The #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver (“CHV”). Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV. This month’s post has been written by Jason Bosher.
What is the Covenant House Sleep Out?
There are approximately 500–1,000 young people without a safe place to sleep every night in Metro Vancouver. Each of them has a story, a dream, and a future — one that they can build with the support and care from Covenant House Vancouver. They come to Covenant House seeking safe shelter, nourishing food, clean clothing, and essential services like job training, education, healthcare, and mental health counselling — tools they need to build independent, sustainable futures. Sleep Out is a way you can encourage, inspire, and support their journeys.
Sleep Out: Executive Edition
Every fall, business leaders get together to share one night in an alley, to raise critical funds for Covenant House Vancouver. They leverage their networks and challenge their peers to step up and support vulnerable youth.
Visit a Hollywood-style film backlot transformed into a holiday wonderland during Merry & Bright in Langley this season. Get a taste of Tinseltown for the holidays at Martini Town, a picture-perfect film set owned by Martini Film Studios.
Martini Town Merry & Bright
Hollywood-Style Holiday Fun in Langley
Date: December 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024.
Time: Open 4:00pm to 10:00pm Wednesday to Friday and 2:00pm to 10:00pm Saturday and Sunday. Closed Mondays. Open on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Location: 1123 272 Street, Langley
Admission: Tickets available online from $12 (child), $18 (senior), $22 (adult) plus tax. Family packs available. There’s also a full Hallmark Fan Experience available for booking.
A portion of all proceeds will be donated to the Langley Food Bank
Located on a 16-acre outdoor sit, Martini Town boasts building facades and filming street that are unique to the region, making it popular for filming television shows and movies. Put yourself in a Hollywood holiday film as you explore the small town with a New York themed Brownstone Street, a movie theatre, coffee shop, courthouse, town square, diners, and more. A full Merry & Bright event schedule can be found online.
Visit the festive displays, enjoy live music, browse an artisan market, enjoy refreshments at food trucks, and even visit with Santa. Additionally, all Merry & Bright event staff are from the film industry and guests are encouraged to ask staff wearing “I Work in Film” pins about their roles in BC film.
Follow Miss604Holidays this season for the latest arts and culture activities, attraction and event news »
Accessibility
We had a question about the accessibility of the site and the organizers sent us the following: “Martini Town has wide paved roads that are easy to navigate with strollers, wheelchairs, canes, or walkers, making it accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
The onsite food trucks and cafe are not fully wheelchair accessible due to a curb. However, Martini Town’s event staff are happy to assist with ordering and food delivery for guests that require assistance.
In addition to standard film crew trailer restrooms onsite (which are compact and require stairs to access), there is also a wheelchair-accessible portable toilet.
Regarding parking, the front parking lot is wheelchair accessible and paved. Guests who require it, can enter through the accessible gates and let the parking lot attendant know that they require a paved parking space.“
This weekend we warm up for the holidays but first, we pause to Remember. Find a list of Remembrance Day ceremonies on Saturday, then browse a selection of family activities, markets, theatre, and more fun things to do around Vancouver:
Join Buddy the Elf on his expedition from the North Pole to New York City in Elf: The Musical at the Arts Club Theatre Company‘s Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage from November 2 to December 31, 2023.
Elf: The Musical. Photo by Moonrider Productions for the Arts Club Theatre Company.
If you’ve seen the movie 100 times, you’ll love all of the new twists, laughs, and the incredible talent on stage. You’ll be absolutely delighted! With a cast packed with triple threats, The Arts Club takes the Elf story and makes it their own. They make it sing and dance. The sets are delightfully playful, taking the magic of the movie to a whole other level before our eyes with ingenious configurations. You won’t want to miss this musical in Vancouver this holiday season.
Elf: The Musical
Date: November 2 to December 31, 2023
Location: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (2750 Granville Street, Vancouver)
Elf: The Musical follows Buddy (Andrew McNee) is bigger than all the other elves and has poor toy-making abilities, sparking doubt on whether he is an elf. With Santa’s (Tom Pickett) permission, he embarks on an unforgettable journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Buddy is determined to win over his new family with Christmas cheer, syrupy spaghetti, and heartfelt songs. But what’s an elf to do when his dad, Walter (Andrew Wheeler), is on the naughty list and his half-brother, Michael (Rickie Wang), doesn’t even believe in the man in red? Audiences of all ages can enjoy this show that’s part family reunion, part rom-com, and full of heart and humour.
At its core, the story is about joy, being together as a family, and the power of belief. If you love Christmas, if you loved the movie, and if the idea of eight tap-dancing Santas gets you excited, Elf: The Musical is for you!
Follow Miss604Holidays this season for the latest arts and culture activities, attraction and event news »
Looking for Free Holiday Activities in Vancouver & The Valley? We have put together our 8th annual list right here and it’s growing every day! Take a stroll to enjoy a light display, visit a nostalgic attraction, and spend time with those you care about (while not breaking the bank).
This list will be updated often throughout the season so be sure to bookmark it and check back often.
Free* Holiday Activities in Vancouver
St Paul’s Lights of Hope illuminates for the season on Thursday, November 23, 2023 with a kick-off event with food trucks, music, Santa, and the official countdown and lighting ceremony for the 26th annual Lights of Hope which will be on all season.
Killarney Tree Lighting is Saturday November 25, 2023 at the Killarney Community Centre 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Gastown Thursday Nights over four consecutive Thursdays November 30 to December 21 with free pop-up performances, roaming bands, and delightful displays to add to the festive atmosphere.
Bright Nights in Stanley Park has free admission to the site (with a suggested donation to the BC Burn Fund) even if you do not have a ticket for the train. Open November 30, 2023 to January 1, 2024 with dazzling light displays and live entertainment in a festive forest setting.
CandyTown Street Festival in Yaletown is December 2, 2023. Downtown Vancouver’s only free outdoor winter festival, which will transform Yaletown public plazas into a winter wonderland.
Christmas at Canada PlaceDecember 1, 2023 to January 2, 2024 with free outdoor displays, lights, the legendary Woodward’s Windows, and more. Miss604 is a proud Media Sponsor.
Chinatown Holiday Market is a free community day for BC residents (ID required) at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden on December 2, 2023. They’re transforming the gardens into a winter wonderland for guests. RSVP online in advance.
Downtown Vancouver Night Market is December 1, 2023 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at 800 Robson St. It’s also the first night of free Robson Square ice skating.
Granville Island Festive Lights until January 3, 2024 with complimentary parking after 6:00pm. Walk the expansive grounds of Granville Island’s almost 40 acres. Highlights include a stunning oversized star in the centre of the Public Market courtyard, the Edison bulbs along Railspur Artisan District, giant musical notes among the trees that surround the theatres, a perfect star looking over Alder Bay in Ron Basford Park, a canopy of lights hidden in a secret location, glowing benches, and more.
Lighting of the Silber Family Agam Menorah at 5:30pm Thursday, December 7 at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Fleurs de Ville NOEL on Robson and Alberni Streets is December 8-17, 2023. It’s a 10-day festive celebration, featuring 40 enchanting floral displays created by Vancouver’s talented florists.
NEW this year! A free Festival in Coal Harbour called Liven Up will be on December 1-30 with light installations and plenty of photo ops. Friday and Saturday nights enjoy live music at various spots along the Coal Harbour Seawall.
The JCC Chanukah Carnival on Sunday, December 3, 2023 with live performance, food, music, crafts, and dance. By donation to the Jewish Food Bank at the JCC.
