The weekend is packed with Christmas fun and, word has it, we’ll be able to take a certain rapid transit line to get to it.
Friday, Dec. 2
GO TIME
Evergreen is a go, as of noon today. Coquitlam celebrates opening day with festivities starting at 10:30 a.m. at Coquitlam Central Station and at other stops from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Community organizations will be on hand with a Lego-building station, ukulele lessons, kids’ crafts and live music.
CRAFT FAIR
The 36th annual Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair is at the Poirier Forum (this time, with heaters!), featuring decorations, jewelry, pottery, fine art, baked goods, food trucks and more. Fandango performs today (5 to 9 p.m.); Saturday, make lanterns with Place des Arts and Sunday is ornament-making for kids (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days). Admission is $3/$2, kids 12 and under are free.Visit www.coquitlamcrafts.com.
COOL YULE
The outstanding musicians known as Van Django are at the Evergreen Cultural Centre to whip the audience into a fine, festive spirit in Cool Yule. Be prepared for nostalgic Christmas classics, jazz standards, pop tunes, classical, some sing-alongs and even a few surprises, all in swinging gypsy jazz style. Tickets are $37/$32/$16 at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
SANTA SHIPS
A favourite of the holiday season, the Santa Ships should be sailing in to the Port Moody arm of Burrard Inlet at about 7:20 p.m. Dress warmly and stake out a spot along the shore to see the fleet of boats all decked out for Christmas.
YOUTH SKATE LATE
Young night owls can join a late-night skate at the PoCo rec complex from 10:15 to 11:15 p.m. Dress in your ugly Christmas sweater and enjoy time with friends at this supervised drop-in program. Admission is $2, including rentals, or free with YAC card.
Saturday, Dec. 3
THAT’S UGLY
Pull out your wackiest, tackiest sweater for the fourth annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Dash in Port Moody and join runners and walkers in this all-for-fun, non-timed 5-km tour topped off with the Finisher’s Festival. Funds raised support the Children’s Wish Foundation. Registration is $55/adult, $35/youth, kids eight and under are free at www.nowthatsugly.com/dash, or in person from 10 a.m. before the 11 a.m. start time.
POMO CELEBRATES
Keep the Evergreen festivities going with a free Port Moody opening party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Moody Centre Station, featuring Music with Marnie, face painting, hot chocolate and treats and a hands-on art activities. Be one of the first 100 people to visit the pop-up city hall and snag a single-fare Compass ticket.
LIGHT UP LEIGH
Port Coquitlam is festooned with Christmas cheer at the Light up Leigh Square event from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Activities include street hockey (all ages and skills levels welcome, sticks and proper attire required), live entertainment, free photos with Santa, storytime and food trucks. The bandshell lighting ceremony is at 5 p.m.
KEEP SWINGING
Enjoy an evening of swinging soul music when Gabriole Sinclaire and friends perform at the Gallery Bistro in Port Moody. Tickets are $30 and include a set-menu dinner, and are available by calling 604-937-0998.
Sunday, Dec. 4
CUTS FOR KIDS
Port Moody-based World Financial Group sponsors a cut-a-thon for the Children’s Wish Foundation, and will match all funds raised from haircuts and other services at Kromatik Salon (418 Willingdon Ave., Burnaby). Call 778-998-8252 to reserve a spot.
CAROL-ALONG
Head to Minnekhada Lodge for festive fun, including Christmas carol sing-alongs in front of the fire and a visit from Santa Claus, from 1 to 4 p.m.
LANTERN AFFAIR
Place des Arts hosts the always magical Lantern Affair under the banner Light Has No Boundaries. Explore culturally inspired lantern-making (think of the storytelling traditions on the power of light as reflected in the Korean, Iranian, Chinese and North American cultures), live theatre, music performances, multicultural tea salon, heritage activities and more. Admission is free to the event, which runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Visit www.placedesarts.ca.
