Santa visits, holiday parades, Christmas tree lightings, and live shows: the Fraser Valley’s must-do December events

The days are shorter. The temperature is cooler. The calendar is full of endless winter magic.

We’re officially at the last month of the year and it doesn’t disappoint. Santa will be making appearances across the Fraser Valley. There are also holiday parades, tree lightings, and seasonal activities planned for families and adults.

Here is the best of what’s to come in the upcoming month.

Did we miss any events? Let us know here.

PUBLIC SKATE

Drop-in skate times vary across the valley. Check each city’s recreation website for a complete schedule and information about rates. Find them here: Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Langley Township, Langley City, Hope, Harrison.

ABBOTSFORD

The Fraser Valley Stage is putting on two Christmas musicals at the Abbotsford Arts Centre from Dec. 1 to 10. Find tickets online for Plaid Tidings and Winter Wonderettes. EcoDairy is hosting COWntown to Christmas with events happening throughout the month. View the full calendar on their website.

Mt Lehman Community Association is hosting Light Up the Country Side on Dec. 2. The celebration will include a lighting of the hall, an appearance by Santa, and much more. Winter Jubilee takes place in downtown Abbotsford on Dec. 3. The evening will include music, a tree lighting, Santa photos, and live ice carving. See a complete schedule and a full list of activities online.

Beginning Dec. 3, the Kariton Art Gallery is hosting a holiday market. Find unique gifts handcrafted by local artisans. Also on Dec. 3, the Trethewey House Christmas Open House will feature its award-winning exhibit: The River People and the Land: Living within S’ólh Téméxw.

Matsqui Community Hall is hosting Breakfast with Santa and Christmas Crafts for Kids on Dec. 10. Tickets need to be purchased in advance. On. Dec. 15, Sip ‘N Shop takes place in downtown Abbotsford. Adults can enjoy festive beverages while shopping locally. Tickets also include shopping promos, souvenir mugs, a festive gift, and a chance to win $500 downtown dollars. The following day, on Dec. 16, Stars on Ice featuring greats Kurt Browning and Elvis Stojko will be at the Abbotsford Centre. Tickets can be purchased online.

A second Breakfast with Santa will be held on Dec. 17 at Matsqui Community Hall. Later that afternoon ticket-holders can decorate a gingerbread house. Tickets to both events need to be purchased in advance.

On Dec. 19, Abbotsford Recreation Centre is hosting family movie night. Guests are invited to attend in their pajamas and bring a blanket or lawn chair. Admission is $2 and includes popcorn and water or juice.

Ripples Winery is organizing a “Year End Cocktail Crawl” on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31. Tickets can be purchased online. Abbotsford’s Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre is hosting a 80s themed New Year’s Eve party with a dinner buffet, trivia, and cocktails. Find details and tickets online.

LANGLEY

Christmas Glow, a family-friendly light festival, is happening now until the end of the month. Find details of all the event has to offer online. Nearby, families can enjoy a free holiday drive-thru light display, Christmas in Williams Park, until Dec. 18. Donations are welcome but not required.

Kensington Prairie Farm is hosting an Alpacas & Artisan Holiday Market on Dec. 2 and 3. Shop local vendors, enjoy food truck offerings and visit with Santa. Saint Nick will also be available on Dec. 3 to take photos with your pet. The Langley Animal Protection Society will be transformed into a Christmas market. Visit the shelter online to book your pet photos.

The Fort Langley National Historic Site is hosting in-person and virtual workshops led by its blacksmith. The public can learn to build their own copper lantern and copper star and moon. Workshops take place on Dec. 2, 3, 9, and 10. Advance registration is required.

In Brookswood, the local merchant’s association has organized a holiday celebration at the Brookswood Village Mall on Dec. 2. Enjoy games, raffles, and treats. The following day the annual Christmas tree lighting will take place in Fort Langley on Dec. 3. Santa will arrive by canoe and parade to the Fort Langley hall. The evening will also include hot chocolate and music. That same weekend in Langley City will feature a free two-day Christmas festival. The Dec. 3 and 4 event will include crafts, live ice craving, Santa, food trucks, and a beer garden. Find the complete weekend itinerary online. In Aldergrove, the Christmas Light Up Parade will mosey through the neighbourhood’s downtown on Dec. 10.

CHILLIWACK

The Chilliwack Rotary Christmas Parade will be held on Dec. 3. The parade will begin and end on Yale Avenue in front of Chilliwack Senior Secondary, travelling through downtown. The rotary club will be collecting canned food during the parade.

After the parade, Santa will take up residence in Santa’s Workshop in Downtown Chilliwack’s District 1881 (102-45922 Thunderbird Lane) from Dec. 4 through Christmas Eve. Photos with Santa are by donation with proceeds going to the Full Cupboard and its partner Fraser Valley food banks. On Dec. 17, Santa will lead a children’s parade from his workshop through the downtown to a celebration in Central Park.

On Dec. 8, the Wonderheads Theatre Society presents Christmas Carol at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. Tickets are available online. Beginning Dec. 9, a three-day Christmas Gifts Expo market featuring hundreds of booths will be at the Chilliwack Heritage Park. Admission is $5 and those who bring non-perishable food items for the food bank will be entered into an hourly draw for prizes.

Santa will be at Hofstede’s Country Barn on Dec 10. Photos with St. Nick will be taken for a donation, with proceeds benefiting Ruth and Naomi’s. Yarrow MB Church is also hosting a fundraiser supporting Ruth and Naomi’s Mission. Reserve a spot online for its International Christmas Dinner on Dec. 11.

The Winter Ball Drag Show will be held at Corky’s Irish Pub on Dec. 15. Tickets for the holiday show are available online. On Dec. 17 and 18 Santa will be visiting Minter Country Gardens. No registration required and be sure to bring your own camera.

Santa will also be having breakfast on Dec. 18 at the Chilliwack Golf Club. Register for that event online.

SANTA SHUFFLE

The Salvation Army’s Santa Shuffle Fun Run & Elf Walk is happening Dec 10. The fundraiser is taking place in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Langley. Proceeds from each race support local Salvation Army initiatives. Register online.

MISSION

Santa will be at Candy Cane Lane at Mission’s Junction Shopping Centre until Dec. 24. Book a spot online to meet Father Christmas.

The annual Candlelight Parade was scheduled to hit the streets on Dec. 2 but was cancelled due to poor weather conditions. The following day, Dec. 3, however, the Mission City Farmers Market is hosting a winter market at the Clarke Theatre foyer.

The Fraser Valley Academy of Dance is presenting The Nutcracker 2022 Reimagined. There are two showtimes on Dec. 10. Tickets can be purchased online.

HARRISON

The Christmas Tree Trail, a self-guided tour, takes you through the Village of Harrison Hot Springs. Afterwards visitors can take in the Lights by the Lake. The display can be viewed along the front of the lagoon. Both holidays events will be running all month long. Visit Harrison Tourism here for details.

AGASSIZ

The CP Holiday Train is making its way across Canada with only one scheduled stop in the valley: Agassiz. The train is scheduled to arrive in the community on Dec. 17 at 5:30pm. The holiday train show is free to attend but guests are asked to bring a cash donation or non-perishable food item in support of the local food bank.

HOPE

The Hope Holiday Fest will take to the streets on Dec. 3. The following weekend, on Dec. 10, the Hope Rotary Public Skate will be held at the local recreation centre. View details for both events here.