Polar Express

One of my favourite books when I was a kid was the Polar Express.  There was actually two books that we HAD TO have my mama read to us, the Night Before Christmas and the Polar Express.  Now we have our own Polar Express here in BC!  For the first two weeks in December, you can get dressed up in your pyjamas and ride the Polar Express to Santa’s Workshop.

Information from the West Coast Railway Association website:

Are you ready to ride the Polar Express?   The first two weekends of December are trips to imagination land – a ride on the Polar Express to Santa’s Village.  Book your train ride for 10AM, noon, 2PM or 4pm on each of the first two Saturdays and Sundays in December.  First Class tickets include priority assigned seating and a Polar Express souvenir, Caboose Class offers a ride in a real caboose, and everyone gets hot chocolate and cookies – just like in the movie.  

Tickets range in price from $24 in coach to $50 to ride the caboose and can be purchased here.

Skating at Robson Square

Today the skating rink at Robson square (downtown at 800 Robson street between Hornby and Howe) opens and will be open until the end of February! This outdoor rink is free fun for the whole family. The rink is open 9am to 9pm except Fridays and Saturdays when it’s open until 11pm. Skating is free if you bring your own skates but for a nominal fee you can rent skates there. They also provide a concession stand to warm up with a hot drink after you’re done skating!

There are many family friendly activities planned there this season, free concerts, djs and photos with Santa. To view a schedule of events, click here. To learn more about Robson Square, click here.

Yaletown Business Association presents Candytown

The holiday season is upon us and this weekend starts a couple holiday fairs for the whole family.

Candytown (November 23 & 24) is a new holiday festival put on by the Yaletown business association. Lights and candy canes will adorn lamp poles and costumed characters will parade down Mainland street transforming the heritage district of Yaletown into a winter wonderland. You’ll also find Mainland Street filled with local artisans, street performers and live music.

Friday, November 23 » 3pm – 9pm

Scotiabank Yaletown Ice Rink 3pm – 9pm
All I Want for Christmas Street Market 3pm – 9pm
Horse-drawn carriage rides 3pm – 9pm
CandyTown Cocktail tour 6pm – 9pm

Saturday, November 24 » 12 noon – 9pm

Scotiabank Yaletown Ice Rink 12 noon – 9pm
Appearance by NHL alumnus Trevor Linden 12 noon – 3pm
All I Want for Christmas Street Market 12 noon – 9pm
Horse-drawn carriage rides 12 noon – 9pm
Visits with Santa (bring your own camera!) 1pm – 5pm
Reindeer barn 1pm – 5pm
CandyTown Cocktail tour 6pm – 9pm

For more information, visit their site at Candytown