You've been dodging Christmas carols for weeks, but the jig is up: December is officially here. Time to get into the holiday spirit, complete with twinkling lights and, yes, a carol sing-along.
TODAY: Friday, Nov. 30
MOVEMBER MOVES
Even if you can't grow a mustache, you can still be part of the Movember fun when Oxygen Yoga and Fitness (1125 Nicola Ave., PoCo) hosts a cheeky event called Balls Day. Participate in a class (by donation) using medicine or pilates balls, with proceeds going to prostate cancer awareness efforts.
ZUMBA FOR A CAUSE
Get fit, have fun and help raise money for the Amanda Todd Legacy Fund at the Zumba fundraiser hosted by Theatrix Youtheatre Society from 6 to 8 p.m. at Glen elementary (3064 Glen Dr., Coquitlam). Tickets are $10 (ages 13 and up), available by emailing [email protected].
MOVIE MUSIC
The Maria Ho Quartet plays classic movie songs from the 1940s to the '60s in a performance at the Evergreen Cultural Centre at 8 p.m. The quartet features Terry Fox secondary grad Maria Ho (vocals), Michael Creber (piano), Daryl Jahnke (guitar) and Tim Stacey (bass). Tickets are $20, at 604-927-6555 or www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
Saturday, Dec. 1
ARTISANS FAIR
The Leigh Square Community Arts Village kicks off its Christmas celebrations with the fifth annual winter artisans fair in the Outlet, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Get something for everyone on your list, with goodies like photo prints, artisanal coffee beans, handmade knitwear, kitschy aprons, pottery, kids' books and much more. Kids will get to decorate cookies and have their photo taken with Santa while parents are shopping. The lighting ceremony in the square kicks off at 4:30 p.m.
CELEBRATION OF LIGHT
Come one, come all, to Carré Heritage Square's annual free holiday event, A Lantern Affair (formerly Light up the Square). Place des Arts, the Mackin House Museum and Gare de Fraser Mills Station Museum join forces for this multicultural celebration of light. In preparation for the lantern ceremony guests can make their own lantern, choosing from designs drawn from cultures around the world, and professional actor Simon Webb, with Place des Arts' senior theatre arts students, will perform Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol Live on Air. There will be plenty of activities taking place in all three venues, complete with hot apple cider and gingerbread decorating, and a visit from Santa himself. The event runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.; visit www.placedesarts.ca for a full events listing.
Sunday, Dec. 2
JINGLE JOG
Grab the family and head out for a refreshing walk/run in the second annual Jingle Bell Jog to raise money for the Share food bank and Christmas programs. Participants can choose from the Jingle Bell Jog, a 5-km walk/run around Lafarge Lake ($35/adult or $30/15 and under) and the Reindeer Runners, a 1-km run/walk for kids around Coquitlam Centre ($25/adult or $20/15 and under). Register online at www.jinglebelljog.ca until midnight Nov. 29 and inside Coquitlam Centre, in front of London Drugs, on Dec. 1.
FA LA LA
Warm up the vocal chords and get ready to belt out classic Christmas carols at the historic Minnekhada Lodge. The cosy spot will be decked out in festive finery and participants will be singing around a real yule log fire at this event hosted by the Minnekhada Park Association, from 1 to 4 p.m. Park entrance is from Quarry Road; call Mike at 604-942-5326 for more information.
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