STAYING LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Celebrate the season right in your own community
Our British Columbia backyard offers ample opportunities to celebrate the season. There are plenty of al fresco spaces to spread out and enjoy the crisp, cold air surrounded by sparkling lights and seasonal illuminations. Whatever you choose, wrap up warm, follow COVID safety protocols, and enjoy our local attractions as you get into the festive spirit this winter.
FOR VICTORIA LOCALS
B.C.'S capital city embodies the quintessential Christmas experience with twinkling lights and festivities at the Fairmont Empress, and new twists on timeless traditions.
The historic British Columbia Parliament Buildings will be lighting up smiles with sparkling lights around the landmark. To see even more shine, embark on a holiday light tour around Greater Victoria with L.A. Limousines for a private peek of neighbourhood illuminations.
See a showcase of gingerbread houses, which takes place across the city for the 12th year running, raising funds for Habitat for Humanity Victoria (until Jan. 3). Holiday highlights continue at The Bay Centre where the Festival of Trees transforms the mall into a colourful forest.
Victoria boasts boutiques selling all manner of gifts and goodies. You can wander down Lojo, Market Square, and Government and Fort streets to find special presents, and explore the alleys of Chinatown for more hidden gems. Head to Nordic Boulevard at Uptown Shopping Centre (until Jan. 3) to see the outdoor Nordic-inspired skating rink, road mural, igloos, A-frame chalets, and 52-foot tree.
For a memorable Christmas cuppa, stop at Murchie's Fine Tea & Coffee for seasonal tea and coffee blends, and treat the vegans in your crew to meatless versions of holiday classics at The Very Good Butchers.
Step back in time with a visit to the Fairmont Empress to sample Christmas at the Castle's seasonal offerings, from hot chocolate or mulled wine and s'mores on the veranda, cuddled up in front of the fire, to curated Christmas cocktails at Q Bar and a holiday-themed afternoon tea complete with local carollers. December also brings Christmas to Craigdarroch Castle, where authentic Victorian traditions are brought to life in the castle's period rooms.
Indulge in a Victoria staycation at Magnolia Hotel & Spa, or visit for a day of relaxation at the spa.
Soak in the pools at Oak Bay Beach Hotel or join in family-friendly festive events, from Breakfast in Santa's Workshop to holiday movie nights (until Dec. 22).
Winter is a special time at The Butchart Gardens, where you can see unique characteristics of plants that show their true beauty when the temperature drops. Explore the gardens from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily (closed Christmas Day) and see bright-coloured branches, moss and lichen growing on trees, winter flowering shrubs, and early bulbs.
Up for a drive? Discover the delights of Christmas at Merridale Farm, 50 minutes from downtown Victoria, where you can wander through the orchard on the faerie walk, feast on farm-to-fork meals, and take in the twinkling light displays while sipping hot apple cider.
FOR VANCOUVER LOCALS
Vancouver's literal backyard is a snowy paradise of North Shore Mountains where you'll find opportunities to enjoy the fresh powder with a skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing trip to Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, and Mt. Seymour. Check for restrictions and follow COVID protocols for a safe trip to shred.
Want to see sparkly lights? Take physical distancing to new heights at the twinkling Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (lights are on during the day), or see how St. Paul's Lights of Hope brightens up Burrard Street until Jan. 4 (with an option to livestream from home) and Granville Island Festive Lights brings seasonal fun to the shops and bars from sunset to 10 p.m. daily (until Jan. 3).
Gastown gets year-round pretty illuminations and the holidays are the perfect time to explore the independent boutiques and cafes here.
Or head to The Polygon Gallery's Holiday Shop on the North Shore, where you'll also find a seasonal pop-up by Little Mountain Shop in the adjoining space. Snag homeware, ceramics, candles, paper goods, and more from a Canadian, mostly local, women-led vendor lineup. There are also original and hard-to-find brands, and the items may be more exclusive, given that vendors won't be displaying at additional holiday markets this year.
You don't even need to leave your car to feel festive this season. Vancouver is showcasing its very first drive-through festive experience with PNE Winterlights, a two-km route that takes you on “A magical journey to Santa” through nine themed lands, from the musical Merry & Bright forest to the icecool Polar North (through Jan. 3).
Holidays at home are all about feasting, and with a little help from local restaurants, there are plenty of festive options for foodies. Celebrate with a helping hand from celebrity chef David Hawksworth and his Hawksworth at Home holiday dishes, such as the Turkey-to- Go, a complete threecourse Christmas dinner. Ramen lovers can stop at Kinton Ramen at UBC to pick up a seasonal truffle turkey bowl, and budding chefs can try their hand at creating a Holiday Feast or Holiday Baking with Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts on Granville Island.
