Saturday, Dec. 24
HO HO HO
Have you eaten too many Christmas cookies already? Exhausted by all the requests to unwrap just one gift? Grab the family and burn off some of that excess energy and anticipation at Port Moody’s Christmas Eve skate at the recreation complex, where there will be treats, games and prizes. Admission is $3.50 per person. Come back on New Year’s Eve to close out 2016 with another skate; both are from 1 to 3 p.m.
CHRISTMAS STORY
Take a break from last-minute Christmas preparations to kick back and soak up the spirit of the season at Christmas Eve in the Village, a community celebration hosted by the Heritage Mountain Community Church at the PoMo Inlet Theatre at 4 and 5 p.m. The event tells the nativity story through music and visual art; visit www.christmaseveinthevillage.com for more information.
Wednesday, Dec. 28
HOOP SHOOT
Check out some fast-paced basketball action when Port Moody secondary hosts the Holiday Classic Tournament, starting with a game between Coquitlam’s Centennial and Maple Ridge secondary. The Riverside Rapids and PMSS play Dec. 29.
Friday, Dec. 30
HO HO HOCKEY
Grab a seat at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex this evening to cheer on the Coquitlam Express in local hockey action. The Express face off against Surrey at 7 p.m. before heading off to Merritt for the last game of 2016. Visit www.coquitlamexpress.ca for more info.
Saturday, Dec. 31
QUIRING IT IN
It’s a New Year’s Eve tradition in the Tri-Cities, all thanks to the outstanding musical (and marital) duo Reg Quiring (viola) and Rosemary O’Connor (piano). They’re back at the Evergreen Cultural Centre for an evening of beloved classical music, and will be joined by guest musicians Jenni Press (violin) and Janet Steinberg (cello) from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy pieces by Beethoven, Gershwin and Dvorak, along with a champagne reception. Tickets are $40/$26/$16 at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
A LATIN WELCOME
Cha cha cha your way into 2017 at the Hot Salsa Dance Zone’s New Year’s Eve party at the Evergreen Cultural Centre. The evening kicks off with a dance lesson at 8 p.m. and, after that, you’ll be ready to shake it up to loads of kicky Latin music including salsa, merengue, bachata and much more. There will be appetizers and desserts to keep the dancing fun fuelled up (the party is also licensed) and a glass of champagne at the midnight countdown. Tickets are $40 at the door, which is located just a few steps from the Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station.
Sunday, Jan. 1
FRESH START
Shake it off — all of 2016 (who knew so many surreal things could happen in one year?!) and particularly last night’s hangover — with an icy dip in Burrard Inlet. The annual Penguin Plunge is back to test the will of hundreds of plungers who will have to shed coats, hats and anything else warm (not to mention their sanity) starting at 1 p.m. Get to Rocky Point Park from 11:30 a.m. for registration, a warming bonfire, warm drinks and sweets. The event raises money for the Pleasantside Community Association, which runs programs at the Old Orchard community hall.
