Christmas

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Fraser Valley Toy Drive returns to Abbotsford

Second annual event set to occur on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 360 Fabrication

 

33687 Marshall Road, Abbotsford

2022 Christmas light displays in Abbotsford and Mission

Local homes in both communities are all lit up for the holidays

 

The Dirt Church Lower Mainland 4x4 Toy Run returned on Sunday morning (Nov. 27) at the Stave Lake mud flats on Second Beach with over 1000 vehicles, a half dozen boats and a helicopter participating. /Bob Friesen Photo

Dirt Church 4×4 Toy Run raises an estimated $10,000 for Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau

Upwards of 1,000 vehicles attended the event on Sunday at the Stave Lake mud flats

 

Oak Bay resident Michael Hardiman reminds others to play it safe while hanging holiday lights after he fell, Saturday, Nov. 12 and returned home from the hospital the next Tuesday with a fractured vertebra. (Courtesy Michael Hardiman)

B.C. man with fractured spine warns of dangers in hanging holiday lights

‘Tis the season for decorations, ladders and the inevitable falls that go with them

Oak Bay resident Michael Hardiman reminds others to play it safe while hanging holiday lights after he fell, Saturday, Nov. 12 and returned home from the hospital the next Tuesday with a fractured vertebra. (Courtesy Michael Hardiman)
Hundreds turned out to walk through Glow Gardens in Langley on opening day Nov. 23. The Christmas light festival remains open on three acres of the Darvonda Nurseries in Milner until Dec. 31. The first five nights, at least, were sold out. (Roxanne Hooper/Langley Advance Times)

PHOTOS: Crisis averted – rain threatened to derail Glow opening

Lower Mainland Christmas light festival at Langley nursery is back as a walk-through show

Hundreds turned out to walk through Glow Gardens in Langley on opening day Nov. 23. The Christmas light festival remains open on three acres of the Darvonda Nurseries in Milner until Dec. 31. The first five nights, at least, were sold out. (Roxanne Hooper/Langley Advance Times)
This home at 34314 Woodbine Crescent in Abbotsford was all lit up for the holidays in 2021.

Let us know about your Christmas light displays

2022 holiday list to be shared online and in print

This home at 34314 Woodbine Crescent in Abbotsford was all lit up for the holidays in 2021.
For the first time since 2019, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will make its annual journey through Canada and the U.S. to bring live music and raise holiday spirits across the regions. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Canadian Pacific/Neil Zeller **MANDATORY CREDIT**

CP Holiday Train returns to the rails for the first time in three years

Popular cross-country run will wrap up in Port Coquitlam on Dec. 18

For the first time since 2019, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will make its annual journey through Canada and the U.S. to bring live music and raise holiday spirits across the regions. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Canadian Pacific/Neil Zeller **MANDATORY CREDIT**
Lights by the Lake opened Saturday evening along the shores of Harrison Lake. (Adam Louis/Observer)

VIDEO: Lights by the Lake officially kicks off Harrison holiday season

Hundreds gathered to watch holiday lights brighten up the night

Lights by the Lake opened Saturday evening along the shores of Harrison Lake. (Adam Louis/Observer)
When securely fastened lights couldn’t be pried loose from the Christmas in Williams Park display in Langley they were vandalized beyond repair. Damage was estimated in the hundreds of dollars by Barb Sharp, president of the non-profit group that puts on the annual drive-through event. (Langley Advance Times file)

Vandalism damages Christmas park light display in Lower Mainland community

When an attempt to steal some lights apparently failed, power cords were cut into pieces

When securely fastened lights couldn’t be pried loose from the Christmas in Williams Park display in Langley they were vandalized beyond repair. Damage was estimated in the hundreds of dollars by Barb Sharp, president of the non-profit group that puts on the annual drive-through event. (Langley Advance Times file)
The Knights of Columbus annual nativity scene atop Terrace City Hall on Dec. 14, 2021. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)

Nativity scene banned from B.C. town’s city hall after decades-long run

Volunteer group hoping to get Terrace to change its mind after annual tradition rejected

