How soon is TOO SOON to get excited about the holiday season?
Are you one of those people who can’t stand to hear Christmas music in the mall until well into December? Or have you already watched Love Actually twice (and cried)? Whether you like it or not, we’re ramping up to the holidays.
Yup! If you couldn’t tell by this November post, we’re not ashamed to admit that we embrace the holidays wholeheartedly. After all, it all goes by in such a flash! Besides, there’s so much going on in Surrey over the next month that it’s hard not to get excited about warm apple cider, local crafts, and whether or not you’ve made the ‘good list’.
Surrey Tree Lighting Festival
November 23 (12 noon to 8:00pm/ Tree Lighting at 6:30pm)
Civic Plaza (13450 104 Ave)
A wintertime tradition, the lighting of the tree gathers a large crowd to watch the lighting of Surrey’s 60-foot Christmas tree. But the fun doesn’t stop there, vendors, crafts, storytime, and photo ops are also present for the tree lighting. And be sure to check out the Holiday Fun Zone, featuring a light tunnel, enchanted forest, candy cane dance tent, amusement rides and road hockey. Live entertainment and holiday cheer will keep you warm on this winter’s night.
Surrey Santa Parade
Saturday, December 1 (5pm)
The beloved Surrey Santa Parade marks it’s 14th anniversary in 2019 and promises even more lighted floats! Get there early and stake out a spot along the parade route, then get ready for a traditional (with a twist) Santa Parade through Cloverdale. The traditional parade has everything you love about a parade, floats, marching bands, antique vehicles and horses, but the big event is the amazing lighted Truck Parade. Inspired the 1997 Coca Cola lighted truck commercial, the Surrey Santa Parade is truly magical! Bring a non-perishable food item or a children’s toy and a member of the Surrey Food Bank and the Surrey Christmas Bureau will pick it up. The Surrey Santa Parade starts at 5 pm precisely at the corner of 176A St and 60th Avenue and heads east to 177B Street.
Christmas Train at Bear Creek Park
3750 – 88th Avenue at King George Blvd.
December 7 to 31 (closed December 25 & 26)
Well, the Polar Express it ain’t. In fact, it might just be a bit better! It’s warmer, for one. (Thanks, temperate West Coast climate!) In addition to taking an enchanting train ride through the Christmas forest, your children will have a chance to partake in activities on the platform, receive a candy cane and even visit with the big guy himself. That’s right. Santa’s taken time out of his busy schedule to visit the station from December 7 to December 24. I know. How does he do it all?
The Santa Express runs 10am – 4pm and the Christmas Night Train runs 6pm – 9pm
Admission is $10 per person – $35 Family Rate (2 adults/ 2 children)
Winterfest 2019
151505 105 Avenue
Saturday, December 14, 10am to 1pm
Get ready to spread some serious Christmas Cheer! The Guildford Recreation Centre hosts Winterfest 2019! Deck the Halls with festive cookie decorating, holiday crafts, games, treats, sports challenges and a whole lot more holiday fun.
This event is free to attend and geared towards kiddos aged 6 – 12.
Christmas at the Loafing Shed
The Loafing Shed Glass Studio, 9060 184 Street
Saturday’s & Sunday’s – November 16-17, 23-24, 30, December 1, 7, 14-15, 21-22, 2019 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Glassblowing until 2:00 pm – except NO Glassblowing Dec 21-22)
The Loafing Shed Glass Studio is the home studio of glass-blower, Robert Gary Parkes. Robert and his wife Jeanette host open-house events at the studio throughout the year and this holiday season they’re opening their doors to show you how they do Christmas at the Loafing Shed: a casual country holiday atmosphere, complimentary seasonal beverages, special displays of small gift items by local artists and artisans, and of course, glass blowing. While you’re there, why not cross some Christmas shopping off your list by stocking up on festively-packaged jams and preserves made by Jeanette.
Cinderella, The Panto
Surrey Arts Centre, 13750 88 Avenue
November 27 – December 8
It’s not Christmas without a pantomime, and this year the Fraser Valley Gilbert & Sullivan Society are taking panto to a whole new level with their presentation of Cinderella. It’s the classic rags-to-riches, well, kitchen to palace, story set to the beat of everyone’s favourite 70s music. Follow along as Cinderella escapes the clutches of her evil stepmother and ugly stepsisters and, with the help of her fairy godmother, finds her happily ever after.
The Nutcracker
Surrey Arts Centre, 13750 88 Avenue
December 14 & 15
The Nutcracker is a holiday classic. So introduce your youngsters to this Christmas staple early, and watch as their imagination ignites! The Royal City Youth Ballet lands in Surrey for a weekend of wonder. This year’s production of the Nutcracker features a cast of over 80 dancers from across Metro Vancouver in a full length, two-act performance.
You can expect magical soldiers, duelling mice, the Snow King and Week, and of course the Sugar Plum fairy as she dances to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker score.