Bundle up for the chilly, sunny weather forecast for this weekend and enjoy the festive fun that's taking place in New Westminster. We're continuing with our popular feature, The Record's Top Five (or More) Things to Do This Weekend and offer the following suggestions for Dec. 6 to 8.
1. Welcome Santa to the Royal City when he arrives in the 2013 Santa Claus Parade. The parade takes place on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. on Columbia Street. Get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy holiday happenings taking place in downtown New Westminster before and after the Santa Claus Parade. The day's events include arts activities in Hyack Square (10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), Merry Fishmas at Fraser River Discovery Centre (noon to 4 p.m.), Royal City Farmers Market at River Market (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and free photos with Santa at the Shops at New West (noon to 4 p.m.).
2. Enjoy a cup of fresh hot apple cider - and take in a chicken coop demonstration - at the holiday edition of Royal City Farmers' Market. The market takes place on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at River Market, 810 Quayside Dr. Shoppers can cross some items off their Christmas list, as the market also features more than 40 vendors who will be selling all sorts of food and craft products.
3. Tour some beautifully decorated heritage homes during the Homes for the Holidays tour on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Five homeowners are opening their doors in this fundraiser for the Queen's Park Care Centre. Merchandise from the care centre's gift shop will be available at homes on the tour, so you can get some Christmas decorating inspiration and buy gifts at the same time. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Queen's Park Care Centre gift shop (315 McBride Blvd.), Royal City Colours (700 12th St.), Cadeaux (467 East Columbia St.), DeDutch Pannekoek House (Columbia Square) and Brick & Mortar Living (50 Sixth St.) or online at www.qphf.org.
4. Take Fifi and Fido to Van Pet so they can have their picture taken with Mr. Claus himself. Santa will be posing for photos with pets this weekend, with proceeds going to the Royal City Humane Society. The pet photos with Santa take place on Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Van Pet in Royal Square mall, which is located at Eighth Avenue and McBride Boulevard.
5. Check out the Royal City Youth Ballet's annual performance of The Nutcracker at Massey Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 1 and 4:30 p.m. Call the box office at 604-521-5050 or see www.masseytheatre.com for tickets.
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