The holiday season is upon us, and New Westminster is bursting with festive cheer! Whether you’re looking to stroll through twinkling light displays, hot chocolate at a cozy market, or catch a holiday performance, the city has something for everyone. From beloved annual traditions to exciting new events, New West offers countless ways to celebrate the festive holiday cheer. Gather your family, invite your friends, and get ready to embrace the spirit of the season with our top picks for holiday events in New Westminster!
1. Shine Bright: Holiday Celebration Kick-off
Join us at City Hall for the launch of Shine Bright New West event Holiday Celebration Kick-off. Celebrate our community spirit with local performances, family friendly booths, food trucks and cozy firepits sponsored by Tourism New West. Enjoy an evening of inspiring entertainment and warmth as we light up the night together! (All ages)
✨Sunday, December 1, 2024
⏰6-8:30pm
📍New Westminster City Hall, 511 Royal Ave
2. Christmas Concert
Join the New Westminster & District Concert and Jazz bands for their annual Christmas concert.
✨Monday, December 2, 2024
⏰7-9pm
📍The Salvation Army, 325 6th Street
3. Shine Bright Chocolate & Coffee Crawl
Looking to discover some hidden coffee gems this holiday season? Join us for a guided tour through four amazing locations in downtown New Westminster! From cozy cafes to festive seasonal offerings, you’ll sip on delicious brews, taste holiday treats, and uncover new favorite hangouts you never knew existed. It’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit and support local businesses!
✨Saturday, December 7, 2024
⏰11am-1pm
📍Meet at Origins Chocolate Bar, 538 Victoria Street
4. Buddy’s Holly Jolly Christmas
Zachary Stevenson is the leading man from the hit musical “The Buddy Holly Story”! He is the main attraction and host for this special Christmas concert. Stevenson will be joined by the Chicago-based trio The Lovettes with their show-stopping salute to the female icons and girl groups of the 1950s and 60s. For over a decade, The Lovettes have been putting their own twist on the ladies who shaped Rock and Roll music. Hear all the big hits plus a sprinkle of your favorite seasonal tunes performed by the cast with backing provided by the Legends All-Star Band.
✨Saturday, December 7, 2024
⏰7:30-9:30pm
📍Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave
5. 25th Carols and Bells
An afternoon of Christmas music! Sing along to familiar carols and songs in between performances of five handbell choirs of all ages, an organ duet on the magnificent pipe organ, a solo ringer ringing bells all by herself and a three brother trio of violin, cello and flute. Tickets at the door or e-mail resilience.ringers@gmail.com.
✨Saturday, December 7, 2024
⏰2-3:30 pm
📍The Sanctuary at Queen’s Avenue Church, 529 Queens Ave
6. Light up Sapperton
Sapperton is a charming district in New Westminster full of residents and businesses who are friendly and welcoming. What better way to spread cheer than filling up the streets and shops with light displays and installations this December! Sapperton will shine bright this year when you support its local businesses. Let’s light up Sapperton! (All ages)
✨Sunday, December 8, 2024
⏰12-7pm
📍Sapperton Plaza (hub) – East Columbia Street (participating shops in Sapperton)
7. Meet & Greet Santa Claus
Decorate outside the Hyack office with Christmas Lights. Take a photo with Santa Claus and his Elf. Listen to Christmas songs and enjoy free hot chocolate and candy canes. (All ages)
This event is free! Please bring a non-perishable food item to support the “Don’t Go Hungry” program! Photo Frame Contest Dec. 1-16. Participate in the decorated photo frame contest outside the office. Participants are eligble to win a $50 local coffee shop gift card.
✨Tuesday, December 10, 2024
⏰4:30-6pm
📍Outside of the Hyack Festival Association Office, 204 6th Street
8. Shine Bright Alluring Antiques Crawl
Join us for a guided tour of three fantastic antique shops in downtown New Westminster with a stop to look at this holiday season! Discover unique vintage treasures, rare collectibles, and support local businesses while getting into the festive spirit.
✨Wednesday, December 11, 2024
⏰6-8pm
📍Meet at Antique Alley, 605 Front Street
9. New Westminster Holiday Market Guide
Whether you’re looking to find unique handmade gifts, savor seasonal treats, or simply soak up the cheerful atmosphere, New Westminster’s Christmas markets have something for everyone. From traditional crafts and artisanal goods to delicious holiday bites and warm drinks, this guide will take you through the must-visit markets where you can check off your holiday shopping list and make memories along the way. Get ready to experience the best of New Westminster’s festive finds by reading our holiday market guide!
