The holiday season is upon us, and the whole V3H is lighting up in celebration. This week is chock full of family fun, so read on to find out more!

On Wednesday, December 2 from 6:45-8pm the Family Christmas Special event for all ages runs at the Terry Fox Library in Port Coquitlam [map]. Celebrate the Season with a night of festive family fun! Enjoy stories, sing carols and help decorate the Library Christmas tree. Seasonal goodies will be served. This is a drop-in event, and no registration is required. For more information call 604.927.7999.

No Place Like Home by Vivienne Pearson is opening at the Evergreen Cultural Centre’s gallery this week [map]. There will be a preview on Thursday, December 3 from 4-6pm, and the exhibit itself opens on Friday, December 4. The opening reception will take place on Sunday, December 6 from 4-5:30pm. Vivienne Pearson uses textiles, such as quilting, crochet, needlepoint and knitting to explore bold new ways to interpret and share our complex global culture. The exhibit runs through January 16. For more information, call 604.927.6550.

We’ve already mentioned ‘Moonlight Madness‘, running in downtown Port Moody on Thursday, December 3, which promises to be a fabulous event!

On Thursday, December 3 there is also a Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at Suter Brook in Port Moody from 5:30-9pm [map]. The event will feature horse drawn carriages, pictures with Santa, a choir, hot beverages and snacks, Christmas craft making and of course a giant Christmas tree. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable item to donate to the food bank. For more information call 604.552.0552.

On Thursday, December 3 the first of two Spirit of the Season Concerts runs at 7pm at the Gathering Place in Port Coquitlam [map]. The show features Sangha, an Eastern fusion ensemble. For more information, call 604.927.8400.

The Christmas Pops! concert runs on Thursday, December 3 at 8pm at Terry Fox Theatre in Port Coquitlam [map]. This is a Christmas variety show featuring dynamic entertainment for the whole family, with the fabulous JP Chorus and Orchestra. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 604.575.3760.

The Coquitlam Christmas Craft Sale gets underway on Friday, December 4 from 5-9pm at the Poirier Community Centre [map]. The event also runs on Saturday, December 5 from 10am-4pm, and Sunday, December 6 from 11am-4pm. There will be 120 crafters with a variety of locally made items including jewelry, ceramics, woodworking, handsewn items, food and more. Admission is $1 for children and seniors, and $2 for adults. For more information call 604.469.9669 or email coquitlamcrafts@canada.com.

On Saturday, December 5 Christmas in Leigh Square is happening in Port Coquitlam [map]. This free event kicks off at 1pm and features carol singing, a kids craft station, complimentary hot chocolate and treats and a special surprise direct from the North Pole. The lighting of City Hall will happen at approximately 4:30pm. Please bring a donation to support the SHARE Christmas Toy and Food Drive. For more information call 604.927.7935 or email parksrec@portcoquitlam.ca.

Place des Arts presents Light up the Square on Saturday, December 5 from 4-7pm [map]. Rhis free community event is jammed full of seasonal entertainment, fun arts and craft activities and demonstrations, delectable delicacies, lively music and much more. The Taa Daa Lady (a.k.a. Angela Brown) garbed in a delightful elf costume will MC the event, leading you through the activities and introducing the talented entertainers. There will be a song procession, stories, performances by Place des Arts students, and a variety of arts and crafts activities. If you’re looking for that jolly elf, you will be delighted to meet his French alter ego, Père Noël! The Noël Café offers French Canadian delicacies and non-alcoholic beverages, and adults can celebrate the start of the holidays with a sip of fine wine, Bailey’s with hot chocolate or mulled wine available at the cash bar. This event certainly sounds like it’s not to be missed! For more information call 604.664.1636 or email info@placedesarts.ca.

The Coquitlam Chorale Society presents Gettin’ in the Mood for Christmas on Saturday, December 5 at 7:30pm and Sunday, December 6 at 2pm at the Evergreen Cultural Centre [map]. You are invited to come and enjoy some lively music sure to please all family members. Take part in their sing-along and maybe take home a poinsettia for your Christmas table. Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for students. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 604.927.6555.

Envision Financial presents the 5th Annual Light the Lake on Sunday, December 6 from 3-7pm at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam [map]. This fun-filled family event features a Christmas market with hand-made crafts and holiday gifts, activities and crafts for the kids, hot chocolate and other yummy treats, as well as strolling carolers, entertainment and choirs. General admission is free and for $2.50, children receive a hand-made Christmas ornament, free popcorn and unlimited access to the activity and craft tents. There will be appearances by Ronald McDonald, celebrity emcee Steve Darling of Global TV and, of course, Santa and his elves. Money raised at the event goes directly to support student aid at Douglas College.

Following Light the Lake, at 7pm seniors entertainment troupe the Vaudevillians present Go for the Gold at Evergreen Cultural Centre [map]. This is a Douglas College bursary benefit concert, and tickets are $12.50 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and $35 for a family of four. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 604.927.6555.

We’re sure you’ve found something to pique your interest. So get out there and get your fill of the holiday spirit!