Friday, Dec. 16
SEARCH FOR SPARKY
If you haven’t checked out the incredible light display at Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake this weekend — with the possibility of another snowfall — would make a great time to do it. If you drop by tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. keep an eye out for Sparky, the Park Spark mascot, who will be somewhere along the trail. Find him and you receive a special treat. Visit coquitlam.ca/parkspark.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Prepare for an unforgettable and hilarious night as Bridget Ryan, co-host of CityTV’s Breakfast Television in Edmonton, and her cast of bandmates take you on a musical journey that chronicles music through the ages and its powerful influence over us. Swing through musical theatre and swim in the hits of the 80s and 90s, dip into power rock and trip through tight jazz harmonies. Shows are tonight at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $33/$28/$15 at evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
PARADE OF LIGHTS
Better bundle up for this one — Santa’s Ships, festooned with lights, sail from Reed Point Marina around 7 p.m. and arrive in the waters off Rocky Point at about 7:20 p.m. Stick around for the carol ships from the Parade of Lights Society, which will arrive at about 8:30 p.m. More details are at www.carolships.org/s/Home.asp.
Saturday, Dec. 17
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
The Herdmans are the nastiest, dirtiest kids around, but they figure they belong in this year’s Christmas pageant; the neighbours think otherwise. When the curtain goes up a miracle begins, and it turns into The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Tickets for the Theatrix Youtheatre Society show at the Inlet Theatre (1 and 7 p.m.) are $12/$16, available at brownpapertickets.com.
CHRISTMAS TRAIN
Choo choo! The CP Holiday Train whooshes in to an afternoon of festivities in Port Moody from 3 to 6 p.m. There’s a free family skate (2 to 4 p.m.) at the PoMo rec complex, followed by food, activities including a visit with Santa and holiday music, cookie decorating, face painting and more, and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and carol singing in Pioneer Memorial Park at 3:45 p.m. (visit www.portmoody.ca for full location details). Behind the rec complex enjoy hot chocolate, pizza, hot dog or chili next to the bonfire, take a tour on the mini train and listen to live Christmas music. The CP Holiday Train — decked out with thousands of Christmas lights — arrives behind the rec complex at 4:20 p.m. featuring Dallas Smith and The Odds performing for the crowds. Bring cash or a healthy food donation for the Share food bank. The cross-country train concludes in Port Coquitlam at 6 p.m. at the West Coast Express station. Visit portcoquitlam.ca.
CELTIC CHRISTMAS
Enjoy Christmas carols with a Celtic twist when New Fish performs at the PoMo Station Museum from 2 to 4 p.m. Performers in the semi-acoustic show include Jo Carswell (classical guitar) with French Canadian singer Michelle Fortier, opera singer Maria Cristina Fantini, banjo player Devon Wells, folk singer Mike Horne and New Fish. Please bring an article of men’s clothing for the Fraserside Shelter in New Westminster. Call 604-939-1648 to reserve a spot.
Sunday, Dec. 18
TEA ON THE TRAIN
The Port Moody Station Museum hosts a Christmas tea on the train, with seatings at 10:30 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m. Climb aboard the decorated train car and enjoy Christmas music with tea or hot chocolate, sweets and crafts for the kids.
UKIE CAROLS
Cutie Circle hosts a Christmas strum-and-sing-along at the Evergreen Cultural Centre rehearsal hall from 2 to 4 p.m. Ukulele fans are invited to come strum and sing some holiday favourites and enjoy a visit with Santa. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring a donation for the Share food bank (last year the event raised 135 pounds!). The group’s big Christmas concert is tonight at 6 p.m. at the Port Moody Pacific Grace MB Church.
CAELSTRA CHRISTMAS
Join Caelestra for an evening of beautiful Yuletide music both old and new. With five talented musicians performing in full medieval costume, rich vocal harmonies, and music played on flute, harp, guitars, hand drums and cello, this concert will keep you captivated from beginning to end. Tickets are $25/$20/$16 at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
