Carillonneur to lead Carol-along

The Royal B.C. Museum is hosting a series of events, some with holiday themes and some without.

It begins Sunday with the 13th annual Carol-along with the Carillon in the museum plaza from 4:30-5:15 p.m. The carolling will be led by provincial carillonneur Rosemary Laing and the Newcombe Choir. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be provided.

On Dec. 6, Father Christmas will be welcoming children in the museum’s Old Town exhibit, and will continue to be there every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Dec. 22. Entry is included with admission or membership.

Also starting Dec. 6, Christmases of the past will be celebrated at historic Helmcken House on the museum site, from noon to 4 p.m. until Jan. 5. Entry is included with admission or membership, or by donation.

Another feature is a Dec. 12 museum happy hour without a trace of Santa.

Guests are invited to the Natural History Gallery from 5:30-7 p.m. for what is described as a “festive non-holiday party.”

Cost is $10 per person, with food and drinks available for purchase.

Child-minding will be available from 5-7 p.m. for $15 per child.

Wonder Sundays will be held every Sunday in December from 1-3 p.m. in the museum’s new Learning Centre. The family-oriented sessions will look at things such as the art and science of snow and cold, the peculiarities of penguin feet and the benefits of blubber, as well as the seven basic snowflake shapes. Entry is included with admission or membership.

Also of note, the museum’s feature exhibition Maya: The Great Jaguar Rises closes Dec. 31.