next month:
Free Christmas Activities in Metro Vancouver
14. Langley Rivermen BCHL hockey presents RIVMAS, free admission to hockey games and $5 vouchers handed out to fans. December 18-20, 2015.
13. Burnaby Lake Park Holiday Open House
December 6, 2015. Guided walks, history, crafts.
12. Festival of Trees at Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver & CF Pacific Centre
Until January 5, 2016. The 29th annual Festival of Trees are on display supporting BC Children’s Hospital.
11. New Westminster Santa Claus Parade
December 5, 2015 along Columbia St
Activities at the Anvil Centre, River Market, Fraser River Discovery Centre.
10. Lantern Festival and Parade in Port Coquitlam
December 5, 2015 at Leigh Square Community Arts Village.
9. Rogers Santa Claus Parade Vancouver
December 6, 2015 on Georgia and along Howe
More family fun at the Coast Capital Savings Christmas Square at the Vancouver Art Gallery plaza and the Robson Square ice rink.
8. Big Rigs for Kids Lighted Truck Parade in Surrey
December 6, 2015 at Surrey City Hall Plaza (and University Blvd)
Before the parade there will be live music and face painting at the plaza.
7. Christmas in Steveston Village
Santa arrives off the boat on Steveston Public Wharf December 6, 2015 at 1:00pm. Free Santa hats, a classic Christmas car display, mascots, carolers, Cannery Farmers’ Market and more.
6. Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas
Until January 1, 2016. Free gate admission includes light displays, entertainment, crafts, and more. Carousel rides are $2.55.
5. St Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope
On now and throughout December. It’s the most impressive light display in Downtown Vancouver, and for a great cause. Stop by and make this part of your holiday activity plans.
4. Christmas at Canada Place
Beginning December 12th, free outdoor displays, lights, the legendary Woodward’s Windows, 15-foot snow globe, and more.
3. CP Holiday Train
After crossing the country from Montreal and visiting 150 communities, the CP Holiday Train will finish its journey in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows (December 18th), ending in Port Coquitlam and Port Moody (December 19th). View the light displays and enjoy a free concert.
2. Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink
Free when you bring your own skates. Rentals are available for $4.00. Open December 1st until February, 2015 and on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
1. Lumiere Festival Vancouver
December 11th and 12th, 2015. In addition to dozens of dazzling lighting installations, there will be a free trolley service, free horse-drawn carriages, and free entertainment throughout the West End’s commercial streets. Miss604 is the proud Social Media Sponsor of Lumiere Festival Vancouver.
Honourable Mention: Buy One/Get One
When you purchase tickets to the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden (open December 1st to 31st) you get free admission to Enchanted Nights at Bloedel (which runs December 4th to January 3rd).
If you have any other events to add, send them in via my contact form and I’ll include them (free or not) on the December event list. Thank you!
** Please note that there may be costs associated with extra activities at these events and attractions, such as food/snacks, admission to other attractions or sites, etc. This post covers information available at the time of publishing and any posted signage or fees at these activities should be observed.
