Top 7 Christmas Season Activities on Route 7

7. Candlelight Parade, Mission

Come out on December 7^th for the 34^th Annual Mission Candlelight Parade! Festivities will be held from 7:30pm – 10:30pm, and include over 70 brightly decorated floats, live music, dancers, giveaways, and Santa Clause, of course! The 1^st float will head west from Horne Street to Park Street along 1^st Avenue, and since this is the largest nighttime parade in B.C., be sure to come early in order to get a good view.

6. Christmas Tree Shopping, Maple Ridge & Mission

Christmas Tree Shopping along Highway 7 couldn’t be easier, with several different tree farms to choose from.

Triple Tree Nurseryland is located in Maple Ridge, and is open from 9am – 6pm everyday, starting in October. The nursery is located on the Lougheed Highway, between 203^rd and 207^th Street. Not only do they sell Christmas trees, but festive décor as well.

Connie-Fir’s Tree Farm is 5 miles east of Mission on the Lougheed Highway, between Hatzic Lake and Sylvester Road. They are open for the regular winter season on December 1, from 9am – 8pm for fresh-cut trees, and from 9am – 4pm for U-cut trees.

Snowdog’s Christmas Tree Farm are located on Clay Street, off of Keystone Avenue in Mission. Their winter season started November 24^th, from 9am – dusk Monday to Saturday, and from 12pm – dusk on Sundays.  No chemicals or pesticides are used here, and all forms of payment are accepted.

Carlson’s Christmas Tree Farm is in Maple Ridge on 264^th Street, off of Dewdney Trunk Road. Their winter season begins December 1^st, and they will be open from 9am – 4:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Make sure to bring the family for free hot chocolate, and to check out the mini farm animals! Cash or cheque only at this location.

Alouette Christmas Tree Farm is located on 132^nd Avenue in Maple Ridge, with the entrance located about 1 km down the road. They will be open from December 6^th– 9^th, and from December 13^th-16^th. Payment accepted here is cash or credit.

5. Christmas Tree Trail, Harrison Hot Springs

The Harrison Christmas Tree Trail is a self-guided tour that takes you through the quaint village of Harrison Hot Springs, lasting from November 23^rd until January 13^th. Enjoy seasonal favorites at local shops along the way, and discover the weekly giveaways available at a different business each week! You can find a trail guide along your route, at your accommodation, or at the Harrison Hot Springs Visitor Centre.

4. Christmas Shopping, Maple Ridge

What better way to kick off the holiday season than Christmas Shopping on 224^th Street in Maple Ridge? There’s something for everyone on your list, with charming boutiques selling candles, tea, jewelry, home décor, and much more. The festive displays are sure to put you in the Christmas spirit, and, if that doesn’t do it, check out Christmas in Memorial Peace Park from 4pm – 6pm on December 1^st. There will be Christmas lights, treats, music, crafts for all, and to finish if off, the Santa Claus Parade begins at 6pm.

3. CP Holiday Train

The CP Holiday Train began raising money for local community food banks along the CP route 20 years ago, and have since raised $14.5 million, and 4.3 million pounds of food has been collected. There are two CP holiday trains, one going through the USA, and one going through Canada, each about 1,000 feet, with 14 brightly decorated train cars. This is a must-see for families and train-lovers! The event is free but food or cash donations are welcome. Make sure to dress warm, and come early for a good spot. On December 17^th, the Holiday Train will be making its Scenic7BC stops, arriving around 5:05pm in Agassiz, across from the Agricultural Centre on Pioneer Avenue, and at 7:30pm in Haney/Maple Ridge, across from the Billy Miner Pub. Be sure to send in your holiday photos of or with the train for the “Capture the Spirit Photo Contest!” Six lucky winners will win a trip for four aboard the 2019 CP Holiday Train, and a $1,000 donation to their local food bank.

Agassiz: https://www.facebook.com/events/553447125118236/

Maple Ridge: https://www.facebook.com/events/551144661996753/

2. Lights on the Lake, Harrison Hot Springs

The Harrison Lights on the Lake can be viewed at night along the front of the lagoon, and the 1^st Annual Opening of the lights was on November 24^th, while the festival is on until January 28^th. As you stroll along the brightly lit waterfront, this free event is sure to get the whole family into the holiday spirit. Come hear about Sasquatch’s cousin Hugh, and how he saved Christmas. Readings of the Sasquatch Christmas Story will take place in the courtyard of the Harrison Lake Hotel on Fridays from 6pm – 7pm, and Saturdays from 3pm – 4pm.

1. Lights at Lafarge, Coquitlam

The Lights at Lafarge are a dazzling display of over 100,000 lights that encircle the Lafarge Lake in a 1.2km loop. It is Metro Vancouver’s largest, free outdoor light display, attracting thousands of visitors every year. The season runs from November 24^th to January 20^th, and is open from dusk until 11pm nightly, and from dusk through midnight on New Year’s Eve. This display is entirely outdoors, so make sure to dress warmly, and wear durable footwear. Site maps can be found at the two info booths on site, and there is limited parking available.

BONUS: Winter Activities at Sasquatch Mountain Resort & Hope, Cascades & Canyons

Sasquatch Mountain Resort

Just over a two-hour drive from Vancouver, Sasquatch Mountain Resort (formerly Hemlock Resort) is situated in the coastal mountains of British Columbia, Canada and is a destination for locals and international guests alike.There are many activities for the family and the thrill-seeker, including downhill skiing and snowboarding, a tube park, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

There are many activities for the family and the thrill-seeker, including downhill skiing and snowboarding, a tube park, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Hope, Cascades & Canyons

For the outdoor enthusiasts, Hope, Cascades & Canyons area is a winter wonderland. Just 45 minutes out of Hope on Highway 3 (Crowsnest) is the beautiful E.C. Manning Park, where you can find a winter activity for everyone in the family! There is a wide variety of trails to snowshoe, with guided excursions available. The resort offers alpine and Nordic skiing, tobogganing, and ice skating.

35 minutes out of Hope on Highway 5 (Coquihalla) is Falls Lake, an approximately 4km beginner’s snowshoe or Nordic ski trip. After taking Exit 221, drive through the tunnel under the highway where you’ll find a large open space on your right, with the trailhead located across from it.

If you’re looking for something more challenging, Zoa Peak is an 11km return trip that takes about 5-6 hours to snowshoe. To access the trail, drive to the Falls Lake parking lot, and from there go right to follow a forest access road uphill. After about 800m, you should see some snowshoe and ski tracks that you can follow left uphill through the forest, making sure to stay safely in the centre of the ridge.

In summer, you can hike to the true summit, but in winter it is safer to enjoy the views from the sub-summit, as there is a steep gully between them. Keep in mind that you will be sharing the first section of both the Falls Lake and Zoa Peak trails with snowmobiles. Back country is bear country, so make sure to stay bear-aware!

To learn more about what’s happening on the Scenic7BC, visit: www.bcroute7.com

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