MyWestworld

Travel Events: December 2009

Posted on 17. Dec, 2009 by Sonu Purhar in Living

Westworld’s PRIME PICKS

GRANVILLE ISLAND November 26 – January 2, 2010: It’s A Wonderful Life

“You see, George, you’ve really had a wonderful life.”

For a stroll down memory lane, remembering just how grand life can be: the Arts Club Theatre Company’s lively stage production of It’s a Wonderful Life. After watching the uplifting Christmas classic, theatre goers can then explore the winding streets of Granville Island, where Yuletide activities kick off December 3 and continue throughout the season: festive trolley rides, freshly roasted chestnuts, hot apple cider – it’s enough to bring out the George Bailey in even the most Scrooge-like of us. Ticken info online, or call 604-687-1644.

courtesy B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation

VICTORIA November 19 – January 3, 2010: Festival of Trees

Though the Fairmont Empress is majestic year-round, the holiday season truly brings out its magnificence. This year marks the 19th annual Festival of Trees, when Victoria’s premier hotel transforms into an enchanted forest of sparkling tinsel and vibrant lights. Event sponsors are given free reign in decorating their trees – which run the gamut from wacky to work-of-art – and visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite submissions. The best part: all proceeds are donated to the B.C. Children’s Hospital. Can’t make it to Victoria? The event’s sister hosts are Vancouver’s Four Seasons Hotel and Port Alberni’s Best Western Barclay. 1-888-663-3033.

PRINCE RUPERT December 4 – 5: Winterfest

There’s nothing quite like an old-fashioned community Christmas, and Prince Rupert offers one of the region’s best. The city’s 13th annual Winterfest is billed as a family pleasing Noel, with enough Christmas spirit to rival the North Pole’s. Don’t miss: the city’s renowned Cowpuccino’s Coffee House, where home bakers will be flexing their interior design muscles in the gingerbread-house-decorating competition; a walk around the Courthouse Grounds, where the town’s intricate light display comes to life; taking the kids to breakfast with Santa, then watching him in the town-wide parade; winding down at a reading of Christmas favourites at Eainforest books; and letting the tykes loose on the Civic Centre Arena’s by-donation ice-skating afternoon. The festival closes with a bang – literally, as sparkling fireworks provide a backdrop for the annual Sailpast parade of Christmas carol boats. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. For more info and tickets: 250.624.9118.

courtesy Polar Bear Habitat and Heritage Village

(NATIONAL) COCHRANE, ONTARIO Year-Round: Polar Bear Habitat & Heritage Village

Polar bear swims are ubiquitous in the winter months – after all, there’s nothing quite like an icy ocean plunge, particularly for a good cause. But what about the event’s namesake? Well, a day at Cochrane’s polar bear facility provides a crash course in the  Ursus maritimus. The only polar bear rehabilitation centre in the world, the Ontario site recovers abused or neglected bears and nurses them back to health, then finds new homes for them or provides long-term shelter at the centre. Here, visitors can also view the arctic natives in their new habitat, and, for those leery of jumping into sub-arctic waters, swim alongside the bears in an adjacent (partitioned) wading pool (seasonal). Yuletide bonus: during the Christmas season, the centre’s heritage village hosts a dazzling Northern Nights lights display December 5, 12 and 19. Ticket prices vary. For more information: visit the website or call 1-800-354-9948

(INTERNATIONAL) RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL December 31: New Year’s Eve

Canucks haven’t partied till they’ve partied in Rio – especially on New Year’s Eve, or Reveillon. Consistently voted one of the best New Year’s bashes in the world, Rio’s all-night year end bash sees more than two million merrymakers crowding the streets and spilling over onto Cobacabana Beach. The celebration starts in the early hours, when hundreds of Brazilians begin streaming to the oceanside to pay homage to the Afro-Brazilian goddess Iemanja, while samba, boleros and choros plays in the background; the rest of the day, revelers party like it’s 2009. To celebrate Brazilian-style:,dress in white (as per tradition), let the champagne flow and keep those hips moving. If you need more convincing, keep in mind that winter is Rio’s depth of summer – and partying in the evening heat trumps shivering in a parka, anytime.

Lead image: Bob Frazer/the Arts Club Theatre Company’s It’s a Wonderful Life/photo by David Cooper

Tags: Cappuccino's, Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat & Heritage Village, Empress Hotel festival of trees, Fours Seasons festival of trees, Granville Island - It's a Wonderful Life - Arts Club Theatre, New Year's Eve-Brazil, Port Alberni Best Western festival of trees, Prince Rupert Winterfest, Vancouver Island Christmas, Victoria Festival of Trees