Best holiday events Dec 12th to 18th

Don’t let your kid rot at home while you finish your Christmas shopping, squeeze one of these events in you week.

We sifted through 240+ events happening around Vancouver this week (my Christmas gift to you) and picked only the best of the best, so you don't have to.

Here's what made the cut:

🕐 3:30 PM • 📍 Renfrew Branch

This is a guaranteed downtime for you, or a chance to watch a classic with your kiddo(s).

🕐 4:00 PM • 📍 Brighouse

This one sounds really fun! Celebrate the holiday season by designing your very own stickers! We will start by drawing our designs in Procreate, and then after the program staff will cut these out using RPL's Cricut Maker 3.

🕐 5:00 PM • 📍 Central Library

Join the folks at the Central Library for their winter music series featuring local artists performing live experimental electronic music. Suitable for all ages.

🕐 5:45 PM • 📍 Mount Pleasant Branch

If you're into creepy movies, this one is it. Obviously, this is not a good one for the young kids.

Making money from your content shouldn’t be complicated. With Google AdSense, it isn’t.

Automatic ad placement and optimization ensure the highest-paying, most relevant ads appear on your site. And it literally takes just seconds to set up.

That’s why WikiHow, the world’s most popular how-to site, keeps it simple with Google AdSense: “All you do is drop a little code on your website and Google AdSense immediately starts working.”

The TL;DR? You focus on creating. Google AdSense handles the rest.

Start earning the easy way with AdSense.

Earn with Google AdSense

🕐 8:30 PM • 📍 Coquitlam Heritage at Mackin House (1116 Brunette Ave, Coquitlam)

Make your own winter hat ornament while enjoying hot drinks during an evening crafting session (all supplies provided). No registration required.

🕐 10:00 AM • 📍 New Westminster City Hall (6th St & Royal Ave, New Westminster)

Outdoor holiday market with 90+ vendors, food trucks, live music, and surprise guests. Kids can enjoy free crafts at the Sprout Club tent. Rain or shine.

🕐 10:00 AM • 📍 Location not specified, Vancouver

Holiday-themed free swap where you can donate gently used items and pick up new ones—no need to bring something to take something.

🕐 10:30 AM • 📍 Vancouver Animal Shelter (exact location not listed)

Bring your dog for a photo with Santa Paws and support animals in need at this festive fundraiser for the Vancouver Animal Shelter

🕐 11:42 AM • 📍 Latin Plaza Hub - Latincouver

This is a Latin little Christmas Market. They will have food, crafts, live music, and engaging workshops suitable for all ages. If you tried Brazilian treats, you know, you should check this out.

Google AdSense's Auto ads lets you designate ad-free zones, giving you full control over your site’s layout and ensuring a seamless experience for your visitors. You decide what matters to your users and maintain your site's aesthetic. Google AdSense helps you balance earning with user experience, making it the better way to earn.

Take control of your ads

🕐 6:00 PM • 📍 Fleetwood Community Centre, 15996 84 Ave, Surrey

A fun-filled free holiday celebration with a cookie & Santa's village, reading and crafts corner, face painting, lunch, prizes, and more (registration required).

🕐 6:00 PM • 📍 Steveston Village, Richmond

Annual community parade through Steveston Village featuring festive floats, lights, costumed characters, and a visit from Santa.

🕐 9:42 AM • 📍 John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse

If you want your kid to spend all that energy in some tough sports, this is it. Rowing is an awesome exercise, and this is a good opportunity to try it.

🕐 10:30 AM • 📍 Hastings Branch

Children can craft holiday ornaments while making new friends. All materials are included. Adults must accompany kids under 9

🕐 3:12 PM • 📍 West Point Grey United Church

If you're into high quality Christmas music, the Vivaldi Chamber Choir is gonna present an afternoon of holiday favourites, including a sing-along.

🕐 4:00 PM • 📍 Burnaby Art Gallery, 6344 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby

A free drop-in family art program exploring themes from the gallery's current exhibit with a hands-on activity (all ages welcome).

🕐 3:30 PM • 📍 nə́c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona Branch

We got good feedback on this one, it's a regular on the newsletter: "Come experiment, craft and get creative with fun activities as we explore science, technology, art, engineering and math (S.T.E.A.M). The activity changes each week.". For Grades K-7.

🕐 2:00 PM • 📍 Central Library

My kids love videogame music, even though they don't play it yet. Learn what makes these songs so distinctive, then make your own song in FL Studio, the Inspiration Lab's music production software. This class is for learners who are comfortable using a computer keyboard and mouse. Sitting is limited, get there early!

🕐 4:00 PM • 📍 Brighouse

I am still hearing about Creepers and obsidian and a lot of Minecraft things. Simply because most kids still love it. The library has some iPads but they encourage to bring your own device if you have one.

🕐 6:00 PM • 📍 Brighouse

Shockingly funny Christmas movie Violent Night! Please note: popcorn will be served with the movie! This Film Club is for ages 18 and up.

🕐 6:00 PM • 📍 Central Library

By the VPL: "Are you stressed about the holidays or feeling a little lonely? The Vancouver Public Library is hosting a giant silent reading party to combat the holiday blues. Our "silent reading party" at the library is a social space where patrons can sit together and read in silence. ". This one is weird and I love it.

🕐 2:00 PM • 📍 Central Library

This 90-minute class will introduce you to some basics of Unreal Engine 5 and include hands on experience creating 3D virtual worlds! The class will include a presentation, hands-on learning, and time to get creative using Unreal Engine’s built-in game templates.

🕐 4:00 PM • 📍 Brighouse

Learn the basics of 3D modelling, and use your creativity with the library's 3D printers!

🕐 4:00 PM • 📍 Brighouse

Experience a winter-themed puppet show and sing-along, along with engaging family activities. Suitable for children of all ages, caregiver needs to attend.

🕐 10:00 AM • 📍 Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton St, Vancouver

Classic holiday ballet with 200+ dancers, live orchestra, lavish sets and costumes – an enchanting family tradition following Clara's magical journey.

🕐 7:30 PM • 📍 Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby

Shadbolt Centre's beloved holiday jazz concert – the B3 Kings deliver funky, soulful Christmas classics to groove up your season.

Save someone else’s pre-holiday week, forward them this email.

Also, send me feedback! I am a good listener. I want to know what is working for you, and what is not. Email me complaints, suggestions, sponsorships, lottery numbers, coupons… I want to hear from you.

Catch you next week ✌️

Nat, from Nothing To Do

Cover photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

#shotsfired - kidding! I love that song too 👀