12 Fraser Valley events to kick off your New Year's resolutions

New year. New you.

Isn’t that the traditional sentiment? Come Jan. 1, everyone sits down and writes a list of ways they wish to be more involved, more active, more creative—more something than they were the year before.

Of course, the challenge with New Year’s resolutions is they require doing. Not only must you conceive of a way to be different, you have to go out and make it happen.

That inspired the theme of this month’s events story—activities that are not only a great way to kick off 2025, but a way to help sustain your resolutions as well. Whether you’ve pledged to exercise more, learn a new skill, support the arts, or simply broaden your horizons this year, we’ve found an event that matches your plan.

Move your body

Committing to a new exercise routine might be both the most popular New Year’s resolution and the hardest to keep. These events in Langley, Chilliwack, and Abbotsford could help keep your resolution alive, and put some community in your movement plan.

Peninsula Runners running groups

Although Peninsula Runners is based in White Rock, they have a weekly running group that meets Wednesday nights in Langley. The sessions begin Jan. 22 and go until the end of April. Participants can choose between the walk-to-run program and the run-stronger clinic. The walk-to-run program offers a gradual introduction to running; the run-stronger program focuses on the technical aspects of running and includes different workouts.

Both programs finish with a timed 5K run so you can see how much you have improved. Details are available online. Early registration costs around $60.

Yoga with HIM

Health Initiative for Men is hosting beginner yoga at Chilliwack’s Evergreen Hall on the second and last Fridays of the month. The class is open to gay, bi, and queer men, as well as gender-diverse people and other like-minded adults. Participants often meet after class to continue socializing.

Classes begin at 6pm, and take place on Jan. 10 and Jan. 31 this month. Details are available online, and registration is free.

Movement Circuit

The City of Abbotsford is offering a movement class geared towards people who are new to working out, returning to the gym after a long absence, or getting back into motion after an injury. The Movement Circuit takes place on Mondays at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre, and is participant-driven, meaning you will get to determine how far to push yourself.

The first class is on Monday, Jan. 13 at 10:45am. Details are available online. Registration is less than $10 a class, and free for active pass holders.

Learn a new skill

In a world so focused on the digital, it can be easy to forget about the tangible—the things you can hold up and say “I made this.” Whether that thing is a handmade scarf, a nature painting, or a new cutting board, there is a class or group in the Fraser Valley that can help you make it.

Knitting Club

New and experienced knitters can head to their local library and find a place to gather with like-minded crafters this January. The groups are typically open to knitters and crocheters of all ages and abilities, and offer the chance to share ideas and techniques in a social setting.

There are groups available in Langley (Murrayville Library, Tuesdays; Aldergrove Library, Thursdays), Abbotsford (Abbotsford Community Library, Saturdays), Mission (Mission Library, Wednesdays), Chilliwack (Sardis Library, Sundays), and Hope (Hope Library, Tuesdays).

Family Art Class: Winter Nature

Chilliwack’s Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve offers periodic art classes with local instructor John LeFlock throughout the year. On Saturday, Jan. 11, he is hosting a course on nature and landscape paintings. The class is open to all ages, and will focus on chickadees and willow trees.

Registration is $40, and details are available online.

Maker Cube Classes

Langley co-working space Maker Cube holds small classes for people wanting to learn new techniques in design, woodworking, welding, and other hands-on applications. In January, classes include making your own cutting board, handbuilding pottery, laser-cutting and engraving, computer-aided manufacturing, welding basics, and more.

Tools and equipment are provided, although participants must bring their own safety glasses. Courses range between $80 and $200. Details online.

Broaden your horizons

Sometimes you just need to stretch—not physically, but mentally. These three events in Abbotsford, Langley, and Hope focus on expanding your mind through the senses, by writing, stargazing, and tasting.

Reflective Writing for Mental Wellness

On Tuesdays in January, the Clearbrook Library in Abbotsford hosts a reflective writing workshop to help participants increase their awareness and self-love. No conversation is needed during the workshop, just the willingness to sit with emotions and write.

The sessions take place on Tuesdays at 11am starting on Jan. 7. Details online.

Stargazing in the Skagit

The Hope Mountain Centre and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada have joined together to help people experience the “dark sky highway” in the Sunshine Valley. The evening, which takes place on Friday, Jan. 31 at 7pm, includes an introduction to beginners astronomy, a guided demonstration for building a star wheel, a presentation on how to reduce light pollution, and a hands-on telescope observation.

You can read our profile of the Hope Mountain Centre here. Registration is $69 a person, and youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Details online.

Voyager Club

Fort Langley’s Rail and River Bistro wants to invite people to travel with their taste buds. The bistro’s Voyageur Club holds a monthly tasting night, featuring a different cuisine each time. In January, the club “travels” to northern India for a five-course tasting menu with paired drinks.

The voyageur club dinners take place on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. January’s dinner can be booked for either Jan. 28 or Jan. 29 and is $85 per person. Details and tickets online.

Support local artists

Resolutions don’t all have to be about personal growth. Sometimes, you can just vow to support others who are making good art, whether it be comedy, theatre, or music.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Multiple comedians are coming to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Friday, Jan. 24 to share jokes while tackling issues around PTSD and mental health. Laughter is the Best Medicine will use comedy to help people laugh, learn, and come together in support for first responders, veterans, survivors, and others.

Doors open at 6pm so patrons can peruse a silent auction. Tickets at $59. Details online.

Irena’s Vow

Abbotsford's Gallery 7 Theatre performs Irena’s Vow from Friday, Jan. 24 to Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Abbotsford Arts Centre. The play tells the true story of a housekeeper in German-occupied Poland who decides to shelter 12 Jewish workers in the basement of a Nazi commander’s house. The play is recommended for people 16 and older, as there are some graphic descriptions of war, mature themes, and suggestive scenes.

Evening performances take place at 7:30pm, with two matinees on Saturday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 1. Tickets and details are available online.

Katie Rife, percussion, in concert

Langley percussionist Katie Rife will bring her skills to the Rose Gellert Hall on Sunday, Jan. 26 with an afternoon of marimba, vibraphone, and more. Rife, an instructor at the Langley Community Music School, will perform works by local composers Jennifer Butler, Anna Hostman and Marcus Goddard, as well as music by Australian composer Rae Howell. The concert will begin with an informal conversation and complimentary refreshments.

The concert will take place at Rose Gellert Hall in the Langley Community Music School. The talk will begin at 2:30pm. Details and tickets online.