The Knights of Columbus annual nativity scene atop Terrace City Hall on Dec. 14, 2021. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)
The West Coast Christmas Show is coming to Tradex in Abbotsford for three days, Nov. 18 to 20. (Photo courtesy West Coast Christmas Show)

Festival of Trees, Santa and Christmas market at Abbotsford Tradex all weekend

Three-day event includes non-stop entertainment and chances to meet with Santa

The West Coast Christmas Show is coming to Tradex in Abbotsford for three days, Nov. 18 to 20. (Photo courtesy West Coast Christmas Show)
The West Coast Christmas Show & Artisan Marketplace is at TRADEX Friday, Nov. 18 to Sunday, Nov. 20. Photo contributed

10 reasons you should not miss Western Canada’s leading holiday season show

The West Coast Christmas Show and Artisan Marketplace is at Tradex in Abbotsford Nov. 18 to 20

  • Nov 7, 2022
The West Coast Christmas Show & Artisan Marketplace is at TRADEX Friday, Nov. 18 to Sunday, Nov. 20. Photo contributed
A recent survey finds that Canadians will spend an average of $675 this holiday season. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

Survey shows Christmas bells will be ringing on Canada’s cash registers

One in five Canadians have not paid off last year’s holiday purchases

A recent survey finds that Canadians will spend an average of $675 this holiday season. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

Mission Outlaws hosting weekend fundraiser

Funds raised go to the Christmas Bureau

Two volunteers at the Mission Christmas Bureau enjoy a little fun time, before getting back to sorting toys. / Submitted Photo

Donations, volunteers needed for Mission Christmas hamper drive

If you have donations or time to give, now is the time to sign up

Two volunteers at the Mission Christmas Bureau enjoy a little fun time, before getting back to sorting toys. / Submitted Photo
Host Michael Bublé is shown on stage at the Juno Awards in Vancouver, Sunday, March, 25, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Michael Bublé sleighs the Canadian music charts as ‘Christmas’ makes history at No. 1

Christmas only album to reach No. 1 in 5 different calendar years on the Billboard Canadian chart

Host Michael Bublé is shown on stage at the Juno Awards in Vancouver, Sunday, March, 25, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Samantha Knight Weston Family Science program manager for Nature Conservancy Canada, says leaving your Christmas tree in your backyard over the winter can provide many benefits for backyard wildlife. (Submitted photo)

Looking to dispose of your Christmas tree? Try tossing it in the backyard

Backyard decomposition makes for great Christmas tree disposal and biodiversity

Samantha Knight Weston Family Science program manager for Nature Conservancy Canada, says leaving your Christmas tree in your backyard over the winter can provide many benefits for backyard wildlife. (Submitted photo)
Guides delivering supplies L to R: Avery Wilkins, Bruno Pelletier, Jodi Brown, Molly Johnsen, and Caitlin Thomson, and not pictured were Sam Grenier and Dave McBride from Chilliwack River Rafting Adventures. (Suzy Coulter photo)

Christmas Day delivery pulled off by Chilliwack River Rafting guides

‘We were touched and humbled by how willing people were to jump in and help us,’ says CRV resident

Guides delivering supplies L to R: Avery Wilkins, Bruno Pelletier, Jodi Brown, Molly Johnsen, and Caitlin Thomson, and not pictured were Sam Grenier and Dave McBride from Chilliwack River Rafting Adventures. (Suzy Coulter photo)
People cross-country ski at Locarno Beach after an overnight snowfall in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Dreams of white Christmas come true in Vancouver, while cold grips Prairies

Unusual weather was due to very cold air in the province’s Interior that’s being drawn out to the coast

People cross-country ski at Locarno Beach after an overnight snowfall in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Students at Centennial Park Elementary in Abbotsford made 230 gift bags that were delivered to seniors in long-term care homes in time for Christmas. (Submitted photo)

Abbotsford students deliver gift bags to seniors in long-term care

Centennial Park Elementary receives grant from United Way to bring Christmas cheer

Students at Centennial Park Elementary in Abbotsford made 230 gift bags that were delivered to seniors in long-term care homes in time for Christmas. (Submitted photo)