The holidays are fast approaching and this weekend is packed full of fun activities suitable for all ages. Here is a list of places to check out and things to do:
1. Check out Richmond Music School's annual winter concert
Richmond Music School will be holding its annual Winter Concert at Richmond Alliance Church tonight. The performance is free and no pre-registration is required. The non-profit music school recently upgraded its facilities and it's excited to show off all the talented students.
Date and time: Dec. 9 (7:30 p.m.)
Place: Richmond Alliance Church at 11371 No. 3 Rd
2. Meet Hong Kong superstars Mirror and find out who will be representing Vancouver in the hit reality show King Maker
Members of the popular Hong Kong boy band Mirror, Lokman Yeung and Anson Kong, will be greeting fans at Aberdeen Centre on Saturday at a press conference organized by Fairchild Radio. Yeung and Kong arrived from Hong Kong last week to hold auditions for the fifth season of the hit Hong Kong reality show, King Maker, and successful contestants will finally be announced tomorrow.
Date and time: Dec. 10 (2 p.m.)
Place: Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way
3. Kickstart the holidays with St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church's annual light show
St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church is holding its third annual Reason for the Season event on Saturday. Richmondites are invited to watch them turn on their light display by flicking on a giant switch. Food, entertainment, crafts, games, Christmas movies and a live nativity scene will also be available for the enjoyment of all.
Date and time: Dec. 10 (5 to 8:30 p.m.)
Place: St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 4451 Williams Rd
4. A dog parade and more at Steveston's Winter in the Village
Steveston Village's annual Winter in the Village event series continues, and visitors will get to participate and enjoy an adorable parade featuring Richmondites and their dogs in festive outfits this Sunday. Other events include Songs in the Snow performances, dog photos with Santa, Polar Express storytime on the Steveston tram, horse and carriage rides and performances by vocal ensemble musica intima.
Date and time:
- Festival of Trees - Dec. 1 to 24 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- Holiday Display Contest - Dec. 1 to 31 (during business hours)
- Boat Holiday Light Contest - Dec. 1 to 31
- Songs in the Snow - Dec. 10 (4 to 6 p.m.)
- Dog Parade - Dec. 11 (11 a.m.)
- Dog photos with Santa at the Cannery (11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
- Winter Tram Story Time (The Polar Express) - Dec. 11 (1 to 3 p.m.)
- Horse and Carriage Rides - Dec. 11 (1 to 5 p.m.)
- Musica intima vocal ensemble - Dec. 11 (2 to 4 p.m.)
5. Support local vendors at Lulu Island Winery's craft market
Lulu Island Winery's annual Christmas Market is back for the second year this Sunday, and will feature more than 40 local vendors. The free event is open to all (including pets) and visitors will also get to enjoy live music, food trucks and mulled wine.
Date and time: Dec. 11 (12 to 5 p.m.)
Place: Lulu Island Winery at 16880 Westminster Hwy
6. Spread the holiday cheer by helping out good causes
For Richmondites looking to give back to the local community and give a helping hand, here are some suggestions:
- Take awkward pet photos and support BC SPCA: Bodega Pets, a Richmond pet supply store on Leslie Rd, is holding a pet photo session with Santa this Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Cash donations only and participants will also get a free goodie bag.
- Donate to the Shoebox Project and help vulnerable women: The annual Shoebox Project is back and Richmondites can drop off shoeboxes filled with $50-worth of gifts and essentials or make donations until this Sunday.
- Participate in London Drugs' stocking stuffers initiative to support local seniors: Richmondites can choose a tag from the Stocking Stuffers for Seniors tree from their local London Drugs to fulfill wishlists by local seniors. Items will be mailed to the seniors ahead of the holidays and the deadline to participate is this Sunday.
- Write letters to seniors (or Santa) at Steveston Community Centre: Richmondites are invited to create a handmade card, write in a card or draw a picture to spread the holiday cheer to local seniors. The last day to submit is 6 p.m. this Sunday, and letters will be sent by Dec. 13.
- Check out City Hall's Winter Wonderland display and support the Richmond Food Bank: Richmond City Hall is lit up for the holidays with trees sponsored by donations to the Richmond Christmas Fund made by the local community. Richmondites are invited to vote for their favourite trees, enjoy musical performances and drop off non-perishable food items for the Richmond Food Bank.
7. Enjoy the free holiday light show at McArthurGlen outlet
A free holiday light show is being held at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet every night this week until Dec. 13. The show is a 3D projection show using store facades as its canvas, and will feature festive music.
Date and time: now until Dec. 13 (5 to 8 p.m.)
Place: McArthurGlen Designer Outlet at 7899 Templeton Station Rd (near Aritzia and Starbucks)
If you know about any upcoming community events and wish to highlight them, email us at [email protected] with the subject line "Richmond community event."
