KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve Party! at Fraser Valley Regional
Library - Ladner Pioneer
Wed, Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Public Skate at Bill Copeland Sports Centre
Fri, Jan 9: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in Concert at Orpheum Theatre
Sat, Jan 17: OPEN HOUSE at Terra Early Learning
Sat, Jan 31: The Great Canadian Family Sing-A-Long at Cloverdale Ice Arena, Surrey
Sat, Feb 21: Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School Open House - Feb 21, 2026
Sat, Feb 28: Coldest Night of the Year at Various locations throughout the Vancouver and Toronto areas
Sat, Feb 28: Silk Road Music: Lunar New Year Celebration at Gateway Theatre |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Peace can come in many textures during the holidays. For some, it’s the energizing bustle of concerts and community events, or the warmth of a crowded house full of voices and motion. For others, it’s the stillness of a walk through snow-covered woods, a soft blanket at home, or the quiet company of someone who understands them. It shifts from person to person, and sometimes
even from one day to the next. Peace can be internal, external, or, at its best, a bit of both: a sense that life makes sense, within and around us. It’s easier to feel when we’re free from hardship, but even in the midst of challenge, it’s sometimes possible to find a quiet kind of peace when we know we’ve done our best with the time and energy we’ve been given. Peace can be elusive for parents; after all, we're the ones in charge of figuring out how to
make the family rhythm and flow work for everyone, and what brings peace to our kids may look nothing like what brings it to us. Maybe your son needs to be out with friends while you crave stillness. Maybe your daughter is hoping to hide in a corner with a book while you're in full-on glitter-and-cookie mode with all the cousins. Parenting is the art of balance, of helping everyone in the family thrive by seeing who they really are and doing our best to honor it. It's not easy, and it's never
perfect, but we try. When kids feel known—when they hear “I see that you love this, that you need this, and I’ll help you find your way to it”—they flourish. That sense of being understood can be its own kind of peace. So as the season winds to a close, I wish you whatever kind of holiday rhythm helps you feel most like you. And I hope you’ll find moments to offer that same gift to those around you. When we make space for each other’s version of peace, it’s
more likely to find its way into the room.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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This event is a celebration of winter adaptations at the Fraser River, featuring two weeks of activities. First, you can explore animal survival through challenges and games. Then, you will investigate plant adaptations using science experiments and interactive matching games to uncover seasonal secrets.
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Set in 19th-century New England, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women follows the four March sisters—independent Jo, traditional Meg, shy Beth, and vivacious Amy —as they navigate love, loss, and the difficulties of young adulthood during the Civil War. Guided by their wise and nurturing mother, Marmee, the March sisters find the strength to forge their own paths. Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women is an enduring story of friendship, romance, and personal discovery that has charmed generations.
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Step into a brand new multi-sensory journey, a luminous world where fantasy and nature intertwine. Walk through glowing lanterns and enchanting displays that captivate and awe. Wonder awaits around every corner.
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Every Sunday, kids can get out of the house and score a movie ticket and Snack Pack (popcorn, drink, choice of candy treat) for one great, low price. Every movie, every Sunday. Landmark Cinemas' Kid's Day – turn the average Sunday into a movie-filled Funday. Check your favourite Landmark Cinemas for showtimes.
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Bring the whole family for an evening of music from every era, games, surprise guests and funky roller dancing.
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Celebrating 40 Years of Panto at Metro Theatre! From the team behind last year’s Ovation Award–winning Cinderella! comes Jack and the Beanstalk, Metro’s 40th Holiday Pantomime! A night at the panto might just be the most fun you’ll have at the theatre all year. If you’ve bean-stalking Metro for a while, you know our panto is our silliest-and most beloved-tradition. Boo the villain, cheer the heroes, and laugh ’til the cows come home! That’s RIGHT! There is a cow! And the result is udder nonsense! Follow our hero, fear the giant, love our dancing cow PLUS a talking goose, amazing sets, incredible costumes, terrible jokes and the audience-favourite “The 12 Days of Christmas” it is the perfect side dish for your season of joy! Does any of it make sense? How rude! Who needs sense when your goose can lay a golden egg? Make sure to secure your tickets early as the best seats sell quickly!
