Fun Friday in Vancouver: Things to Do at Christmas Time
There is so much to do at this time of year and that is not to mention all the tedious gift buying and working and .... blah blah blah. So what I've got today are a series of fun things to do around Vancouver this Christmas-time. Late last week the fam and I went out to Bright Lights in Stanley Park to see the lights, ride the train and check out the animals in the Children's Farm Yard. One side event to 
Bright Nights that we didn't partake in, not did we know about it, was the Humbug Holiday Hike put on by the Stanley Park Ecology Society (thanks Miss604 for the heads-up on this one, she is also Skating For The Cure, help her out). "Our 30-minute Christmas-themed nature walk takes you and your lantern into the wooded areas along the Christmas train route with nothing but a Humbug to guide you! Find out which Christmas traditions Humbugs really don't like and learn about the new Humbug-approved Christmas traditions that they would like everyone to adopt."
And if you haven't had enough lights then head over at Van Dusen Gardens they have their Festival of Lights which was quite spectacular last time we went (a few years ago.)
Santa is all over the place these days, but one of the best Santas is the one at the Kid's Market at Granville Island. We stopped in for a story and sing along with the jolly old elf the other day and he was great. Today when we dropped into the Kids Market there was an elementary school choir performing and there are lots of great Christmas performances happening around Granville Island. Also on Granville Island are some incredible Gingerbread Houses at the the Pacific Institute of the Culinary Arts.
Hate Christmas? Looking for a more authentic celebration? The Secret Lantern Society has wonderful Winter Solstice Events happening in neighbourhoods in and around Vancouver.
Down in Steveston they celebrate the Christmas season with Steveston Spectacular of Lights (thanks to Ghosty at the Metroblogging Vancouver for the heads-up on this one.
Are you looking for a really easy way to be charitable this season. Well this one won't cost you a dime because BC Hydro will donate to Children's Hospital for everyone that inserts a "coin" into this Christmas card.
If you have some real money that you'd like to donate The Province has a great charity at this time year. The Province Empty Stocking Fund, helps families who need some help to make a Christmas for themselves. You can donate online too. On a side note the Province now has a blog! How very Web 2.0 of them They are even using the same platform that I am (Community Server). Check out the Metroblgging Vancouver post about The Province blog.
All right, gotta run. Take care out there,
Matthew Collinge: www.604homes.com - Royal LePage Westside