FOR FRASER VALLEY LOCALS
Positively glowing with festive cheer, the Fraser Valley welcomes a new drive-through light experience, lakeside illuminations, and shop-local initiatives this winter.
Langley is home to a drivethrough, contactless festive experience. Take a trip through Glow Langley at Milner Village Garden Centre (until Jan. 2) to enjoy a 15-minute journey through dazzling landscapes created by nearly a million lights. Each vehicle pass includes a complimentary bag of mini-doughnuts and popcorn, plus a souvenir Glow Christmas ornament, to keep the festive spirit alive.
Choose your own Christmas tree at a Langley U-cut Christmas tree farm, including Churchland Tree Farm, where you can select the ideal Christmas centrepiece for your home. Also in Langley, families can sample holiday flavours at Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery's Waffle Bar; order the pumpkin waffle and take a seat in the enclosed, heated, and physically-distanced eating area, open Wednesdays through Sundays. Before you leave, pick up your pre-ordered holiday baking (e.g., fudge, frozen pies) and a mulled wine kit for home.
Still have steam? Have your designated driver take the Langley Loop to discover six breweries found along the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.
Further southeast in Abbotsford, Maan Farms is offering a Grinchmas Drive-thru ( by reservation). Pull up with your car for a holiday-themed breakfast of chocolate berry crepes and Grinch ice cream, served old school drive-in style by one of their festive helpers. Tip: Be sure to stock up on last-minute gift ideas, like the Wallow in SelfPity box, featuring the farm's own wine and some of Mamma Maan's tastiest offerings ( butter chicken, chickpea curry, and more).
Look out for A Very Merry Shopportunity in Chilliwack, where you can explore the town with a special map of local shopping and dining spots. Collect a stamp at each place to enter a contest to win prizes.
Finally, for those lucky enough to have Harrison Hot Springs close to home, head to the town's promenade, where sasquatch-sized social distancing is encouraged as visitors wrap up with a warm hat (don't forgot your mask) to stroll along the village where Christmas trees, lamp posts draped in garland, and painted storefront windows and light displays warm the season. Consider overnighting with the Harrison Hot Springs December Village Lights Package and change your perspective.
FORK EL OWN A LOCALS
Stay close to home at a luxurious lakeside resort for a well-earned rest or make the most of the season with an outdoor adventure such as a snowshoe jaunt along the Myra Canyon Trestles or a winter hike at Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park.
Warm up afterwards with a glass of mulled wine around the outdoor fire pit at Mt. Boucherie Estate and experience a tasting of four very special reserve wines.
Krafty Kitchen + Bar is also keeping winter guests warm with their Fondue Sundays, weekly dips that feature a mixture of local wine, kirsch liqueur, and a blend of the traditional emmental and gruyere cheeses, along with Canadian cheddar. Scoop it up with smoked farmers sausage, toasted baguette, seasonal veggies, local apples, and crunchy dill pickles. Space is physically distanced and limited, so call ahead for reservations.
If you'd rather stay put, opt instead for a private virtual wine tasting, courtesy of Cedarcreek Estate Winery. Choose your preferred winery tasting package, select a time and date, share the mailing addresses of all who plan to attend, and raise a glass to your nearest and dearest from the comforts of home.
Santa will still be stopping by this Christmas, with a new option of watching the Santa Parade from your vehicle as a Covid-compliant way to experience the festivities.
Save some time for shopping local and visit Love for Kelowna for a full list of local artisan goodies available at the Visitor Centre (and online), including Kelowna Vibes hats and hoodies, raw honey from Hiveology, and decorative gourds made by Janine Lott, a member of the Okanagan Syilx Nation.
'Tis the season to indulge, and QB Gelato and Café's eggnog gelato delivers with decadent Madagascar vanilla, D Dutchmen Dairy Eggnog, and a touch of rum. Adults can also scoop the Baileys and coffee gelato (a local favourite), while the milk and cookies option promises a sweet treat for the kids.
Get the holiday spirit to go, thanks to Summerhill Pyramid Winery's holiday cookie boxes: Naughty (maple bourbon snickerdoodles, Baileys chocolate crinkles, and more) Nice ( ginger molasses treats and whipped shortbread, to name a few), vegan (date, banana, and coconut cookies, among others), or gluten-free (coconut macaroons, double chocolate peppermint, and more).
Order a bottle of bubbly to go with your cookie cravings.
Continue with the online love, and help “bake the world a better place” when you order a holiday pie in support of the Central Okanagan Food Bank as a sweet gesture this season.