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Metro Vancouver's #1 KIDS MAGIC SHOW - Every Saturday! Great Family Fun for ages 4-10 & their grown ups! Tickets are limited, sell out quickly, and are not available at the door
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When a freak atmospheric tsunami strands West Van influencer Holly, and her curling crew The Hurry Hards, deep in the wilds of East Van, she’s ready for disaster — but not the romantic kind. Enter Joes: charming, striking, and a proud member of The East Van Pets… their sworn enemies! As Holly battles the expectations of her West Van mega-developer motherfather, Boberta Rainy, she finds herself caught between two cities, two families, and one seriously unexpected romance. Will she follow her heart — and Joes — into a new world of love, dance battles, and civic resistance? Or will Boberta’s towers and renovictions crush everything in their path? This holiday season, come watch Holly and Joes try to Second-Narrows-bridge their differences and sweep each other off their feet. Love, laughter, and low-income housing — now that’s a triple takeout! Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto is back for its thirteenth (!) year — and this time, we’re switching it up. Say goodbye to the…
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Step into a magical winter wonderland at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park with the return of the iconic Canyon Lights. The Park will be aglow with millions of holiday lights, filling the air with festive cheer, seasonal treats, and fun for the whole family. Stroll across the world-famous suspension bridge, illuminated by a mesmerizing display of multi-coloured lights that span the canyon, creating a breathtaking glow from end to end. Then, wander along Cliffwalk‘s twinkling walkway along the cliff’s edge creating a stunning backdrop of lights along the granite cliff face. Over at Treetops Adventure, towering Douglas-fir trees are lit from tree top to bottom, offering visitors a fairytale-like journey up to 110 feet above the rainforest floor. This year’s event also brings back beloved fan-favourite displays and introduces exciting new features.
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Tsawwassen Springs is delighted to announce our seventh annual Festival of Lights, sponsored and decorated by families, community groups and businesses. The sponsorship of Christmas trees on beautiful Tsawwassen Springs golf course will raise funds for Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation to purchase a GI Genius System. A GI Genius system is an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) platform designed to assist surgeons during endoscopic procedures. Our family friendly community event is a wonderful opportunity to wander through our beautifully decorated forest of trees and enjoy the goodwill of the holiday season.
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Step into a botanical wonderland this holiday season at VanDusen Festival of Lights. Explore 15 acres adorned with over 1 million twinkling lights, featuring a new interactive mycelium installation, and a display inspired by the Great Bear Rainforest of BC.
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Ring in the New Year with a little help from KidsOutAndAbout! Our Big List of family-Friendly celebrations is just what you need to find ball drops, fireworks displays, NOON Year's Eve fun, activities, parties and more! If your favorite isn't on the list be
sure to send us an email and we'll add it pronto.
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Take out your calendar - you have a lot of scheduling to do to fit in all the incredible Holiday Break Camps taking place in and around our area! If we're missing a camp that should be on this list, please email us to let us know.
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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions in and around the Vancouver area. Here are local organizations that
offer memberships.
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- Lights by the Lake - Harrison Hot Springs - 499 Hot Springs Road, Harrison Hot Springs, BC V0M 1K0, Friday, December 22, 2025 to Sunday, December 24, 2025, dusk to 11 pm
- St. Paul's Lights of Hope - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Friday, December 22, 2025 to Sunday, December 24, 2025, Dusk 'til Dawn
- Bright Walk in
White Rock - Memorial Park, Marine Drive, White Rock, BC, Friday, December 22, 2025 to Sunday, December 24, 2025, dusk
- Tsawwassen Springs Festival of Lights - Tsawwassen Springs, Springs Boulevard, Tsawwassen, BC, Friday, December 22, 2025 to Sunday, December 24, 2025, see website
- Festive Village - 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3T6, Saturday, December 23, 2025 to Sunday, December 24, 2025, 1-9 pm
- DUPLO Free Play - 11688 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, BC V7A 1N6, Wednesday, December 24, 2025, 11-11:30
am
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Vancouver area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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2025's best places to take kids in and around Vancouver, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. There is LOTS more to do in and around Vancouver even beyond the Top 20...Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are just
the starting point: Browse through our site and calendar to find lots more, and be sure to click on Everything That's Free.
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Wishing you and your family health and happiness!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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