✨Various dates
📍Various locations
10. Shine Bright Thrifting for Treasures Crawl
Want to uncover some amazing thrifting treasures this holiday season? Come join us for a fun guided tour of four fantastic thrift shops in downtown New Westminster! You’ll find everything from vintage gems to unique items, explore curated collections, and stumble upon some new favorite spots you probably didn’t know about. It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit while supporting our local businesses!
✨Thursday, December 12, 2024
⏰6-8pm
📍Meet at The Salvation Army, 325 6th Street
11. A Wonderheads Christmas Carol
Visual storytelling virtuosos, the Wonderheads, present their signature reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. Bringing the magic of imagination to the stage, this unforgettable live experience features spectacular giant masks, whimsical puppets, and unfathomable theatrical invention.
A feast for the eyes, ears, and heart, with a generous kick to the funny bone; this astonishing production showcases larger than life characters, glowing ghosts, and 10-foot-tall puppets – to name just a few of the treats in store for audiences as they are whisked away with Ebenezer Scrooge on his seminal Christmas Eve adventure. Prepare to laugh, cry, and be utterly enchanted this holiday season!
✨December 13 & 14, 2024
⏰Friday, December 13 at 7:30pm, Saturday, December 14 at 2pm
📍Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave
12. The New Westminster Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert
The New Westminster Symphony Orchestra presents their holiday fair , December 15th @ 2pm at the Sanctuary on 6th and Queens, New West. We will be joined by Carlos Vela-Martinez who will be our MC and will present a Christmas reading. Olesia Shewchuk joins the orchestra with several renditions of Holiday favorites.
✨Sunday, December 15, 2024
⏰2-4pm
📍The Sanctuary at Queen’s Avenue Church, 529 Queens Ave
13. Angela Kelman’s Have a Holly Jazzy Christmas
An encore performance of “Have A Holly Jolly Jazzy Christmas” with the Tom Keenlyside Quartet and featured vocalist, Angela Kelman! Enjoy some swinging Christmas songs and traditional classics with the all star band of Tom Keenlyside on sax, flute and clarinet, Michael Creber on piano, Nino Di Pasquale on drums and Brent Gubbels on bass. This concert will be sure to put you in the Seasonal spirit and keep the Grinch away!
✨Tuesday, December 17, 2024
⏰7-9pm
📍Anvil Theatre, 777 Columbia Street
14. The Dimes – Christmas Special
The Dimes are bringing their beautiful Christmas Special to the Bernie Legge Theatre for their holiday show debut. They will be taking you on a warm musical memory tour of the best Christmas songs that we all know and love. Join us on December 20th, 21st or 22nd for this nostalgic Christmas celebration that will make you feel like you are home for the holidays!
✨December 20-22, 2024
⏰Friday, December 20 at 8pm
Saturday, December 21 at 8pm
Sunday, December 22 at 2pm
📍The Bernie Legge Theatre, Queen’s Park
15. Winter Solstice
Celebrate the longest night of the year with music, art, storytelling and light. Explore the Winter Solstice exhibition on display in The Gallery at Queen’s Park and partake in free family-friendly, winter-themed rituals and activities in Centennial Lodge. Let’s celebrate this magical season. Presented by Arts New West. (All ages)
✨Friday, December 20, 2024
⏰5-8pm
📍Centennial Lodge, Queen’s Park
16. The Nutcracker
Experience the magic of The Nutcracker this holiday season with RCYB’s full length ballet, featuring a cast of 100+ dedicated and enthusiastic dancers under the direction of Keitha Campeau. Performing to Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music, this traditional ballet has beautiful sets designed by Jean Claude Olivier and extravagant, colourful costumes by Chris Sinosich.
✨Saturday, December 21, 2024
⏰1pm & 4:30pm
📍Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave
So get ready to embrace the holiday spirit, and experience the magic that makes New West a special place this time of year. Don’t forget to mark your calendars and share these festive experiences with those closest to you. Here’s to a season filled with joy, laughter, and community! 🎄
