If you’re celebrating the holidays this weekend, be sure to catch a ride with volunteers from Operation Red Nose Tri-Cities, who will be on-call from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The service is sponsored in part by The Tri-City News, with all proceeds benefitting KidSport Tri-Cities. Phone 778-866-NOSE.
Friday, Dec. 14
WILD SIDE
Join Coquitlam’s environmental services team for a wildlife-themed scavenger hunt around Lights at Lafarge. Meet at 6 p.m. at the TD Community Plaza (eastside of Lafarge Lake, 1299 Pinetree Way). Visit coquitlam.ca/parkspark.
POTTER MUSICAL
Drama 10 and Acting 11 students at Port Moody’s Heritage Woods secondary (1300 David Ave.) perform A Very Potter Musical. Written by Starkids and directed by Katie Wilson, the show is tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.
HOCKEY NIGHT
The Coquitlam Express play their first of two home games this weekend, facing the Chilliwack team tonight at 7 p.m. in the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). Visit coquitlamexpress.ca.
FLICK PICK
The Port Moody Film Society screens Made In Dagenham, a British comedy about the Ford factory in Dagenham that employed thousands of men in 1968 — and underpaid 187 female workers. Sally Hawkins and Bob Hoskins star in the 89-minute movie. Admission is $5 plus a $5 society membership, at the door. Visit pmfilm.ca.
LEST WE FORGET
Playwright-actor Julia Mackey delivers her award-winning play, Jake’s Gift, at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m., and on Saturday at 3 p.m. — the latter of which will be her 1,000th performance. The show is directed by her husband, Dirk Van Stranlen. Call the box office at 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
Saturday, Dec. 15
IRVINE BREKKIE
Join Santa as he tucks into a pancake breakfast served up at Irvine elementary (3862 Wellington St., Port Coquitlam) for a school fundraiser from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Admission is $15 for a family, or $5/$3 per person (cash only) and includes photos with Santa, a 50/50 draw and vendors. Visit facebook.com/events/272726100110774 for more details.
SANTA TRAIN
Hop on the West Coast Express Santa Train in Port Coquitlam at 10:39 a.m., at Coquitlam Central at 10:45 a.m. or at Moody Centre at 10:50 a.m. to shop in downtown Vancouver. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and ride the train for free. Plus, you can flash your Santa Train ticket and get a 2-for-1 entry at the Vancouver Christmas Market. Visit translink.bc.ca.
HEIRLOOMS
Do you have a quilt handed down over generations or a piece of jewelry from a late relative? The Coquitlam Heritage Society invites you to share the object, talk about its history and have it photographed for an upcoming exhibit at Place des Arts. Heirlooms will be documented at Mackin House (1116 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Snacks will be served. No registration needed. Visit coquitlamheritage.ca.
DREAMING OF MAUI
Bring your ukulele to the Terry Fox Library (2470 Mary Hill Rd., Port Coquitlam) as the CUTIE Circle leads a Christmas carol jam, at 1:30 p.m. New players welcome. The sing-along continues Sunday at 2 p.m. in the rehearsal hall of the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) at CUTIE’s monthly meeting. Admission is $3.50. Visit cutiecircle.com.
COSMIC POT ART
Take the kids to the Art Gallery at Evergreen (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) for the monthly Westminster Savings Family Day and fashion a terracotta pot inspired by the current gallery exhibitor: Judith M. Atkinson of Port Moody. The free activity runs from 1 to 4 p.m. with gallery tours at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
LIGHT PARTY
Don your brightest clothing and Christmas decorations for Light Up the Dance Floor during Lights at Lafarge. Meet at 7 p.m. in the Warming Tent in Coquitlam Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). The parade will be sent off by the Cadet 201 Grilse band. Visit coquitlam.ca/parkspark.
PANTHERS ACTION
Cheer on the Port Moody Panthers hockey team as they face the Delta players at the Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.) at 7:45 p.m. Visit portmoodypanthers.com.
BACHATA CLASS
DJ Mixxx leads the Latin dance party in the rehearsal hall of the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam), starting with a bachata class at 8 p.m. for an hour. The event runs until 12:30 a.m. No experience or partner needed. Parking is free or hop off the Evergreen Extension at Lafarge Lake-Douglas. Admission is $10. Visit hotsalsadancezone.com.
Sunday, Dec. 16
PMAC, PDA GIFTS
Looking for handmade Christmas gifts? Stop in at the Port Moody Arts Centre (2425 St. Johns St.) — open today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — which has its 5th annual Winter Treasures artisan market on until Dec. 23. As well, the Blackberry Artists Society has its annual Christmas Marketplace in the dedicated gift shop and in the Ann Kitching Gallery. Call 604-931-2008 or visit pomoarts.ca. Meanwhile, at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam), pick up a miniature artwork in the annual Positively Petite show or a trinket or two from the Christmas Boutique. The Maillardville venue is open today from 1 to 5 p.m. Call 604-664-1636 or visit placedesarts.ca.
WINTER MARKET
Port Moody Flowers hosts two workshops — at 10:30 a.m. and noon — for visitors at the Port Moody Winter Farmers Market, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.). To register, visit makebakegrow.com.
SANTA SKATES
Old St. Nick will have his ice skates on to tour the rink at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam) with rounds from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 12:45 to 2:15 p.m.; and 2:30 to 4 p.m. Free hot cocoa will be served to participants after each session. Visit coquitlam.ca. Port Coquitlam also has a Santa skate from 1:15 to 3:45 p.m. at the PoCo rec complex (2150 Wilson Ave.). Visit portcoquitlam.ca.
JINGLE SWIM
Play holiday-themed games — for a chance to win prizes! — at the Jingle Bells swim in the City Centre Aquatic Complex (1210 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from 1 to 3 p.m. Regular admission rates apply. Visit coquitlam.ca.
VARIETY SHOW
Members of the Glen Pine Pavilion seniors complex (1200 Glen Pine Crt., Coquitlam) hosts their holiday variety show from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m Entry is $8/$3. Visit coquitlam.ca.
HE’S MAKING A LIST
Take the family to the Poirier community centre (630 Poirier St., Coquitlam) for a full-filled afternoon with Santa Claus, from 2 to 4 p.m. or 4 to 6 p.m. Admission is $2 per person. Register via signmeup.coquitlam.ca.
HOCKEY MATINEE
Powell River is the visiting team versus the Coquitlam Express, who meet up at 3 p.m. in the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). Visit coquitlamexpress.ca.
TRACTOR TREE
Check out a city of Coquitlam tractor — blinged out for Lights at Lafarge — from 6 to 8 p.m. at Coquitlam Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way). Be sure to snap a selfie with it and post it on social media using #parkspark. Visit coquitlam.ca/parkspark.
VAN DJANGO
Keith Bennett and L.J. Mounteney return to the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) with the gypsy jazz quartet, Van Django, for their annual Cool Yule: A Swingin’ Christmas Show, at 7:30 p.m. Call the box office at 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
Please send Things to Do guide listings to jcleugh@tricitynews.com.
