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Holiday Highway

November 12, 2021

Bundle up, buckle up, and take a magical journey down the BC Route 7: your Holiday Highway! Make the route from Coquitlam to Hope part of your family’s holiday traditions. There’s so much to experience along the way, from Coquitlam’s glorious Lights at Lafarge to the classic Nutcracker Ballet at Maple Ridge’s ACT Arts Centre; from historic Downtown Mission’s festive Customer Appreciation Night to the Christmas Tree Trail in Harrison Hot Springs. Then there are the Winter Night Lights in Agassiz, and Hope’s wood carvings and charming small-town shopping…and that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Here’s just a sampling of special events you’ll find along the way.

COQUITLAM

Photo Credit: @timthephotographerguy

LIGHTS AT LAFARGE
Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way. November 27- January 31
Modified in consideration of current provincial health orders, this year’s winter lights display has been dispersed to provide two walking loops within Town Centre Park. Tip: In order to minimize crowds, consider attending during off-peak hours (before 6pm and after 8pm), and avoid weekends and the busy week of December 20-26.

SANTA’S PHOTO STUDIO
Coquitlam Centre, 2929 Barnet Highway. November 22 – December 24
Enjoy a safe and stress-free in-person visit with Santa with an online, pre-paid booking system. Santa’s Photo Studio will be located on Level 2 near the Best Buy. Click here to book your photo.

Get more ideas at Coquitlam’s Visitor Centre, located at 1116 Brunette Avenue or online here.

MAPLE RIDGE

Photo Credits: mapleridge.ca

GLOW MAPLE RIDGE
Memorial Peace Park and Maple Ridge City Centre. November 26 – January 7.
A twinkling light tunnel, a brilliant art tree, a glowing bandstand, and an interactive illuminated sequoia tree are just some of the amazing features that serve as the perfect holiday backdrop for a selfie with a loved one on a winter walkabout this season.

THE NUTCRACKER BALLET
ACT Arts Centre. December 11 & 12 at 3pm.
Ballet Victoria presents the best of The Nutcracker, a magical shortened version perfect for a ‘first’ Nutcracker experience with wee ones. This makes an amazing family tradition that features an incredible musical score, gorgeous costumes, breathtaking ballet, and fun surprises. Book tickets online here.

Get more inspiration for Maple Ridge holiday adventures here.

MISSION

Photo credit: @thepennycoffee

DOWNTOWN MISSION: CUSTOMER APPRECIATION NIGHT
Downtown Mission, November 18, 5-9pm
Please join us downtown in celebrating this amazing community and kicking off the holiday season with some fun (and great deals on your holiday shopping!) Listen to the carol singers as you stroll along the sidewalk, warm your hands on a hot cup of cider or hot chocolate, and don’t forget to visit Santa for a chat and a picture at The Candy Shack! (Santa would love it if you could help him out by bringing a donation to the local food bank).

THE NUTCRACKER 2021 REIMAGINED PLUS POLARIS
The Clarke Theatre: 33700 Prentis Avenue, December 11. Matinee: 2pm Evening: 7pm
Fraser Valley Academy of Dance presents a new one-act ballet of The Nutcracker, plus Polaris: An Arctic Adventure. This contemporary circus is in special collaboration with Mission’s Circus School, Triumph Acrobatic Arts. Purchase your tickets here.

Get more ideas at Mission’s Visitor Centre, located at 34033 Lougheed Highway or online here.

HARRISON HOT SPRINGS

LIGHTS BY THE LAKE
Village of Harrison Hot Springs Waterfront, November 20 – January 10
The waterfront is transformed into an enchanting world of lights, featuring old fashioned street lamps, painted selfie stands, and brilliant light displays depicting Sasquatch, local wildlife and much more.

CHRISTMAS TREE TRAIL
Village of Harrison Hot Springs Waterfront, November 20 – December 31
The Christmas Tree Trail is a self-guided Christmas Tree tour that leads through the Village. Enjoy seasonal favourites at featured coffee shops, restaurants, and retailers. Find last-minute Christmas gifts and collect stamps at participating locations to win a grand prize. Pick up a guide along the route or at the Harrison Hot Springs Visitor Information Centre.

Get more ideas at Harrison Hot Spring’s Visitor Centre, located at 499 Hot Springs Road or online here.

AGASSIZ & KENT

WINTER NIGHT LIGHTS
Pioneer Park, Agassiz, December 1 – 31.
Stroll through the warm glow cast by large, brilliantly lit trees and take an Instagram shot in the beautifully lit gazebo. The lights come on at dusk, and stretch across the park from the Agassiz-Harrison Museum to the Observer Office; located directly across from the quaint downtown shopping core. The District of Kent will be coordinating special events and activities throughout the Winter Night Lights.

SASQUATCH MOUNTAIN RESORT OPENING DAY
20955 Hemlock Valley Road, December 10 (weather permitting)
Delivering fantastic family fun with downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and tubing, Sasquatch Mountain Resort is a winter lover’s paradise! Watch their website for special activities and events during the holiday season.

Get more ideas at Agassiz’s Visitor Centre, located at 7011 Pioneer Ave, or online, here.

HOPE

HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS: HOPE HOLIDAY FEST
Memorial Park, Third Avenue & Wallace Street, November 27, 6pm
Be at Memorial Park as the Christmas Lights Display and the Christmas Tree are lit up with dazzling colour and a new holiday-themed chainsaw carving is unveiled. Enjoy free hot chocolate and popcorn from the Hope’s Lion Club in front of Hope District Hall, and do some late night holiday shopping at Hope’s charming downtown shops.

HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS: DOWNTOWN CELEBRATION
Memorial Park, Third Avenue & Wallace Street, December 3-5
The Downtown Celebration will feature Christmas movies at Hope Cinema Café, and downtown stores will be open late for holiday shopping. Stop for a holiday brew at Mountainview Brewing, and take part in a public skate sponsored by the Rotary Club on the 4th from 1:30 to 4:30pm. Hope’s Christmas Lights Driving Tour starts on this weekend also!

Get more ideas at Hope’s Visitor Centre, located at 919 Water Avenue or online, here.

 

Make the most of this celebrated and special time of year by enjoying our community events! We love to see where your holidays take you, please tag your photos with #BCRoute7 to share them with us. For more information on these or other fun activities along BC Route 7, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.