This Just In ...British Columbia Canada Promises Holiday CheerShould a blast from the past beckon this wintry season, look no further than BC's snowy scapes. Victorian settings. Horse drawn sleigh rides. Yuletide carols.
Take in the Barkerville Historic Town Old Fashioned Christmas in the Cariboo
Chilcotin Coast region, December 20 - 22. Noted as the province's
largest historic site, visitors can stroll through the Mining and
Chinese museums and the Mason and Daly General Store and stop in for
sustenance (read: festive goodies) at Goldfield Bakery. Explore the
Enchanted Forest, snag that one-of-a-kind Victorian keepsake, and
snuggle in for some B& B bliss.
For more family frolic, head to the Kootenay Rockies; Fort Steele Heritage Town gathers the gang December 7, 14 and 21 with handmade Victorian crafts, Christmas goodies and storytelling nestled around a crackling wood stove. Sunday your day at the Fort? Slide into the antique sleighs throughout December as Clydesdales pull you through the snowy streets of this turn-of-the-century town. Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village, November 22 - January 4 (closed December 24 - 25), beckons folks east of Vancouver for a bit of face time with Father Christmas, exploration of historical buildings, seasonal performances by Footlight Theatre and an opportunity to get crafty with the kids. On Vancouver Island, check out Craigdarroch Castle throughout December, where home for the holidays is sure to prove stately. Wander through the splendour of this 1890s Victoria mansion, former home to a wealthy coal baron, and take in one of 39 performances of seasonal music, storytelling and children's entertainment. Should the journey prove part of the fun on the Island, fall into step with Discover the Past in Victoria for a historical - and haunted - tour. Ghosts of Christmas Past, set to hit the pavement throughout December, promises insights into the legends and lore of BC's premier ethereal city. The ghosts of Helmcken Alley. The Legend of Christmas Hill. Who knows? This holiday season may just prove to be out of this world.
For more information: If conjuring the Christmas spirit is nothing short of an illuminating experience, let BC light up the season with a sea of sparkling settings. Where to start? Head for Vancouver Island, where gardens are always green. Friday through Sunday in December leading up to Christmas, Milner Christmas Magic in Qualicum Beach showcases old growth Douglas firs and cedars adorned with twinkles, musical musings from local artists and sweet treats in the tearoom. Further south in Ladysmith, 100,000 shimmering lights brighten more than just the streets this season (a Light Up Ceremony, November 27, pledges entertainment, fireworks and a visit from St. Nick). On the mainland, climb aboard the holiday train during Bright Nights in Stanley Park, a fundraiser for the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund, November 28 - January 3 (closed Christmas Day). Wind your way through the forest and the children's farmyard amid animated displays and the glow of one million lights, the scent of roasted chestnuts and the promise of hot chocolate in the air. For seasonal displays and 1.4 million twinkles, check out the winter wonderland December 5 - January 4 (Closed Christmas Day) during the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden. (For would-be crooners, the Karaoke Christmas Lights Trolley Tour, provided by Vancouver Trolley December 12, 13 and 18 - 24, offers a musical journey to Stanley Park and VanDusen in one night, complete with tunes. Cue Bing Crosby.) During the Carol Ship Parade of Lights in Vancouver's Coal Harbour, December 1 - 23 throngs will be drawn to the shores to witness boats boasting the bling - over 150,000 sparkles - and even a chorus or two from over 45,000 singing voices. For a little light in the wilds, head to the Thompson Okanagan region. At the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops, it's all about the synchronization of music, lights, magic, and family fireworks during their annual Wildlights Event. Set to shine nightly December 12 - January 4 (closed Christmas Day), families can catch a wagon ride to the "North Pole" or hop on the Wildlife Express Miniature Train. Plus there's the opportunity to take in some 500,000 sparkles adding shimmer to 350 life-sized wildlife sculptures. Let it shine.
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